Niall Rowantree tours the Highlands to find out how deer and deerstalkers have fared during the year of the pandemic. The answer is not well, and thank goodness for gamekeepers and deerstalkers. Scottish government agencies and wildlife charities abandoned the Highlands in 2020, a year that saw people who don’t often visit the countryside pour out of Scotland’s cities and cause all kinds of environmental problems. Meanwhile, the relentless destruction of Scotland’s deer herd continues and Niall is out stalking hinds to get them off land the government is paying to turn over to trees. He talks to people from Ardgay Game to deer scientist Dr Cathy Mayne to find out the outlook for Scotland’s deer herd and its countryside.
This film is sponsored by Blaser. Visit Blaser.de
To go stalking with Niall, visit WestHighland-Hunting.co.uk
For Ardgay Game, go to ArdgayGame.co.uk
More of our films with Niall
Niall Rowantree’s copper bullet choice for uplands and lowlands
Professional deer manager Niall Rowantree has shot more deer than most people have had hot dinners – In this interview during the red hind cull
Wild pigs ate my deer
If Scotland doesn’t have a pig problem already, it’s not far off. Until recently Niall Rowantree had never seen a feral pig in the Highlands.
The real story behind trophy hunting in Scotland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njdzvn6ZsJc 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
Is Scotland wild boar ready? – Germany’s tactics revealed
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
Sika deer are here to stay: Rory Putman & Niall Rowantree – FieldsportsChannel Podcast, episode 117
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’s in Niall’s sack? – Essential deer stalking kit
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
British Shooting Show 2025 – new rifles, prizewinners and tech
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.
Future of deer with Niall Rowantree and Prof Rory Putman – FieldsportsChannel Podcast, episode 102
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
A Year in the Life of Sika
Sika deer have become firmly established in the UK following escapes from private collections, but due to their secretive nature their success has largely gone
