Exceptional career in deer management recognised with Balfour-Browne Trophy 2024 award
A stalwart of the forestry industry and wildlife management, Forestry and Land Scotland Wildlife Ranger John McNulty has been awarded the Balfour-Browne Trophy for 2024 in recognition of the exceptional contribution he has made to deer management in Scotland in his 47-year career.
With decades working to the highest of standards across the former Forestry Commission (FC) and then FLS up to his retirement, John played a valuable and leading role protecting Scotland’s forests from deer.
The award - given annually to an individual for their exceptional input to deer conservation – is named after a founding member of the British Deer Society (BDS) Vincent Balfour-Browne, and nominations alternate between BDS and FLS.
Speaking at a presentation ceremony, Kevin Peters, FLS Area Wildlife Manager East Region said:
“John took immense pride in his role as a wildlife ranger. His innovative nature helped pioneer important measures within FLS and before that the Forestry Commission. One example of this was in the development of the alkathene water gates. These plastic pipe gates sit across a river or stream linking deer fencing on opposite banks and when in full flow allows the water to wash through leaving the water gate and most importantly, fence lines intact.
“Starting his distinguished career as a ranger helper in Glen Doll in 1977, stints as a fully qualified wildlife ranger followed at Laggan and Loch Aline before John settled in at Rannoch for more than 40 years. Across all his beats, standards never slipped. Access was always kept clear, fences - the first line of defence - were always kept tight and inspected regularly.”
John’s experience and extensive knowledge of deer allowed him to assess each animal and situation accurately prior to culling. He carried out his role with empathy and countless miles walked across his beat meant that he had an uncanny knowledge of where deer were ‘working’ and what they were - stags or hinds and calves.
Kevin added:
“A true stalwart of the industry and profession, John was the perfect example of how a career suited a person and how lucky FLS was to have him as the wildlife ranger responsible for deer management in the Rannoch area.
“In all weather, even when the sleet and rain was horizontal, he never shied away from the job. His at times eclectic mix of clothing was all well-worn from getting on with it.”
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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