Author Archives: Liam Nolan

DEER STATISTICS, SEASON 2011-2012

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Figures just released by the National Parks & Wildlife Service show that the total recorded cull of wild deer in Ireland during the 2011-2012 hunting season was 31980, of which 11776 or almost 37% were shot in Wicklow. The total figure included 2698 red deer, 14224 fallow deer, 14117 sika deer, 935 sika/red hybrid deer and 6 muntjac deer. A total of 425 “Section 42” licences* were issued during the calendar year January to December 2012, of which 27 were issued to cover shooting at night, using lamps (25 of which were issued in Wicklow). A total of 4501 deer hunting licences were issued altogether (which includes 283 out-of-State hunters), suggesting another incremental growth of approximately 10% year-on-year in the number of persons hunting wild deer under licence.

*Section 42 licences cover out-of-season shooting and other special situations including agricultural damage and for scientific purposes.




POACHERS FINED $100000.00…….. IN CANADA

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An elk enjoys a meal of long grass in Jasper National Park on Oct. 15, 2012.
Photograph by: John Lucas , Edmonton Journal

From the Calgary Herald, 6 November 2012…… Irish Courts please take note!

EDMONTON (CANADA) – An Edmonton man and woman have been fined $100,000 and banned from any hunting related activities for 25 years after pleading guilty to poaching charges.

Kristopher Brophy, 35, and Michelle Haseloh, 25, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Stony Plain courtroom to numerous charges under the Wildlife Act.


Brophy was fined $80,000 and Haseloh was fined $20,000. Brophy was also ordered to forfeit his Hummer vehicle because it had been used in the poaching crimes, said Brendan Cox, a spokesman for Alberta Justice.


Brophy and Haseloh were involved in the poaching and trafficking of elk, deer and moose.


They also pleaded guilty to hunting at night, firing at animals from a motor vehicle, hunting out of season and wasting edible meat, Cox said.


“These two aren’t your typical hunters, they are poachers,” Cox said.


Fish and wildlife officers in the major investigations and intelligence unit launched a lengthy and targeted investigation after numerous complaints about illegal hunting in 2010 and 2011.


The investigation covered a wide area of Alberta including Athabasca, Barrhead, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Evansburg, Stony Plain, Spirit River, Valleyview, Vegreville and Wetaskiwin.


“That’s a lot. It means they’ve been doing this for a long time,” said Martin Sharren, executive vice-president for the Alberta Fish and Game Association.


He said the penalty was “a step in the right direction” but should be higher.


“The penalty has to make an impact. A message has to be sent,” he said. “Wildlife belongs to everybody.”


In other jurisdictions, the couple would be looking at jail time, he said. “This is not hunting. That’s poaching. It’s totally unethical.”


In Alberta, the maximum penalty for illegally selling wildlife is $100,000 in fines or two years in jail. Illegally possessing wildlife can net $50,000 in fines or one year in jail.



© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

IRISH DEER SOCIETY ANNUAL DEER FAIR 2013

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The 2nd Annual IDS Deer Fair will take place under the auspices of the Irish Deer Society on Saturday 9th March and Sunday 10th March 2013 in the Brockagh Centre, Laragh, Glendalough, Co Wicklow.  The Fair will run from 12 noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The IDS will put on a display of African Heads. 

The Irish Trophy Commission will mount a display of medal heads and ITC Accredited Head Measurers will be present  on both days to measure heads if needed. There will be deer-related exhibitors’ stands present and they should be of interest to all. Countryside Alliance Ireland will also be present. There will be guest speakers on both days to talk on deer related matters.

Light refreshments will be available in the Centre. Entrance fee is €5.00/family.

For more information, contact Vincent Coffey, National Secretary, Irish Deer Society (tel. 087 280 7563).

NEWS FROM THE IRISH TROPHY COMMISSION

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The Irish Trophy Commission is pleased to confirm that Countryside Alliance Ireland has accepted an invitation to be represented on the Commission’s Advisory Board, joining the Irish Deer Society and the Wild Deer Association of Ireland. The Advisory Board now comprises Richard Adams (Irish Deer Society), Pat Scully (Wild Deer Association of Ireland) and Lyall Plant (Countryside Alliance), together with the Commission’s founding Directors, Liam McGarry, Joe Murphy and Liam Nolan.

The Irish Trophy Commission measures trophy heads principally for the three Irish deer species, Red, Fallow and Sika, and awards certificates and medals based on the ITC, CIC (Conseil International de la Chasse et de la Conservation du Gibier) International Council for Game & Wildlife Conservation and Rowland Ward measurement criteria.

ITC measurers are fully trained, accredited and experienced in the task of measuring trophy heads. Trophy measurement is utilised to track the quality, including the genetic quality, and outcome of selective deer management and as part of the ITC contribution to education and research in the matter of wild deer in Ireland.

Nominated Trainee Head Measurers will now be trained in head measuring techniques and criteria by ITC Accredited Measurers, so that trophy measurement will be available throughout Ireland. Persons wishing to have heads assessed and measured can contact ITC Secretary Joe Murphy, tel. no. 087 283 4662. A nominal charge applies in respect of the expenses of the Accredited Measurer carrying out any head measurement. ITC is a not-for-profit organisation committed to contributing to the better management of game and wildlife in Ireland.


HCAP MCQ ASSESSMENTS, MARCH & APRIL 2013

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The first round of HCAP MCQs for 2013 will be held as follows:

Wednesday 20th March 2013, 8 p.m., Lynham’s Hotel, Laragh, Co. Wicklow (enquiries/applications directly to Deer Alliance HCAP, tel. 086 1927 845)

Saturday 20th April 2013, 2.30 p.m. Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary (enquiries/applications to Wild Deer Association of Ireland, tel. 087 249 6987).

