Irish Deer Management Strategy Sub-Group Recommendations
The Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (DMSG) was formed in July 2022 by Ministers Charlie McConalogue and Darragh O’Brien to discuss and make recommendations on matters relating to deer management in Ireland. The group is made up of one representative from Coillte, along with representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, and staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The chairperson of the group is Cork based dairy farmer, Teddy Cashman.
Following an online public consultation on the future of deer management in Ireland, which was predominantly supported by land use sectors, five sub-groups were formed made up of a chairperson appointed by the DMSG and stakeholders from various sectors and interest groups. The Irish Deer Commission played an active and important role in the sub-groups based on input we received from you our during our online survey.
The five sub-groups examined the following topics: Training and Education, Venison, Legislation, Collaboration, Solutions for Land Management. Each group made draft recommendations to the DMSG in August, and we provided a comprehensive of these recommendations to members as part of August 23rd online event.
A meeting took place on August 31st in Portlaoise, to provide more detail on the draft recommendations and next steps. Initially this meeting was open to DMSG and sub-group members only, but a last minute invitation was made to non-members. Click on the link below to review the presentations given at this meeting.
Click here to read recommendations DMSG Sub Group Recommendations 31 8 23
We expect final recommendations to be made to government in the coming weeks. Such recommendations may have a significant impact on deer management and deer stalking into the future.
The initial objectives are expected to include:
- Formation and funding for an agency to oversee deer management in Ireland.
- Funding and development of deer management units in conflict areas.
- Review of the Open Seasons Order for deer.
On the latter point, there are significant animal welfare concerns expressed by the Irish Deer Commission and others regarding culling female deer with dependent young, and an overfocus on shooting male deer, if a nine month season is introduced, not to mention the animal welfare concerns of shooting male deer post rut.
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