Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

The 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) took place on Saturday May 14th 2011 in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. 

During the AGM, officers and an additional twenty four committee members from all regions were elected.  Membership has continued to grow strongly, with 83 new members from all over Ireland, and 2010/11 proved to be the busiest year the association has experienced.

In conjunction with the AGM, the association’s annual trophy exhibition was held.  Awards were presented for Best Fallow to Paul Fletcher, Tipperary – Best Sika to Fran Lynch, Wexford – Best Red Deer to Christopher Marron, Monaghan, - Most Unusual to John Clooney, Laois - Best Overall to Noel Callan, Louth. 

In memory of former Chairman John Creedon, the John Creedon Memorial Award for Wildlife Photography, sponsored by Countryside Alliance Ireland was presented.  Pictured is Peter Bacon, from CAI, presenting the first prize to Paul Hogan, Tipperary, who captured a fantastic image of a Fallow Doe. 

This was followed by a member’s draw; amongst the prizes was all expenses trip to the CLA Game Fair, won by Michael Corbett.

In January the WDAI met with senior officials from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.  The meeting covered a number of important issues raised by WDAI members such as the need for a National Deer Strategy, the introduction of a tagging system, the impact of recent severe weather conditions on our wild deer and the need to review the process of issuing Section 42 permits.  In addition, the issue of the dramatic increase in deer poaching was discussed, as a national survey recently undertaken showed that 81% of deer stalkers and 73% of forest managers had seen an increase.  A follow up meeting has been planned with the new Minister, Jimmy Deenihan TD, to progress these matters further. 

The WDAI has also launched a number of important initiatives to support legitimate deer stalkers and protect the reputation of deer-stalking.  “Report a Wildlife Crime’’ will allow the reporting of wildlife crimes such as deer poaching, through the association’s website or by completing a questionnaire.  Each report will be logged and followed up by the relevant authorities.

Deer Awareness Ireland has begun to identify, deer Road Traffic Accident hotspots, along with educating road users, road planners and County Councils on the corrective actions required to reduce deer RTA’s.

The WDAI will also host or support a number of events over the coming months: On Thursday July 21st to 24th the WDAI have organised a coach to the CLA Game Fair in the UK.  The package covers accommodation, travel, tickets.  Contact Dominic O’Hea +353 86 8120442 for further details.

The WDAI will also have a stand at two Game Fairs: Ballinlough Castle, Westmeath July 16th/17th and Birr Castle, Offaly August 27th/28th.

The association’s annual shoot is to be held on August 14th at the Midlands Rifle Range, Co Offaly and a second carcass handling seminar will held in Roscrea. 

For further details on all events go www.wilddeerireland.com