Police crack down on deer poaching and trespass at Baronscourt Estate

THE Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a stark warning over illegal deer poaching and aggravated trespass at Baronscourt Estate, following growing concerns from landowners and conservation groups.

Wildlife and Animal Welfare officer Emma Meredith, alongside Strabane Neighbourhood Sergeant Lauren Griffiths, recently joined Lord Jamie Hamilton, owner of the Baronscourt Estate, and Tommy Mayne, Northern Ireland director of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), to confront the escalating issue.

“In Northern Ireland, wild deer are legislated for under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Poaching includes but is not limited to: entering private land either during closed seasons to kill, injure, or take any deer when it is unlawful to do so without a licence or special authority or, during the hunting season without the landowner’s permission. Doing so can constitute criminal offences and individuals face the very real possibility of prosecution and upon conviction, imprisonment and/or financial penalties,” said Meredith.

Police confirmed they have previously investigated complaints of aggravated trespass - where people enter land in a manner that is intimidating, obstructive, or disruptive - and vowed to act on any further reports.

Lord Hamilton, who is also president of BASC, described the toll on estates like his.

“Baronscourt Estate’s team of dedicated and highly professional deerstalkers play a vital role in meeting our objective of achieving a healthy and balanced wild deer population on the Estate. Poachers and trespassers present a serious challenge to landowners like Baronscourt who are carrying out this important land management activity. We are extremely grateful to both the PSNI and BASC for their efforts in raising awareness about the serious implications of poaching or trespassers interfering with the lawful activities of our professional deer stalkers.”

BASC’s Northern Ireland Director Tommy Mayne reinforced the message, warning that trespassers are putting themselves in danger.

“Deer poaching is not only a criminal offence, it also undermines the conservation work being carried out by trained and accredited deer managers across Northern Ireland. It is hard to understand why some members of the public choose to blatantly ignore signage that has been erected by the estate to help ensure their safety. The Ulster Way footpath is a designated walking route which is well signposted, yet members of the public still choose to access parts of the estate where deer management is taking place, thereby putting themselves at risk.”

He stressed the wider benefits of regulated deer management, including maintaining healthy populations, reducing road traffic collisions, and protecting sensitive habitats.

Meredith added that tackling wildlife crime remains a police priorit.

“PSNI takes all crimes seriously, including wildlife crime, and we will continue to work closely through the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland group (PAW NI) with partners including landowners and other interested bodies to ensure the law is adhered to.”

Anyone with information on deer poaching is urged to contact police on 101, report online at psni.police.uk/makeareport, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.