Countryside Alliance

the closed season. The report highlights a 30% decline in such permits during 2014, which suggests there are less deer and fewer land owners suffering crop damage from deer.

The NPWS report does not include deer killed illegally by poachers, which is believed to be at unprecedented levels in recent years.

Protect Your River

Our rivers and streams often form the picturesque focal point of our towns and villages. They provide a peaceful retreat from the stresses of a frantic modern lifestyle and are a haven for wildlife in a world of rapidly shrinking wetland habitat. Anglers treasure their streams for the sport they provide and the chance to share their time with dippers, kingfishers, otters, etc. Unfortunately there are many pressures on our waterways including pollution, development and drainage. Alone, the angling community cannot hope to overcome these problems but by forming a River Trust and working with other stakeholders we can get the attention of councils, government agencies and MLAs; in fact everyone who is in a position to make serious improvement. Every river has a potential for recreation, sustainable tourism, biodiversity and conservation. A river is a great asset to any community; by working together anglers, ramblers, bird watchers, canoeists, community groups and riparian owners can improve water quality, recreation facilities, habitat and biodiversity. Take the opportunity to browse the internet for the Association of River Trusts or the Wild Trout Trust to see what the possibilities are for improving your river. Ballinderry River Trust is the largest in Northern Ireland; visit their website and see the range of projects and initiatives which are improving local rivers. You will be surprised at the support available from NIEA, Rivers Agency, NI Water, local councils and you can adopt a holistic approach to improve the various aspects of your river from source to sea. Take the initiative now, while we still have our beautiful rivers to protect! Pollution Hotline 0800 807060.

A further indication of falling deer numbers is consistent feedback of declining deer numbers from Wild Deer Association of Ireland members; the national representative organisation for those involved in deer management. Early indications from an ongoing national deer survey, is that deer numbers have been decimated in many areas due to widespread poaching, while some areas continue to have healthy deer populations. The significant decline in the deer cull combined with a significant increase in the number of hunters, is an indication that deer are being killed at levels that may threaten their future in some areas. In a new development we have seen deer hunters self impose an early close to the hunting season due to lack of deer. A recent positive development is the government launch of the Irish Deer Management Forum. The forum is made up of all key stakeholders and will now form the basis for future development of a long term national deer management plan. The forum also creates an opportunity to ensure deer are managed at sustainable levels with regard for all land users.

- Damien Hannigan , Wild Deer Association of Ireland

Irish Coursing Club - Founded 1916 Join us for our Centenary celebrations National Coursing Meeting 2016 Powerstown Park, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Friday 29th January - Saturday 30th January - Sunday 31st January

Coursing starts 11am each day Admission: Friday €20 - Saturday / Sunday €25 (incl programme) Children U17 Free

-Michael Martin, Six Mile Water Trust

www.irishcoursingclub.ie

Countryside Alliance Ireland

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