Author Archives: Liam Nolan

HCAP RANGE TEST SATURDAY 4th MAY 2019 – PROCEDURES

 

LOCATION MAPS TO MIDLAND NATIONAL SHOOTING GROUND, BLUE BALL, TULLAMORE, CO. OFFALY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

All HCAP Candidates are required to note the following matters in relation to Range Tests conducted at the Midland National Shooting Grounds (“MRC”), at Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly:

1: Only Candidates who have passed the HCAP MCQ may take the HCAP Range Test.

2: Candidates must use a rifle of calibre legal for hunting deer in Ireland, i.e. minimum legal calibre .22/250 (Candidates using the .220 Swift must use a Winchester 60 gr. bullet to achieve the minimum legal muzzle energy and should notify their intentions beforehand).

3: All firearms must be transported in sleeves or cases. The firing bolt should be removed and carried separately. Firing bolts should be inserted only when preparing to shoot. At all times when not actually shooting, the bolt should be removed and a breech flag inserted.

4: All Candidates are required to carry fully adequate Shooting Insurance and must provide evidence of insurance to MRC on the day of any Range Test. NARGC, Countryside Alliance and IFA Countryside membership all satisfy the insurance requirement.

5: The law requires that a valid firearms certificate must be carried when using or transporting any firearm. The firearm certificate covers the “use, possession or carriage” of the firearm. MRC require HCAP Candidates to exhibit their firearm certificate before proceeding to the Range Test. In certain limited circumstances and always subject to prior notification, Candidates may use a firearm which they do not themselves own, provided that the certificate holder is present with the Candidate at all times.

6: All Candidates are therefore required to sign in at the main MRC check-in desk on arrival at the Range, and before proceeding to the Windmill Range on which the HCAP Range Tests take place, and to exhibit evidence of insurance and firearm certificate on request.

7: The following  procedures in respect of all Range Tests:

a) All Candidates will be listed alphabetically (surname first) and allocated to firing details accordingly.

b) Each Firing Detail has a minimum of 20 positions.

c) The first Firing Detail will always kick off at 10 a.m. sharp, with approximately 45 minutes allowed for each Detail.

d) All Candidates are urged to arrive at MRC not later than 9.30 a.m. on the day of any Range Test, to allow time for registration procedures as set out above.

e) Thereafter, HCAP Range Officials will allocate positions on each Detail according to alphabetical order and actual presence on the Range.

f) Deferrals must be notified in writing (email or text message) to the Deer Alliance not less than 3 days before any Range Test. “No-shows”, i.e. non-attendance without notification, may result in loss of entitlement to complete the HCAP Certification programme.

g) After shooting, each Candidate, pass or fail, is given a slip with his or her name on it and indicating pass or fail, and attempts taken. This slip (pass or fail) must be presented to the HCAP Administrator Liam Nolan in the Main MRC Clubhouse before leaving the Range in order to receive the HCAP Certificate. Certificates, ID cards and badges are issued to successful candidates.

h) Candidates taking two or more attempts at the Range Test on any given day may be required to pay a Repeat Fee of €25.00. The Repeat Fee if taking the Range Test for a second or further attempt on any subsequent Range Test day is €50.00.

i) Safety is paramount at all times and any lapse will be severely penalised. All Candidates are issued with the Deer Alliance “Safe Stalking” safety leaflet when participating in the Programme.  It is the responsibility of each Candidate to ensure that best practice safety procedures are followed at all times. Hearing protection should be worn while on the Range.

Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com.

COURSE OF FIRE: THREE SHOTS IN A FOUR-INCH GROUP, PRONE AT 100 METRES, FOLLOWD BY NINE SHOTS (3 x 3) GROUPED IN THE HEART/LUNG AREA AT 100, 60 AND 40 METRES IN THE PRONE, SITTING/KNEELING AND STANDING POSITIONS. STALKING STICKS AND OTHER LEGITIMATE STALKING AIDS MAY BE USED

 

UKDTR AT KILCORAN LODGE, SATURDAY 27th APRIL 2019

   

Neil Gatward, UKDTR at Kilcoran Lodge with GWHP Ross

(click pics to enlarge)

A large and attentive attendance enjoying an informative day

Kudos to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland and the Irish Deer Society for the jointly-organised visit to Tipperary by the UK Deer Track & Recovery team at the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary on Saturday 27th April 2019. Mixed weather, with blue skies fighting with occasional showers of hailstones, saw a large attendance treated to an informative series of indoor presentations on best practice in tracking and recovery of shot or injured deer by guest speakers Frank Byrne and Neil Gatward, including guidance on shot site analysis and assessment. This was followed by an excellent live demonstration, with Neil’s German Pointer Ross in action on an 18-hour old trail through heavy cover and through many competing scents. It was good to see so many hunters taking an interest in dog work, an excellent support for the active stalker.

Tom O’Donnell, WDAI and John Manley, IDS, thank members of the UKDTR Team

on behalf of an appreciative audience.

