Dick Playfair Playfair Walker Wish I had a picture to go with this! - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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 …