Précis of Statement by Minister Noonan on Hunting Licences for Game and Open Seasons Order 2022

Issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, 24 August 2022

The Open Season for wild bird and deer hunting will open on 1 September 2022.

Considerable work has been undertaken by NPWS to set out a range of options available for future Open Seasons Order, and a wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders and interest groups in relation to future orders will be undertaken over the coming months. While there is no doubt that this will be a challenging process, the Minister is “keen to listen to the views of all of the interested parties”.

The public are reminded that only certain species may be hunted, and only at certain times, as set out below. The hunting of deer species may only be done with a rifle and still requires a specific Deer Hunting Licence which may be applied for online HERE

The species and dates between which hunting may take place is in keeping with previous orders. Based on the information available, the number of species under conservation threat, and our legal obligations under the Birds Directive, changes in the ambit of the 2023/2024 Order are very likely. In effect, this will mean the likely removal of certain species from the order. The Minister states that he intends consulting with the sector on these changes in advance of their application.

It is known that the conservation status of some of the bird species that may be hunted in Ireland is declining. In order to continue to protect and preserve the conservation status of these species, and to support sustainable hunting practices, a new way forward is required. This must be collaborative and based on scientific evidence.

HUNTING SEASONS FOR DEER SPECIES

Red Male (throughout the State excluding Co. Kerry)

1 September to 31 December

Red Female & Antlerless Deer (throughout the State excluding Co. Kerry)

1 November to 28 February

Sika Male (throughout the State)

1 September to 31 December

Sika Female & Antlerless Deer (throughout the State)

1 November to 28 February

Fallow Male (throughout the State)

1 September to 31 December

Fallow Female & Antlerless Deer (throughout the State)

1 November to 28 February

Muntjac Deer (throughout the State)

1 September to 31 August

NOTES

1: Antlerless deer are construed as including any male deer without antlers, of less than one year, i.e. a calf.
2: The minimum recommended legal calibre for hunting Irish deer species is with a 100 grain bullet with 2100 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, effectively meaning in the range .243 to .308.
3: “Red deer” includes red deer hybrids.

The Open Season Order for game birds and wildfowl can he viewed HERE