Dick Playfair

Playfair Walker

Wish I had a picture to go with this!

Secretary of the LDNS

Executive Committee of ADMG

Secretary of the Scottish Venison

Partnership

On TAC of Scottish Quality Wild Venison

Director, Venison Advisory Service Ltd

Partner, Playfair Walker – PR consultant

with a load of experience in the deer

sector, upland and lowland

Communication!

What issues can arise and some ideas

about how to tackle them.

Today, relevant for any organisation with

land that falls within the urban fringe – or

where there are deer that will come into

contact with the public, like here …

Private estate Housebuilders/developers MOD Farms – owner occupied and tenanted Transport Scotland/ Trunk Road Op Co Pentland Regional Park Two local authorities Retail Park Other – cemetery, camp site, golf courses,

film studio …

Think about the Code of Deer Management

Anyone with deer on their ground has a

‘responsibility’ to manage them sustainably

Public bodies have a ‘duty’ in this respect.

Incursion onto private and public land or gardens – damage to trees, shrubs, plants, fruit and veg

Increasing risk of DVCs Increasing risk of wildlife crime Health risk – to people and pets Dogs chase deer!

Where the deer population is growing then these issues will become more prevalent.

Increasing deer numbers

Lack of previous or current management

Expansion of suitable deer habitat

Disturbance – such as development work

Changes to grazing pressure – sheep,

livery …

Think ahead – plan Assume that the public understanding of deer is

minimal Assume the public’s views about deer will be

mixed Assume some understand the concept of

management, some don’t Assume some understand ‘culling’, some don’t. Education, understanding, awareness are important.

Don’t want the public to demonise deer

Hang-ups about public opinion

Concern about ‘bad press’ can override

sensible approach or position on

management

Consider the consequences of inaction.

Create opportunities to make public aware of deer and deer issues, and how deer and public come into contact – before the need arises. Deer on Your Doorstep – display etc Engage with communities Make full use of information available (eg

for schools) Remember and remind that venison is

healthy food

DOYD displays are

available

Artwork is available

Can be downloaded

as pdfs from LDNS

website

This resource is available online – for students

and teachers at education.scottish-venison.info

Encourage projects, deer watching, guest

speakers, RHET education days …

Act quickly

If it requires comms action deal with it

Moving the problem elsewhere is not a

solution

There may be deer welfare issues to

consider

Try to avoid reaching the point where the

public or media ‘name’ the deer.

Deer on Your Doorstep – there to be used

Encourage people to think/talk about deer –

before deer become the issue

Education – schools, pupils, teachers, parents

LDNS website – there for everyone

www.ldns.org.uk

Other resources – SNH, FCS, BDS, ADMG,

Scottish Venison Partnership websites

Questions…