HCAP – CURRENT & FUTURE DATES

The following is the final list of candidates eligible to participate in the HCAP Training Workshop & MCQ taking place on Saturday 2nd March 2024 (10.00am to 5.00pm). The venue for the Workshop & MCQ is the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow R93 N207.

This list includes No-Shows from previous MCQs but who remain eligible, If such candidates do not participate on 2nd March 2024, these candidates will be de-listed as eligible and if they wish to complete their HCAP certification, they will have to re-enter as Repeat Candidates.

ABDELMONIEM, Ayman, 2023/0096
ATKINSON, Liam, 2024/0033
BEKIC, Danijel, 2024/0039
BROPHY, Tommy, 2024/0002
BYRNE, Jonathan, 2024/0003
CANNING, Adam, 2024/0038
CANNING, Jack, 2024/0037
COMMANE, Brendan, 2024/0004
CORNELIA, Brian, 2024/0005
CULLEN, Tom, 2024/0018
CUNNINGHAM, Alan, 2024.0006
CURLEY, Robert, 2024/0027
CURTIN, Eoin, 2024/0007
FLYNN, Declan, 2022/0113
GARIB, Sayf, 2024/0028
GLYNN, Alan, 2024/0014
HALLIGAN, Bobby, 2024/0013
HANRAHAN, Gerard , 2024/0024
KANE, Patrick, 2023/0091
KAAR, Eoin, 2024/0025
KEATING, Michael, 2024/0026
KELLY, Robert, 2023/0087
KENNEDY, Stephen, 2024/0043
KIRWAN, Edward, 2024/0019
KIRWAN (Jnr.), Edward, 2024/0020
KIRWAN, Jason, 2024/0021
KIRWAN, John, 2024/0022
MANAHAN, Jordan Guiry, 2024/000
MARUKASHVILI, Mamuka, 2024/0040
McCABE, John (Jnr.), 2024/0031
McGIFF, Mark, 2024/0032
McINERNEY, Fergal, 2024/0036
McMORROW, Oonagh, 2024/0012
MULLEN, Alan, 2024/0034
NEWTOWN, Thorfinn, 2024/0035
O’BRIEN, Jason, 2022/0098
O’GRADY, Gary, 2024/0017
O’LEARY, Anthony, 2023/0049
O’NEILL, Michael, 2024/0041
O’SULLIVAN, Bob, 2024/0029
O’SULLIVAN, Leon, 2024/0030
PHIPPS, Richard, 2024/0023
RONAN, Darren, 2024/0015
SAVAGE, Sean, 2023/0056
SUCIU, Razvan, 2024/0009
SUSKA, Lukasz, 2024/0042
TICE, George, 2023/0130
TOOMEY, Kevin, 2024/0016
UDDIN, Imran, 2024/0010
WHELAN, Chris, 2024/0011

(Applications for the Workshop & MCQ on 2nd March are now closed)

NEXT EVENT (APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN)

The next event in the 2024 Series of Deer Alliance HCAP Training Workshops & MCQs will be held on Saturday 11th May 2024, followed on Saturday 18th May 2024 by the supporting Range Test for successful MCQ Candidates. The venue for the Workshop & MCQ is the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207. The Range Test will be held at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 NC58.

APPLICATION

Application can be made online through the Online Applications section of the website or in hard copy by post. Online payment is through PayPal using any valid debit or credit card (applicants do not need their own PayPal account) or by post with cheque or postal order. Hard copy application forms can be downloaded from the website.

The cost of HCAP remains unchanged at €165.00, and €35.00 for the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual (also purchased through the Online Applications section).

DISCOUNT FOR MEMBERS OF IFA COUNTRYSIDE

Members of IFA Countryside can avail of an inclusive special discount price of €120.00 (covering HCAP Application, Stalker Training Manual, Workshop, MCQ, Range Test and certification), generously subsidised by IFA Farm Business Skillnet. New and intending members of IFA Countryside should call 0818 924 982 or 01 426 0368 for membership information, which includes insurance cover for all hunting and other countryside activities, compliant with requirements for the HCAP Range Test.

SIKA THE WILD DEER

In addition, thanks to a special sponsorship deal offered exclusively to Deer Alliance HCAP, the first 100 HCAP Candidates in 2024 will receive a complimentary copy of Sika the Wild Deer (retail value €25.00), the story of the life of a sika stag in Wicklow from conception to maturity, seen through the eyes of a stalker.

FIREARMS FOR RANGE TEST

HCAP Candidates who do not have access to their own deer-legal rifle have two options open to them. If they have a friend who has a deer-legal rifle and is prepared to let the candidate use that rifle for the Range Test, that is permitted, provided that the friend holds a valid Firearm Certificate for the firearm in question, holds valid shooting insurance and is present with the Candidate on the Range at all times. Alternatively, the candidate can avail of a Club Rifle in calibre .243, available from the Midland Range. Booking must be made at least two weeks in advance and is subject to Garda vetting. The current cost of rifle hire is €60.00, to include ammunition sufficient for the standard Range Test. Candidates with no previous experience of full-bore rifle shooting may be required to undertake basic tuition and competency testing on a one-to-one basis at the Midland Range (to include the Range Test Course of Fire but not as part of the Range Test), the current cost of which is €150.00 (one person, one day tuition and test preparation). Hire of a Club rifle and/or arrangements for tuition and test preparation, including all costs, are entirely a matter between Midland Range management and personnel, are outside the ordinary HCAP process and Deer Alliance HCAP has no responsibility or obligation in this regard.

MANDATORY CERTIFICATION

Certification has been mandatory for all first-time applicants for a Deer Hunting Licence since 2022 and has been obligatory for all persons hunting on Coillte forest property since 2005. In addition, the recent Irish Deer Management Strategy Group report published in December 2023, recommends phased certification for all hunters over the next 3 to 5 years (including licensed hunters not hunting on Coillte forest property and/or holding a Deer Hunting Licence prior to 2022).

ABOUT HCAP

HCAP is the only training programme in Ireland developed in partnership with Coillte Teoranta, National Parks & Wildlife Service, An Garda Síochána and all principal deer organisations. HCAP completed its twentieth year of operation in 2023 and to date approximately 3700 licensed deer hunters have participated in the programme. Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by ‘phone to 086 1927 845 (office hours).

Sika the Wild Deer. The first 100 HCAP Candidates in 2024 will receive a  complimentary copy, thanks to sponsorship received.