I was glad to see your article highlighting the difficulties facing Caledonian pinewoods (Broadleaf 111). Deer can have big negative impacts on these woods, but even if used short-term, deer fences pose a significant threat to capercaillie. Our recent study found that fewer than 400 capercaillie remain in Scotland. and that removing deer fencing reduces their extinction risk from 95% within 50 years to just 3%.
Where fencing can be avoided. it should. Landscape-scale deer management is more productive. and a balance has successfully been struck by the Seafield & Strathspey Estates. for example.
Amber Hopgood, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Ed: Quite right Amber. We know deer fencing can create as many issues as it solves, including damaging wildlife. A key aim of our work in the Colly pinewoods is to allow them to recover and spread naturally – wherever possible, we support landscape-scale management without fencing.