Deer Alliance HCAP notes with regret the recent death of Lyall Plant, former Chief Executive Officer of Countryside Alliance Ireland. Lyall was a great supporter of Deer Alliance and our programme for safe, humane and efficient control of wild deer by trained and competent hunters and was always a useful sounding board for ideas. Lyall also contributed greatly to the establishment of the Irish Trophy Commission. He will be greatly missed by the deer stalking community throughout Ireland.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has announced that application forms and guidance notes for the 2022/2023 deer hunting season are now available on the NPWS website at www.npws.ie .
This season will see the introduction of mandatory certification training for first time hunters.
The Department through NPWS has been committed to the introduction of this certification training and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, T.D., said:
“I am delighted that we have now introduced mandatory certification training for first time hunters. This is a vital addition to the deer hunting licencing process and I know these training courses will be delivered to a high and professional standard. The addition of this certification will further enhance safety throughout the countryside and ensure first time hunters are provided with essential knowledge in deer stalking.”
The Department says that “it continues to modernise the deer hunting licencing process with the introduction of mandatory certification training and work is in train on the development of an eLicencing application system. Despite the challenges of the past two years, the Department [strove] to ensure all applications were dealt with in a timely manner and last season, for the first time, over 6,000 licences were issued“.
Under the Wildlife Acts, annual licences are required to hunt deer during the Open Season, which is the period during which deer can be legally shot. The Open Season for deer operates generally from 1 September in a given year to 28 February the following year, depending on the species and gender of deer. Over 6,000 deer hunting licences were issued last season.
Application forms and guidance notes for the 2022/2023 deer hunting season are now available on the NPWS website at www.npws.ie.
Click HERE for access to forms and guidance notes. Application can be made online or in hard copy.
The following documents can now be accessed:
Email Application Form
Manual Application Form
Guidance Note
Wild Deer Open Season Dates
Licences are issued on an annual basis and cover the period from 1 August to 31 July. All Wild Deer Open Season dates must be adhered to. To ensure timely processing of applications please apply Before 1st July 2022.
Note: If you are a first time applicant you must provide proof of completion of deer hunting certified training from one of the nationally approved training bodies or the equivalent proof from your Country of residence. Further details on this requirement can be found in our mandatory certification documents.
There are two options in relation to how you fill out your application form. You can open the email application form above which will allow you to type in your information in the yellow fields. Just click into the box and start typing and it will expand as you type. You can type in your signature when finished and then save it to your own computer/laptop. You can then attach the document to an email and email it in to NPWS at deerlicences@housing.gov.ie.
The second option is you can print out the manual application form above, fill it in, sign it and post it in to NPWS.
You must complete all sections of the application form. Incomplete forms will be returned to you. All application forms should contain a valid email address and the processing of your licence may be delayed where one is not provided. A typed signature on emailed applications will be accepted and treated in the same manner as a ‘wet signature’ on manual applications in signing the declaration.
Applicants must provide all landowner permission details on the application form. You must complete the application form and have permission from a landowner(s) to hunt deer on land of at least 100 acres (42 Hectares). By including the name and address of the landowner and signing the declaration – you are stating that you have sought permission.
However, if you are applying to hunt deer on your own lands, the 100 acre (42 hectare) requirement does not apply. Applicants can still provide Coillte permits with their applications.
Application forms can be submitted to deerlicences@housing.gov.ie or by post to:
Wildlife Licensing Unit
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritagebr /> 90 North King Street
Dublin 7
D07 N7CV
The Range Test for HCAP Candidates having successfully completed their MCQs on 12th March 2022 and in some cases, on previous dates, will take place on Saturday 2nd April 2022 at the Midland National Shooting Centre, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58, commencing at 10.00 a.m. sharp.
The list includes candidates eligible for the Range Test following qualification at previous MCQs but having deferred their Range Test on previous occasions. Such candidates are reminded that if having deferred two or more Range Tests, they miss the Range Test on 2nd April 2022 they will be de-listed as eligible and may complete their HCAP only by re-entering for the Range Test stage and paying a Repeat Fee of €50.00.
Candidates should be present from 9.30 a.m. in order to sign in and to exhibit their current Firearms Certificate and evidence of insurance.
Procedures to be followed at each Range Test are posted separately.