DOGS FOR DEER – UKDTR VISIT TIPPERARY

Bavarian Mountain Hound (click to enlarge)

The Irish Deer Society and the Wild Deer Association of Ireland jointly are pleased to announce that a Team from UK Deer Track and Recovery (UKDTR) will be in Tipperary this coming weekend to demonstrate effective methods of tracking and recovering injured and lost deer.

Date: Saturday 27th April 2019
Time: 09:30 am sharp
Venue: Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co Tipperary
Cost: €10 per person

Guest speakers Frank Byrne and Neil Gatward will discuss the best practice in the event of a recovery.

SCHEDULE

• Introduction to UKDTR and tracking deer.
• Break for lunch (not included in the cost)
• Shot site examination
• Various shot sites, what to look for! Shot sites are located in the wood adjacent to the hotel
• Finishing the afternoon with a free BBQ including tea and coffee.

This event is open to everyone interested in the subject – to register, please text Tracking along with your name to 087 6878228

This is a joint venture between The Wild Deer Association Of Ireland and The Irish Deer Society to promote the recovery of injured deer.

HCAP RANGE TEST SATURDAY 4th MAY 2019 – ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

The Range Test for HCAP Candidates having successfully completed their MCQs on 9th March & 20th April 2019 will take place on Saturday 4th May 2019 at the Midland National Shooting Ground, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 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 4th May 2019 they will be delisted 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. Candidates are listed alphabetically and will shoot in firing details of multiple shooters (usually twenty shooters in each detail). Procedures to be followed at each Range Test are posted separately.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

Buckley, Brendan
Burke, Brian
Burke, Ronan
Breslin, Charles
Byrne, Brian Patrick
Byrne, Michael
Casey, John
Ciobirca, Andrei
Condren, Sean
Corcoran, Jonathan
Dalton, John
Davitt, Michael
Delaney, Conor
Douglas, Conor
Dunne, Philip
Durnin, David
Hall, Kenneth
Heffernan, Clive
Holmes, John
Hussey, Fergus
Ivanoff, Eftim
Jackson, Greg
Kavanagh, Richard
Kelleher, Jason
Kelly, Gavin
Kerr, Victor
Kirby, Colm
Lucas, Nik
Lucas, Timothy
Mahon, Sean
Martin, David
McDaid, Patrick
Moore, Ordhran
Mullen, Gary
Mulligan, Padraig
O’Brien, Kieran
O’Driscoll, Darren
O’Toole, Niall
Robertson, Drew
Shanahan, Maurice
Sweeney, John
Toomey, Ian
Venables, Aaron
Vicol, Tudor
Webbon, Peter
Yavtushenko, Valeriy

HCAP MCQ – SATURDAY 20th APRIL 2019 – RESULTS

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, on Saturday 20th April 2019 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 4th May 2019. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately in due course.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 20th April 2019 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ in 2019, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice (date to be announced here when finalised).

2019/0034, 94%, Pass
2019/0033, 88%, Pass
2019/0014, 100%, Pass
2019/0023, 94%, Pass
2019/0037, 90%, Pass
2019/0026, 80%, Pass
2019/0019, 100%, Pass
2019/0032, 96%, Pass
2018/0075, 98%, Pass
2019/0022, 96%, Pass
2019/0036, 80%, Pass
2019/0035, 96%, Pass

(Successful Candidates from the HCAP MCQ on Saturday 20th March 2019 are also eligible for the same Range Test)

HCAP MCQ, SATURDAY 20th APRIL 2019

Fallow Buck in velvet (click to enlarge)

The next HCAP MCQ in the 2019 Series will take place on Saturday 20th April 2019 (3.30 p.m.) in the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Chapel Street, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny (eircode R95 D654). The Range Test for successful candidates from this MCQ will take place on Saturday 4th May 2019 at the Midland National Shooting Ground, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from 10.00 a.m.

Candidates unable to participate on 20th April 2019 will be automatically carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ, the date of which will be fixed and notified here in due course, as soon as confirmed.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES:

Bishti, Karl
Buckley, Brendan
Breslin, Charles
Byrne, Brian Patrick
Ciobirca, Andrei
Corcoran, Jonathan
Delaney, Conor
Douglas, Conor
Edge, Robert
Flaherty, James
Kerr, Victor
Mackevicius, Arunas
McManus, Rory
O’Brien, Kieran
O’Driscoll, Darren
Quinlan, Ken
Tice, Patrick
Vicol, Tudor
Webbon, Peter
Whelan, John

The MCQ will be supported by an optional Training Workshop, running from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on the same day as the MCQ (same venue). The Workshop is subject to an add-on cost of €50.00. Bookings for the Workshop can be made by text message to 086 1927 845 or by email to deeralliance@gmail.com. Payment €50.00 is made on the day.

IN OTHER NEWS….

