Poaching threat - Save our deer

In recent decades, Ireland’s deer population has reached almost unprecedented levels.

This, combined with the recession, has made wild venison a prized and much sought after commodity.

This has had, as the Wild Deer Association of Ireland points out today, very unfortunate consequences, especially an upsurge in poaching and night shooting of the animals.

Just as we once wrongly imagined salmon populations so resilient that they did not need our protection, this onslaught on our deer population cannot be sustained. One way to stop it is not to buy wild venison. Another is to be vigilant and be prepared to report poachers to the proper authorities.