Fresh moves to manage Lewis and Harris greylag population

The management pilot is now in its second year. It has been developed by a local goose management group with support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government’s Rural Inspections and Payments Department.

Its aim is to minimise agricultural damage experienced by crofters and farmers by establishing a more sustainable goose population. The planned shooting period will continue until 31 March after which progress will be reviewed.

It involves experienced volunteer shooters who operate under licence and follow established best practice methods. The initial target is for an additional 2200 geese to be shot this year to deliver a significant population reduction by 2017.

Permission has been sought from landowners and grazings clerks on Lewis and Harris to shoot on their land, and an appeal has gone to crofters/farmers to help the scheme by allowing access and information.

The pilot project is also trialling the sale of wild goose meat.

Trained hunters and retail premises in Lewis and Harris may be licensed (on application) to sell geese shot under the scheme.

This will encourage the sustainable use of the carcasses, provide some financial benefit and supply a healthy, protein rich and locally sourced food for islanders. Recipes using wild goose meat are available on the Scotland’s Natural Larder website.