Irish Trophy Commission Accredited Head Measurers Pat Scully, Peter Gregory, John Clooney, John Manley and Jonathan Murphy (click to enlarge)

The Irish Trophy Commission recently inducted a number of newly Certified and Accredited Head Measurers following a Training Day held in Laragh, Co. Wicklow on Saturday 2nd March 2019.

The Deer Alliance supports the evaluation of trophies as a by-product of clear aims and objectives of a successful deer management program based on establishing a healthy, sustainable population.

HCAP-Certified hunters who wish to have heads evaluated and possibly leading to certification as Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal heads can contact the Irish Trophy Commission by email at irishtrophycommission@gmail.com.

Below: Liam Nolan and Liam McGarry (Deer Alliance HCAP) with Joe Murphy (Irish Trophy Commission) and newly inducted Measurers Peter Gregory, John Clooney and John Manley (click to enlarge)

 

HCAP MCQ – SATURDAY 9th MARCH 2019 – RESULTS

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, on Saturday 9th March 2019 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range on Saturday 4th May 2019. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately in due course.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 9th March 2019 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ in 2019, (date to be announced here when finalised) except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice .

2019/0005, 84%, Pass
2018/0126, 98%, Pass
2019/0024, 98%, Pass
2018/0125, 94%, Pass
2019/0002, 94%, Pass
2019/0029, 100%, Pass
2018/0124, 80%, Pass
2019/0008, 90%, Pass
2019/0010, 98%, Pass
2019/0004, 92%, Pass
2019/0007, 94%, Pass
2019/0027, 98%, Pass
2019/0003, 86%, Pass
2019/0001, 88%, Pass
2019/0030, 96%, Pass
2019/0006, 90%, Pass
2018/0123, 86%, Pass
2019/0021, 86%, Pass
2019/0017, 94%, Pass
2019/0020, 96%, Pass
2019/0018, 94%, Pass
2018/0128, 88%, Pass
2019/0011, 88%, Pass
2018/0122, 90%, Pass
2019/0015, 88%, Pass
2019/0016, 84%, Pass
2019/0025, 86%, Pass
2019/0013, 98%, Pass
2019/0012, 92%, Pass
2019/0009, 94%, Pass
2019/0028, 90%, Pass

The following candidate (HCAP number, followed by mark achieved) was unsuccessful and is required to re-sit the MCQ stage before proceeding to any Range Test. The application fee for Repeat Candidates is €50.00. “Fail” grades may be appealed to the HCAP Assessment Committee, subject to written application accompanied by re-checking fee, €50.00. Where written application for re-checking is received, it is reviewed by the Committee at the next scheduled Committee meeting following receipt of application. Applications for re-checking must be received within 10 (ten) days of publication of results on this blog. Any “Fail” Candidate from 9th March 2019 will have an opportunity to re-sit the MCQ in April/May 2019, subject to applying as Repeat Candidates.

2019/0026, 62%, Fail

 

HCAP MCQ SATURDAY 9th MARCH 2019

The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual, on which the MCQ is based, is an optional purchase, cost €35.00 inc. p. & p. The Manual can be purchased through the Online Applications section of the Deer Alliance website.

The first HCAP MCQ in the 2019 Series will take place on Saturday 9th March 2019 (3.30 p.m.) in the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Chapel Street, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny (eircode R95 D654). The Range Test for successful candidates from this MCQ will take place on Saturday 4th May 2019 at the Midland National Shooting Ground, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from 10.00 a.m.

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS HCAP MCQ ARE NOW CLOSED.

CANDIDATES UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE ON 9th MARCH 2019 WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CARRIED FORWARD TO THE NEXT SCHEDULED MCQ, THE DATE OF WHICH WILL BE FIXED AND NOTIFIED HERE IN DUE COURSE, AS SOON AS CONFIRMED.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES:

Burke, Brian
Burke, Ronan
Breslin, Charles
Byrne, Brian Patrick
Byrne, Michael
Casey, John
Condren, Sean
Corcoran, Jonathan
Dalton, John
Davitt, Michael
Delaney, Conor
Douglas, Conor
Durnin, David
Edge, Robert
Flaherty, James
Hall, Kenneth
Heffernan, Clive
Holmes, John
Hussey, Fergus
Jackson, Greg
Kavanagh, Richard
Kelleher, Jason
Kelly, Gavin
Kirby, Colm
Lucas, Nik
Lucas, Timothy
Mackevicius, Arunas
Mahon, Sean
Martin, David
McDaid, Patrick
Moore, Ordhran
Mullen, Gary
Mulligan, Padraig
O’Toole, Niall
Quinlan, Ken
Robertson, Drew
Sweeney, John
Tice, Patrick
Toomey, Ian
Venables, Aaron
Webbon, Peter
Whelan, John
Yavtushenko, Valeriy

The MCQ will be supported by an optional Training Workshop, running from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on the same day as the MCQ (same venue). Bookings for the Workshop can be made by text message to 086 1927 845 or by email to deeralliance@gmail.com. Payment €50.00 is to be made on the day.