BASS, John
BEHAN, Conor
BIDDER, Clifford
BRENNAN, Paddy
BYRNE, Niall
CARROLL, James
CASCIANI, Steven
CARSWELL, Mike
CONWAY, Kieran
CRONIN, Noel
CURNOW, John
DOBRUCKI, Tomasz
DUCA, Adrian
FINN, Sean
FITZGERALD, Brendan
FORTUNE, Alan
FOXTON, John
FOXTON, Humphrey
HEGARTY, Brian
HANLON, David
HANNON, Colm
HARMAN, Luke
HARROLD, Calvin
HUBBLE, Sean
HUNTER, Stephen
JEZ, Kresimir
KELLY, Joseph
LAWLOR, Jonah
LOSACK, Aidan
MANNINGHAM-BULLER, Edward
McCARTHY, Rory
MEEHAN, Ollie
MOLONEY, Daniel
MOORE, Aaron
MOORE, Patrick
MULLIGAN, Donal
MURPHY, Greg
MURPHY, Kieran
NÍ RIAIN, Aoife
O’NEILL, Simon
O’SHEA, Christina
O’TOOLE, Jack
POMPURA, Lubomir
POWER, Liam
REDMOND, Lee
RUSU, Alin Oderel
SCALLAN, Patrick
SHEEHAN, Joe
SWEENEY, Shane
VAUGHAN, Brian
WILSON, Michael
The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on Saturday 12th March 2022 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 2nd April 2022. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately in due course.
Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 12th March 2022 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ (to be held on Saturday 23rd April 2022), except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice.
2022/0005, 100%, Pass
2022/0008,90%, Pass
2021/0073, 96%, Pass
2022/0010, 92%, Pass
2022/0003, 92%, Pass
2022/0019, 94%, Pass
2022/0045, 96%, Pass
2022/0031, 96%, Pass
2022/0044, 94%, Pass
2022/0034, 96%, Pass
2022/0036, 96%, Pass
2022/0047, 94%, Pass
2022/0023, 96%, Pass
2022/0016, 98%, Pass
2022/0026, 96%, Pass
2022/0027, 96%, Pass
2021/0072, 96%, Pass
2022/0004, 90%, Pass
2022/0018, 94%, Pass
2022/0038, 90%, Pass
2022/0013, 94%, Pass
2022/0037, 96%, Pass
2021/0074, 96%, Pass
2022/0032, 94%, Pass
2022/0006, 92%, Pass
2022/0002, 90%, Pass
2022/0033, 94%, Pass
2022/0009, 84%, Pass
2022/0012, 86%, Pass
2022/0048, 88%, Pass
2022/0021, 98%, Pass
2022/0022, 96%, Pass
2022/0015, 94%, Pass
2022/0043, 98%, Pass
2022/0035, 94%, Pass
2022/0049, 94%, Pass
2022/0030, 92%, Pass
2020/0067, 96%, Pass
2021/0024, 98%, Pass
2021/0071, 96%, Pass
2022/0001, 98%, Pass
2022/0024, 94%, Pass
2021/0075, 94%, Pass
2022/0007, 92%, Pass
2022/0029, 92%, Pass
Twenty-five members of IFA Countryside were among the sixty-five candidates participating in the Deer Alliance HCAP Training Workshop and MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow on 12th March 2022. Successful participants from this event will complete their HCAP qualification with their Range Test at the Midland Range on 2nd April 2022. The next event in the Deer Alliance HCAP 2022 Series will take place on 23rd April 2022. Seen here are IFA Countryside members Paddy Brennan, Niall Byrne, Steven Casciani, Noel Cronin, Sean Finn, John Foxton, Humphrey Foxton, David Hanlon, Stephen Hunter, Joseph Kelly, Meehan, Ollie, Daniel, Moloney, Aaron Moore, Patrick, Moore, Greg Murphy, Christina O’Shea, Liam Power, Lee Redmond, Alin Oderel Rusu, Shane Sweeney and Brian Vaughan.
Below – eyes down for MCQ candidates. The results of this MCQ will be posted here not later than 21st March 2022.
The next scheduled HCAP Training Workshop & MCQ will take place on Saturday 23rd April 2022 in Carlow and Applications are now open. Application can be made online, cost €165.00, with €35.00 inc. p. & p. for the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual.
Applications for the HCAP Training Workshop and MCQ taking place on Saturday 12th March 2022 are now closed.
Applications received after 1st March 2022 will be listed for the next scheduled Training & Assessment date, details of which will be posted here after 12th March 2022.
WORKSHOP & MCQ VENUE: Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207.
