The application process for the 2021-2022 deer hunting season is now open, Minister of State for heritage and electoral reform Malcolm Noonan has confirmed.
Application forms and guidance notes are available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has said that the NPWS has put measures in place to ensure the least amount of disruption and that applications are catered for in a timely manner.
“Last year was extremely challenging in terms of the administration of deer hunting licences due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, we have made changes to ensure a smoother process and are confident that we will be able to deal with the demand the 2021-2022 season will bring,” Minister Noonan said.
He added: “We’ve all had our movement curtailed due to the pandemic and hunting activity last season was greatly reduced. As restrictions ease, I’d like to welcome hunters back to the countryside and encourage anyone with an interest in hunting to engage with the relevant groups.”
“Deer populations are abundant across much of the country, and in some places can cause extensive damage to habitats, native woodlands, commercial timber forests and arable crops,” the minister noted.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to introducing mandatory certification training for first-time hunters.
“The department is committed to introducing mandatory certification training for first-time hunters. It had been intended to introduce it for the 2021-2022 season but, unfortunately, this project, like so many others across all sectors of society, has had to be deferred due to the ongoing pandemic,” he noted.
The minister added that “much work has gone on behind the scenes to put the foundations in place for this project”.