Should we clamp down on how we cull deer?

The Office of Public Works have culled more than 118 deer in Phoenix Park since the beginning of last year. It comes after they have paid €17,000 to snipers to manage the deer population in the capital.

UCD, who tag fawns and keep track of the deer population in the park, found that the way deer were being targeted for culls by the OPW up to 2018 was “not a recommended approach”.

The report recommended that “at least 65 individuals” should be targeted during each culling season in order to keep the deer population in the Phoenix Park “stable and sustainable”.

Is culling deer the best approach to managing this population, or are there alternative measures to manage these animals?

Joining Andrea to discuss is John Tierney from the Association of Hunt Saboteurs, as well as listeners.