Deer Count Index Edit

Deer group locations and sizes are used in assessing deer populations living on the ‘open range’. ‘Open range’ generally means open areas of habitat used mainly by red deer (for example, heather moorland). From the outset it is important to be clear that although the terms ‘count’ or ‘census’ are used, open range counting enables a population estimate to be made, but with associated error margins. Research has shown that, normally, estimates will vary by between 5 and 16%. In other words if you count 415 deer then the population estimate is at best between 348 and 481 (or at very best between 394 and 435). Open range population counts (and their resulting estimates) are therefore most likely to be useful for setting broad targets or giving an index of deer numbers as opposed to very precise population models. They are also useful for indicating trends in a series of counts.

Count information can be obtained by joining table DEER_COUNT_INDEX based on COUNT_ID columns. Both Helicopter and ground counts are included in the data. The majority of the data were collected in ‘white ground’ conditions where the contrast between deer and the background of snow is maximised enabling deer to be more easily spotted. Summer counts of 'Priority' sites are also included where sites have been counted more intensively.

Attribute Name	Item Name	Description
DIGI_CALVS	Digital Calves	DIGI = counted from a digital photo
SUM_STAGS	SUM Stags	DIGI + VIS combined
SUM_HINDS	SUMHinds	DIGI + VIS combined
SUM_CALVES	SUM Calves	DIGI + VIS combined
SUM_UNCL	SUMUnclassified	DIGI + VIS combinedUNCL = unclassified – so generally hinds and calves combined.
SUM_TOTAL	SUMTotal	Overall total for that group (not necessarily for the 1km2 as there may be 3 or 4 groups in the 1km2 at that point in time.
COUNT_ID	COUNT_ID	Provides link to accompanying csv file.
DIGI_HINDS	Digital Hinds	DIGI = counted from a digital photo
VIS_TOTAL	Visual Total	VIS = counted visually during the count
DIGI_UNCL	Digital Unclassified	DIGI = counted from a digital photo UNCL = unclassified – so generally hinds and calves combined.
DIGI_TOTAL	Digital Total	DIGI = counted from a digital photo
VIS_STAG	Visual Stag	VIS = counted visually during the count
VIS_HINDS	Visual Hinds	VIS = counted visually during the count
VIS_CALVS	Visual Calves	VIS = counted visually during the count
VIS_UNCL	Visual Unclassified	VIS = counted visually during the count UNCL = unclassified – so generally hinds and calves combined.
DIGI_STAG	Digital Stag	DIGI = counted from a digital photo

Resources

Additional Info

License	UK Open Government Licence v3.0
Category	Business and Economy, Sport and Leisure
Maintainer	Stirling Council
Date Created	2024-07-22
Date Updated	2023-08-03
Original dataset link	https://data-stirling-council.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/stirling-council::deer-count-index