In the past 12 months, a record 78,175 wild deer were culled in Ireland, a 41% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to the rise in licensed hunters over the past decade, now totaling 6,486. The Irish Deer Commission believes restrictions, delays in permits, and plummeting venison prices have created ideal conditions for deer populations to flourish.
Wicklow led the cull with 25,727 deer, followed by Tipperary at 8,278. Concerns have been raised about the government’s plans to establish deer management units without scientific basis, potentially harming native Red deer herds in Co Kerry. The commission emphasizes evidence-based decisions in deer management to prevent negative impacts on agriculture and ecosystems.
The extension of culling seasons may also contribute to population growth, prompting calls for a focus on targeting breeding females to maintain a sustainable deer population. With the deer population estimated at 100,000 in Wicklow alone, effective and well-informed deer management is critical for balancing ecological and human interests.
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