The real story behind trophy hunting in Scotland
5 November 2025
Why do people hunt trophy stags in Scotland? Professional deer manager Niall Rowantree explains that it’s not about ego — it’s about ecology. Hunters from
Deer expert Niall Rowantree has spent more than 35 years providing wildlife and deer management services to both the public and private sector. He made the popular Year in the Life of Red Deer and Year in the Life of Sika series for Fieldsports Channel. He led deer management for the Forestry Commission in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, across Argyll and Lochaber.
He managed the renowned Ardnamurchan deer herd for more than 20 years. A former board member of the Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage Transitional Deer Panel, he consults and advises on deer management on a number of Scottish, US and European Estates. For more, see his websites West Highland Hunting and Deerman.co.uk
Why do people hunt trophy stags in Scotland? Professional deer manager Niall Rowantree explains that it’s not about ego — it’s about ecology. Hunters from
Niall Rowantree knows there is a fast‑approaching feral pig crisis threatening Scotland. He travels to Germany to find out what a successful management plan looks
Professor Rory Putman and deer expert Niall Rowantree discuss Scotland’s next big deer problem: sika. The Scottish government has successfully wiped out large numbers of
What kit does a professional deer manager take on every outing? Niall Rowantree goes through the contents of his Napier Roe Sack: gloves, knife, saw
Join Charlie Jacoby on a wander round the British Shooting Show 2025 looking for interesting kit, prize draws, British marques and some new thermal launches.
youtu.be/1gSl6iHEEyM Deerstalker and wildlife manager Niall Rowantree talks to deer biologist Professor Rory Putman about the remarkable sika deer, as part of our filming of