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The following is an indication of manual contents. CHAPTER I: PRINCIPLES OF DEER MANAGEMENT: Aims and objectives - Current problems facing deer in Ireland - Methods of population assessment - Breeding capacity and size of cull - Planning the Cull - Cull Selection - Shooting Calendar & shooting plan - Record keeping - Public Relations
CHAPTER II: BASIC DEER BIOLOGY: Pregnancy duration and demands. - Antler development, calcification and casting - Hormonal changes leading to rut – Predators - Recognition of poor calves - Recognition of adults in poor condition, sick or ailing - Normal life spans and diet affecting tooth wear - Coat changes
CHAPTER III: RED DEER: Identification and Distribution: - History in Ireland – Distribution – Particulars of the rut - Kerry red deer
CHAPTER IV: SIKA DEER: Identification and Distribution - History in Ireland – Distribution – Particulars of the rut - -Hybridisation - International importance of Kerry sika
CHAPTER V: FALLOW DEER: Identification and Distribution - History in Ireland – Distribution - Different colour forms - Particulars of the rut
CHAPTER VI: DEER STALKING AIDS AND TECHNIQUES: High seat design and use – Binoculars – Clothing – Knives - Dogs for deer stalking - Aiming points - Reaction to the shot - Dealing with a wounded animal
CHAPTER VII: RIFLES, BALLISTICS AND ZEROING: Choosing your rifle – Ballistics (Internal, External, Terminal) - Rifle maintenance- Understanding component parts – Cleaning – Mounting the ‘ scope - Zeroing in theory and practice.
CHAPTER VIII: FIREARMS SAFETY: Common reasons why accidents occur (in and around vehicles, loading and unloading, negotiating obstacles, crawling or stalking with loaded rifle) - Barrel obstruction - Storage of weapons (recommended security provisions at home and in transport) - Weapon proficiency - Steady shooting positions - Background to shot - Non-firearm risks (knives, weather, dragging) - Health and Safety Agency
CHAPTER IX: DEER HUNTING AND THE LAW: Wildlife Act, 1976 – Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 – Firearms Acts, 1925 to 2000 – Control of Dogs Act, 1986 – Occupiers’ Liability Act, 1995
CHAPTER X: CARCASE HANDLING: Bleeding and field evisceration - Carcase examination and disease recognition (Veterinary aspects) - Game Meat Directive - Reasons for carcase condemnation - Larder requirements - Home Preparation of Venison, Joints etc. - Meat contamination prevention - Food Acts and FSA
CHAPTER XI: FORESTRY AND DEER: Overview – Forestry Processes (Planning, Establishment, Maintenance, Inventory, Thinning, Harvesting) – Damaging Impacts from Deer – Reducing/Preventing Damage – Physical Protection – Habitat Management – Deer Control
CHAPTER XII: IMPACTS OF DEER ON NATURE CONSERVATION HABITATS: National Heritage Areas – Special Areas of Conservation – Special Protection Areas – Grazing, Sporting and Turf-Cutting Rights – Conservation Planning
APPENDICES I (ii): Current Open Seasons for Wild Deer (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) II: Applying for a Deer Hunting Licence III: Coillte Teoranta Licence Requirements IV: ‘Deer Cull in Progress’ – Coillte’s Prescribed Format for Warning Sign V: ‘Section 42’ Licence Applications VI: Age estimation by tooth wear VII: Antler trophy preparation and measurement VII: Planning the Cull: The Hoffman Pyramid, in Principle and in Practice IX: Larder Record X: Ballistics statistics for principle rifle calibres XI: Other European deer species XII: Outline of Range Test XIII: The Country Code |
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