Monthly Archives: May 2013

"THE HIGH COST OF TOO MANY DEER"

Fallow Deer in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Photograph by David Sleator.
The following article appeared in the Irish Times on Saturday 18 May 2013 and is reproduced here with full acknowledgments to the Irish Times as publishers and to the author, Paddy Woodworth.

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T

he price of ecological knowledge in our time, wrote the American environmentalist Aldo Leopold, is the constant awareness that we are living in “a world of wounds”. His haunting phrase captures the dilemma that springs to mind when a magnificent stag bounds away through an ancient Irish oak wood, or a newly created or restored native forest, early on a beautiful spring morning.

One the one hand you feel  invigorated by this primal scene. Isn’t this precisely the kind of thing you get up early to see? Well, yes it is, but these days you might see it far too often and far too easily. No comprehensive national survey has been done, which is a shame in itself, but it is evident that in many areas the deer population is unsustainable, and rising all the time. Our woods, already fragmented and depleted, are coming under chronic pressure from overbrowsing by deer. Regeneration has halted in many native forests because deer are snaffling every seedling before it gets a chance to become a tree. Healthy woodland will hold trees of every age, from venerable multicentenarians through vigorous mature specimens to fragile saplings. But that mix has become a rare sight in this country. The only seedlings to survive to adolescence now are usually those that spend their formative years inside protective plastic tubes. This is nature on a life-support system.

So the stag bounding away in the sunlight is still a joy, but it is also a reminder of the wounded world of our forests today, and of the painful choice that this situation presents. We can allow the deer population to continue growing, and thus make futile all our recent efforts to restore our forests. Or, to put it bluntly, we can kill enough deer to give the seedlings a better chance of reaching adulthood. It wounds either way, that’s for sure.


The first option is a worse choice for the deer than you might imagine. At a certain point, if uncontrolled, they will simply eat themselves towards extinction. This actually happened, in a case that became a staple of ecological textbooks. Leopold was a land manager at the Kaibab National Forest, in Arizona, in the 1930s. The hunting lobby wanted more deer, so Leopold and his colleagues exterminated the mountain lions in the region that had kept deer relatively scarce. The hunters had a couple of years of field days, bagging more trophies than they could bring home. Then they began to notice that the deer they were shooting were losing their glossy sheen. Their bones were becoming more prominent than their muscles. The condition of the vegetation, already heavily degraded by overgrazing, should have warned the hunters that their bonanza would be short lived. The deer population then crashed and, along with the vegetation, took many years to recover.

In Ireland we took the wolf, the principal predator of deer, out of our ecological equations more than two centuries ago. Since then we have introduced new species of deer to our native red and naturalised fallow deer: Japanese sika and, more recently, muntjac and Chinese water deer. And there is also a problem with wild pigs or boars in Irish forests, as described in a recent article on these pages.

Natural predators


We have removed the natural predators that once kept the population of browsers and grazers in some kind of balance with the landscape, and it seems clear that we now have no option but to control those populations ourselves. People who agonise about the pain of a deer dying slowly of gunshot wounds might spare a moment to compare that death with the agony of prolonged starvation. I’ve seen such agony in a deer on the lawn of a neighbour’s house in Glenmalure, in Co Wicklow. It was barely able to get up and stagger away when I approached.

These issues did not arise suddenly, and they have been discussed repeatedly over the past five years by various interest groups: State agencies, foresters, farmers, hunters, conservationists, venison producers and general recreational users of the countryside.

It has not been easy to bring these disparate groups together, and their interests do not always coincide. Even within the hunting lobby there are differences. Some short-sighted operators, who bring in tourist hunters demanding easy and multiple trophies in a hurry, think that the current overabundance of deer is no bad thing and fear a serious national cull by professional hunters. But most sportspeople have always understood that relative scarcity of prey makes the hunt more exciting and sharpens skills. They also understand that overabundance can’t last forever and that it creates its own opposite.