Application Forms for HCAP Assessment can be downloaded at www.deeralliance.ie. Please note that the correct postal address for Deer Alliance HCAP is PO Box 1, Borris, Co. Carlow.

Further dates/venues in other locations will be announced on this blog in due course.

NEWS & FORTHCOMING EVENTS FROM THE WILD DEER ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND

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A dog tracking event for deer stalking breeds will take place on Sunday February 24th 2013 near Cahir, Co. Tipperary. Renowned dog tracking trainers from the Hunting Dog Academy in Germany, Lisa Gaidies, Andrew Phillips and Sebastian Meyer will attend as guests of the association especially for this event, the first of its kind to be held in Ireland.


Lisa Gaidies has been a professional gundog trainer for 10 years and is the proud owner of her own hunting dog school (www.hunting-dog-academy.com). She is the head trainer for several well known German GSP and GWP kennels, author for a German hunting magazine and has successfully trained HPR dogs to the highest standard. 

Sebastian Meyer is a very experienced all round hunter with many years of boar and deer stalking, specialising in training blood tracking breeds, he will also give a presentation on shot reaction from blood, hair and bone at the site of a successful stalk.

The WDAI has been to the fore in ensuring the endorsed and ethical method of deer stalking with the aid of a tracking dog continues in Ireland by having the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 amended to protect this important practice. They also formed the first dedicated group for those with an interest in tracking dogs in Ireland, with the aim to provide and share information along with hosting related events. If you would like to join this group please contact Paul Hogan on 087 142 5527.

If you use a dog for deer stalking this event should not to be missed, to attend you must book in advance and places are limited, contact wilddeerireland@gmail.com or 087 249 6987. This event is supported by the Irish Kennel Club and Countryside Alliance Ireland.

Carcass Handling Seminar
WDAI will hold their 16th Carcass Handling Seminar on Sunday February 24th at 2pm. This year’s seminar will be held in the Community Hall, Cahir Co Tipperary. The hall is located off Church Street and will be sign posted on the day. Fresh deer carcasses are not required for this seminar. The Skill and Knowledge of Carcass Handling is something that we all require new or old to deer-stalking and the committee request the support of all members for this event.

The seminar is free of charge & open to WDAI members only. To gain access to the seminar you will require a current membership card. Outstanding membership can be paid on the day or posted in advance to us at PO Box 31, Midleton, Co Cork. For new members please visit www.wilddeerireland.com for our membership application.

Speakers will include veterinarian and deer stalker George Lane on disease identification and general deer health, along with carcass preparation and home butchery by game butcher and deer-stalker David Dunne. A chef will also give a venison cookery demonstration. A Venison BBQ and hot refreshments will be served. WDAI also have a large range of discounted game butchery/deer-stalking equipment available with all profits going to the Association.

DEER MANAGEMENT POLICY VISION (SECOND DRAFT) – RESPONSES

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Responses to the Inter-Agency Review Group Deer Management Policy Vision Document (Second Draft) are now available on the website of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, 

www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/publicconsultation/deermanagepolicyvision2nddraft/submissionsreceived2012/

Submissions were received from the following bodies:

Countryside Alliance Ireland

David O’Brien

Joint Submission on behalf of Deer Organisations & Countryside Alliance Ireland  

Green Belt Ltd.

Heritage Council

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association

Irish Farmers’ Association

Jim Walsh

John Fenton

Manor Kilbride Branch IFA

Michael Goss

National Association of Regional Game Councils  

Paddy Sleeman

Paul Cullen

Saskiade Jong  

Sporting Rights Owners’ Association Ireland

Wicklow Deer Management Group

Wicklow Deer Society

Wild Deer Association of Ireland  

Woodlands of Ireland 





INFORMATION FROM THE IRISH TROPHY COMMISSION, 15 NOVEMBER 2012

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The Irish Trophy Commission is pleased to announce that the Irish Deer Society and the Wild Deer Association of Ireland have both accepted invitations to nominate persons to serve as rotating two-year directors on the Advisory Board of the Commission. Richard Adams, current National Chairman of the IDS, and Pat Scully, long-serving officer of WDAI, have both accepted nomination and now join the Advisory Board. Participation by representatives of the different deer organisations concerned with deer management and control, and better conservation of the different deer species, will ensure the views and informed opinions of the different bodies and their members may be fully taken into account as the Commission develops.


Directors of the Advisory Board are appointed for a fixed term of two years but may be re-appointed. The Advisory Board comprises up to seven Directors, including the founding Directors. Candidate Directors and others, including Jonathan Murphyof WDAI, will now be trained as accredited ITC head measurers. The Commission measures trophy heads principally for the three Irish deer species, Red, Fallow and Sika, and awards certificates and medals based on the CIC (Conseil International de la Chasse et de la Conservation du Gibier) International Council for Game & Wildlife Conservation and Rowland Ward measurement criteria.


Irish Trophy Commission measurers are fully trained, accredited and experienced in the task of measuring trophy heads. Trophy measurement is utilised to track the quality, including the genetic quality, and outcome of selective deer management and as part of the ITC contribution to education and research in the matter of wild deer in Ireland.


The Executive Board of ITC, comprised of Liam Nolan (Acting Chairman), Joe Murphy (Acting Secretary) and Liam McGarry wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of the late Paul Wood, a founding Director of the Irish Trophy Commission, who sadly passed away in August 2012, shortly after the formal launch of ITC.