Following a tender and selection process, North West Mull Community Woodland Company is pleased to introduce its newly appointed deer management team: Audrey Watson, Angus MacLeod and Jordan Newbrook.
The selection panel included an independent external member with experience in deer management. The team brings together together three experienced deer managers with a shared dedication to responsible deer management, woodland protection and the wider countryside. Qualified and committed, they have shown competence in professional deer stalking and management.
Audrey Watson, a Mull resident, has worked in countryside and deer management since 1999, building extensive experience across the UK and overseas. Her career began as a countryside ranger before she specialised in deer management. She went on to serve as Area Wildlife Manager for Forestry and Land Scotland’s southern region, where she managed a team of Ranger Managers and Wildlife Rangers, alongside major deer control contracts. Her experience includes woodland creation, protecting young trees and natural regeneration, deer population monitoring, habitat protection and planning effective culls.
Angus MacLeod has extensive practical experience in deer management, having worked at estates across Scotland, including Amhuinnsuidhe Estate on Harris. His previous roles include ghillie and trainee stalker at Benmore Estate where he lived and worked for five years, Angus has maintained strong ties to Mull. He has also undertaken wider rural contracting, including fencing, tree and land clearance, logging and estate maintenance. This combination of skills gives him a practical understanding of how deer management fits into the wider needs of land and woodland management.
Jordan Newbrook lives on Mull and works as a Ranger at Glenaros Estate, alongside undertaking estate and land management work at Killiechronan Estate. He leads deer management at Glenaros Estate and has practical experience managing deer across forestry and open hill environments. His local knowledge and hands-on experience give him a strong understanding of the landscape and the importance of carrying out deer management safely and responsibly.
Together, the team combines professional deer management experience, practical land-based skills and a strong understanding of woodland and habitat protection. Monitoring the health of both the animals and their habitats is also an important aspect of what they offer. Using up to date technology, their approach focuses on evidenced based management of deer populations to reduce damage to trees and habitats, protect and improve biodiversity while working considerately around residents, visitors, neighbouring landowners and other countryside users. Their capacity combined with knowledge of the local terrain and the logistics involved with the extraction of carcasses allows for efficient and cost effective strategies to manage the existing population of deer on NWMCWC land, an important aspect of NWMCWC’s legal obligations as a major land owner.
As custodians, we look forward to working with the team and seeing and feeling the benefits of a their work which is integral to the future health of our local communities and environment.
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