Sika deer, also known as cervus nippon, have lived in Scotland for hundreds of years once they were introduced to the UK. But in the past years, their population has become an issue—a large number of sika deer don’t bode well for the Scottish highlands and surrounding ecosystems. Sika deer pose problems for those species native to Scotland.
That’s where experienced hunters come in. Hunting is a big part of wildlife management; hunters are relied on by conservation agencies and organizations to help with culling and sika deer populations. This helps restore balance to the environment while providing an ethical hunting practice.
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History and Presence of Sika Deer in Scotland
In the late 19th century, Sika deer, native to eastern Asia, were first introduced to Britain by the Japanese. Since 1860, they have rapidly increased their population thanks to the coniferous woodland the UK provides, and have since expanded into Scotland. Because they are not a native species and they have no natural predators in the UK, sika deer populations have skyrocketed to the point where they can negatively impact the environment.
Sika deer are known for their distinct furrow brow, which gives them the characteristic angry expression. Only the males have antlers, although all sika deer are a brownish yellow with white spots in the summer and a gray brown color in the winter. The sika deer diet includes grasses, heather, sedges, bark, and tree shoots.
Ecological Impact of Sika Deer
When first introduced to the UK, sika deer were not a problem. However, they are a very resilient species, resulting in a lot of breeding and a population boom. Because they aren’t native to Scotland, they don’t have predators, which also aids in their growth.
Sika deer overgraze in the woodland, preventing more vegetation from growing and taking away food from other native species. They also breed with native red deer, resulting in hybrids and potentially reducing the red deer population.
Because sika are large in numbers and they cause damage to the ecological environment around them, there have been some policies put in place to control their spread in order to reduce habitat loss and ecosystem imbalance.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
The conservation of deer only refers to native species of Scotland, which is why public policy in Scotland has been to avoid the expansion of sika deer. Recently, there have been calls to amend the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 to in order to maintain biodiversity. These calls suggest culling the sika deer population because without effective management, some of Scotland’s environments could be damaged. Many reports have been created on the population of sika deer and their harm to Scotland’s ecological systems that provide supporting evidence for these conservation measures.
The sika deer population has negative impacts on Scotland, including:
- Overpopulation thanks to their hardy natures and resilience as a species
- Habitat degradation through browsing and bark stripping
- Economic impact on forestry and agriculture because of overgrazing
Although there are efforts in place to help curb the growing sika deer population, these efforts are met with challenges. Sika deer are a difficult species to control because they have been seen to become increasingly secretive and nocturnal if frequently disturbed.
The Role of Hunters in Wildlife Management
In Scotland, wild deer, such as the sika, are considered ferae naturae and res nullius. This means that no one entity owns a wild deer until it has been killed or captured. Because of this status, it is also expected that the government of Scotland and the Scottish Parliament are responsible for ensuring wild deer are managed in ways that are beneficial to public interest. This is why there are Scottish conservation programs and wildlife management programs that employ hunters to help with the rogue sika deer population.
As part of a wildlife management and conservation initiative, Scotland has relied on hunters to perform as stewards of the environment. Hunters can help manage and preserve ecosystems by hunting invasive species, such as sika deer. They do this by following culling practices and sticking to the seasonal hunting regulations. Many hunters are first trained in ethical and sustainable hunting practices in order to hunt sika deer in a way that is beneficial to the environment.
What Is Culling?
Culling is the reduction of a wild animal population by selective slaughter or hunting. It has long been used as a tool in wildlife conservation and has even been used to control the spread of diseases.
Collaboration Between Hunters and Conservationists
Conservationists and hunters have had longstanding mutually beneficial relationships. Conservationists need hunters that are willing to help out with culling species for population control that benefits the ecosystem. Hunters want to practice their craft and go on successful hunts. In essence, regulated hunting is often necessary for ecological balance.
One such example is the Deer Man Training program, in which hunters can participate in a training and development program to learn about ethical deer management.
At FORLOH, we’re proud to supply hunting gear to these hunter-conservationist partnerships. Niall Rowantree is a professional wildlife manager and conservationist that is working to help the wildlife of Scotland, including the sika deer. His go-to hunting apparel is the FORLOH Hi-Loft Merino Wool Reversible Vest and the AllClima Soft Shell Jacket.
We use only the best materials for all of our FORLOH hunting apparel. From scent-control technology to YKK AquaGuard® water resistant reverse coil zippers, our jackets are crafted with you in mind. Exclusive, innovative hunting camo patterns help you stay visually concealed in any environment. That’s why we are the top choice for hunters everywhere.
The Future of Sika Deer Management in Scotland
Sika deer hunting is more than a sport for those hunters involved—it’s an essential function of wildlife management and conservation.
Policies put in place will continue to be upheld leading into future generations until the population of the sika deer is under control. Hunters will also be relied on to help with wildlife management and restoration by hunting sika. Of course, the line between sport and conservation is often blurred. As long as hunters are practicing responsible and ethical hunting, then hunting and conservation can remain mutually beneficial.
If you are looking for premium hunting gear for your own hunting hobbies, FORLOH is your best bet for quality clothing that is comfortable, effective, and durable. We have outdoor apparel for all activities and all people.
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