Monday, April 04, 2011
SHY and pretty to look at, deer seem to have a magnetic appeal for people.
But, with the deer population growing all the time — some would say out of control in parts of the country — these delightful-looking creatures can be a pest.
Increasingly, there are reports of damage caused to farmland, forestry and private property, not to mention traffic accidents involving deer that roam onto public roads. Deer have no natural predators in Ireland so, as is the case with many introduced species such as mink and grey squirrels, their populations will continue to rise unless controlled.
Wolf Introduction
An idea floated in the past was that the wolf be reintroduced here. But, while this might help in controlling deer, it is doubtful our sheep farmers would welcome any additional predators harassing their flocks.
At present, there is no national deer management policy in Ireland and little or no co-operation between the various State bodies with responsibility in this area. Inevitably, there will be demands on the Government to take action, something echoed at the inaugural Wild Deer Conference, in Athlone, on April 2.
Population Explosion
It’s no exaggeration to say there has been a population explosion among deer in the wild and consequent heavy financial losses for many land and forestry owners. It has also been claimed that, in some cases, animals are being brought from deer farms and illegally released to increase numbers available to shoot.
Deer cause serious damage to young forestry plantations by browsing and stripping bark from the trunks of young trees. Natural regeneration cannot occur where deer numbers are high and the cost of fencing them out is expensive.
Killarney National Park authorities have been fencing off areas from deer to allow young oak and yew trees to grow and thereby ensure the regeneration of the some of the oldest native oak woods in Ireland. That does nothing, however, to prevent deer trespass in an area extending up to 50km from the boundaries of the park.
Don’t forget that when fencing is erected deer are forced into neighbouring woodland and the problem simply moves next door.
A detailed report, commissioned by Woodlands of Ireland, outlines the huge problems facing woodland owners and the urgent need for deer population control.
In essence, it highlights the need for a proper system of deer management and the message is that if nothing is done within the next decade, damage to the economic and biodiversity values of Irish woodland will reach grave levels. The authors point to a loss of timber values, estimated at €34m, for recently planted broadleaves.
The report strongly recommends an Irish deer management unit be established with full statutory powers and budgets to effect the necessary changes.
Kerry Fine Gael councillor Patrick Connor-Scarteen raised the issue of deer endangering life and property, while also calling for a cull and a national deer management policy.
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) have attempted to address the issue of the increasing population through the Deer Management Programme, a joint initiative with the Irish Deer Society and the Wild Deer Association. The programme was launched in 2009 as an interim solution to alleviate ongoing deer population related problems. It established a network of regional co-ordinators to advise farmers on the most effective approach to manage deer problems and, if necessary, direct them to a qualified and experienced local deerstalker.
IFA Animal Health Project Team leader John Waters says although the programme has been successful, it was set up as an interim solution until a more official management structure could be established.
The IFA is supporting the proposal from Woodlands of Ireland to establish a deer management unit with adequate statutory power and budgets.
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