The number of deer reported shot legally in the Republic of Ireland has steadily risen since the turn of the century.

Although not a direct measure of deer population size, the licence returns from deer hunters also provide some indication of wild deer numbers, according to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Malcom Noonan, who released the figures.

The number of deer reported shot during the hunting season rose steadily from around 10,000 in 2000 to over 30,000 in 2010.

This figure has increased again in recent seasons, reaching 40,000 for the first time in the 2017/2018 season.

The figures were released on foot of a question from Fianna Fáíl TD Jackie Cahill, who chairs the Oireachtas agriculture committee.

Populations

No national census of deer populations has been carried out to date in the State.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands, such as national parks.

There are three species of deer recorded as occurring in Ireland - red deer, fallow deer and sika deer.

Indications from the Department’s counts are that all deer species in Ireland are increasing in range and numbers.

“Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls may be carried out on State land to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences,” Minister Noonan said.

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