Accompanied deer stalking - Forestry Commission Scotland · Left: Red deer stag illustration; istockphoto ... the ranger’s permission), and • satisfy themselves that they have

Accompanied deer stalking

on Scotland’s National Forest Estate

Forest Enterprise Scotland manages the country’s forests and woodlands, and employs highly trained wildlife rangers to manage deer on the National Forest Estate. Throughout the year, the rangers offer visitors a unique and thrilling opportunity to stalk deer in some of Scotland’s most spectacular and scenic locations.

Front cover: Red deer stags; Danny Green/2020VISIONAbove: Red deer hind; istockphoto

Right: Glenbranter area, Cowal & Trossachs; Alaister ClarkLeft: Red deer stag illustration; istockphoto

‘Stalking red stags in Scotland is a bucket-list experience for most stalkers’

Shooting Times, 2016

Deer are among Scotland’s most iconic animals - made famous in art, literature and folklore. Today, a variety of species contribute to the rich biodiversity of Scotland’s landscape. However, without careful management of the population, deer can also have a negative impact on the land and other wildlife.

Accompanied deer stalking 3

Deer stalking is an important part of modern land management. It contributes to the economy, protects many threatened plants and animals, and maintains a healthy population of deer. It’s also a fascinating way to discover Scotland’s landscape and culture.

On one of our accompanied deer stalking experiences, you’ll be looked after by highly skilled wildlife rangers who manage some of the biggest deer culls in the UK. They will choose an area - from woodland, lowland hill to remote highland glen - and plan the day based on your fitness, ability and expectations.

Our wildlife rangers are there to offer help and advice to all stalkers, regardless of experience. They’re experts in deer welfare, habitat management, firearms handling and carcass preparation - and will be with you every step of the way.

Scotland’s three main species of deer are found in Forestry Commission Scotland’s ten forest districts.

A typical packageAccompanied deer stalking is sold by the day but many people join us for longer (up to four days) - we can provide details of accommodation in the area. You will be out with our wildlife rangers at dawn, in the evening or for a whole day.

Terrain can be rough, so you should bring good quality outdoor clothing and appropriate waterproof footwear. If stalking time is lost because of bad weather (as it can be in the mountains), we can arrange another day at no extra cost. It’s all designed to give you the best chance of seeing deer and get a unique insight to deer management in Scotland.

How much will it cost?Late April – Mid August Roe bucks £200/dayLate September – 20 October Red and Sika stags £250/day21 October – 15 February Does and hinds (all species) £120/day(Excludes VAT at 20%)

What is the National Forest Estate?The National Forest Estate is Scotland’s largest national land resource, covering more than 650,000 hectares - or 9% of the country’s total land area. Perhaps surprisingly, only about two-thirds of the estate has trees on it. The rest is open ground, from remote mountain tops and lowland hills to the coast.

Where to go deer stalking

Find out moreNorth HighlandInverness, Ross & SkyeMoray & Aberdeenshire

[email protected] 067 6841

Lochaber West Argyll Tay Cowal & Trossachs

[email protected] 067 6380

Scottish LowlandsDumfries & BordersGalloway

[email protected] 067 6700

North Highland

Inverness, Ross & Skye

Lochaber

Tay

Cowal & Trossachs

ScottishLowlands Dumfries

& Borders

Galloway

Moray & Aberdeenshire

FortWilliam

Oban

Stirling

GlasgowEdinburgh

Hawick

DumfriesNewtonStewart

Inverness

Aberdeen

Dundee

Perth

Ullapool

WestArgyll

The thrill of the chase

Left to right: Roe deer, sika deer hind, red deer stag

Deer stalking at dawn; Alaister Clark

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Scotland’s National Forest Estate is responsibly managed to the UK Woodland Assurance Standard.

What you can stalk

Roe deer - The smallest and most widely distributed deer species. Mainly woodland dwelling.

Sika deer - Introduced to Scotland in the 19th century. Larger than roe deer, with branched antlers similar to red.

Red deer - Scotland’s largest land mammal, found mainly on open hills. Stags can grow to more than 6ft tall.

Above: Accompanied stalking on the National Forest Estate

We recommend that you use a Forestry Commission Scotland rifle. This option includes ammunition and is free of charge. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that the rifle is well maintained, correctly ‘zeroed in’ and fitted with a sound moderator - and that the rifle/ammunition is legal and suitable for the type of deer being stalked. If you’re travelling from overseas, it also means no security or customs issues.

Please read these notes carefully as you may experience inconvenience and delay at UK Customs if you do not have the correct documentation.

Purpose of a firearm permitA UK visitor firearm permit must be obtained before rifles and sound moderators can be brought into and used in this country. The permit also provides authority to possess, purchase or acquire ammunition for sole use in the lawful shooting of deer.

The permit is issued on a personal basis for stalking in a particular area and covers only the firearms specified on it, together with the amount of ammunition required for the visit. Any other weapons or additional ammunition will be confiscated at the point of entry to the UK.

The permit is issued to enable the holder to pass through UK Customs and security upon arrival and departure with the specified rifle(s) and ammunition. It is valid for the duration of your stay in the UK but you are only permitted to use the firearm while stalking with Forestry Commission Scotland.

Witnessed stalkingThere may be opportunities to have your stalks witnessed for accreditation towards Deer Stalking Certificate 2.