In any case, there has been an increasing degree of consensus between all serious interest groups, especially following a seminal report on deer impacts by Woodlands of Ireland, in 2009, and a landmark conference organised by the Irish Deer Society in 2011. A national deer-strategy policy has since been painstakingly developed by the Forest Service at the Department of Agriculture, supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte, with repeated rounds of consultation. A penultimate draft, pending final submissions, was produced last September. Its key elements are the creation of a stakeholder council, where all interests would be permanently represented, and of a national deer-management unit. The brief of this unit would include the gathering of definitive information, followed by a scientifically based, targeted cull as part of a broader overall strategy.

The draft had the blessing of the then minister of state, Shane McEntee, and funding channels were opened over the autumn. Final submissions were made; they can be seen online at agriculture.gov.ie. But since the minister’s untimely death, in December, the process seems to have stalled.


It would be a fitting memorial to this energetic politician, and it would be very good for our forests – and, ultimately, for our deer, if it could be restarted and implemented without further delay.


(Paddy Woodworth, Irish Times, 18 May 2013)


DEER ALLIANCE HCAP RANGE TEST SATURDAY 18 MAY 2013 – SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES

The following Candidates are certified as HCAP-qualified, having passed the HCAP Range Test held on 18 May 2013.

Date of Certification: 18 May 2013

Broughan, Thomas, 2012/0002
Bryan, David, 2013/0049
Burke, Niall, 2013/0048
Byrne, Denis, 2013/0022
Byrne, Vincent, 2013/0019
Charles, Ron, 2013/0015
Dettore, Ercolo, 2013/0027
Devaney, Joe, 2013/0023
Duffy, Vincent, 2012/0062
Durkan, Kevin, 2013/0008
Fallon, William, 2013/0044
Fogarty, Tom, 2013/0040
Freeman, Paul, 2013/0026
Insley, Terry, 2013/0047
Gantley, John, 2013/0054
Gargan, Philip, 2013/0004
Gogioman, Alin, 2013/0035
Hand (Snr.), Paul, 2013/0025
Haveron, Brian, 2013/0006
Heffernan, Luke, 2012/0078
Hogan, Dave, 2013/0059
Iancu, Bogdan Marius, 2013/0003
Kiernan, Paul, 2013/0053
Kelly, John, 2013/0005
Little, Jonathan, 2012/0094
Maher, John, 2013/0037
McAnulty, Sean, 2013/0002
McArdle, Robbie, 2013/0018
McCormack, Ruaidhri, 2013/0030
McEnroy, Brian, 2013/0021
McGlone, Donald, 2013/0020
McKay, Ambrose, 2013/0063
McMahon, Michael, 2013/0058
Mezvinskas, Vytas, 2013/0033
Murphy, Edward, 2013/0007
Murphy, Patrick, 2009/0014
O’Brien, Barry, 2013/0061
O’Connell, Barry, 2013/0013
O’Connell, Paul, 2013/0012
O’Flaherty, Brian, 2013/0050
O’Mahony, Kieran, 2013/0042
O’Malley, John Daire, 2013/0062
O‘Neill, Sean, 2013/0034
O’Regan, Oliver, 2013/0039
O’Toole, Colman, 2010/0149
Pender, Marc, 2013/0045
Peppard, Patrick, 2013/0011
Potts, Stephen, 2013/0041
Schuls, Siert, 2013/0052
Siliauskas, Erikas, 2013/0032
Walsh, Tom, 2013/0029
Wilson, Rodney, 2013/0064
Winters, William, 2013/0038   


WILDLIFE CRIME CONFERENCE, 14th & 15th SEPTEMBER 2013

(Click to enlarge) 

Ireland’s first Wildlife Crime Conference will take place in Ashbourne, Co Meath on the 14th & 15th of September, organised by Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland.

The conference will be a two-day event that will bring together a diverse audience for a weekend of talks and practical sessions; with the intention of promoting greater understanding, cooperation and communication between the law enforcement bodies, charities, NGOs and the public in general. Topics will include: poisoning, poaching, illegal traps & snares and other crimes against wildlife. 

