It is reported that Coillte Teoranta will shortly introduce an online Hunting Area Management System, with all hunting on Coillte forest property to be controlled and managed through the system with effect from the season 2020-2021.
For an introduction to the HAMS Hunting Area Management System click here.
Coillte Teoranta have announced their 2020 first-round offers for licences to hunt deer on their forest property, for details click here.
Coillte have also published an updated Code of Practice 2020 for sustainable hunting and shooting of deer, game and other quarry species on Coillte forest property.
To view the Code click here.
The following is an extract from that updated Code of Practice, referencing requirements for evidence of competence for both bird shooters and deer hunters.
“2. Hunter Competence
Coillte believe that it is incumbent on all hunters to develop and maintain their skills and competencies with their firearms in order to minimise any associated safety risks and to avoid potential injury and unnecessary suffering by the quarry species. Regular practice on approved target ranges will assist a hunter in maintaining familiarity and proficiency with their firearm.
(Note:- The zeroing of rifles or other forms of target practice including clay pigeon shooting are not permitted on Coillte lands except under licence).
Coillte is rapidly moving to a position whereby only persons who have demonstrated their competence by satisfactorily completing recognised qualifications in safe firearms use and humane/sustainable hunting practices, will be licensed to hunt and use firearms on its lands.
Coillte’s current policy on this is :-
2.1 The hunting of game birds and other small quarry species :-
Coillte highly recommended that all game hunters complete a nationally recognised, certified, firearms safety training course and have demonstrated their competence through the successful completion of an appropriate assessment.
After the 1st January 2021, only persons who have satisfactorily completed an approved, certified, hunter competence assessment will be permitted to hunt and shoot game and other quarry species on its lands.
2.2 The hunting of wild deer:
Only persons who have satisfactorily completed an approved, certified, hunter competence assessment are permitted to stalk and shoot deer [on] Coillte lands.
This policy is implemented as follows:-
2.2.1 Licence Holders and Stalking Permit Holders (standard):
Only holders of the Hunter Competence Assessment Programme* (HCAP) qualification can hold a licence to hunt deer on Coillte lands.
All persons nominated to hunt under such licences (“nominated hunters”) will also require this qualification in order to be issued with an annual stalking permit which covers the full duration of the hunting season (standard permit)
2.2.2 Stalking Permit Holders (restricted) :- Nominated hunters who do not hold the HCAP qualification, but do hold an alternative, hunter qualification may, subject to additional conditions, be issued with a “restricted stalking permit” for a maximum duration of 2 weeks.
A total of two such restricted permits may be issued to such an individual during the course of a hunting season.
*Please note:- The Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) – is the only such qualification currently accepted by Coillte, as it is the only such assessment which evaluates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of relevant national legislation as well as Coillte’s licencing conditions and safety control measures”
(end of extract).
As restrictions on movement arising from Covid 19 have now been extended to 18th May 2020, no arrangement can be made for re-scheduling of HCAP MCQs or Training Workshops until the restrictions are lifted. Regrettable as this is, it is important that all possible steps are taken nationally and locally to stem the spread of the virus.
New dates will be arranged as soon as the situation is resolved, in the meanwhile HCAP Applications will continue to be processed the usual manner, and Stalker Training Manuals will continue to be issued in response to orders received.
The following candidates are eligible for the next scheduled HCAP assessment, when a new date is fixed. The list will be updated as further applications are received. Stay strong, stay safe and stay at home!
ACATINCA, Vasilica, 2019/0081
BURKE, David, 2020/0011
CREAMER, Ronan, 2019/0081
DEDAJ, Kristian, 2019/0078
DOHERTY, Martin, 2020/0028
DUNPHY, Garreth, 2020/0006
DWYER, Michael, 2020/0029
EDGE, Robert, 2018/0104
FINN, Richard, 2019/0082
FLAHERTY, James, 2018/0051
FLYNN, Cathal, 2020/0014
HAMILL, Michael/2020/0021
HARMON, James, 2020/0010
HARVEY, Brendan, 2020/0008
HEAVEY, Lisa, 2019/0080
HENDERSON, Simon, 2020/0020
HUNT, William, 2019/0063
HUTCHINSON, Robert, 2009/0108
KENDELLEN, Barry, 2020/0013
KENNY, Seán, 2020/0002
KIRWAN, Robert, 2020/0019
LARKIN, Andrea, 2020/0016
MacCARTHY, Dylan, 2020/0003
MacCARTHY, Seán, 2020/0004
MANNINGHAM-BULLER, Edward, 2020/0018
MAY, Sean, 2020/0015
O’CALLAGHAN, Michael, 2019/0079
O’CONNELL, Gary, 2020/0022
PASCALE, Florin, 2020/0001
PODLASEK, Szymon, 2020/0023
PRICE, Warren, 2020/0026
REID, Graeme, 2020/0009
ROONEY, Paul, 2020/0007
TICE, Patrick, 2018/0007
WALKER, Ian, 2020/0027
WALSH, Maurice, 2020/0005
WAWRZYNIAK, Dawid, 2020/0025
WAWRZYNIAK, Maciej, 2020/0024
WHELAN, Andrew, 2020/0017
(List updated 3rd June 2020)
In 1969 Ireland’s deer were an unprotected species of wildlife and at the time we had the lowest population density of any European country, with an estimated total population, all species, of 7000-10000. There were only a handful of hunters, who needed no licence and who had relatively easy access to full-bore rifles before the clampdown on such firearms in 1972.
The Irish Deer Society was campaigning strongly for better protection for deer and they enjoyed limited success, with a preservation order on red deer in Co. Wicklow. Deer finally achieved full protection with the advent of the Wildlife Act in 1976.
On 19th February 1969 RTE carried a “Newsbeat” interview with the late Andy Morrissey, Chairman of the “Deer Preservation Society” aka Irish Deer Society, which you can access here.
Another historic broadcast on the subject of staghunting with hounds (Ward Union Hunt) was carried on 3rd May 1962 and can be accessed here.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service have announced that due to the impact of Covid-19 on the operation of the Wildlife Licensing Unit, the usual Guidance and Application Pack will not be sent out by post to holders of the DHL in the previous season 2019/2020. Instead, Applicants are directed to download the guidance documentation and application form from the NPWS and send it in in good time. As restrictions are likely to continue for some time, DHL applicants should try to submit applications not later than end May. Licences will not be issued before mid-August, in advance of the Opening date of 1st September.
Click on the links below for the relevant forms.
2020/2021 Deer Hunting Circular
Note that Section 42 Licence applications are not currently being processed or issued due to Covid 19 restrictions on movement.
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