Stalked & Shot

Another of Lee's Game Keeping pictures here, this time showing the outcome for this deer. I notice it seems it was shot in the heart. Hopefully Lee if he as time could fill in a bit of information about this picture and Deer Shooting. Don't just look at this as a dead deer as there is a story behind the picture. The long hours looking after the herd and the cost of such a venture. The livelihood of the workers such as Lee, and more importantly a way of life and tradation in certain areas. Look at where it was shot, how it was shot and what with. Think about why it was this one that was shot.

One of the tools of the trade, a trusty Land Rover. Notice the rail above the cab, and the lamp. These would be put to good use when out at night culling the local fox population. Look at that snow as well... I would think that Lee and men like him are out in all weathers doing this job. They will be working from dawn till dusk at this time of the year, and then out at night again lamping. Then in the early hours the phone might ring and someone as spotted a poacher, he can't just rollover and deal with it in the morning.. I should think Lee and others like him certainly earn their corn.

Mountain Hare Cull

The Mountain or Blue Hare is an animal from the upland heather moorland and the Scottish
Highlands. Moorland environments provide a perfect habitat with an abundance of short, pioneer heather for feeding, and longer more mature heather for shelter and protection from predators. Highest densities of mountain hares are found on moors managed for grouse where the burning produces different aged stands of heather ideal for both hares and grouse.

The diet of mountain hare is variable depending on the available vegetation. If possible the Hares will feed on grasses during the summer and switch to a heather-dominated diet during winter. Other vegetation that features in their diet are rushes, sedges, blueberry, gorse, the bark and low twigs from trees.

The mountain hare is not a managed game species, but at times large numbers are shot. Lee tells me this cull was needed as the hares were doing so well on the local moors he managers and numbers had swelled in the last two seasons. This amount might seem large until you think of the acreage involved. A mountain Hare can also eat a third in a day of what a moorland sheep can. More from Lee the Game Keeper tomorrow.