Authorisations

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) issues authorisations under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. Authorisations allow individuals to cull deer in circumstances when they would not normally have the legal right to shoot them, for example to prevent deer damaging the natural heritage (natural habitats).

When Are Authorisations Required?

Authorisations are required when shooting deer in the following circumstances:

• during the Closed Season - see below for more details 
• at night - the shooting of deer is not permitted between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise
• driving deer with vehicles- in order to take or kill for the purposes of deer management.

General Authorisation

The Wildlife & Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (WANE Act) made a number of changes to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. These changes, which covered the close seasons and owner and occupier rights, mean that any deer shot in the close season requires authorisation from Scottish Natural Heritage.

The new general authorisation, referred to below, comes into force on the 1st of April 2013; following the General Authorisation consultation in March. This allows occupiers suffering damage to improved agricultural land or enclosed woodland to control deer in the close season. You can request a copy by contacting us on 01786 435 389 or by downloading it from the link below.

General Authorisation for 2013/14. 

 The general authorisation does not allow the culling of female deer, over 1 year old, of any species between the period of the 1st April to the 31st August.

Those operating under a general authorisation, must have read and understood the general authorisation and carry out any control in accordance with the conditions listed on the authorisation.

General Authorisation Consultation 2013

The consultation on the General Authorisation is now closed. Scottish Natural Heritage would like to thank those individuals and organisations who submitted responses.

A copy of an analysis of the responses is available below-

2013 Consultation Responses 

The new General Authorisation for 2013/14 will be posted on this webpage on the25th of March.

More detail on the changes to the Close season and owner occupier rights

Owners and Managers of Woodland need to be particularly aware of how these changes may affect their operations. In any woodland, female deer cannot be culled from 1st April to 31st August without a specific authorisation.

The definition of enclosed land is also of central importance. It is defined by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 as meaning enclosed by a stock-proof fence or other barrier and unenclosed shall be construed accordingly. It is for those operating under the general authorisation to satisfy themselves that the land is enclosed. 

Further guidance for woodland managers on applying for Authorisation is available at- Further Guidance   

Collaboration

Collaboration and consultation between the various interests on any given piece of land is highly desirable and all possible steps should be taken to ensure that there is an effective dialogue between as many as applicable of the owner, the occupier(s), sporting tenants, controllers, neighbours and the deer management group. It remains the case that anyone operating under an authorisation, general or specific, should be able to demonstrate that no other reasonable means of control would be adequate. Longer term problems may be more effectively addressed through dialogue with other deer managers in the area, including through local Deer Management Groups than by recourse to authorisations.

Application forms:

• 18(2) - Night shooting and 5(6) Out of season shooting. 
• 18(2) - Night shooting and 5(6) Out of season shooting. 
• Authorisation Application Form FEMALE ONLY  (1st Apr-31st Aug)
• Authorisation Application Form FEMALE ONLY  (1st Apr-31st Aug)
• Authorisations - additional controllers continuation sheet. 
• Authorisations - additional control area continuation sheet.   

Completed Forms & Maps

Please send completed forms to wildlifeops@snh.gov.uk or by Fax to 01463 725048

Postal Address:  Emma Collie, Wildlife Operations Unit, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Beta Centre, Innovation Park, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4NF

Maps- submit as hard copy or as a data layer (shp, dbf)

Further advice and guidance is available from Graeme Taylor on 01463 725356. If your enquiry is particularly urgent and Graeme is not available, please contact Donald Fraser on 07990 561963.

Night shooting code of practice