If you have ever wondered what area a Deer Management Group (DMG) covers, what the main features or landholdings are within a DMG, or what the main points of contact and contact details are with a DMG, that information is now steadily coming on stream on the web.
As a precursor to the Review of Deer Management, called for by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment (RACCE) Committee which will take place later this year and, as recommended in its Benchmark for DMGs produced by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG), a lot more information about DMGs is now being published on the web, either on the ADMG site or on individual DMG websites.
Of Scotland’s 44 DMGs, 25 now have an online presence and the process of draft Deer Management Plans being posted on DMG websites for consultation and comment is now also underway. Richard Cooke, ADMG Chairman, says:
“One of the criticisms that Deer Management Groups have faced is that not enough is known about them and how they operate. We have responded to this challenge to increase the transparency of DMGs. Over the coming months as more draft Deer Management Plans are completed by Groups then these will be posted in the public domain for comment. DMGs will also be encouraged to post the agendas of their meetings and their meeting minutes online as well as holding open days and public meetings.
“The upland deer management sector is making great progress right now and we are keen that this dynamism and positive approach within the sector is recognised in the forthcoming review.”
The web portal for information about Scotland’s Deer Management Groups is:
http://www.deer-management.co.uk/dmgs/deer-management-groups/deer-management-group-map/
Examples of Deer Management Plans on line for consultation can be seen at:
http://breadalbanedmg.deer-management.co.uk/ and http://wlochaberdmg.deer-management.co.uk/