Scottish Government has set a cull target of an extra 50 000 deer per year, placing deer management at the heart of its biodiversity and climate approach.
By 2030, a target density for the Cairngorms National Park has been set at 5-8 deer per sq km; significantly lower than the rest of Scotland.
Scottish Government has also introduced secondary legislation this term to permit the use of night vision equipment for shooting deer.
In response to this, the SGA Training Centre has proved an enabling resource, with 1036 new DSC1 candidates trained through the centre, 81 DSC2s and a further 143 on the register.
WATCH our VIDEO below on Deer Management Training with the SGA and why choose us
Additionally, the SGA pioneered a Night Vision and Thermal Imaging course for wildlife managers which has seen 122 individuals sit and pass the LANTRA-approved course, which is an excellent source of CPD, helping keep the public safe and animal welfare front and centre, see: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/latest-news/2024/2024-10-04-public-safety-and-welfare-standards-promoted-in-new-night-course.php *
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill introduced new laws which, when enacted, will make it mandatory for anyone setting a trap in Scotland to be formally trained and provided with an ID number.
As an approved training provider, the SGA has trained 299 individuals in Spring Traps and 309 in the legal use of Corvid traps, so far, with more dates announced recently **
“The SGA is a representative body for gamekeepers, deer managers, wildlife rangers and ghillies but one of our aims is also to promote professional standards across the industry, for members and non-members alike,” said SGA Chairman Alex Hogg, MBE.
“The skills we are training people in are not just classroom notes from a book. Candidates are being taught the practical skills which are going to make the difference in Scotland and will be 100% essential if the country is to meet its targets.
“The advantage of training with the SGA Training Centre is that the trainers are practitioners with decades of experience of using these skills in field situations, in all circumstances. You cannot put a price on that level of learned knowledge from the ground up.
“It has already been identified that there are skills gaps across key rural sectors. We are doing our bit to bridge that, with the resources we have.”
The SGA also provides courses for members and non-members through trusted third party providers, where resources aren’t available to deliver them through the centre.
These courses can be viewed, here: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/jobs-courses-and-new-laws/courses-available.php
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*HIKMICRO is our thermal imaging partner and offers SGA member discounts on products at advertised, in-person, training events. To see these events, check our website and social media platforms for future dates.
**New training dates announced:
13th October, Perth (SGA Office), 10am. Spring Trap and Corvid Trap Training (full day) or half day for one aspect only (Spring or Corvid)
17th November, Perth (SGA Office), 10am. Spring Trap and Corvid Trap Training (full day) or half day for one aspect only (Spring or Corvid)
8th December: Southannan, Fairlie, N. Ayrshire,10am. Spring Trap and Corvid Trap Training (full day) or half day for one aspect only (Spring or Corvid)
8th October: Game and Country, Selkirk, 4.30pm: Use of Thermal and Night Vision for Wildlife Management
All enquiries or to book: contact, training@scottishgamekeepers.co.uk
