Welcome to Scotland’s Best Practice Guidance
Here you will find Best Practice guidance on the management of Wild Deer and the control of Feral Pigs in Scotland.
The guides are developed within Scotland’s wildlife management sector to provide up to date, reliable information available in a format that is easy to access.
Wild Deer Guides
Feral Pigs Guides
Following Best Practice
Best Practice aims to provide guidance on relevant legislation and on how best to reinforce the three central aims of public safety, food safety and deer welfare. The guides seek to support, reassure and educate by setting out where possible general principles rather than tight prescription. In this way the Steering Group recognises that there is often more than one way of doing something and welcomes discussion of alternative approaches that add value to the way that the deer sector can enhance public safety, food safety and deer welfare.
At the heart of the guides is the need for clarity on the law; along with three central aims: safeguarding public safety; ensuring food safety; and taking full account of deer welfare. Public confidence in these three issues is essential if wild deer management in Scotland is to maintain the understanding and respect of a wider audience at home and abroad.
In the development of the concept the Steering Group recognised that there will always be situations, when for whatever reasons, things do not go according to plan. Following Best Practice is about understanding what the benchmark is for an activity, aiming to deliver at least to that level and aspiring to go further.
Newest Guidance Released
Use of Drones (UAVs) in Deer Management
Wild Deer Best Practice has published new two-part guidance on the use of drones (UAVs) in deer management, effective from January 2026.
Developed with input from BH Wildlife Consultancy, NatureScot, and FLS, the guidance sets out Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements, planning considerations and legal responsibilities, alongside practical advice on survey methods, thermal imaging, operational constraints and wildlife welfare. Together, the guides explain how drones can be used lawfully, safely and responsibly in deer management.
Latest Guidance Updates
How to use our guides
Format of the Guides
In order to assist practitioners in following Best Practice, the guides have been designed to highlight legal requirements and issues relating to public safety, food safety and deer welfare. Links to other Best Practice guides have also been identified, as well as references to other relevant material.
Wild Deer Guides Categories
Discover our comprehensive range of Wild Deer Guides. To find the guide you need, simply browse through the relevant category or use the search bar for quick access.