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Deer Managers Training Grant

Our Deer Managers Training Grant helps to tackle herbivore pressure in the National Park – one of the four key threats to nature identified in our Future Nature Route Map – by encouraging sustainable deer management.

The aim of this grant is to help provide a skilled workforce to facilitate sustainable deer management in the National Park. This will be achieved by:

  1. encouraging skill development of current deer managers
  2. enabling necessary training for people who’d like to get involved in deer management

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to any individual who can demonstrate they are actively and regularly involved in deer management, or have arrangements in place to start active and regular deer management, within the grant boundary area.

Applicants do not need to be based within the LLTNP, provided that the deer management activity is delivered within LLTNP boundary, or within one of the Deer Management Group (DMG) areas with a deer population that is likely to range within LLTNP boundary (i.e. parts of Breadalbane DMG, Cowal DMG, Flanders Moss DMF, Glenartney DMG, Inveraray & Tyndrum DMG, South Perthshire DMG, and West Loch Lomond DMG).

What we fund

The grant offers financial assistance to applicants for training courses related to deer management. For example,

  • Deer Stalking Certificate 1 (DSC1)
  • Deer Stalking Certificate 2 (DSC2)
  • Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate (PDS1)
  • Large Wild Game (Deer) Meat Hygiene / Trained Hunter status
  • Deer Management Certificate
  • Deer Night Shooting Certificate
  • Use of Thermal and Night Vision for Wildlife Management (Scotland)
  • Venison butchery courses
  • UHI’s Sustainable Deer Management course
  • ATV Quad Bike courses

The grant scheme will fund 75% of the training course if directly related to deer management, or 50% of the training course if indirectly related to deer management.

How to apply

Please read the Deer Managers Training Grant Conditions before applying.

You can apply for the grant here.

Applications must be received on or before one of the following closing dates:

  • 14th June 2026
  • 16th August 2026
  • 25th October 2026
  • 3rd January 2027
  • 14th February 2027

The applicant must apply before the training has taken place, and before they have paid for the course. Grants will be assessed on a first come first served basis and the scheme will close early if all funds have been committed.

Training courses must start before 31st March 2027.

Please contact  deer@lochlomond-trossachs.org with any queries about the grant.