Deer managers to discuss Trust's stag cull plan
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DEER managers in north west Sutherland are meeting later this month to discuss controversial plans by the John Muir Trust (JMT) to increase its stag cull on land it owns in the area.
Members of the Assynt Peninsula Sub-Group, an offshoot of the West Sutherland Deer Management Group, are scheduled to meet in Ullapool on 15th November.
JMT, owners of the Quinag Estate, want to increase a shared cull on Quinag and the neighbouring Ardvar Estate from 25 to 100 stags in order to protect the ancient Ardvar Woodland. This may involve shooting out of season by JMT.
Ardvar do not shoot deer out of season.Opponents say the cull would severely reduce the deer population in the area, affecting all neighbouring estates on the Assynt peninsula and the economy of the area in general.
Fellow estate owners instead want JMT to fence off the small area of woodland in question.
The Assynt Peninsula Sub-Group is chaired by landowner David Walker Smith, Middle Inver.
His wife, Mary Reid, said: "Deer are not an endless resource. It is a fine balance and if one landowner is greedy then that affects all their neighbours.
"Deer management groups are set up to reach agreement over culls. Everyone in the West Sutherland Deer Management Group is in agreement over cull levels in the area apart from the John Muir Trust."
Meanwhile, a meeting held by Assynt Community Council to air the issue attracted a large turnout last Thursday with around 42 members of the public in attendance.
The meeting heard from JMT’s Fran Lockhart, property manager for Nevis, Quinag and Sandwood, as well as contract deerstalker Neil Mackintosh, who is carrying out the cull on their behalf.
Jim Payne of neighbouring Ardvar Estate, who is against the cull, also spoke.
Mrs Reid said: "From the feelings expressed at the meeting, I would say that the community is definitely behind us. There is a problem and it needs to be discussed and sorted."
