The Irish Deer Commission has warned that poaching is on the increase.
The conservation and management body says deer are at major risk, particularly in counties such as Kerry, Tipperary and Wicklow.
It has launched a campaign - Keep Deer Poaching in Sight - urging the public to report armed illegal hunters who are running down wild deer and often bludgeoning them to death in the Irish countryside.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, IDC spokesperson Damien Hannigan said when people think of the illegal killing of deer they think of Africa, but wildlife poaching is very prevalent in Ireland.
"These gangs, or criminals, they operate predominantly at night time under the cover of darkness," said Mr Hannigan.
"And what they tend to do is go into the countryside and they use powerful lamps to dazzle and confuse wild deer.
"Often then the animal is either shot or more disturbingly is set upon by packs of dogs."
He said this behaviour puts people in rural communities at risk of harm or serious injury.
Livestock are also at risk of injury or death from stray bullets, according to Mr Hannigan.
Deer are a protected species under the Wildlife Act and have existed in Ireland for over 6,000 years.
They are a managed species and they are managed to protect farmland and forestry, but Mr Hannigan said they deserve respect and organised culls are carried out with regard for animal welfare and safety.
Mr Hannigan called on the general public to be vigilant and report any suspected illegal activity.
Around 500 incidents are reported to gardaí every year.
But the Irish Deer Commission say that the real extent is much higher and the gardaí have appointed liaison officers in all 28 garda divisions to detect and prosecute wildlife crime.
