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.




REVIEW OF THE OPEN SEASONS FOR DEER

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Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has commenced a review of the Open Season Order for deer species.     As part of the review, a public consultation process is underway whereby interested parties are been asked for their views.


The  Consultation Document and associated scientific documents relating to the review are available here:

www.npws.ie/legislationandconventions/irishlaw/openseasonsorder

The National Parks and Wildlife service invites submissions from interested members of the public and organisations. Submissions should be sent by email to npwsdeerconsultation@ahg.gov.ie  or by post to:

Species Protection Unit

National Parks and Wildlife Service

7 Ely Pace

Dublin 2


The deadline for submissions is Friday 16 November 2012.




KERRY RED DEER HINDS REMOVED FROM 2012-2013 OPEN SEASONS ORDER

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Press Release from Minister Jimmy Deenihan

Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht  announced today (Monday, 22 October 2012) that the Kerry female red deer has been removed from the open season for hunting.     The removal of the Kerry female deer from the Open Seasons Order means that the hunting of both the male and female Kerry red deer species are now prohibited.


The Minister said “Kerry Red Deer are a unique feature of our heritage. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has been monitoring red deer in Killarney National Park and has recorded a significant decline in red deer density in recent years.   I have, therefore, decided that, in order to conserve the special lineage of red deer in Kerry, to prohibit the hunting of these unique species.” 


The Minister also said he believed that hunters would support this measure and he was aware that some hunting organisations had urged his Department to take action to address the poor status of the Kerry red deer.     The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Minister’s Department will be closely monitoring compliance of the initiative.

The Minister has also decided to commence a more general review of the Open Season Order for other deer species.  He said that “The last substantial change to the Open Season for deer species was in 2005 so I believe it is timely that a review is now undertaken.  I would ask that various interest groups partake in this consultation process as it is important that I have the views of a wide range of interests which will assist my Department in considering if changes are needed to the Order.”