Conference registration and payment details can be found at: www.wri.ie/conferencewww.wri.ie/conference

JOHN CREEDON MEMORIAL AWARD FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY 2013

Red Stag at Screebe, photograph by the late Paul Wood


In memory of former Association Chairman John Creedon, the Wild Deer Association of Ireland will host the annual John Creedon Memorial Award for Wildlife Photography, kindly sponsored by Countryside Alliance Ireland, as part of their Annual General Meeting on Saturday June 15th 2013 in the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Co Tipperary.


The ethos of the competition is to recognise amateur photographers. This year’s theme is “Ireland’s Wildlife”. Participants must submit photographs no later than 5 p.m. on June 7th 2013 for judging, either by emailing to wilddeerireland@gmail.com, or by post to Wild Deer Association of Ireland, PO Box 31, Midleton, Co Cork

Photos will be on display on the night of the AGM. Prizes will be awarded following the AGM banquet meal. There is no limit on number of entries an individual may submit. Photos should not be framed. The competition is open to WDAI members only. The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.


By submitting photographs, entrants accept that the Wild Deer Association of Ireland has the right to publish any or all entries.


Renowned wildlife photographer Fran Byrne has kindly agreed to judge the entries.





PROCEDURES AT HCAP RANGE TESTS


All HCAP Candidates are required to note the following matters in relation to Range Tests conducted at the Midland National Shooting Grounds (“MRC”), at Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly:
1: Only Candidates who have passed the HCAP MCQ may take the HCAP Range Test.

2: Candidates must use a rifle of calibre legal for hunting deer in Ireland, i.e. minimum legal calibre .22/250.

3: All firearms must be transported in sleeves or cases. The firing bolt should be removed and carried separately. Firing bolts should be inserted only when preparing to shoot. At all times when not actually shooting, the bolt should be removed and a breech flag inserted.

4: All Candidates are required to carry fully adequate Shooting Insurance and must provide evidence of insurance to MRC on the day of any Range Test. NARGC, Countryside Alliance and IFA Countryside membership all satisfy the insurance requirement.

5: The law requires that a valid firearms certificate must be carried when using or transporting any firearm. The firearm certificate covers the “use, possession or carriage” of the firearm. MRC require HCAP Candidates to exhibit their firearm certificate before proceeding to the Range Test. In certain limited circumstances and always subject to prior notification, Candidates may use a firearm which they do not themselves own, provided that the certificate holder is present with the Candidate at all times.

6: All Candidates are therefore required to sign in at the main MRC check-in desk on arrival at the Range, and before proceeding to the Windmill Range on which the HCAP Range Tests take place, and to exhibit evidence of insurance and firearm certificate on request.

7: Following experimentation over a number of Range Tests, the Deer Alliance have adopted the following procedures in respect of Range Tests:

a) All Candidates will be listed alphabetically (surname first) and allocated to firing details accordingly.

b) Each Firing Detail has a maximum of 16 positions (up to 16 Candidates to each Detail). In certain circumstances, depending on which Range is in use, the maximum number may increase to 20.

c) The first Firing Detail will always kick off at 10 a.m. sharp, with approximately 45 minutes allowed for each Detail.

d) All Candidates are urged to arrive at MRC not later than 9.30 a.m. on the day of any Range Test, to allow time for registration procedures as set out above.

e) Thereafter, HCAP Range Officials will allocate positions on each Detail according to alphabetical order and actual presence on the Range.

f) Deferrals must be notified in writing (email or text message) to the Deer Alliance not less than 3 days before any Range Test. “No-shows”, i.e. non-attendance without notification, may result in loss of entitlement to complete the HCAP Certification programme.

g) After shooting, each Candidate, pass or fail, is given a slip with his or her name on it and indicating pass or fail, and attempts taken. This slip (pass or fail) must be presented to the HCAP Administrator Liam Nolan before leaving the Range in order to receive the HCAP Certificate and/or to register for any subsequent Range Test.

h) Candidates taking two or more attempts at the Range Test on any given day are required to pay a Repeat Fee of €25.00. The Repeat Fee if taking the Range Test for a second or further time on any subsequent Range Test day is €50.00.

i) Safety is paramount at all times and any lapse will be severely penalised. All Candidates are issued with the Deer Alliance “Safe Stalking” safety leaflet when participating in the Programme. Copies will be available at each Range Test. It is the responsibility of each Candidate to ensure that best practice safety procedures are followed at all times.

Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by text to 086 1927 845.





HCAP RANGE TEST, SATURDAY 18 MAY 2013

The following Candidates are eligible to participate in the next scheduled HCAP Range Test, which will take place on Saturday 18 May 2013 at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The list includes all most recently qualified candidates from 2013 MCQs as of 20 April 2013. Candidates from 2012 or earlier who are approved as eligible from previous MCQs, or Repeat Candidates from previous Range Tests, and not listed below, are advised to confirm eligibility with Deer Alliance HCAP (email, deeralliance@gmail.com, texts to 086 1927 845)


Candidates should familiarise themselves fully with the requirements for all candidates shooting at the Midland Range (see separate posting on this blog).

Broughan, Thomas, 2012/0002

Bryan, David, 2013/0049

Burke, Niall, 2013/0048

Byrne, Denis, 2013/0022

Byrne, Michael, 2013/0060

Byrne, Stephen, 2012/0095

Byrne, Vincent, 2013/0019

Charles, Ron, 2013/0015

Dempsey, Timothy, 2012/0060

Dettore, Ercolo, 2013/0027

Devaney, Joe, 2013/0023

Dillon, Eric, 2012/0093

Doheny, Barry, 2013/0017

Duffy, Vincent, 2012/0062

Dunne, Jonathan, 2012/0066

Durkan, Kevin, 2013/0008

Egan, Fintan, 2013/0031

Fallon, William, 2013/0044

Flynn, Patrick, 2013/0001

Fogarty, Tom, 2013/0040

Freeman, Paul, 2013/0026

Insley, Terry, 2013/0047

Gantley, John, 2013/0054

Gargan, Philip, 2013/0004

Glynn, Ross, 2013/0028

Gogioman, Alin, 2013/0035

Hand (Snr.), Paul, 2013/0025

Haveron, Brian, 2013/0006

Heffernan, Luke, 2012/0078

Hogan, Dave, 2013/0059

Iancu, Bogdan Marius, 2013/0003

Kiernan, Paul, 2013/0053

Kelleher, Damien, 2013/0043

Kelliher, Denis, 2013/0057

Kelliher, Michael, 2013/0056

Kelly, John, 2013/0005

Lees, Kieran, 2013.0055

Little, Jonathan, 2012/0094

Kelly, John, 2013/0005

Maher, John, 2013/0037


McAnulty, Sean, 2013/0002

McArdle, Robbie, 2013/0018

McCormack, Ruaidhri, 2013/0030
McEnroy, Brian, 2013/0021

McGlone, Donald, 2013/0020

McKay, Ambrose, 2013/0063

McMahon, Michael, 2013/0058

Mezvinskas, Vytas, 2013/0033

Mulvany, David, 2013/0009

Murphy, Edward, 2013/0007

Murphy, Patrick, 2009/0014

O’Brien, Barry, 2013/0061

O’Connell, Barry, 2013/0013

O’Connell, Paul, 2013/0012

O’Flaherty, Brian, 2013/0050

O’Mahony, Kieran, 2013/0042

O’Malley, John Daire, 2013/0062

O‘Neill, Sean, 2013/0034

O’Regan, Oliver, 2013/0039

O’Toole, Colman, 2010/0149
Pender, Marc, 2013/0045

Peppard, Patrick, 2013/0011

Potts, Stephen, 2013/0041

Schuls, Siert, 2013/0052

Scully, Declan, 2013/0024

Siliauskas, Erikas, 2013/0032

Walsh, Tom, 2013/0029

Wilson, Rodney, 2013/0064

Winters, William, 2013/0038

Woulfe, James, 2013/0046



(List updated 5 May 2013)