ForestHarvest: non-timber forest products in Scotland

 PRODUCTS

Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Description

Britain's largest native land mammal. Its coat changes from reddish in the summer to greyish-brown in the winter. The red deer stag has characteristically large, branched antlers.

Habitat

Abundant on Scottish moorland, this species is originally a woodland species and often inhabits woodland margins.

Uses

Wild venison is widely sold as a gourmet food. Since the deer mainly browse on wild vegetation, it is generally considered to be an organic product. Venison is very low in fat and cholesterol, making healthy as well as delicious eating. See also roe deer (a woodland species whose meat is usually regarded as superior).

Hunting

Red deer are culled on many Highland estates, and the meat is sold through a range of outlets. Deer on private land are the owner's property.

Find out more about stalking.

Find out about the closed seasons for deer shooting in the UK.

Image provided by William Milliken/RBGE

Other information

Forest Enterprise is now selling venison under the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification scheme, as a sustainably harvested product.

For further information on red deer, see the Forestry Commission website.

Read about deer management in Scotland.

Deer and the law: The Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.

A range of venison recipes from Highland Game Ltd.