SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT BACKS DOWN ON FEMALE DEER SEASON EXTENSION

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK - JULIE YATES

Retailers and deer managers across Scotland will welcome news that the proposed changes to female deer open seasons will not go ahead. Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, confirmed this in a recent letter to Finlay Carson MSP, Convener of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. The decision follows significant opposition from the sector, including organisations such as the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA), which raised concerns about the potential animal welfare impact and practical implications for deer managers.

The proposal, which emerged from the Managing Deer for Climate and Nature public consultation in early 2024, sought to extend open seasons for female deer. This would have increased the likelihood of heavily pregnant deer being culled – an outcome many in the sector found unacceptable. The SCA and other industry voices made their stance clear, stressing that responsible deer management should prioritise welfare and sustainability over numerical targets.

Despite the government’s decision, debate continues within conservation circles. During a rural affairs deer management roundtable on 29 January 2025, Duncan Orr-Ewing of the RSPB argued that the announcement was premature and that decisions should be based on “hard evidence.” This is precisely what the deer management sector has consistently demanded when new wildlife legislation is considered. However, critics argue that some conservation groups appear comfortable with policies that force deer managers into ethically questionable positions while bearing none of the practical burdens themselves.

The issue sits within a broader context of legislative changes in Scottish deer management. In 2024, the Scottish Government approved year-round shooting of male deer, despite widespread concerns from the sector. Many argue that targeting more male deer does little to control population levels and instead introduces avoidable welfare risks.

For retailers, venison dealers, and those involved in the supply chain, a key challenge remains: ensuring a viable market for venison. NatureScot’s existing schemes to promote venison sales have had a slow rollout and are not yet fit for national expansion. One potential solution could be the abolition of the Venison Dealers Licence, which currently prevents trained hunters from selling venison directly to the public. Removing this restriction could provide much-needed flexibility and improve profitability for those managing deer populations.

At present, game dealers dictate venison prices, often paying deer managers significantly less than the retail price. Given that qualified hunters are trained in carcass inspection, allowing them to sell venison directly could help address this imbalance and improve financial sustainability for private deer managers.

For now, the Scottish Government’s decision to maintain the current female deer seasons is a positive step. However, ongoing engagement with ministers and MSPs remains essential to ensure future wildlife management policies reflect the realities faced by those in the field. The sector will continue advocating for practical, evidence-based solutions that support both conservation goals and economic viability.