Deer hunting licences

Deer are a protected species in Ireland under the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended). It is a serious offence to hunt them without a licence.

In Ireland, the wild deer population consists of red, fallow, sika, muntjac and hybrid deer. Conservation rangers employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manage the wild deer population in Ireland's national parks. The NPWS is part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Landowners are responsible for the control of wild deer on their private property.

Applications for deer hunting licences are processed by the NPWS.

Licences are issued for the period from 1 August to 31 July and must be renewed annually. Deer hunting licences are free.

The number of wild deer hunting licences issued by the NPWS changes from year to year, depending on demand, and the management of the deer population. The open season for deer hunting (see below) in Ireland changes from year to year depending on the location and species of deer.

Landowners can apply for a Section 42 licence to control deer outside of open hunting season if the deer are causing damage.

From June 2024, you can only apply online for a deer hunting licence.

Licences are valid for the hunting season each year from 1 August to 31 July.  You must also comply with the wild deer open season (see table below).

You must renew your licence each year.

Conservation rangers employed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service ensure that hunters have appropriate deer hunting licences.

You need a licence to hunt deer in Ireland and can only hunt them for the period on your licence. The penalties for hunting deer without a licence include fines, imprisonment, or both.

To apply for a deer hunting licence you must:

• Be over 16 years old
• Sign a declaration verifying that you will only hunt on land where you have permission (set out in Section 28 of the Wildlife Act).
• Provide your firearm (gun) details. The legal minimum requirement for a firearm to hunt deer is .220 calibre, with a muzzle energy of more than 1,700 foot pounds, which uses bullets of no less than 55 grain weight.

You can apply for a licence during the open or closed season but you can only hunt deer when permitted.

Mandatory certified deer hunting training

If you are applying for the first time for a deer hunting licence, you must prove that you have attended and completed a certified deer hunting training course. You can find  more information on npws.ie.

Deer hunting licence

Your deer hunting licence has the following information:

• Your name and address
• Your photograph
• Licence number
• Information about the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended)

It is an offence to tamper with a deer hunting licence and the penalties for doing this can be fines or imprisonment or both. You must produce your licence if a Garda or NPWS conservation officer asks for it.

Firearms

All firearms (guns) in Ireland must be registered and licensed. You must give details of your firearm when you submit your application for a deer hunting licence. Firearms certificates for weapons to hunt deer are issued by the Garda Commissioner through your local Garda station. There are important restrictions on the use and discharge of these dangerous weapons.

Before your local Gardaí issue a firearms certificate, they may ask for the following:

• Evidence that there is adequate security in your home for a gun
• Your land folio numbers (if the weapon is to be discharged on your land)
• Your deer hunting licence

You must meet the requirements if you are visiting from another country and importing a firearm for sporting purposes.

You must ensure that you have the appropriate deer hunting licence and a firearm of the appropriate calibre. You can be prosecuted for hunting deer with an inappropriate firearm or by any other means.

There is no charge for a deer hunting licence.

For the 2024-2025 season, you apply online to renew or apply for a deer hunting licence through the licensing portal. To get your licence in time for the new season, you must apply before the end of June.  The licence will be issued in August.

You must register for the portal and create a profile. To do this, you must have a:

• Valid email address
• Mobile phone number
• Digital photograph

If you have a MyGov.ID you can use this to log into the portal.

If you have a query about registering on the portal, you can email heritage.licensing@housing.gov.ie

If you are renewing a licence, you must provide information about the deer you shot last season, called your deer returns. You can find out more about renewing a licence (pdf).

If you are applying for a licence for the first time, you must provide relevant information such as:

• Firearms certificate details
• Certification of deer hunting training

If you are coming from abroad and you do not have an Irish firearms certificate, you should upload an EU Firearms Pass or the equivalent from your country of origin to satisfy the requirement to hold a licence to own and operate a firearm. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis during the application assessment.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service will examine your application, together with the landowner's permission. Incomplete applications are not considered.

If your licence is approved, you get a digital licence. A copy of the licence is emailed to you and is also available on the portal.

Updates 

During the year, you can update your details on the portal and add details of the deer you shot (deer returns).

Queries about licences

If you have a deer hunting licence query, you can call 01 888 3242 or email deerlicences@npws.gov.ie.  If you have a query about registering on the portal, you can email heritage.licensing@housing.gov.ie.

The NPWS has published frequently asked questions (FAQs) about deer hunting licences (pdf).

You can get further information on applying for a licence from npws.ie.