Supporting guidance for Deer Census – Helicopter Counts
This is an old version of the page
Date published: 30 March, 2015
Date superseded: 21 November, 2023
Note: In September 2023, references to Scottish Natural Heritage and Natura Sites have been updated to NatureScot and European Sites respectively.
Helicopter counting provides deer managers with high quality information on deer numbers and their distribution over open range habitats in a deer range. Deer managers can use this information to set culls to benefit habitats and deliver management objectives over the deer range.
Plan the deer count with all land owners and land managers within the deer range. The deer range must cover land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest or European site, which is in, or is at risk of falling into 'Unfavourable' condition.
Consult NatureScot Wildlife Operations Unit staff to agree the area that the count will cover and the methods that will be used before submitting your application.
Helicopter count – © NatureScot
What needs to be done
Submit a deer census plan with your application and include the following information:
- a justification for why a helicopter count is required
- 1:50,000 map with 1:50,000 OS backdrop showing:
- property boundaries
- designated site boundaries
- the areas excluded from count and reasons why (e.g. enclosed woodland)
- the count area
- the woods to be driven
- the location of deer fencing - the procedure you will follow for driving woodlands
- the proposed personnel to undertake the count
- a date range for the proposed count
- the proposed classification to be used
- the details of the NatureScot Wildlife Operations Unit contact and approval
NatureScot Wildlife Operations Unit staff should lead the deer count.
Consider the following when planning a helicopter count:
- the count should be planned for a suitable weather window with adequate staff and helicopters to achieve a reliable census of the area planned. Each helicopter should have a navigator, a cameraman, a recorder and a spotter
- classification should be agreed before the count and should normally be of stags, hinds and calves. You may wish to use cameras to record larger groups of deer to enable post-count classification
- the count team in each helicopter should have experience in counting and classifying deer
- the count co-ordinator should provide a report of the count and a map showing the results of the count within two months of the count taking place
Deer census – © NatureScot