Deer Stalker Training


Please note members receive a discount on booking fees, if you are a member please login first to book onto courses.

Country Sports Ireland is a leading provider of training and expertise for those people involved in deer hunting throughout Ireland.

In the Republic of Ireland, the Country Sports Ireland Deer Stalking Training Course is approved by National Parks and Wildlife Service as meeting the requirements for mandatory training and certification and also in respect of Section 42 licence applications. It is also acceptable to Coillte for any person hunting deer under licence on Coillte lands.

The Country Sports Ireland Large Wild Game (Deer) meat hygiene course is also recognised by the appropriate Competent Authorities in the Republic of Ireland (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Local Authority Veterinary Service) meaning that successful learners are able to supply wild deer carcases to Approved Game Handling Establishments.

The Country Sports Ireland NI Deer Stalking Training Course is accepted by the Police Service Northern Ireland as part of the criteria for issuing a firearms certificate for a deer legal calibre rifle for deer hunting purposes. The Country Sports Ireland NI Deer Stalking Training Course is also accepted by the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland enabling successful learners to supply wild deer carcases to Approved Game Handling Establishments.

Access to the appropriate online training manual is provided FREE of charge at the time of booking to all learners who book on any Country Sports Ireland Deer Stalker training courses. This unique online training resource provides detailed tutorials, images, videos and multiple-choice written self-assessments conveniently broken down into easy to understand and ‘learner friendly’ sections. This unique resource is available only to learners attending Country Sports Ireland Deer Stalker training events.

The Country Sports Ireland Large Wild Game (Deer) meat hygiene course and NI Deer Stalking Training Course are formally approved by Lantra, a leading training awarding body for the countryside sector. This provides ongoing quality assurance and is also important recognition that training and assessment are delivered to the highest standards.

Available Courses

NI Deer Stalking Training Course - Shooting Assessment Preparation Day - Saturday 15th April 2023
Creggagh Field Target Club, 82 Moneyneany Rd, Draperstown, Magherafelt BT45 7EP

Non-Members Cost : £ 40.00 (A deposit of £ 40.00 is required)

Members Cost : £ 40.00 (A deposit of £ 40.00 is required)

An event specifically aimed at helping learners prepare for the Shooting Assessment associated with the Country Sports Ireland NI Deer Stalking Training Course, taking place on 22nd & 23rd April 2023. Coaches at the Creggagh Field Target Club will be in attendance to assist learners with shooting technique, improving their shooting and generally becoming more familiar with using deer legal calibre rifles. Learners will able to shoot the actual course of fire required on the day of the assessment. Cost is £40 and includes rifle hire/ammunition for anyone who doesn't possess their own rifle.

10am to 12 noon approx


NI Deer Stalking Training Course - 22nd & 23rd April 2023
Creggagh Field Target Club, Draperstown, Co. Derry

Non-Members Cost : £ 220.00 (A deposit of £ 220.00 is required)

Members Cost : £ 200.00 (A deposit of £ 200.00 is required)

The Country Sports Ireland NI Deer Stalking Training Course is accepted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland as part of the criteria for issuing a firearms certificate for a deer legal calibre rifle. It is also accepted by the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland as meeting the requirements of EU Trained Hunter Regulations enabling successful learners to supply carcasses to Approved Game Handling Establishments. Delivered by local experts, course content covers all relevant aspects of firearms, wildlife, animal welfare and food safety laws. There is also substantial content on deer biology, species recognition, wild deer management, safe and accurate shooting, carcass handling & inspection, game meat hygiene, common parasites and diseases found in wild deer species in Ireland. Access to a unique online training manual specifically designed to accompany the Country Sports Ireland NI Deer Stalking Training Course is provided FREE of charge to all learners upon registration.

10am to 4.30pm


Trained Hunter Large Wild Game (Deer) meat hygiene course - Sunday 23rd April 2023
Creggagh Field Target Club, Draperstown, Co. Derry

Non-Members Cost : € 175.00 (A deposit of € 175.00 is required)

Members Cost : € 150.00 (A deposit of € 150.00 is required)

The Country Sports Ireland Trained Hunter Large Wild Game (Deer) meat hygiene course is recognised by all competent authorities throughout Ireland enabling successful learners to present wild deer carcasses to Approved Game Handling Establishments. The course will also be of interest to learners who may not necessarily wish to sell carcasses but wish to substantially develop their knowledge and confidence in areas covered by the course. The Country Sports Ireland Trained Hunter Large Wild Game (Deer) meat hygiene course consists of comprehensive presentations and detailed practical demonstrations on gralloching, carcass handling & inspection, parasites, disease recognition, food safety and all relevant legislation. Access to our unique online training resource is provided FREE of charge to all learners who book on the Country Sports Ireland Trained Hunter Large Wild Game (Deer) meat hygiene course. NI residents should ring 028 295 4170 for GBP (sterling) course fee.

10am to 4.00pm


Deer Stalking Training Course - Shooting Assessment Preparation Day - Saturday 29th April 2023
Midlands National Shooting Centre of Ireland, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 KF20

Non-Members Cost : € 60.00 (A deposit of € 60.00 is required)

Members Cost : € 60.00 (A deposit of € 60.00 is required)

An event specifically aimed at helping learners prepare for the Shooting Assessment associated with the Country Sports Ireland Deer Stalking Training Course, taking place on 6th & 7th May 2023. Coaches at the Midlands National Shooting Centre of Ireland, Tullamore will be in attendance to assist learners with shooting technique, improving their shooting and generally becoming more familiar with using deer legal calibre rifles. Learners will able to shoot the actual course of fire required on the day of the assessment. Cost is €60 and includes rifle hire/ammunition for anyone who doesn't possess their own rifle.

10am to 12 noon approx


Deer Stalking Training Course - 6th & 7th May 2023
Midlands National Shooting Centre of Ireland, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 KF20

Non-Members Cost : € 175.00 (A deposit of € 175.00 is required)

Members Cost : € 150.00 (A deposit of € 150.00 is required)

The Country Sports Ireland Deer Stalking Training Course is approved by National Parks and Wildlife Service as meeting the requirements for mandatory training and certification and is also acceptable to Coillte for any person hunting deer under licence on Coillte lands. Course content covers all relevant aspects of firearms, wildlife and animal welfare laws. There is also substantial content on deer biology, species recognition, wild deer management, safe and accurate shooting, carcass handling & inspection, common parasites and diseases found in wild deer species in Ireland. Access to a unique online training manual specifically designed to accompany the Country Sports Ireland Deer Stalking Training Course is provided FREE of charge to all learners upon registration.

10am to 4.00pm


Demand for Country Sports Ireland training courses is often very high and places limited so booking in advance is essential. Country Sports Ireland Members should 'Log In' to the member’s area before booking to take advantage of the discounted price for members. Non-members can join Country Sports Ireland online before booking and then book at the discounted rate if they wish to.

Please note: Country Sports Ireland reserves the right to cancel or alter arrangements for any course should there be insufficient bookings or in the event of unforeseen circumstances. We will notify course attendees as soon as possible in these circumstances

Cancellation Policy

If for any reason you cancel your booking on any course the following charges will apply:

Timing Charge
Re-registration to another course (more than 2 weeks before course start date). No charge
Re-registration to another course (less than 2 weeks before course start date). 50% of deposit
Cancellation of booking more than 4 weeks before the course start date. No charge
Cancellation of booking more than 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks before the course start date. 50% of deposit
Cancellation less than 2 weeks before the course start date or failure to attend. 100% of deposit