I don't believe they are kept at artificially high numbers, but their population is actively managed. Culls often remove poor specimens, such as switches, to improve the wild stock.
It does make sense to manage the Scottish red deer population through limited hunting of both stags and hinds in the relevant seasons. Red deer are a valuable source of revenue for the highlands, both in direct fees associated with stalking, but also from tourist Pounds invested in local communities and employment.[1]
I can appreciate why there is some concern regarding the potential introduction of wolves and their effect on the deer population. However, I think that also needs to be considered in light of the economic benefits of such a re-wilding. How much revenue would wolf hunting and tourism bring to the highlands?
It does make sense to manage the Scottish red deer population through limited hunting of both stags and hinds in the relevant seasons. Red deer are a valuable source of revenue for the highlands, both in direct fees associated with stalking, but also from tourist Pounds invested in local communities and employment.[1]
I can appreciate why there is some concern regarding the potential introduction of wolves and their effect on the deer population. However, I think that also needs to be considered in light of the economic benefits of such a re-wilding. How much revenue would wolf hunting and tourism bring to the highlands?
[1] http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefingsAndFactsh...