Tony Gregory
Question:89 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the procedures involved in applying for a licence for foot and mounted hare hunting by harrier pack; and the conditions, if any, applied. [22967/96]
Written Answers. - Hunting Licence Procedures.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the practice of beagling normally carried out on foot with a pack of beagles or harriers. A licence is not required to hunt hares with beagles or harriers during the open season. The open season for the hunting, including beagling, of hares is between 26 September and 28 February of the following year, both dates inclusive.
A licence under section 26 (2) of the Wildlife Act, 1976, is required to hunt hares with beagles or harriers outside the open season. Applications from clubs wishing to hunt outside the season are made to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, of my Department. Each application is considered on its merits. Licences exclude the hunting of hares which have been handled or held in captivity and provide that on expiry of the licence a return giving the dates and the number of hares hunted and killed on each of the days specified shall be made to the NPWS.