deer in meath

idnkph · 08-12-2013 8:05pm #1

so was out walking with the kids in a wood in meath today. Came across a deer trail so followed it. lots of tracks off it into dense bush with small holes made for entry. Now i thought there was only red deer in meath which are rather large. But these holes made iinto the undergrowth i had to get down on my knees to get thru. So i thought surely there has to be a smaller breed there.... Anyone shed any light... planning on bedding down on one of these trails to get a glimpse over next few weeks or maybe investing in a trail cam.

The Aussie · 08-12-2013 8:20pm

You would be surprised at the size of a hole through scrub that a Deer can get through without causing massive damage, they are rather unobtrusive animals even with head wear, I've got a permission up in Meath I should take a trip upto, a fair drive from Cork though.

idnkph · 08-12-2013 9:21pm

The Aussie wrote: »

You would be surprised at the size of a hole through scrub that a Deer can get through without causing massive damage, they are rather unobtrusive animals even with head wear, I've got a permission up in Meath I should take a trip upto, a fair drive from Cork though.

well if you wouldnt mind someone tagging along when you do then i would gladly go to help drag a kill

The Aussie · 08-12-2013 9:26pm

Yeh if I'm up there, won't be till after I'm back from Oz in late January though.

tomtucker81 · 08-12-2013 11:20pm

There was muntjac spotted in meath a few years ago, 09ish maybe. Not in the same parts as the reds though.

http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie/muntjac-deer-in-cork/

the link shows a map of the country with confirmed and unconfirmed sightings. Its actually 07 and 08 in meath.

endasmail · 09-12-2013 1:48am

idnkph wrote: »

so was out walking with the kids in a wood in meath today. Came across a deer trail so followed it. lots of tracks off it into dense bush with small holes made for entry. Now i thought there was only red deer in meath which are rather large. But these holes made iinto the undergrowth i had to get down on my knees to get thru. So i thought surely there has to be a smaller breed there.... Anyone shed any light... planning on bedding down on one of these trails to get a glimpse over next few weeks or maybe investing in a trail cam.

Co-ordinates????

The Aussie · 09-12-2013 6:35am

endasmail wrote: »

Co-ordinates????

Co-Ordinates = No Deer left.......

4200fps · 09-12-2013 9:36am

idnkph wrote: »

so was out walking with the kids in a wood in meath today. Came across a deer trail so followed it. lots of tracks off it into dense bush with small holes made for entry. Now i thought there was only red deer in meath which are rather large. But these holes made iinto the undergrowth i had to get down on my knees to get thru. So i thought surely there has to be a smaller breed there.... Anyone shed any light... planning on bedding down on one of these trails to get a glimpse over next few weeks or maybe investing in a trail cam.

You should have an idea by the size of the tracks if they are reds or not or even the droppings, saying that that's if they are mature enough reds. I seen mature fallow deer go through very heavy cover the same as if they were ghosts leaving no sign of entry

idnkph · 09-12-2013 10:28am

definately wouldnt be giving out co-ordinates.

idnkph · 09-12-2013 10:30am

4200fps wrote: »

You should have an idea by the size of the tracks if they are reds or not or even the droppings, saying that that's if they are mature enough reds. I seen mature fallow deer go through very heavy cover the same as if they were ghosts leaving no sign of entry

the droppings are huge. some of the tracks are pretty big too. i can take pics and post them later.heading that way for a stroll now.

Vegeta · 09-12-2013 10:45am

idnkph wrote: »

the droppings are huge. some of the tracks are pretty big too. i can take pics and post them later.heading that way for a stroll now.

Put something in the pic for size reference.

Tawny Owl · 09-12-2013 1:46pm

Vegeta wrote: »

Put something in the pic for size reference.

