Deer cull figures for the years 1994/95 to 2014/15 based on returns submitted annually by licensed hunters have been made available by the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
The figures are broken down by county and by deer species (red deer, fallow deer, sika deer and red/sika hybrids) and by gender.
They show a gradual increase in the annual cull from 4749 deer in 1995 to 31589 deer in 2015.
The data can be downloaded as an Excel Worksheet at
– list of current DAFM deer management programmes in Ireland in relation to TB – any summary reports from current/recent DAFM deer management programmes (2021 to date) – any testing reports or statistics on TB infection from deer carcasses for 2021- to date
In respect of your request for information please see attached and detail below.
– List of current DAFM deer management programmes in Ireland in relation to TB.
DAFM are not carrying out a deer management programme in relation to TB in Ireland. There is limited evidence to suggest that deer play a significant role in the spread of TB to bovines, and based on the evidence to date, this has been confined to one part of the country. However, DAFM is keen that any suspicions of deer being involved in TB outbreaks is investigated. In this context, where there is a suspicion deer have contributed to a significant TB outbreak DAFM encourages the farmers to work with local hunters to investigated any such suspicions. In such circumstances, the hunters and farmers are encouraged to have samples submitted from slain deer to their local RVL. All submissions are tested free of charge. In addition to this deer stalkers can also submit samples from deer they have shot in any part of the ROI. These submissions are also tested free of charge.
– Any summary reports from current/recent DAFM deer management programmes (2021 to date)
There are no reports on this as DAFM are not responsible for the management of deer in Ireland. The NPWS are responsible for the management of deer in Ireland
– Any testing reports or statistics on TB infection from deer carcasses for 2021- to date
From January 2021 to the time of writing there have been 237 samples submitted from deer to the RVLs. Of these submissions, 37 had a positive test result for M.Bovis.
Only on woodland, wood pasture, scrub, heathland, and moorland or grassland restoration to protect regeneration of woody species from deer browsing.
It will protect areas of woodland that are approximately 16 square metres in size from deer browsing. This will allow monitoring of the area’s regeneration potential and the impact of browsing.
Agreement holders are likely to need to:
erect a deer exclosure plot that is at least 1.5m high by 4m by 4m, or if you’re applying for WS1 (Deer Supplement) you can agree alternative specifications with your local deer officer
It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier on whole or part parcels where deer have been identified in the Woodland Management Plan. Deer should be identified as a threat to semi-natural woodlands, regeneration and/or where deer browsing negatively impacts on woodland features, ground flora or structure.
If you include this as part of your Higher Tier application, the Forestry Commission will assess your application for this option before you are offered an agreement.
How this supplement will benefit the environment
Effective use of this supplement will:
reduce deer browsing and grazing impacts to woodlands, ground flora and vulnerable features in the wider landscape enabling damaged ecosystems to recover
improve woodland structural and species diversity helping to increase resilience to climate change, pests and diseases
make sure the population of deer is sustainable for the appropriate habitat
Aims
Achieve effective deer management, where deer have been identified as a threat to semi-natural woodlands, regeneration and/or where deer browsing negatively impacts on woodland features, ground flora or structure.
Requirements
In addition to P2015 under WD2 (baseline option), you should use the Deer Management Plan (DMP) Guide to produce a DMP in collaboration and agreement with your local Deer Officer/Woodland Officer and submit it by the end of year 1. Your DMP should show that you have carried out a baseline deer habitat impact and activity assessment to inform your deer management planning. Your DMP will build on the draft plan that you submit with your Initial Application documents
In year 1 of your Higher Tier Agreement you should commence erecting additional deer monitoring exclosures. The number and location of deer exclosures will be agreed with the Deer Officer or Woodland Officer. Follow the advice and specifications in Forestry Commission operations note 59 to erect monitoring exclosure plots. You must send photographic monitoring evidence of these plots to your local Deer officer/Woodland officer when you erect them in year 1, 3 and 5 of your agreement
Carry out agreed levels of culling activity (as agreed with Deer Officer/Woodland Officer in your Deer Management Plan). Provide evidence of culling activity and cull returns to the Deer Officer/Woodland Officer annually, following the guidance and template provided at Forestry Commission operations note
Provide a report to show annual habitat impact assessments following the guidance and templates. This should include a graded (high/medium/low) impact and activity summary and photographic evidence of the survey. You should carry out habitat impact assessments in all significant woodland habitats and structure types of each woodland across the landholding within the agreement as soon as possible in year 1 (to support the DMP) and then in years 3 and 5.