DATE: Saturday 12th March 2022
TIME: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The following candidates are currently eligible for the HCAP MCQ on 12th March 2022:
ANHOLD, Heinrich
ARMSTRONG, Robert
BASS, John
BEWICK, Stuart
BIDDER, Clifford
BRENNAN, Paddy
BYRNE, Brendan
BYRNE, Niall
CARROLL, James
CASCIANI, Steven
CARSWELL, Mike
CORR, Francis
CRONIN, Noel
CULBERT, Trevor
CURNOW, John
DOBRUCKI, Tomasz
DUCA, Adrian
FALLON, Brian
FARRELL, Gavin
FENTON, Darren
FERGUSON, David
FINN, Sean
FITZGERALD, Brendan
FOLEY, Ian
FORTUNE, Alan
FOXTON, John
FOXTON, Humphrey
HEGARTY, Brian
HANLON, David
HANNON, Colm
HARMAN, Luke
HARROLD, Calvin
HARVEY, Stephen
HEALY, John
HUBBLE, Sean
HUNTER, Stephen
JEZ, Kresimir
KELLY, Alex
KELLY, Joseph
LAWLER, Ian
LOSACK, Aidan
McCARTHY, Rory
MEEHAN, Ollie
MOLONEY, Daniel
MOORE, Aaron
MOORE, Patrick
MULLIGAN, Donal
MURPHY, David
MURPHY, Greg
MURPHY, Kieran
NÍ RIAIN, Aoife
O’SHEA, Christina
O’TOOLE, Jack
POMPURA, Lubomir
POWER, Liam
REDMOND, Lee
RUSU, Alin Oderel
SHEEHAN, Joe
SLUDDS, Enda
SWEENEY, Shane
SZCZEPANIEC, Artur
THOMPSON, Tom
TURNER, Graham
VAUGHAN, Brian
WILSON, Michael
(List updated at 1.3.2022)
As reported in different posts here over the last year, Coillte Teoranta are now rolling out HAMS, the new online management system covering all aspects of and=ministration of licenses to hunt on Coillte forest property (including both deer licenses and bird-shooting licenses).
The roll-out opens today and all licensees are required to activate a HAMS account between now and 11th March 2022.
Licensees will have received notification and further instructions by email today. HAMS accounts are linked to existing licensee email addresses and are pre-populated with details of licences held.
Licensees are required to upload relevant documentation, including HCAP Certificate and details of insurance cover (including policy number, end cover date etc.)
A User Guide to the HAMS system for Coillte licence and permit holders is available HERE.
The introduction of HAMS is a significant step forward and will radically affect the administration of all aspects of deer control and management on Coillte forest property, extending to new protocols for tendering on forestry licences. Up to 400 licences and 5000 Permit holders (deer and birds) are potentially affected. The new system will undoubtedly take some time to bed down, and unforeseen issues may well arise, not to date identified, and a programme of reviews meetings has been set up whereby representative bodies including Deer Alliance HCAP will have the opportunity of bringing forward relevant issues for rectification as necessary or appropriate. The next scheduled Review Meeting will take place on Friday 25th February 2022.
Deer licensees are invited to communicate concerns arising from activation of HAMS accounts by email to deeralliance@gmail.com.
Deer Alliance HCAP will kick off its 2022 Series of HCAP Training Workshops and assessments on Saturday 12th March 2022. Applications are now open and can be made online from the Online Applications section of the Deer Alliance website.
HCAP is a two-stage process, the first stage being the Training Workshop running from 10.00 a.m. to circa. 4.00 p.m. followed by the 50-question Multiple Choice Question examination base on 50 questions in 50 minutes, with 40 correct answers required to pass. All questions are based on the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual, which can be purchased from the website, cost €35.00 including p. & p. The cost of HCAP itself remains unchanged at €165.00, covering Training Workshop, MCQ and Range Test. The Range Test is the second stage of the process and takes place at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly shortly after the MCQ and is restricted to successful candidates from the MCQ. The Range Test will take place on Saturday 2nd April 2022 (10.00 a.m. start time).
Members of IFA Countryside may be able to avail of a 40% subsidy on the cost of HCAP, contact IFA Countryside, tel. 0818 924 982 or 01 4260368 Ext 368 or email, countryside@ifa.ie
The first event (Workshop & MCQ) of 2022 on Saturday 12th March will take place at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow starting at 10.00 a.m. sharp.
Current Covid regulations will be strictly applied, including wearing of face masks, hand sanitising and social distancing. Candidates who test positive for Covid within 10 days prior to the event will be asked not to attend. Any such candidates will be listed for a future Workshop & MCQ and will not be at a loss of their application fee. Sight of Covid certificate will be required by the venue only if using the bar or restaurant but not otherwise. Note: at the time of writing there are reports of lifting of some or all Covid-related restrictions, any change in requirements will be posted here in advance of the date.
REMINDER: CERTIFICATION WILL BE MANDATORY FOR ALL FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS FOR A DEER HUNTING LICENCE TO HUNT WILD DEER ON PRIVATE LAND (AS WELL AS ON COILLTE FOREST PROPERTY) FROM 2022. HCAP IS APPROVED BY NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSES OF MANDATORY CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS FOR A DEER HUNTING LICENCE.
By Tim O’Brien
The State agency charged with protecting the natural environment, including habitat and biodiversity in national parks, protected sites and nature reserves, is not fit for the task, according to a Government-commissioned report.
