Specialists in the management and control of deer impacts on natural habitat, timber and agricultural crops
About Us
WHO WE ARE
Deer Dynamics is a wildlife management company born from Henry Straker-Smith’s passion for natural wilderness habitats and wildlife, ungulates in particular. In 2005 he followed his interest round the world working and learning on both upland and lowland private estates in Scotland, deer farms and Department of Conservation lands in NZ, private game reserves in South Africa and then back to Scotland. Since then he was been delivering bespoke culls across NGO, private and public sectors within the UK.
With an increasing professional involvement in delivering on Scotland’s deer management over the past 12 years, defined by his reliability in advancing clients’ objectives, Henry saw an opportunity to take on an apprentice, Cameron Carnall. He has been with us since 2015 and latterly we consolidated the team as a company along with Henry’s partner, veterinarian Lynne Cruickshanks. All of us are passionate about deer and the environment that they call home.
Deer Dynamics specialise in providing deer management services in all environments but excel in open hill and upland forestry. The team has tackled some of the most challenging terrain that Scotland has to offer, utilising the best of modern and bespoke equipment for safe carcass retrieval in truly remote areas.​ ​​
HOW WE WORK
As each and every project has differing scale and challenges, we are able to draw upon niche expertise within our own network of partners to ensure each client has the best advice and / or delivery team to hand.
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OUR ETHOS:
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Ensure the highest welfare standards and the lowest environmental impact
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Continually evaluate advances in equipment & technology to enhance cost-effective delivery
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Deliver with sensitivity, reliability and transparency
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Maintain clear and regular updates with the client
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OUR STANDARDS:
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Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) trained management
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Corporate membership of Forest and Industry Safety Accord (FISA)
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Operational compliance with the deer industry’s Best Practice Guidance
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CPD internal company training above and beyond that required of the industry
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Issue and compliance of comprehensive site-specific risk assessments
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Scottish Quality Wild Venison Assurance (SQWVA) standards carcass production for food chain
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Robust fail-safe lone-working systems founded on InReach
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Certified routine-serviced modern equipment bespoke-engineered for purpose
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NatureScot's 'Fit & Competent' status for Out-of-Season and Nightshooting authorisations
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Comprehensive insurance to include Public and Product Liability Insurance to £10 million
Meet The Team
hENRY sTRAKER-sMITH
mANAGING dIRECTOR
Henry's working background in agriculture and vast experience in deer management has allowed him to bring a versatile skill set to the sector. He is renowned for achieving deer culls in extreme terrain by utilising and engineering bespoke equipment to safely extract carcasses. His analytical approach to deer management is driven by a personal passion meaning this is a lot more than a job for himself and his team.
LYNNE CRUICKSHANKS
bvm&s mrcvs
Lynne is the Financial Director and Health and Safety co-ordinator of Deer Dynamics. Lynne also heads up the veterinary arm of the company as
a senior locum veterinary surgeon, practising throughout Scotland and North-East England. The team's trained deer dogs are well supported!
CAMERON CARNALL
Cameron has been a crucial part of the team since 2015 when he joined as an apprentice. His extensive experience in carcass extraction & processing of deer to Scottish Quality Wild Venison Assurance standards makes him a true asset to the company. When team culling, Cameron operates as Field Co-ordinator.