Rogart sporting estate in frame over deer numbers
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Rogart Community Council is to approach NatureScot amid concern over the number of deer roaming within the parish.
An email from a woman highlighting her concern was discussed at the community council’s meeting last week.
The woman wrote: “It’s been clear that over the last few years we have been experiencing higher volumes of red deer present in the parish in-bye grounds.
“From approximately the Tordarroch area right along Pitfure and onto Acheilidh, large numbers are frequently present.”
She wrote that she had counted 34 deer grazing on a field on one occasion.
“Something spooked them and they subsequently en masse jumped onto the main road. Fortunately no traffic was coming at the time.”
Her email continues: “We never used to experience these numbers so close to roads and crofts. I am assuming there could be more than one factor at play resulting in the increase, but not only is this affecting valuable croft land at hay making, it is also a concern from a road safety perspective.”
She added: “I know in the past East Sutherland Deer Management Group used to be made up of keepers from local estates.
“They would meet regularly. They would arrange deer count days and agree the numbers each estate would cull on an annual basis.”
Community councillor Karen Mackay suggested approaching Tressady Estate.
“They are aware of it but not much is happening,” she said.
Community councillors initially agreed to raise the issue with Tressady Estate head gamekeeper Lorne MacNicol but then after further discussion decided to approach NatureScot.
