In response to the November 2023 changes in Secondary Legislation the partners of Wild Deer Best Practice have written and published new guidance on the use of thermal imaging, night vision and digital sights and their use (under authorisation) as well as updating existing best practice guidance relating to minimum bullet weights.

NatureScot has also published an updated Statutory Guide, The Night Shooting Code of Practice.

To view the new guidance please follow these links:

New Guidance – Use of Night Vision and Thermal Imaging

Updated Guidance – Rifles & Ammunition (1)

Updated Statutory Guidance – Night Shooting Code of Practice

26^th October 2023

Start: 17:00

Join us at Creag Meagaidh NNR for a unique Wild Deer Best Practice Event this October.

Due to the Scottish Secondary Legislative changes relating to the use of Thermal, Night Vision and Digital Scopes coming in Autumn 2023, this event will provide attendees with information on:

• An update on the changes to legislation and authorisations required for their use
• A briefing on the technology available and its limitations
• The Wild Deer Best Practice recommendations relating to their use re: human safety and animal welfare
• Q&A Session
• Practical Demonstrations (courtesy of Thomas Jacks and Pulsar)

This is a Free Event, however we are limited for space so booking is required https://tinyurl.com/WDBP-Event

The Best Practice partners, led by NatureScot and Forest and Land Scotland recently developed a simplified methodology for assessing the impacts of grazing herbivores on woodland habitat.

Known as ‘WHIA lite’ this method has been developed to stand separately to the full WHIA methodology found in the woodland grazing toolbox on the Scottish Forestry website.

We are currently running a series of workshops delivered by James Rainey across Scotland this Spring to train practitioners in its use.

These are being offered at the following locations [will be links to Eventbrite]:

14th April – Glen Orchy
15th April – Moncrieffe Hill (Perth)
21st April – Beinn Eighe
22nd April – Glen Affric
29th April – Muir of Dinnet

During these training workshops we will cover the basics of undertaking this important monitoring method, of which we have the following guides available:

WHIAlite Method
 WHIA Assessment form

If you have specific questions regarding the training days please contact louise.farmer@nature.scot