Wild Deer Control in Scotland: Climate Resilience and Nature Conservation

Wild deer are an iconic part of Scotland’s landscapes, but in recent decades their populations have grown to levels that pose challenges for land management and the environment. Effective control of wild deer numbers is increasingly seen as necessary to safeguard Scotland’s climate change goals, improve woodland cover, and protect biodiversity. This article explains why managing deer is important for farmers, crofters, and estate owners, and outlines recent policy developments – including a 2024 consultation on “Managing Deer for Climate and Nature” – that aim to modernise deer management for the benefit of climate resilience, tree regeneration, and nature recovery. 

Why control wild deer populations? 

Scotland’s wild deer (red, roe, sika, and fallow) have no natural predators, and their numbers have expanded dramatically. Today, the country hosts around one million deer, roughly double the population of 1990. Such high densities of deer can over-browse and trample vegetation, preventing young trees from establishing and damaging crops and peatlands. Decades of heavy grazing has left some of Scotland’s most fragile habitats unable to recover naturally. In many areas, wild deer are consuming new tree seedlings and other plants faster than they can regenerate, contributing to Scotland being among the most nature-depleted countries. 

Beyond ecological impacts, overabundant deer can harm rural livelihood as they frequently move onto farmland, grazing crops and pasture, bringing them into conflict with farmers. They can also cause physical damage (e.g. to fences) and increase the risk of transmitting diseases or parasites to livestock.  

On hill ground in winter, red deer often move down into crofters’ fields and common grazings, competing with livestock for forage. Many land managers will also be familiar with the rise in deer-vehicle collisions on rural roads, a safety concern linked to high deer numbers. Additionally, when deer populations exceed the land’s carrying capacity, the animals themselves can suffer as malnutrition and starvation in harsh winters becomes more common. Keeping deer at sustainable densities is therefore in the interest of animal welfare, public safety, and farm economics, as well as environmental health. 

Climate change resilience through deer management 

Controlling deer is an important strategy for building climate resilience in Scotland’s landscapes. Healthy woodlands and peatlands act as natural carbon sinks and help buffer the impacts of climate change – from storing carbon to regulating water flow and reducing flood risk.  Scotland’s commitments to restore degraded peatlands and significantly expand tree cover as part of its climate action and “30x30” biodiversity commitments. These efforts are undermined if deer eat tree saplings or trample peatland vegetation. 

One stark case is Scotland’s Atlantic oak “rainforest” on the west coast (a globally important, carbon-rich habitat) now suffering from high deer pressure. Over 40% of surveyed rainforest sites have unsustainably high grazing levels, mainly due to deer, which prevents natural regeneration of trees and undergrowth. Similarly, in upland catchments, uncontrolled deer can strip hillsides of young trees and heather, leading to soil erosion and faster runoff. Reducing deer numbers strategically can support woodland regeneration and peatlands recovery, making these habitats more resilient to climate stresses and better able to sequester carbon. In short, effective deer control is a form of nature-based climate solution, enabling landscapes to heal and mitigate climate impacts. 

Increasing tree cover and habitat restoration 

Deer browse on young tree shoots, seedlings, and saplings – whether in new plantations or regenerating native woods – and can completely stall forest expansion unless preventative measures are taken.  

Many land managers rely on deer fencing and tree guards to protect young trees. While fencing can be effective on a small scale, it is expensive, not feasible in all landscapes, and some argue that it shifts the problem to our areas rather than solving it. There is growing recognition that reducing deer densities is essential to allow woods to thrive without permanent fencing. 

By controlling numbers to ecologically sustainable levels across landscapes, natural regeneration can proceed, increasing tree cover and restoring habitat complexity. More trees and diverse vegetation benefit not just climate mitigation but also soil health, water quality, and farm shelter. Land managers who invest in deer control today – through culling or collaborative management – are effectively investing in the future productivity and ecological value of their land. In turn, robust woodlands and healthy moorlands will support biodiversity and yield ecosystem services that benefit agriculture and communities (from pollination to game and foraging opportunities). 

