Coordinators appointed for Deer Management Units in Leitrim and Donegal

FRS Co-Op, a co-ordination company,  has been confirmed as the local coordinators for the two new Deer Management Units (DMUs) in Leitrim and Donegal as part of a nationwide effort to address the growing impact of wild deer populations.

The Deer management units labelled N1 for Leitrim and N2 for Donegal are part of a wider initiative that will see 15 units established across Ireland in known deer hotspots. 

The project follows recommendations made by the Government’s Deer Management Strategy Group, whose final report outlined serious concerns about the effects of rising deer numbers on farmland, forestry, biodiversity, and road safety.

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There have been repeated calls for action on this issue from affected residents in Leitrim as the deer population has risen sharply there like in other parts of the country in recent years.

Deer populations across Ireland have increased dramatically in recent decades, with no accurate national figure currently available. However, growing evidence suggests the impact of wild deer is becoming more pronounced—with native woodland damage, farmland losses, and road traffic incidents all on the rise.

The initiative will see FRS Co-Op coordinate with local units, working closely with farmers, landowners, and licensed hunters to identify deer-related problems and implement sustainable deer control in affected areas.

Michael Keegan, manager of FRS Co-Op’s deer management programme, said the new units marked a significant step forward in tackling the country’s escalating deer problem.

“Over the coming weeks, local coordinators will be actively engaging with landowners in deer hotspot areas. This is an important step in delivering on the recommendations of the national Deer Management Strategy,” he said.

“We’re here to connect landowners with licensed hunters and facilitate targeted deer control that is safe, effective, and environmentally responsible.”

Although FRS Co-Op will not directly employ hunters, it will oversee coordination with local hunting groups. The aim is to reduce deer numbers to more sustainable levels while protecting Ireland’s natural environment and enhancing public safety.

Locally, the new Leitrim group will focus on areas with high deer activity, using data from woodland monitoring, forest inventories, and accident reports to guide operations, with the Donegal group operating under a similar model.

A stakeholder survey carried out for the Deer Management Strategy Group found that more than 80% of respondents cited biodiversity loss, damage to farmland, and road safety as serious concerns.

FRS Co-Op is encouraging any landowners in the affected areas to get in touch via their website and to consider forming or joining local deer management groups.

“If you’re a landowner in one of these areas and you’re experiencing problems with wild deer, please contact us,” Mr Keegan added. “We’re here to help coordinate solutions that work for everyone—landowners, communities, and the environment.”

For more information, visit: www.frscoop.ie/deer

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