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About LDNS in Scotland

Low ground land is generally economically productive but landholdings including farms, woodlands, forestry, local authority land, development ground, and semi urban areas are fragmented. The deer species here is mainly roe, but in places red, sika and fallow deer are also present.

LDNS covers all land outside the scope of Scotland’s upland deer management groups and the main red deer range.

The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act has placed an obligation on ALL who have deer on their ground to manage them responsibly.

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How to Join LDNS

LDNS membership is available in the following categories:

Individual – £25.00
Local Authority – £100.00 (introductory rate 2012/13)
Deer Management Groups, business and corporate – £100.00 (introductory rate 2012/13)

Member benefits include two news bulletins and up to 8 E-updates per annum, regional events and an annual LDNS event.

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What does LDNS Offer?

LDNS is a source of information internally for members, and externally for the wider public who want to see deer but know little about deer management.  LDNS has an important role to play in public education and in countering negative comment.

Membership also provides representation on other bodies including the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group, the Scottish Venison Partnership, and the Scottish Quality Wild Venison assurance scheme.

LDNS provides a forum for increased contact and education-building events, giving access to Best Practice advice, other training needs, and experience exchange.

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Event to bring SW Scotland deer managers up to speed with new legislation and current issues

A meeting has been organised by the South West Scotland Deer Management Group in association with the Lowland Deer Network Scotland to bring deer managers, farmers, and anyone who has deer on their ground in the region up to speed with current Government policy, the latest legislation and what is in the pipeline.

The meeting will take place at The Kenbridge Hotel, New Galloway, Castle Douglas on Thursday 8 November from 7.00pm.  Keynote speaker is Richard Cooke, Acting Chairman of the Lowland Deer Network Scotland, and Chairman of the Association of Deer Management Groups.

Members of Scottish National Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the SW Scotland Deer Management Group will also be attendance to answer questions.

Richard Cooke says: “Under new legislation, namely the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act, anyone who has deer on their ground has a duty to manage them responsibly. This means that the onus of deer management has also now been placed fairly and squarely on the shoulders of farmers, forestry companies, the local authority, developers and so on, as well as those traditionally undertaking deer management.

“Moreover, the focus does not just include hill deer, but also low-ground roe “deer on farmland, roadside verges, small pockets of woodland and development ground for example.

“We will also look at the new Deer Management Code of Practice, and future competence standards, progress on which will be reviewed by Government in 2014.”

Anyone with an interest in deer management or who has deer on their property is welcome to attend.

More detail from Maitland Rankin, SW Scotland Deer Management Group,
Tel: 01644 420259 E: dalgowan@aol.com