For sure, it was one of things that got me about Orkney.
Mind you, wars and sheep did have a pretty devastating effect on the Caledonian woodland cover of the highlands. The current population of the red deer aren't helping with natural regeneration. This is one of the reasons for the case for re-introducing predator species.
But that's a complex topic with no simple answers and easy divisions.
There is already a predator species that eats red deer. Just up our venison consumption!
This is very much a true thing in the UK. Deer are overpopulated and causing damage to their environment.
As you have pointed out the solution is to eat more venison, but most local butchers stock hardly any of it because of low demand.
I do not understand the low demand. It can be cheaper than beef and tastes good and is lean. Maybe it needs some promotion? The same arguments that have promoted vegetarianism (healthier and green) are applicable.
British eating habits have become really narrow over the years. Its hard to find offal (healthier and greener than just eating muscle meat). Rabbit seems to have pretty much disappeared too.
It's so good for you and it's incredibly sustainable because those damn things breed like rabbits.
Re offal I actually just did a really nice mutton liver curry the other day, something you won't find in your average "brown spicy glop for white people" takeaway but which you can get in the south side of Glasgow. Absolutely brilliant stuff, even better the second day if you can leave it alone that long. Four quid for about half a kilo of lamb liver out of the reduced section in the supermarket!
Yes! keep up the good work :)