Love herds

It seems habitual to over-sensationalise deer issues and take numbers particularly out of context.

The Scottish Environment Link report to which your editorial “Deer Hunting” (14 January) refers states a Scottish red deer population of some 400,000 in 2010. That is now estimated to be closer to 300,000 and cited by Scottish Natural Heritage in its September 2019 report at a density of around 9.35/sq km, its lowest level for several decades, reflecting a now declining trend.

Opening up the responsibility for culling to a wider public is already commonplace across low ground areas and involvement in hill stalking is certainly not restricted to those with deeper pockets. The overriding caveat is that anyone handling a firearm should be properly trained, and fit and competent – the sector has worked hard to ensure that this is the case.

Regarding deer welfare, living on the open range, as many of our red deer do, does not necessarily mean that their welfare is compromised. Any healthy animal can suffer privation and die in exceptional weather conditions.

However, the pattern of milder winters experienced as a result of climate change has made such winters rare (2017 being an exception) and generally natural mortalities are not exceptional for a wild species.

A population culled selectively at rates of over 20 per cent – as is the case with red deer – has a high level of general health, with few old or sick animals. The health and welfare of our wild deer herd should not generally be a matter for concern.

RICHARD COOKE Chairman, Association of Deer Management Groups,

Brechin, Angus