News

Minister Noonan opens applications for the 2023/2024 Deer Hunting Season

Date Released: Thursday, March 23, 2023

The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has announced that application forms and guidance notes for the 2023/2024 deer hunting season are now available on the NPWS website. Remember to apply before July if you wish to have your licence processed on time.

Last season saw the successful introduction of mandatory certification training for first time hunters and the issuing of over 6,200 deer hunting licences by the NPWS. It was the second successive season that over 6,000 deer hunting licences were issued and it is anticipated that similar numbers of licences will be applied for to allow hunters to shoot during the 2023/2024 deer open season.

The NPWS has also supported the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in the establishment of the Deer Management Strategy Group as a follow on from the Irish Deer Management Forum. A very successful public consultation occurred in the first few months of 2023 with a significant number of respondents.

Minister Malcolm Noonan, T.D., said “Last year saw a large number of deer hunting licences issued again across the Country and I am pleased that the NPWS is ready to open the doors for the submission of all applications for the coming season of 2023/2024. Deer populations are causing significant challenges, not least to natural woodland regeneration. We need to take action, and the establishment of the Deer Management Strategy Group under the stewardship of the Chair, Teddy Cashman, is a significant step forward in addressing the issues. I am delighted to support my colleague Minister Charlie McConologue in DAFM as we reach out to stakeholders to find practical, lasting and impactful solutions to deer management in Ireland. My Department also remains committed to modernising the deer licencing process to ensure a seamless transition from a paper based process to an online service.”