Dear Stakeholder,
The current season for deer hunting will close on Wednesday, 30 April 2026. To facilitate the transition to the new season and the introduction of the new online Section 42 permits for serious damage by deer, the Heritage Licensing Portal will be unavailable from Wednesday, 30 April 2026. The system will reopen on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
From 5 May, users will be able to:
- apply for a 2026/2027 Section 29 Deer Hunting Licence (DHL), and
- apply for a Section 42 (serious damage) permit to control deer.
The S42 permit application process will be fully online and the option for paper/email based applications will no longer be available. Applications received after this date will be returned to the applicant and must be submitted through the online portal.
Any Section 42 deer permits that have already been issued will remain valid until their expiry date. However, these permits will not be accessible through the portal, and permit holders should ensure they retain their issued permit.
Applicants who registered through the portal previously will not need to re-register and can use their existing accounts to apply for their new DHL and any Section 42 permits. New applicants can register and apply as first-time users.
Any incomplete draft applications from the current Deer Hunting Licence season or those returned for amendment that have not been resubmitted will be moved to a status of ‘Previous Season Draft’ and will no longer be accessible; a new application will need to be completed.
Further information, including guidance documentation, is available on the NPWS website at the following links:
Permit to Stop Damage to Flora and Fauna by Deer
We would appreciate it if you could circulate this information to your members. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
Hester Lynch
Wildlife Licencing Unit
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An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
An tSeirbhis Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra
National Parks and Wildlife Service
90 Sráid an Rí Thuaidh, Margadh na Feirme, Baile Átha Cliath 7, D07 N7CV
90 King Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV