STEPS TO control deer numbers in the south-west of Sutherland have been labelled ‘malicious’ and a ‘gratuitous killing of deer,’ with long lasting and detrimental effects on the surrounding community.

The John Muir Trust (JMT) have angered some neighbours in Assynt, by starting an out-of-season cull on their property at Quinag, after being authorised to carry out the cull on the grounds of preventing damage to woodland and other habitats.

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JMT has been accused of not delivering ‘any real environmental gain’ but reducing the value of deer and their significant contribution to the local rural economy.

Native woodland advisor and representative of the Assynt Crofters Trust (ACT), Victor Clements, explained: “A stag shot in season will be worth more than £1000 to a rural economy like that which exists in the NW Highlands, if you include venison, a shooting fee, local accommodation and some measure of local economic multipliers. The same animal shot after New Year out of season might be worth £50.

"There will be no multipliers and the venison will be low value at this time of year, going into low value products. So, the value of these animals has been reduced by 95%.”

JMT started its cull over the Christmas holidays and admitted to taking 26 stags in the first two days alone. Mr Clements argued that the local area was being stripped of around £30,000 of community assets in just two nights and suggested that if culling rates continued, there would be a knock-on impact on local employment.

After a previous out-of-season cull by the NGO, on Knoydart, in 2015, its actions reportedly led to reduced employee roles at neighbouring estates and some estates stopping taking on college trainees.

The ACT, along with the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA), called for the out-of-season cull to be suspended until the scheme is properly evaluated and locals consulted.

SGA Deer Group representative, Lea MacNally, said: “The SGA backs the suspension of the out-of-season licence until this project and its potential impacts, can be evaluated properly.

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“The community are not against tree regeneration, as has been demonstrated on their own ground, but this scheme has the potential to seriously imperil employment and cut off much needed income streams with scant justification for any real environmental gain.”

Doubts have been expressed over the extent of NatureScot’s oversight of the project and whether the out-of-season application is competent. A spokesperson for NatureScot told The SF that the break down in local collaboration had no bearing on the authorisation process.

“The John Muir Trust (JMT) submitted an application to us seeking authorisation to control deer out-of-season and at night on their Quinag land, to prevent damage to woodland and other habitats, including those on protected sites.

"We have issued an authorisation on that basis. These authorisations are legitimate tools for preventing damage and delivering effective deer management.

“As well as the JMT, NatureScot has been involved in discussions with the Assynt Peninsula sub-group of the West Sutherland Deer Management Group and local stakeholders about these plans.

“While we are disappointed that the collaborative approach has broken down in this area, this has no bearing on our authorisation process, which is about NatureScot satisfying itself that damage is occurring or likely to occur, and that no other reasonable means of control can be adopted to prevent damage.”