The FRS deer management programme is a “golden opportunity” to shape how deer are managed in this country, FRS deer programme manager Michael Keegan said.

He told attendees at the first national FRS deer management programme event in Kinnitty, Co Offaly, that “landowners need to be active participants in their group and drive decisions on the ground - make assessments and identify local priorities".

“The best decisions are made by the people who know the land,” Keegan added.

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“This is an opportunity to come together, share experiences and skills and the challenges we face.

“This is not about wiping out all deer in the country, there has been a lot of misinformation about that… it is about sustainable and effective deer management,” Keegan clarified.

But he said that in order for the programme to be successful, all stakeholders need to be involved.

Deer management programme

In February 2025, FRS Co-op was awarded a contract to establish a new deer management programme in Ireland, with an aim to deliver a number of recommendations from the deer management strategy group.

This includes the establishment of 15 deer management units in hotspot areas of the country and to appoint local co-ordinators to work with landowners and hunters.

Now in its second year, FRS Co-op continues to work closely with landowners, hunters and other key stakeholders to ensure best-practice deer management practices are implemented on a landscape scale.