Management can positively influence wildlife communities, creating opportunities to enhance conservation or business interests.
For many owners, the issue of wildlife management is of great significance. Objectives can range from seeking to protect certain species, to recognising recreational or business opportunities based around sporting birds, deer stalking or fishing. The protection of forest crops can be an integral part to management, where deer or grey squirrels can cause irrevocable damage. Enhancement of woodland areas to support game birds can add an extra dimension, both in interest and revenue, provided the birds are managed effectively. Management of one species can often have a cascading but positive effect on others species of flora and fauna, e.g. increased song bird population with effective grey squirrel control or vigorous coppice regrowth in the absence of deer browsing pressure.
Through many years of careful observation and collaboration with clients’ estates, our managers seek to balance the multitude of objectives that are often seen as conflicting. Only where there is unity in the management of both game birds, native flora and fauna and the forest crop, can the greatest benefits be achieved. Such situations are not necessarily exclusive to large estates. Smaller woodland owners also can benefit from our knowledge in effective control of threatening native and non-native species. However where an owner wishes to develop the wildlife interests in their wood, it is necessary to ensure a number of key requirements are met:
- Deer stalking forms part of a wider plan to control numbers in a sustainable way
- Stalkers are properly trained and accredited
- Forest design should consider and accommodate the sporting needs of the estate, especially when areas are being restocked after harvesting.
- Contracts need to be in place and properly regulated to protect an owner’s interests.
To find out more about how we can help enhance your wildlife and sporting interests, get in touch via our contact form, or by calling our Head Office.
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