Applications for Deer Hunting Licences are considered under Section 29(1) of the Wildlife Act 1976 to 2018. Licences are issued on an annual basis from early August, but not before, as the licensing season does not start until 1st September.
Wild deer open season dates for 2020/2021 are available here.
Changes To The Application Process Due to Covid-19 Government Guidelines
Application packs will not be sent by post to those hunters who held a licence for the 2019/2020 deer hunting season at this stage due to the impact of Covid-19 on the operation of the Wildlife Licensing Unit. However, the Department will keep the matter under review. You are advised to make an application for the new season as soon as possible, but well before the end of June 2020.
Following discussions with the Irish Deer Commission the Department of Heritage, Culture and the Gaeltacht have confirmed that given the current circumstances the Department will accept previous season’s (2019/20) landowner permissions form for renewing applicants. Applicants should include a note with their applications to the effect that he/she has made contact with the landowner in question and has given permission for the 2020/21 season.
If you are a new applicant, you must complete the application form and have permission from a landowner(s) to hunt deer on land of at least 100 acres (42 Hectares). However, if you are applying to hunt deer on your own lands, the 100 acre (42 hectare) requirement does not apply. New applicants, should submit applications with unsigned landowner forms with details of the landowner and the lands in question and undertake to submit a signed landowner permission form at a later date, it will assist local Department staff in examining the applications.
The 2020/2021 Deer Hunting Circular, application form, guidance note and landowner permission form can be downloaded or, alternatively, copies of the documents can be posted to you by emailing wildlifelicence@chg.gov.ie or by contacting:
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht,
National Parks and Wildlife Service,
Wildlife Licensing Unit,
90 North King Street,
Dublin 7
D07 N7CV
Email: wildlifelicence@chg.gov.ie
Irish Deer Commission members, can email info@irishdeercommission.ie if they require assistance or have further queries.