Sir, – I share many of Dr David O’Brien’s views (November 7th) on the deer stalking article (Magazine, October 22nd). We agree that deer are wonderful animals; however, he need have no worry about the growth of deer numbers. Sadly, those parts of counties Kerry and Wicklow known to me can sound like Kabul on nights when the poachers are active.
The recent rise in unemployment coupled with the high prices deer carcasses are making at game dealers; the lack of a proper control system and rampant, untrammelled poaching by unscrupulous shooters will ensure that our deer, like the sport of stalking, sadly will become a thing of the past. – Yours, etc,