Morvern Deer Management Group Update

One of the action points in Live Life Morvern was to reduce the numbers of deer in the peninsula to protect the local habitates. Peter Lawson, Chair of Morvern Deer Management Group, has given the following update:

“The Morvern DMG is composed of 11 member land holdings
In 2018 a helicopter deer count was conducted over the peninsula. Following on from this MDMG carried out habitat impact assessments, set impact targets and agreed a 5 year cull plan to reduce deer numbers in a controlled fashion. In 2025 we repeated the group blanket bog assessment and the impact targets on that habitat had been met. Nature Scot hope to carry out a drone count of deer on the peninsula this spring. It is anticipated that, even with a different count method, deer numbers will have reduced in the major sub group areas. While members have diverse environmental interests, the group recognises the wish to maintain a healthy deer population on the peninsula. Cull figures reported to MDMG have increased from 2019/20 - 2024/25 by  37%. In the last 5 years we estimate projects to create 252Ha of new woodland and regeneration have been actioned.”