Keeping records
You must send the following with your application:
a draft Deer Management Plan (DMP) – send this with your Initial Application Documents
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
a Forestry Commission approved management plan that justifies the need for this option
a Deer Management Plan in place by the end of the first year
monitoring reports for year 1, 3 and 5 of the agreement to confirm progress (for example providing before and after photographs, a record of the number of deer culled, and the results of squirrel monitoring)
evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking
any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show UKFS compliant operational activities
Additional guidance and advice
Deer Officers will:
publish and maintain templates for deer habitat impact assessments, cull data, and Deer Management Plans in conjunction with the National Deer Advisor
offer support and advise applicants (individually or through group events) to successfully deliver the supplement
offer awareness sessions on deer management requirements, and training in the use of habitat impact monitoring (deer impact and activity assessments). Applicants should expect to be invited to attend one of the sessions held. These will be organised and run at several locations during each year. For specific details, contact your local deer officer/woodland officer.
Available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants but only on woodland.
It is also available for Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot) to help you undertake the SFI pilot Farm woodland standard, but only if you also apply for TE4 (Supply and plant a tree) and locate the deer fencing on arable land or improved grassland used for the optional ‘Expand your woodland’ action.
How this item will benefit the environment
It will protect newly created or existing woodland from deer browsing as part of a wider woodland creation or woodland management project.
Requirements
For new agreements you must:
Meet the fence specifications set out in the tables below (and in the Forestry Commission: Forest Fencing Technical Guide). As an alternative to wooden fence posts, you can use metal fence posts. For Higher Tier you need to agree this with your Natural England Adviser or Forestry Commission Woodland Officer
Clear debris from the line of the fence
Make the line of the fence smooth enough that the bottom of the fence sits with the ground (there must be no gaps that deer can enter through)
Make sure the fence is regularly inspected
Maintain the fence so that deer cannot enter the land until the trees are large enough that they no longer need to be protected
Specifications for the fence’s woodwork
Species of deer
Endposts and turning posts (metres by centimetres)
Struts (metres by centimetres)
Intermediate stakes (metres by centimetres)
Maximum stake spacing (metres)
Roe
2.8m by 10 to 13cm
2.5m by 8 to 10cm
2.5m by 5 to 8cm
10m
Muntjac
2.8m by 10 to 13cm
2.5m by 8 to 10cm
2.5m by 5 to 8cm
10m
Red/sika/fallow
2.8m by 12 to 18cm
2.5m by 10 to 13cm
2.6m by 8 to 10cm
10m
Specifications for the height of the fence and the size of the mesh
Species of deer
Minimum fence height (metres)
Maximum mesh size (millimetres)
Red and sika
1.8m
200 by 300mm
Fallow
1.8m
200 by 220mm
Roe
1.5m
200 by 150mm
Muntjac
1.5m
75 by 75mm
What the management plan needs to include
You can only use this option on an existing woodland site if your management plan clearly identifies that deer are present and pose a threat to the site. You do not need a woodland management plan where this item is being used to protect newly planted trees using capital item TE4 – Supply and plant tree.
If you have an existing agreement, you must continue to follow the specifications in that agreement.
Keeping records
You must keep the following records and supply them with your payment claim:
photographs of the completed work
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
any consents or permissions connected with the work
receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
Forestry Commission Management Plan approval letter
The detailed requirements for this item will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. If you are a Higher Tier applicant you should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.
Available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, Higher Tier Capital Grants and Woodland tree health.
Where this item cannot be used
Where deer fencing has already been erected to keep deer out of the area.
How this item will benefit the environment
It will provide a safe, temporary vantage point from which to cull deer, reducing the impact their browsing has on the land.
Requirements
Agreement holders are likely to need to consider:
the health and safety of non-authorised users of the seat – eg prominently display British Standard signs prohibiting public access
the health and safety of authorised users – eg make sure the seat has safety bars, is of an adequate size, and is securely attached to the anchor point
the protection of the tree, if a tree is used as an anchor point – eg use webbing strops, rather than wire and nails, to attach the seat to the tree
The high seat must be portable, free-standing and made from galvanised tubular or box-section steel.
What the management plan needs to include
The woodland management plan identifies deer are a threat to the woodland’s condition.
Keeping records
Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:
any consents or permissions connected with the work
receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
Forestry Commission Management Plan approval letter
Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:
photographs of the completed work
The detailed requirements for this item will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. Higher Tier applicants should discuss and agree these requirements with their adviser.
Further information
Find more information about constructing high seats in The Deer Initiative’s best practice guide.
