The numbers of deer culled so far in 2020 are lower than in previous years because the price available to hunters for deer carcases has fallen sharply. Now, some farmers report seeing higher numbers of deer grazing on to their land.

The price drop occurred when the COVID-19 pandemic saw restaurants close on the domestic market. Processors are paying around €1.10/kg for the best carcases, down from a more normal €2.30/kg.

Even though restaurants are now open again across the EU, prices have not recovered. Pat Doyle of export firm Wild Irish Game said that there are large volumes of venison in chilled and frozen storage worldwide, overhanging markets.

A spokesman for BNS Wildlife Control said he and his colleague had shot only a fraction of the 250 to 300 deer they would normally shoot in the closed season of February to September, under Section 42 licences. “The returns don’t now cover the costs involved,” he said.

Blessington, Co Wicklow cattle farmer Joe Morrissey said he is seeing more deer on his land. “They’re there now at dawn and dusk, where they weren’t being seen before, because we’re not able to manage them.” He is concerned TB levels could rise.

Deer management project

Pat Mellon, manager of the Wicklow Deer Management Project, is watching to see whether the reduced level of culling by hunters will continue and what effect it will have on the deer population in Wicklow and livestock farmers.

He has set up five deer management units consisting of 53 farmers, hunters and other interested parties. “It’s about accepting deer are part of the landscape and managing them,” he said.

“We are doing grass measuring to quantify the damage done to farmers’ pastures by deer. Each unit must then decide on what level of culling is necessary and how it’s to be done. One farmer lost 30% of his first-cut silage this spring.”

His three-year project is now half way through. “The aim is that when it’s over a methodology will be ready for other farmers to follow.”

He said that the high population of wild deer is having an impact on the Wicklow hills. “We have identified massive biodiversity damage.”