I READ, with some concern, the letter (March 24) from Duncan Orr-Ewing, which suggested that grouse moor managers, in particular, are responsible for excessive culls on the mountain hare populations.

Any such managed cull is carried out only to reduce hare numbers in years when a local census dictates.

His argument failed to take into account the cyclical nature of mountain hare populations and also the wide annual fluctuations between areas of their range.

The mountain hare population within the East Grampian Area, is at a high level unseen for 15 years and this situation should be celebrated and not blighted by misleading information.

As stated in the letter, a lack of sound scientific data prevails and until such data is available to land managers, should the control of mountain hares not continue in the sustainable manner which has been in place for a century?

Michael Nisbet,

Former Head Keeper at Airlie Estate,

Craigmoy,

Glenmoy,

Kirriemuir.