Like a €50 note might get him back from Austraila quicker:D:D to bring you out.

idnkph · 09-12-2013 4:14pm

http://imageshack.com/a/img42/9727/8q8v.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img20/7885/o9w4.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img560/1680/2qs7.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img440/2889/a89m.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img51/3427/p586.jpg
these are a few images from todays stroll.

idnkph · 09-12-2013 4:16pm

the one of the gap is about 2 1/2 foot high. Then stumbled on the mud holes with all tracks around them and the marks on the tree.

welsummer · 09-12-2013 6:48pm

I have shot a good few of these reds in Meath, but have since given up shooting them. they are just too big to handle and you need specialised equipment. I still have permission on the same ground to shoot them. they run along the forested edge of the Boyne and travel a good distance and are not always on the same ground and they could be gone for a week or more. The farmer would give me a ring when he seen them and any that I shot he would have to lift into the trailer with the front forks of the tractor. even pulling one on a flat grassy field is heart attack stuff.https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/202681/283931.jpg

Jerrystevens · 09-12-2013 7:09pm

meath reds are massive most if not all are descended from ward union deer they allegedly had some wapiti blood and a lot of english park blood in them
Some of them a true monsters i shot one many years ago it was only a spiker and was 24 stone hanging in the larder - head and legs :eek:
i don't shoot them any longer either for the same reason as welsummer
But there are fallow in a few select spots and a good friend of mine put two small deer out of a wood not too far from me and he swears blind they were munjac

The Aussie · 09-12-2013 7:11pm

Quality animal there mate, congratulations.

welsummer wrote: »

I have shot a good few of these reds in Meath, but have since given up shooting them. they are just too big to handle and you need specialised equipment.

This is one of the reasons (among others) why I don't bother with big Stags anymore and got called "lazy" by some n00b for stating it, a Deer like that pays way for the old saying that the real work starts when you pull the trigger.

idnkph · 09-12-2013 8:03pm

thats some beast welsummer.... I have to state Im not looking to shoot them but wouldnt mind the stalking. I know they are huge so was just wondering about them getting thru the tiny holes in the scrub.
I would love to go on a proper stalk with anyone willing for me to tag along tho.

idnkph · 09-12-2013 8:07pm

The Aussie wrote: »

Quality animal there mate, congratulations.

This is one of the reasons (among others) why I don't bother with big Stags anymore and got called "lazy" by some n00b for stating it, a Deer like that pays way for the old saying that the real work starts when you pull the trigger.

what about the does? Are the better eating than the stags?

The Aussie · 09-12-2013 8:33pm

idnkph wrote: »

what about the does? Are the better eating than the stags?

We had that debate here before, and let's just day opinions are firmly formed on this matter

Just to give you an answer, I prefer Prickets and young Does for eating and longer extractions, but once again that is my personal preference.

idnkph wrote: »

... I have to state Im not looking to shoot them but wouldnt mind the stalking.

Get yourself a camera and go Stalking with that, I do in the off season if I'm bored sometimes, great fun.

idnkph · 09-12-2013 8:42pm

The Aussie wrote: »

We had that debate here before, and let's just day opinions are firmly formed on this matter

Just to give you an answer, I prefer Prickets and young Does for eating and longer extractions, but once again that is my personal preference.

Get yourself a camera and go Stalking with that, I do in the off season if I'm bored sometimes, great fun.

already have my sights set on a camera... will be after xmas tho.

Larry60 · 09-12-2013 11:07pm

Is this a hunting or flower arranging forum? Just kiddin.

yubabill1 · 10-12-2013 4:54pm

idnkph wrote: »

http://imageshack.com/a/img42/9727/8q8v.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img20/7885/o9w4.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img560/1680/2qs7.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img440/2889/a89m.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img51/3427/p586.jpg
these are a few images from todays stroll.

Prints are from a large deer, alright.

No prob for them to fit thro the gap you describe.
If they pass thro foliage only once, it is almost impossible to see any trace after a short while.
The gap in image 2 is used regularly, but remember the foliage is pliable so gap will look smaller than the animal passing thro.