The Review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service found that while staff were “dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable”, it was clear the NPWS was “not aligned effectively” to protect the State’s ecology and natural heritage.
The hard-hitting review was prepared by Jane C Stout and Micheál Ó Cinnéide. It was commissioned at the behest of the Government, under an agreement between the parties to the programme for government.
A spokeswoman for Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State with responsibility for the NPWS, said the review, entitled Review of the NPWS 2021: Final report on the key findings and recommendations, was in fact a draft review. She said Mr Noonan would not be commenting as a final version was as of yet unpublished. She said the Minister would bring a separate strategic action plan for the future of the National Parks and Wildlife Service to Cabinet in the coming weeks.
The review findings mirror sharp criticism of the State’s stewardship of the natural environment from the EU Commission’s environment directorate, which in January cited “serious challenges” and “urgent need” for reform in the areas of water, biodiversity, environmental impact assessments and governance issues – particularly access to justice.
The NPWS reviewers said their assessment came at a time when the quality of Ireland’s environment was “not good, giving rise to complex issues, across biogeochemical systems of air, water, soils, climate, and biodiversity” .
Extinction threat
The authors said in 2019 some 85 per cent of Ireland’s protected habitats were in unfavourable condition, with 46 per cent displaying trends of ongoing declines over the previous 12 years.
In addition, 43 per cent of protected species were in an unfavourable status, “and for the taxonomic groups that have undergone formal conservation assessments, more than one in five species were threatened with extinction”. The review added that more than one-quarter of Irish birds were now of conservation concern.
Citing the need for widespread “crucial reform”, the NPWS review made 24 recommendations including organisational change; operational reforms to meet the multiple mandates of protection, science and engagement; and increased resourcing to deliver a more effective service.
The review said: “There needs to be a fundamental overhaul of structures and governance, a clear strategic plan and leadership to implement it, better internal and external communications, and re-energised teams, working together effectively inside and beyond the organisation.”
‘Challenges and legislation’
As it stands, the review said the NPWS “cannot meet current obligations, let alone plan for and respond to future challenges and legislation, including the Climate Action Bill and EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030”. It noted a number of EU environmental directives had not been fully implemented and multiple infringement cases were outstanding against Ireland.
The comments of the NPWS review are similar to those made by a senior official in the EU Commission’s environment directorate Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, when he addressed the online Environment Ireland Conference in January.
Mr Ciobanu-Dordea said he wished to raise “a number of elements which we see as important and as quite challenging in an Irish context”. He mentioned water, nature and biodiversity, environmental impact assessments and governance issues and in particular access to justice”. His comments ranged from infringements of EU environmental directives to the cost of accessing justice in the Irish courts. He said: “Ireland continues to be the most expensive member state in which to make an environmental claim before the courts . . . Many have accumulated significant costs simply litigating the question of cost clarity itself. This needs to be addressed. And we are not saying this for the first time.”
(end of Irish Times report)
The Review of NPWS structure and activities highlights perceived failings and puts forward a number of recommendations. Deer receive scant attention in the 114-page Review document, dealing mainly with a statement of the current position regarding deer hunting licences. Section 4.10 of the Report covers Licensing and Country Sports and references submissions received from different representative groups. Section 4.10 reads as follows:
One of the core functions of the NPWS is the licencing and regulation of activities relating to wildlife, including hunting, possession, import and export, capture for scientific purposes and disturbance of certain species (as governed by Habitats or Birds Directives, Wildlife Acts, CITES). The Licensing Unit issues approx. 6,500 De hunting licenses per year, derogations are given to agricultural sectors to shoot certain birds and licenses are issued to coursing clubs to gather (net) hares. A full listing, showing the breadth of licenses issued by NPWS in 2020 is given in Appendix 8. During the consultative phase of the Review, it was stated that “NPWS credibility within the country sports community, whom it has a statutory obligation to serve, is at an all-time low”. Many of the members of these voluntary groups and gun clubs are landowners and active members of their rural communities, with a keen awareness of the natural world.
There were a number of recurring themes from the submissions and engagement with the representative groups:
● Only 25% of the Deer hunting licenses were issued on
time in the 2020 season, during which processing work
was constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic and
database restrictions.
● The current annual Deer licensing system should be
reviewed and modernized.
● The NPWS should create a mechanism for greater
consultation with the representatives of the hunting and
county sports community (along the lines of the Wildlife
Advisory Council, which was provided for in the
Wildlife Act, 1976 but was later abolished).
● The NPWS should be transferred to be under the aegis of
the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
where there could be ‘joined up action on land use
issues’.
The full report, as yet unpublished by the Minister, can be accessed HERE, courtesy of the Irish River Project.
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