Licenced Recreational Hunting
Introduction
Game hunting and deer stalking are amongst some of the oldest forms of ‘forest recreation’. Coillte currently licence a large proportion of its forest estate for the recreational hunting and shooting of wild game, deer and other quarry species, by individuals, clubs / syndicates and commercial shoot operators. This we believe is in line with ‘multiple use forestry’ as well as Coillte’s Recreation Policy (link opens in a new window).
Coillte’s Forest Stewardship Council Certification Standard (link opens in a new window) outlines specific requirements regarding recreational hunting and the sustainable management of game and deer.
Recreational hunting is regulated or managed by Coillte through the issue of licences. These are comprehensive documents, which clearly identify the type of activity which is permitted as well as strict conditions regarding where, when, and how it can be undertaken.
In general, these activities are restricted to selected forest areas of low amenity use where it is not considered to compromise public safety, or where it does not interfere with forest operations or any deer / game management programmes, which may be in place. The decision to licence or not licence areas for recreational hunting rests with the District Manager and all areas are subject to a Site Suitability Assessment being carried out.
In addition to the conditions of the licence agreement, all persons hunting /shooting on Coillte’s estate are required to comply strictly in accordance with the relevant laws relating to the activity, Coillte’s Deer Management Policy (link opens in a new window), as well as Coillte’s Codes of Practice for Deer Hunting (PDF 198kB) and Game Shooting (PDF 175kB).
Please note:
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