Shared packagesIn some areas, two clients may be permitted to share a stalking outing. Only one client will be allowed possession of the rifle at any one time, and a 25% surcharge will be applied. NB Wildlife ranger vehicles can carry only one passenger - clients sharing a package are required to arrange additional transport.

InsuranceAll clients must show evidence of at least £5m public liability insurance cover for the UK before the accompanied stalking can begin.

TrophiesIt is each client’s responsibility to remove antlers or head if desired. Any private arrangement with a wildlife ranger must not be undertaken in official time, on FCS premises or using FCS equipment.

Firearms and safety Overseas visitors

Other important information

For red and sika deer:• the bullet must weigh at least 100 grains,• have a minimum muzzle velocity of

2,450 feet/second AND• have a minimum muzzle energy of

1,750 foot pounds.

For roe deer:• the bullet must weigh at least 50 grains,• have a minimum muzzle velocity of

2,450 feet/second AND• have a minimum muzzle energy

of 1,000 foot pounds.

NB These are the minimum legal requirements.All ammunition for deer stalking must be of a type designed to expand/deform on impact.

The maximum amount of ammunition you are permitted is typically 60 rounds - with a maximum of 40 rounds allowed to be acquired at any one time. Any variations will be stipulated on the firearm permit.

Verification of zeroTo ensure safe and humane shooting, stalkers must practice and maintain their skill with a rifle, and must check at regular intervals that their rifle is zeroed correctly (ie, the bullet strikes a selected point of aim at a chosen range).

The rifle must always be test-fired and the zero verified or corrected after a knock or other impact, or after any unaccountably ‘wild’ shot. No one should continue stalking until this zeroing has been completed.

You will be required to verify the zero of your firearm to the satisfaction of the wildlife ranger before stalking can start. This will consist of firing three shots into a 10cm circle at 100m range. (At least 20 rounds of ammunition should be brought for this purpose.)

Calibre and ammunitionStalkers must only use rifles and ammunition that are legal in Scotland for the species of deer being shot.

Bringing your own rifleIt’s your responsibility to keep your firearm and ammunition safe during your visit. That means storing it all securely to prevent access by an unauthorised person. Before booking accommodation, check that secure storage is available. If not, we recommend booking somewhere else.

All rifles used must be fitted with a sound moderator to safeguard the health and safety of our clients and staff. Overseas visitors must obtain a Visitors Firearms Permit (see below). UK residents must bring their Firearms Certificate for the rifle and sound moderator they intend to use.

Applying for a firearm permitA UK visitor’s firearm permit application form can be found on the Police Scotland website. Alternatively, we can send one to you with our offer of stalking.

The form must be returned to Police Scotland, together with a copy of your firearm certificate or hunting licence. Please ensure you send a copy of your European Firearm Permit if you live in an EC member state that provides one. You should allow at least six weeks for your application to be processed. The fee for a visitor’s firearm permit is £20.

If the firearm is lost or stolen, the permit holder must inform the police immediately.

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Further reading• The Scottish Forestry Strategy, Forestry Commission Scotland, 2006• Deer Management on the National Forest Estate: Current Practice and Future Directions,

Forestry Commission Scotland, 2014• Scotland’s Wild Deer: A National Approach, The Scottish Government, 2014 • Code of Practice on Deer Management, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2012• Best Practice Guidance on the Management of Wild Deer in Scotland

Terms & Conditions1. Clients will be expected to shoot all deer specified by the ranger - no special conditions regarding

antler quality will be accepted. Each client will be permitted to shoot specified deer over part or whole of a particular forest on a specific date or between specific dates. In certain parts of Scotland, shooting may be prohibited on a Sunday or a public holiday.

2. The accompanied stalker, to a degree, is acting as a wildlife ranger assistant and, therefore, will be required to:

• follow the wildlife ranger’s instructions on firearm safety at all times, • produce on request a valid firearm certificate or visitor’s firearm permit, as well as public liability

insurance to the value of at least £5m sterling, • indemnify Forestry Commission Scotland against any loss, damage or injury howsoever caused, • shoot deer as directed by the wildlife ranger (on no account should any animal be shot without

the ranger’s permission), and • satisfy themselves that they have a reasonable level of fitness as much of the terrain is steep

and rough.

3. Shooting from any vehicle or by artificial light is prohibited.

4. If an injured deer is encountered, it will be shot (if the outing is spoiled as a result, another outing may be arranged).

5. If a deer is wounded, stalking will stop until the animal has been despatched or otherwise accounted for.

6. While all arrangements for satisfactory outings are made in good faith, Forestry Commission Scotland cannot provide any guarantee for the success of the outing(s).

7. All carcasses will remain the property of Forestry Commission Scotland.

8. Forestry Commission Scotland reserves the right to suspend or cancel a package at any time and all decisions in relation to the package will be final. Failure to meet any of the terms and conditions stated above may result in stalking being suspended and the package being cancelled.

9. Payment in full is required when a client accepts an offer to accompany a ranger on a stalking trip.

10. The first £300 of any stalking fees is non-refundable (along with any costs incurred for obtaining a firearm permit). If a client cancels less than four weeks before the agreed stalking date, no refund will be given.

11. Forestry Commission Scotland reserves the right to vary the Terms & Conditions and the charges contained in this brochure.

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DIS/PDF/August 2017/All photos © Forestry Commission unless stated.