are hares protected?

stevoman

i think the heading says it all. im just curious as where the law stands on these beautys?

Minkresearch

From "Exploring Irish Mammals":
"[The Irish Hare] is a protected species in the Republic of Ireland an in Northern Ireland, but it is also classified as a game or quarry species and may be hunted, under licence issued by Duchas The Heritage Service), during the open season. This usually extends from the last week of September to the end of February. Hunting hares is totally prohibited , however, in the vicinity of Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. Hares may also be captured, during the hunting season, for coursing by muzzled greyhounds in accordance with the rules of the Irish coursing Club. A specific licence is required to hunt hares outside the hunting season. The Irish hare is listed in the Irish Red Data Book as internationally important and in Apppendix 2 of the Bern Convention as a protected species, and in Annex 5 of the Habitat Directive as a species which may be exploited but not to the extent that its favourable conservation status is compromised"

Hope that helps, the info may not be accurate anymore though as it's from 2000?

Terrier

From the old NARGC website..

Hares - 26 September to 28 February
(excluding the following townlands in Co. Wexford: North East Slob, North West Slob, Big Island, Beggerin Island and the Raven).

Never heard of people having to get a licence, except for coursing clubs. I know the were given protected status in the north a couple of years back.

stevoman

thanks folks just wondering where the law stood. seen one the other night. what a lovely creature

Mellor

Terrier wrote: »

From the old NARGC website..



Never heard of people having to get a licence, except for coursing clubs. I know the were given protected status in the north a couple of years back.

Thats the season I was aware of, also never heard of the Duchas licence

bunny shooter

They can only be shot with a shotgun, no rifles !!

17REM

stevoman wrote: »

thanks folks just wondering where the law stood. seen one the other night. what a lovely creature

they look even better with a lurcher at full speed behind them!:)