The next and final event in the 2024 Series of Deer Alliance HCAP Training Workshops & MCQs will be held on Saturday 17th August 2024 (10am – 5pm), followed on Saturday 24th August 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 including payment through PayPal can be made online through the Online Applications section of the website, to apply click HERE
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS EVENT ARE NOW CLOSED
The cost of HCAP remains at €165.00. The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual can be purchased through the Online Applications section of the website, cost €35.00 including p. & p.
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.
ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES
The following candidates are eligible to participate in the HCAP Training Workshop & MCQ talking place on Saturday 17th August 2024. The list includes candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at previous Workshops & MCQs. Candidates having missed two or more events may be de-listed as eligible if they fail to attend this next scheduled event. If such candidates wish to complete their HCAP certification process, they will be required to re-enter the process as Repeat Candidates, subject to the standard Repeat Fee of 50.00.
ARNOLD, Conor
CADEC, Simon
CASSIDY, Fergus
CONNOLLY, Blake
CULLEN, Evan
FOLEY, John
FLYNN, Declan
FUNKE, Bodo
HEINZEL, Isaac
HORAN, Philip
KANE, Patrick
KELLY, Liam
KELLY, Robert
KERR, James
KERR, Kevin
McKEOWN, Scott
MUNTEANU, Mihail
NEMETH, Janos
NEMETHNE, Orsolya Kami
O’BRIEN, Patrick
O’CONNOR, Niall
O’LEARY, Noel
Ó MEARÁIN, Lochlann
O’REILLY, Patrick
QUINLIVAN, Shauna
SERBAN, Ioan Marian
SULLIVAN, Peter
THOMPSON, Louis
TRILL, Mark
WHELAN, Chris
WHITE, Ronnie
SIKA THE WILD DEER
In addition, thanks to a special sponsorship deal offered exclusively to Deer Alliance HCAP, all 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. For further information about use of a Club firearm for the HCAP Range Test, contact John Paul Craven (Range Operator), 086 823 2641 or Tony Saunders, 087 097 7589.
BOOKING OF A CLUB FIREARM FOR THE RANGE MUST BE ARRANGED BY THE CANDIDATE NOT LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE RANGE TEST.
ALL RANGE TEST CANDIDATES MUST CARRY THEIR OWN SHOOTING INSURANCE, INCLUDING IFA COUNTRYSIDE MEMBERSHIP INSURANCE OR NARGC AFFILATED GUN CLUB MEMBERSHIP.
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, Forest 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).
