Mayo farmers irked by deer infestation crisis
by Caoimhín Rowland
Mayo farmers are grappling with a deer infestation.
Several farmers from Keenagh, Eskeragh, Lahardane, Bofeenaun and the general Nephin area are seeing their fences destroyed and silage fields depleted from overgrazing on their lands by deer.
It’s a serious problem no one is talking about, according to local independent election candidate Gerry Loftus, himself a farmer at the butt of Nephin.
The deer hide and shelter in the Sitka spruce plantations around the district - then at night they come out and eat in what might be the only good field farmers have to cut silage.
A farmer in Eskeragh told Mr. Loftus that two years ago he had 68 bales of silage cut from his fields. Last year he only had 24 due to the deer problem.
“That’s a colossal reduction and one that will see farmers driven off their land because they can’t afford to buy in fodder and feed their livestock,” said Mr. Loftus.
Talk has now gone towards culling the deer to keep the population in control, but few farmers have the licence to legally do so.
Environmentalists have backed the re-introduction of wolves or lynx as an apex predator to control the spread of deer.
However, Mayo farmers are worried about that possibility, which has been viewed as a success in Germany and the Netherlands.
MEP Maria Walsh, who voted in favour of the nature restoration law against her grouping, the EPP’s wishes, stated: “I wouldn’t like to see wolves re-introduced, it would be unmanageable for farmers in the west of Ireland.”
MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, who voted against the restoration law, said that a cull is necessary, but spoke of a desire to follow European counterparts in restricting the deer population in a more humane way.
“We should look into what is done on the continent, where there are contraceptives placed in food left out that the deer eat. That would be one way to do it.
“Farmers should be encouraged to take advantage and earn from the wild venison market. If the abundance is there and they’re on their land then why not?”
Lahardane-based licensed deer hunter Darragh Sheridan lays the blame on the lack of females being culled.
“We have trophy hunters flying into Mayo from all over to shoot males, but it means they are killing the dominant stag and leaving the remaining population more susceptible to disease.”
The announcement by the NPWS to extend the hunting season was not welcomed by Sheridan who says he has two or three farmers every week calling him to shoot deer for them.
“This year I’ve shot 90% females, that’s the only way to combat the explosion of the population since Covid.”
Two years where no hunter was around and the number of deer in north Mayo went through the roof.
Ireland only has three game dealers and they’re predominantly export based and the market for venison is poor in Ireland but it’s more lucrative abroad.
Back in Corvoderry, in the shadow of windmills between Crossmolina and Bellacorrick, the issue is biting close to home for farmers who have spent thousands draining, reclaiming and fertilising fields to see their crop depleted by deer.
“Everyone has washed their hands of us,” Michael Moyles told me.“No supports are coming and worse it’s going to get if no action is taken.”
He often sees 40 to 50 deer on his land in early morning.
“They’re eating me out of house and home,” he added.