It looks like the wife and I will be making a month long trip to Ireland in 2016 or 2017.

We will be going to Castle Connell in Limerick county to attend a wedding and visit with our new In-Laws.

Not sure what time of year we will be going, but I am interested in gathering some information about hunting possibilities.

The fishing is covered as Castle Connell is close to the River Shannon.

This is going to be a once in a lifetime experience and if things work out time wise in the year, I am interested in putting together a weeks Red Stag hunting.

Any information anyone can give will be appreciated.

I have already been looking at a couple of sites concerning regulations and seasons. It may all be meaningless if the trip occurs at the wrong time of the year, but I want to get my ducks in a row if the timing works out.

CHC...sent you a pm.

Z

Hi,the deer season here runs from September 1st to February 28th.
Reds,Sika and Fallow. Stags and bucks may only be hunted from September 1st to December 31st.
Females of all species,November 1st to February 28th.
Outfitters usually have a loaner rifle,of good quality,for hire. Think Sako or Tikka in 270calibre.
If your dates fall within these dates PM me and I can put you in touch with some reputable outfitters. We do have some Cowboys. Doesn't everyone

Many Thanks for the responses. I am not sure what dates we will be there, but in checking out a few sites based in Ireland I am aware when the "Season" start.

I am going to be checking more into taking one of my own rifles. Using rented/borrowed fishing tackle is not a big deal, but I really prefer hunting with my own guns if possible.

Paperwork is not an issue if it will allow me to take one of my rifles.

I am going to be maneuvering the proceedings to start after Sept. 1 if at all possible.

With it being a once in a lifetime deal, and the probability of being there a month, I want to make the most of it.

I know there are lots of great places to visit and meeting the people will be fantastic, but getting a chance to hunt Red Stag and fish the Shannon is something that I am only going to have one shot at, and if I can get it put together I am going to enjoy it.

I thought red stags were protected in Ireland now? You can shoot hybrids of course.

For sure one of our Irish members will correct me if I am mistaken.

K

quote:

I thought red stags were protected in Ireland now? You can shoot hybrids of course.

If I read correctly on one of the Irish sites I looked at, Red Stag are protected and can not be hunted in county Kildare I believe.

The animals located there are considered as pure/native Irish Red Stag. Every where else the Red Stags are considered hybrids.

Only protected in Kerry as pure Irish reds.

Plenty of big reds in Ireland.

Record, shot in Mayo in 2009.

My fault it is Kerry and not Kildare I had read in the information I was looking that one county did not allow Red Stag hunting, I just mentioned the wrong county. Many Thanks for that information.

It's a beautiful place to hunt. It's pretty cool to be hunting in the country, smelling the coal and peat fires and talking to the farmers. Bring some good rubber boots. I've hunted up north in Donegal and also the wicklow mountains.

I'll add that it can be some tough hunting. On my trips, the ground was saturated and you never had a firm footing. Also, the ground (Peat in areas) can be very soft and it wears you out. If you're hunting the Wicklow mountains, be prepared for wet weather and think about some good technical pants (Sitka, Kuiu etc.) I had plain cotton BDU's and once they got wet, I lost the "slip factor" over my knees. (This may not make sense unless you've experienced the same thing with cheap cotton hunting gear). This meant the fabric stuck to my skin and when I lifted my leg, I'd have to fight the fabric not "sliding" over my knees. It was like lifting a 5 pound weight on each leg with every step up the mountain.

Nice trips though. The game (unless you bag a giant red stag, not a hybrid) aren't regal like some of the Africa game, but for a unique hunting experience it's top notch.

I know that shooting with a suppressor is the norm but is a person allowed to shoot with an un-suppressed rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
I know that shooting with a suppressor is the norm but is a person allowed to shoot with an un-suppressed rifle?

Yes. I shot a 300 Winnie. A couple others in camp had the same thing. On my previous trip, I used the PH's .243 non-suppressed.