Win CENS ProFlex DX5 earplugs worth £1,149 – enter here
Cutting back heather
<strong>Q) Richard Prior once said that one of the ways to improve a wood for stalking is to cut back heather in the rides. Do I cut it to ground level and all at once, or in bands, leaving some old heather till next season? Does this matter to the deer? Also, will a garden strimmer cope with the tough stems? On a separate note, reference was made some time ago to a list of competent stalkers held by Scottish Natural Heritage. What is this list held for, of what is it comprised and how are individuals allocated to it? J. DAVIDSON Northumberland</strong>
A) I doubt that a garden strimmer could tackle old heather. I had in mind a tractor-mounted swipe. The best strategy is to cut small patches ? say, 10m x 5m, or a bit larger in likely spots. The following year, an adjoining patch can be added. Quite a severe cut will provide regrowth similar in effect to burning.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) does indeed hold a register of fit and competent stalkers. To be included, a stalker has either to have passed DSC Level 2 within the past five years, or be able to produce two referees to vouch for his experience and competence. It appears to be used in connection with licences for out-of-season or night shooting. More information on this can be obtained on the SNH website, www.snh.gov.uk, or by contacting James Scott, tel 01463 725363.
Related Articles
News
Invite your MP to see the value of shooting
BASC’s Conor O’Gorman explains why this is the perfect time to contact your MP and show them the positive impact shooting has on conservation and rural communities.
By ShootingUK
News
Kent estate to become Government conservation case study
Godmersham Park’s gamekeeping success impresses council officers in a rare example of positive engagement with shooting
By ShootingUK
Get the latest news delivered direct to your door
Subscribe to Shooting Times & Country
Discover the ultimate companion for field sports enthusiasts with Shooting Times & Country Magazine, the UK’s leading weekly publication that has been at the forefront of shooting culture since 1882. Subscribers gain access to expert tips, comprehensive gear reviews, seasonal advice and a vibrant community of like-minded shooters.
Save on shop price when you subscribe with weekly issues featuring in-depth articles on gundog training, exclusive member offers and access to the digital back issue library. A Shooting Times & Country subscription is more than a magazine, don’t just read about the countryside; immerse yourself in its most authoritative and engaging publication.
