The Irish Deer Commission have asked the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) for an update on the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions for deer management in Ireland. Their response to the Commission, received on October 19th confirms:
“On examining the Government guidelines relating to Covid-19 restrictions it is not considered that deer hunting could be classed to be an essential service from this Department’s perspective”
Furthermore NPWS provided an update on the current backlog in deer hunting licence permits “On deer licences, as of last Friday some 4,200 licences were issued. ”
In addition, NPWS have stated all deer hunting licence applications received up to June 30th are processed, if applicants have not received their permit and applied before June 30th they should email NPWS or contact us at info@irishdeercommission.ie if you are an Irish Deer Commission member.
The Irish Deer Commission are putting additional Parliamentary Questions to Minister Darragh O’Brien about deer management as an essential service during Covid-19, similar to the essential service position taken by government previously for “crop protection” – see sample question below.
We are also in communication with the Department of Agriculture on this matter.
From mid-night on October 21st the guidelines state you can only travel within “5 km of home” this in effect means deer management activies can only take place within 5 km of your home, pending our clarification with the Minister. In the intermim we would ask all members and deer stalkers to follow the government guidlines on Covid-19 to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.
To read the NPWS Guidance Note issued on October 21st, 2020 CLICK HERE
To read the list of Government Approved Essential Services CLICK HERE
For further information on the updated Covid-19 Guidelines and Restrictions visit Gov.ie
ENDS
Irish Deer Commission
To apply for Irish Deer Commission membership CLICK HERE
