The aim of this project was to analyse existing wild deer research and identify specific research and evidence gaps which need to be addressed in order to meet the challenges for each of the five priorities outlined in Scotland’s Wild Deer - A National Approach (WDNA).The project was developed to facilitate more effective exchange of knowledge and provide a fuller understanding of the issues involved in deer management and therefore help deliver targeted, informed and sustainable deer management in Scotland. This report complements the recently published Deer Management in Scotland: Report to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage 2016.
Gaps in the existing knowledge-base were identified by gathering the views of stakeholders at a series of workshops, through an online survey of researchers and policy makers, and through a review of published and un-published research material. Workshops were run across Scotland, including four regional stakeholder workshops, one workshop for trainers,and one for researchers/policy makers. The uptake of research by stakeholders was also examined through the use of an on-line survey of researchers and policy makers. The information gained from the workshops, online survey and literature review were analysed to determine the key research and knowledge transfer gaps associated with each of the five WDNA priorities.
As part of the project a web-based deer research resource was created that provides an online database of deer research relevant to the five WDNA priorities (www.deerscotland.info).