Dear Stalking
Deer stalking is essential to the sustainable management of deer populations and the natural heritage. Regular culling of deer ensures that there is sufficient grazing for the herd and other animals, and that fragile upland habitats are not damaged. The cull is managed in each area by the local Deer Management Group, with advice from the Deer Commission for Scotland.
The red stag stalking season is from 1 July to 20 October. The dates that estates start stalking varies. September and October are particularly busy months, when stalking is often taking place six days a week. Hinds are culled from 21 October to 15 February, with most activity before Christmas.
Roe stalking can also take place on forested estates. The roe buck stalking season is from 1 April to 20 October, with June to August being the most important months, and the doe stalking season is from 21 October to 31 March.
Deer stalking does not take place on Sundays.
Top ten tips for responsible hillwalkers during the stalking season:
- take reasonable steps to find out where stalking is taking place and change your route if asked to do so
- follow advice given in Hillphone messages, Deer Management Group leaflets, notices at parking places or by estate staff that you meet
- consult estates about plans particularly if in a large organised group
- use established hill paths
- follow prominent mountain ridges
- follow main watercourses when descending open hillsides
- avoid cutting down through corries
- keep dogs on a lead if stalking is in operation
- keep voices to reasonable levels as sound carries in the hills
- avoid wild camping in corries if stalking planned for following day (see) wild camping
