IRISH TROPHY COMMISSION

The Irish Trophy Commission was officially launched at the recent highly successful National Country Fair at Borris House on 4/5 August 2012.

The Commission measures trophy heads principally for the three Irish deer species, Red, Fallow and Sika, and awards certificates and medals based on the CIC (Conseil International de la Chasse et de la Conservation du Gibier) International Council for Game & Wildlife Conservation and Rowland Ward measurement criteria.

Irish Trophy Commission measurers are fully trained, accredited and experienced in the task of measuring trophy heads. Trophy measurement is utilised to track the quality, including the genetic quality, and outcome of selective deer management and as part of the ITC contribution to education and research in the matter of wild deer in Ireland.

The ITC Panel of Accredited Measurers currently includes Liam McGarry, contact no. 087 264 3492 and Joe Murphy, contact no. 087 283 4662.

Paul Wood, whose recent sad death is reported elsewhere on this blog, was a founding Director of the Irish Trophy Commission. Paul was a CIC and Rowland Ward Accredited Measurer who was known to many stalkers throughout Ireland and who will be greatly missed by all, especially his many friends and colleagues in ITC and the Irish Deer Society.

Irish Trophy Commission accredited measurers will be present at the Game Fair at Birr at the end of August and hunters wishing to have heads evaluated can bring heads to the ITC Display Area. A nominal charge, payable to Irish Trophy Commission, applies in respect of the expenses of the Accredited Measurer carrying out any head measurement. ITC is a not-for-profit organisation committed to contributing to the better conservation and management of game and wildlife in Ireland. According to the Commission, measurement of heads is one way of monitoring the health, genetic quality and general well-being of deer nationally and locally.

The Irish Trophy Commission supports Deer Alliance HCAP (Hunter Competence Assessment Programme) as the competent standard for Stalker Assessment and Certification in Ireland.

Irish Trophy Commission Limited is an Irish-registered company limited by guarantee. Its Directors include L. McGarry, J. Murphy, and L. M. Nolan (Acting Chairman). J. Murphy, Secretary, Landenstown, Sallins,, Co. Kildare, is Acting Secretary.

It is intended that the different organisations having an interest in deer matters including Irish Deer Society, Wild Deer Association of Ireland and Countryside Alliance Ireland will be invited to nominate Directors on a rotating two-year basis.