Benefits for nature and biodiversity 

Overgrazing by deer contributes to the loss of plant diversity and habitat structure, which has knock-on effects on wildlife. When deer populations are kept in balance with the land’s carrying capacity, woodlands develop richer understoreys and open hill habitats have more varied vegetation. This creates better conditions for birds, insects, and other mammals. Ground-nesting birds benefit when there is sufficient cover to hide their nests from predators – something overgrazed landscapes often lack. Wildflowers and shrubs can rebound, supporting pollinators. Iconic species like the capercaillie require forest understory cover that can be wiped out by high deer densities; thus, deer control is part of their conservation strategy. 

Importantly, a balanced approach to deer does not equate to eliminating them from the landscape altogether. Wild deer are a natural part of Scotland’s ecosystems and cultural heritage. The goal is sustainable deer management – ensuring populations are in harmony with the environment’s limits. In well-managed numbers, deer can continue to provide ecological functions (such as browsing to maintain open glades) without irreversibly damaging habitats. They also remain a resource for venison, and a draw for wildlife tourism and field sports. Effective management strives to maintain this balance, so that both deer and the wider ecosystem stay healthy. 

New grounds for deer management intervention 

Under Section 6ZB, NatureScot can intervene if deer, or a lack of deer control, are likely to: 

• Prevent or reduce the success of work or natural processes that restore, enhance, or protect the natural environment. 
• Undermine projects linked to official environmental, climate, or biodiversity targets. 
• This allows proactive deer management before damage occurs, reducing the risk of failed planting schemes, degraded peatlands, or stalled habitat recovery. 
• Intervention could include requiring a deer management plan, agreeing control measures such as culling, or enforcing a control scheme in certain circumstances. 

Implications for deer management 

For land managers, farmers, crofters, and estate owners, this new ground signals a more proactive approach to deer control in support of ecological restoration. Key implications include:  

1. Broader intervention powers: NatureScot will have wider authority to require deer management plans, control agreements, or even enforce culls (control schemes) when deer jeopardise restoration efforts. In practice, more situations may lead to official intervention, not just traditional deer damage scenarios. Land managers might see increased requests to collaborate on deer culls or fencing ahead of planting trees or regenerating habitats, rather than reacting afterward. This expansion means the circumstances in which deer management actions can be taken are now wider. 
2. Focus on restoration targets: Deer management will be increasingly tied to Scotland’s biodiversity and climate targets. If your land is part of a peatland restoration area or slated for woodland expansion under a national plan, expect that maintaining deer at sustainable levels will be part of the process. The new law explicitly supports achieving targets like large-scale tree planting and peatland recovery by reducing deer browsing and trampling that would otherwise thwart these goals.  
3. Guidance in the ‘Deer Code’: To help landowners anticipate when this new power might be used, NatureScot must spell out the specific circumstances for “nature restoration” interventions in the statutory Deer Management Code of Practice. This means clear guidance will be available on what kinds of projects or targets could trigger deer control action. By consulting the updated code, land managers can plan ahead and stay compliant, ensuring any conservation activities on their land meet the new requirements. Overall, the “nature restoration” ground for intervention gives Scottish authorities a stronger toolkit to manage deer populations in favour of environmental restoration.  

For those who manage land, the changes emphasise the need to integrate deer control into land-use plans for reforestation, peatland restoration, and other biodiversity work. In practical terms, you may be called upon to cull or mitigate deer impacts pre-emptively so that young forests can grow and peatlands can recover unhindered. This legislative change aims to balance deer numbers with Scotland’s ambitious nature recovery goals, ensuring that deer no longer stand in the way of habitat regeneration and climate-related projects. By being aware of this new ground for intervention and working within the guidance provided, land managers can better prepare for and participate in Scotland’s drive to restore its natural environment. 

A balanced path forward 

When deer populations are kept in check, woodlands regenerate, peatlands recover, and biodiversity bounces back – strengthening the land’s resilience to climate change while enhancing its productivity and natural character. At the same time, deer will continue to be an integral part of the rural environment, valued for food and sport, but managed within ecological limits. 

The coming years will likely bring more support for those undertaking deer control, whether through advisory services, funding schemes, or knowledge exchange on best practices. Farmers, crofters, and estates have a crucial role in this effort. By embracing sustainable deer management, Scotland’s rural community can help lead the country toward its climate resilience and nature restoration goals – ensuring thriving farms, healthy forests, and balanced ecosystems for future generations. 

Alexander Pirie, Senior Consultant and Area Manager, Alexander.Pirie@sac.co.uk  

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Posted by Unearthed News on 19/08/2025