Call to walkers to be aware of deer stalking
Walkers have been warned to take care in the Perthshire hills as the red deer stalking season continues.
- By Alan Richardson
- Published in the Courier : 28.09.10
- Published online : 28.09.10 @ 12.43pm
The season runs from July 1 to February 14 but the main activity takes place from this month through until December. The red stag cull has now started and finishes in late October, with hind culling taking place thereafter.
Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum convener Nick Cole said, "Stalking is a very important activity in the Highlands and on the open hill and is often crucial to employment in the fragile glens, so the public are asked to work closely with estates and stalkers to minimise any possible adverse impacts to stalking.
"Please plan your walk in advance to make sure you will not interfere with stalking. Estates will be most grateful and are asked to provide daily information and advice to guide access takers in relation to stalking activity.
"Information is given via several websites and publications and also by signage on site."
Details on where and when stalking is taking place can often be obtained from the estate concerned or through the Hillphones system — www.hillphones.info — which gives daily updates on stalking activities in many areas.
"Local tourist information offices are often able to assist by giving current advice or putting you in touch with the relevant estate," Mr Cole added. "Visitscotland's walking wild website is another very useful source of information at http://walking.visitscotland.com/usefulinfo/deer.
"If you have not been able to make contact with the estate in advance please follow any reasonable signage advice and at all times follow the guidance given in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
"The Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives guidance on rights and responsibilities for both access takers and land managers and can be viewed online at www.outdooraccess-scotland.com."
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Shandchem.
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