Deer Stalking

There is a public acceptance of having access to the hills, but freedom of access comes with responsibilities. This includes having regard for essential land management activities, which in many of Scotland's hill and mountain areas includes deer stalking. Deer stalking is a traditional way of managing the red deer herd and plays an important role in conserving habitats and ensuring the long-term health of the wild deer population, as well as providing a valuable source of income for many estates.

The stag stalking season runs from 1 July to 20 October and the hind season from 21 October to 15 February but for the majority of estates the peak stalking time is from August to October. At this time visitors should be prepared to accept, on occasions, an alternative route as requested by an estate.

Stalking red deer in Scotland is permitted on Sundays, however this day is generally accepted as the day of rest and stalking is therefore less likely. Towards the end of each close season however, stalkers may well use the Sunday, to bring deer numbers to the required quota level. We would recommend that you check with the appropriate estate or land manager before setting out on your walk. 

Walkers can help to avoid disturbing deer during these periods by:

1. checking with the estate or appropriate hillphone service (see below) to find out about stalking activities before you go;
2. on the day, follow any advice on locally posted signs about preferred routes;
3. keep to established tracks where they exist;
4. on the hill keep to the ridges and avoid cutting through corries particularly when descending as this disturbs the deer less.

Remember, with goodwill and common sense deer stalking and hillwalking can continue to share the hills at this time.

To find out more about estate contacts in order to ascertain stalking activity information, log on to www.whoownsscotland.org.uk

Hillphones
In some popular hillwalking areas the most simple solution for estates, or groups of estates, has been to have a recorded message that is updated daily. Thus, information about stalking activities and advice to hillwalkers can be provided to many people without disrupting the lives of estate staff. The Hillphones service is supported by the Access Forum, and organised by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the participating estates. These numbers are given for the relevant areas at the Hillphones website.