Should Sika Deer Be Classed As Vermin?

In light of the recent discussions (October 2023) that the EU plans to classify Japanese Sika deer as vermin/invasive species across Europe, we spoke to Norman Mulvany (Irish Safaris) on his thoughts and the potential impacts on the Sika population in Ireland.

[@marks1014]

All deer are heading towards vermin status I'm afraid. Too many people (not just recreational stalkers but pro stalkers too) are tying up many thousands of acres but rarely venture on to the land. How often do we see videos on RUclips where the stalkers says he hasn't been on this land for a while or read recommendations for professionals where the comment is " Thoroughly recommend, xxxx. Good land and loads of deer"? Stalkers only have themselves to blame. If you don't have time to do it properly, don't agree to do it at all.

[@fingaonthatrigga]

I have up my game this year and the previous 2 years on the numbers shot and still hold down a full time job out every weekend first light to last light bit of mouthing from the misses but that’s nothing like music to my ears. I’m hoping to take on a guiding roll next year to really hit the number people are expecting. Sika and have fallow in Ireland have exploded in numbers this argument of making sika vermin is ludicrous and makes no sense the fallow population is massive spreading across half the country even the majority.

[@raysmyth8596]

A significant part of the problem is that much of the focus is on stags and bucks because they may provide a trophy. Culling hinds and does is hard work and you may receive very little return for your efforts. The landowners are rightly and reasonably concerned where deer have become excessive in the last number of years. They take fodder from stock, damage fencing (leading particularly to sheep getting loose), foul fodder and are potential reservoirs and vectors for infectious diseases. Sika are NOT native to Ireland or the EU, are very hardy, fecund and pervasive once established. Neither are Fallow (although here a lot longer, 12th Century). They'll do significant damage to young forestry plantations if not controlled. It's a bit late to be squeamish about heavily pregnant hinds and does later in the season. They were just as pregnant at the beginning of the season. The only way to control the numbers is to focus on the females. The season has been significantly adjusted since this piece was filmed. The returns from this season and next will provide data to permit the evaluation of the change and its effects.

[@theessexhunter1305]

If they can't deal with the numbers now Owen, given the hinds will have mated, what would you think can be done? as the pressure to get the numbers down will send them nocturnal if they are not all ready there. My friend in the nth sees 100's at night feeding good grass at night and then leave.

[@alanarmer8069]

👍👍🦌🦌👍👍🦌🦌👍👍