Gingerirish · 01-01-2014 2:28pm

I shoot a bit in Meath and these all typical signs of reds but as was already indicated they constantly move and may not remain in the area for a long time. Due to poaching I recommend that you do not share the location online with anyone.

I use trail camera's to see what is in the area and see when exactly the stags are about when the rut starts and also to figure out if the heads worth the possible hours spent stalking, if not I generally leave them mature or cull a bad head. Here are a few pictures.

IMAG0245.JPG

IMAG0015.JPG

IMAG0064.JPG

valerossi · 01-01-2014 3:02pm

Ha ya notting like slapping yourself on the back for a good stalk on a nice stag, taking a few pictures and texting a few friends then it hits home you have to haul that f#cker home.

Gingerirish · 01-01-2014 3:12pm

@ valerossi.
Tell me about it even the hinds weigh over or around the 100kg. The only good thing about the hard drag is that its less likely that some uneducated tool will try poach or lamp the beasts in that area. The realisation is always followed by about 20 minutes of confusion as to how your going to manage it. Reds are not a one man gig.

valerossi · 01-01-2014 3:23pm

What trail cam you using their gingerirish?

meathstevie · 01-01-2014 11:08pm

Meath reds are huge, mainly a mix of park and farm gene pools me thinks. From personal experience; a pricket the size of a small bullock is a two man job, and that's on a stubble field. By the way, quite a few land owners in the northwest of the county won't be too slow to land anyone they suspect to be poaching in a lot of hot water.

tomtucker81 · 01-01-2014 11:15pm

meathstevie wrote: »

Meath reds are huge, mainly a mix of park and farm gene pools me thinks. From personal experience; a pricket the size of a small bullock is a two man job, and that's on a stubble field. By the way, quite a few land owners in the northwest of the county won't be too slow to land anyone they suspect to be poaching in a lot of hot water.

True that. I know one who gave me permission. I asked about neighbours of his and he said don't bother asking them, they like the reds being around and don't want them hunted, so make sure you're where you're supposed to be and haven't strayed onto neighbouring land.

Gingerirish · 02-01-2014 12:20am

@ Valerossi the trail cameras are ltl acorn , 12 mega pixel so the clarity is quite good.

idnkph · 02-01-2014 11:28pm

meathstevie wrote: »

Meath reds are huge, mainly a mix of park and farm gene pools me thinks. From personal experience; a pricket the size of a small bullock is a two man job, and that's on a stubble field. By the way, quite a few land owners in the northwest of the county won't be too slow to land anyone they suspect to be poaching in a lot of hot water.

as i said no intention hunting them at all but like the stalking side of things seeing as Katy Perry is too far out of reach:D

Tawny Owl · 04-01-2014 10:44pm

welsummer wrote: »

I have shot a good few of these reds in Meath, but have since given up shooting them. they are just too big to handle and you need specialised equipment. I still have permission on the same ground to shoot them. they run along the forested edge of the Boyne and travel a good distance and are not always on the same ground and they could be gone for a week or more. The farmer would give me a ring when he seen them and any that I shot he would have to lift into the trailer with the front forks of the tractor. even pulling one on a flat grassy field is heart attack stuff.https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/attachments/202681/283931.jpg

Was at that area this Morning left Kildare at 5.15am this Morning walked a permission I just got with a relative of mine, and may I say the hoof prints are massive, and like you say the Farmer is saying there on the land every day, but this cant be, as in this weather they will stay in the local woods, would you move out in this stormy weather?.They may be seen today and no sign for a week, but you will not drag one of these Deer off the land with the size of the hoof prints we saw, we have the use of a Quad which I have access to from the back of a van so I leave the jeep behind when off we go, I am still waiting on the Deer Hunting Licence, but he was delighted that I also introduced him to the Famer. He walked the land showing me where to stand, and also what trees to work around depending on wind. or stand beside if needed. this man has 40 years shooting Deer, and I had a great day.:D:D. If you would like to meet up let me know it will benefit all of us.

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deer in meath

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