Sika about to be declared an invasive species by the EU.

[Fair Hill]

It'll probably take another 12 months or so before it is law but once it is passed it will mean the end of a closed season for Sika who will then be regarded as vermin and will be allowed to be shot by licenced hunters all year round.

I know from personal experience that it is a measure that will be welcomed by most of the farming community around here in Kerry. They have become a huge issue for motorists as well, last week I was going to a fishing spot and had to drag three roadkills to the side of a bridge in case they caused another accident. They must have been hit by a lorry but if it was a motorcyclist or someone in a small car that hit them the damage would have been catastrophic.

That's just the most recent incident, their numbers seriously need to be brought under control.

Fair play to the EU for listening to concerned members.

Alarm in Ireland over EU plans to classify sika deer as ‘invasive alien species’

Spread of breed across continent leading to damage to forestry, issues for livestock and creating road crash risk

www.irishtimes.com

 

[User00040]

Good first step

Choppers next

 

[Husky]

You can't beat a helicopter for extraction, easiest way to get deer back that I have ever used

 

[nick.308]

what about suicide drones . no need for extraction either

 

[finnbear270]

You can't beat a helicopter for extraction, easiest way to get deer back that I have ever used

And a very excellent way of chilling em' down & maybe blowing a few Keds off.

 

[rem284]

They are a bit slow coming to the conclusion of being an invasive species. Close the door after the horse has bolted springs to mind

 

[User00040]

They are a bit slow coming to the conclusion of being an invasive species. Close the door after the horse has bolted springs to mind

Sadly the trophy hunters will always want plantations resembling Jurassic Park. Ironically, heads will only get worse in those conditions.

 

[wildfowler.250]

They’ll be here to stay in Scotland now I think. Think the only pure reds down the line will be on the islands

 

[rem284]

I like sika, they are great to work with. As been said they are here to stay. Accept it and embrace the added diversity. They taste good too.

 

[User00040]

Think the only pure reds down the line will be on the islands

Define 'pure'.

Isle of Rùm was killed out long before sheep were put on. The ones that went back on were from English parks that had been selectively bred. There is an entry on the gamebooks from the late 1890's that notes 'Austrian Stag'.

Yet its used as an example of 'pure' Red deer... there was even a fallow herd that died out there a few decades after release. Must not have liked the seaweed!

I'm sure there have been releases on other islands which hold red deer.

The use of 'Scottish Stag' to infer some sort of genetic definition is about as apt as 'English Man' (who could have been born in Bombay and been the product of an 'indiscretion'... )

 

[wildfowler.250]

Define 'pure'.

Isle of Rùm was killed out long before sheep were put on. The ones that went back on were from English parks that had been selectively bred. There is an entry on the gamebooks from the late 1890's that notes 'Austrian Stag'.

Yet its used as an example of 'pure' Red deer... there was even a fallow herd that died out there a few decades after release. Must not have liked the seaweed!

I'm sure there have been releases on other islands which hold red deer.

The use of 'Scottish Stag' to infer some sort of genetic definition is about as apt as 'English Man' (who could have been born in Bombay and been the product of an 'indiscretion'... )

Interesting to know. I’m not really worried if it’s English red deer or Scottish etc, just more so that it’s not got sika genetics in it if that makes sense.

Anyway that sika ship has sailed I think. At least the venison is really good!

 

[timbrayford]

Unacceptable verminisation of deer. Whatever has happened to treating the creatures that we pursue with respect?

 

[terrier1]

We are NOT in the EU so who give a monkeys.

 

[ejg]

One chap who has done huge damage to the Irish deer shooting is behind this. Just trying to profile himself. I shoot deer in Kerry since over 20 years and the farmers are mostly OK with Sika deer as long as they are not overrun with them. I don't see deer numbers or density increasing in the past years. Of course deer move and some areas have more until hunters react.
edi

 

[slider]

We are NOT in the EU so who give a monkeys.

But Ireland is and this thread is about Irish Sika

 

[Fair Hill]

One chap who has done huge damage to the Irish deer shooting is behind this. Just trying to profile himself. I shoot deer in Kerry since over 20 years and the farmers are mostly OK with Sika deer as long as they are not overrun with them. I don't see deer numbers or density increasing in the past years. Of course deer move and some areas have more until hunters react.
edi

How is this the work of one man and what would he have to gain from it? Sorry, but this makes zero sense.

I live in Kerry and would estimate about 2% of farmers are "OK with Sika deer" the other 98% see them as pests that affect their ability to make a living as well as being a serious danger to motorists. There has been an explosion in deer numbers in the last couple of decades and even moreso in the last few years. There was over 55,000 shot last year which is up 24% on the previous record which was in 2019 before the pandemic.

You don't have to travel to Kerry either as the Sika are all over Cork now too, the new motorway bypassing Macroom has had numerous accidents caused by deer and it's only recently opened. Gardai issue strange warning to drivers over animal problem on new Cork road

I'm travelling between Cork and Kerry over 40 years and constantly see numerous roadkill closer and closer to the city. The council had to put up warning signs out in the Blarney walkway to educate the public not to approach the Sika stags that are regularly seen there in broad daylight. Blarney residents warned to stay away from wild deer at popular walking spot

 

[Tim.243]

How is this the work of one man and what would he have to gain from it? Sorry, but this makes zero sense.

I live in Kerry and would estimate about 2% of farmers are "OK with Sika deer" the other 98% see them as pests that affect their ability to make a living as well as being a serious danger to motorists. There has been an explosion in deer numbers in the last couple of decades and even moreso in the last few years. There was over 55,000 shot last year which is up 24% on the previous record which was in 2019 before the pandemic.

You don't have to travel to Kerry either as the Sika are all over Cork now too, the new motorway bypassing Macroom has had numerous accidents caused by deer and it's only recently opened. Gardai issue strange warning to drivers over animal problem on new Cork road

I'm travelling between Cork and Kerry over 40 years and constantly see numerous roadkill closer and closer to the city. The council had to put up warning signs out in the Blarney walkway to educate the public not to approach the Sika stags that are regularly seen there in broad daylight. Blarney residents warned to stay away from wild deer at popular walking spot

Makes a change to see you posting something than your usual line on off topic.

 

[LuckyEddie]

Unacceptable verminisation of deer. Whatever has happened to treating the creatures that we pursue with respect?

Is that not what happens wit( muntjac already?
Certainly in Scotland the edict is to shoot on sight.

 

[User00040]

Is that not what happens wit( muntjac already?
Certainly in Scotland the edict is to shoot on sight.

Have there ever been any confirmed Muntjac sightings in Scotland? Would of thought the Borders would see some by now.

Apart from the occasional 'saw a dead one on the A9' post that pops up every 6 months on SD (much like the 'big cat' ones... )

 

[User00040]

Unacceptable verminisation of deer. Whatever has happened to treating the creatures that we pursue with respect?

Same goes for rabbits/foxes/pigeons/crows/geese?

Or does the fact that someone is willing to put down serious money for a 'gold medal' head change things?

Never seen 'trophy hind/doe' fees being mulled over.

Get them shot.