Plans for the “biggest review of wildlife legislation for a generation” have been set out by the Government.

Members of the public will soon be invited to participate in a public consultation on updates to wildlife legislation, including the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 and related regulations.

This legislation covers areas such as the protection of birds, the protection of certain wild animals, and the protection of certain lands, sites and habitats.

Malcolm Noonan, the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, said: “This is the biggest review of wildlife legislation for a generation. It is vital that the public has their say.

“The review will examine a host of issues including penalties for wildlife crime, enforcement measures, licensing requirements, wildlife protection, habitat protection among many others. We want to hear from the public on how the legislation can be improved, what extra protections should be provided, and what the priorities should be.

“This review will seek to strike an appropriate balance between the needs of humans and the needs of wildlife. The update of wildlife legislation is part of a commitment under the programme for government to ‘review the protection (including enforcement of relevant legislation) of our natural heritage, including hedgerows, native woodland, and wetlands’.”

The objectives are to update legislation so that it better protects nature, helps prevent biodiversity loss, is fully compliant with EU law, and is easier to enforce and comply with.

The first phase of the consultation will be an online public consultation and will run from mid-June to September.

The review will be completed over several years and will entail several phases of public consultation, with a view to having substantial updates of legislation passed by the end of 2027.

NPWS CONSERVATION RANGERS MIKE PEARSON & SEÁN MULDOON,
WHO COMPLETED THEIR HCAP CERTIFICATION ON 18th MAY 2024.

The candidates listed below all completed their two-stage Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme with their Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore on Saturday 18th May 2024. Thanks, as always, go to the Midland Range management and personnel, including Tony Saunders and J. P. Craven, and to Deer Alliance Range Officers Liam McGarry and Pat Scully. Successful candidates received their HCAP Certificates, ID cards and badges from HCAP Course Director, Liam M. Nolan.

NEW HCAP-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES, DATE OF CERTIFICATION 18th MAY 2024:

COLE, Matthew, 2024/0077
CULLEN, Tom, 2024/0018
DOYLE, Alan, 2024/0062
ENNIS, Alan, 2024/0061
FOXTON, Jordan, 2024/0069
GOLDEN, Jonathan, 2024/0057
GRANT, Diarmuid, 2024/0079
HYLAND, Enda, 2017/0181
HYLAND, Norman, 2024/0059
LAWLOR, John, 2024/0072
McCULLOUGH, Ashley, 2024/0051
McENROY, Niall, 2024/0049
McGRATH, Anthony, 2024/0045
McLOUGHLIN, Eamonn, 2024/0065
McMORROW, Oonagh, 2024/0012
MOLDOVAN, Andrei, 2024/0048
MOLDOVAN, Imiha, 2024/0060
MULDOON, Seán, 2024/0075
O’SHEA, John, 2024/0052
STARODUBTSEV, Eugene, 2024/0047
TREACY, Grainne, 2024/0046
PEARSON, Michael, 2024/0076
POP-BUIA, Lenut, 2024/0080
POTTS, Christopher, 2024/0071
SAHOVS, Andrejs, 2024/0053
WILLIS, Elliot, 2024/0054
WILLIS, Rodica, 2024/0055

The list of successful candidates included members of IFA Countryside, who benefited from a 40% subsidy of the ordinary HCAP fee, courtesy of IFA Farm Business Skillnet. Successful candidates are enrolled as members of the Association of HCAP-Certified Hunters except where they have opted out of membership. Candidates who were No-Shows or Deferrals at this Range Test will remain eligible to participate in the next scheduled Range Test on 6th July 2024 except where they have missed two or more earlier events. Reminders are not issued.

Some Successful Candidates

From top left – Elliot Willis & Rodica Willis, NPWS Conservation Ranger Eamonn McLoughlin, John O’Shea & Grainne Treacy, Anthony McGrath, Thomas “Toss” Cullen & Christopher Potts, Jordan Foxton & John Lawlor, Eugene Starodubtsev & Andrejs Sahovs, Matthew Cole, Jonathan Golden & Alan Ennis, Oonagh McMorrow.

SIKA HIND – THE HCAP RANGE TEST TARGET. THREE SHOTS INSIDE A FOUR-INCH CIRCLE ON THE SIX-INCH WHITE CIRCLE (USING THE FOUR-INCH BLACK AIMING MARK) IN THE PRONE POSITION (RESTED) AT 100 METRES, FOLLOWED BY NINE SHOTS IN THE HEART/LUNG AREA (THREE SHOTS PRONE AT 100 METRES, THREE SHOTS SITTING/KNEELING AT SIXTY METRES & THREE SHOTS STANDING AT 40  METRES). ALL LEGITIMATE STALKING AIDS MAY BE USED.

The following candidates are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test taking place at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 NC58 on Saturday 18th May 2024.

Candidates should be present at the Range from 9.30 a.m., to sign in with Range management in the Clubhouse, with personal ID, firearms certificate, and evidence of insurance. Zeroing is not permitted on the morning of the Range Test. A reminder that sound moderators and all legitimate stalking aids e.g., shooting sticks, bipods and tripods are permitted. After registration candidates should proceed in their vehicles to the Main Range, in convoy under the direction of Range personnel. After successful completion of the Range Test, candidates will be given a card which they should bring back to the Clubhouse to receive their HCAP Certificate.

Candidates are permitted one opportunity at the Grouping Stage and two opportunities on the Main Target, OR two opportunities at the Grouping Stage and one at the Main Target (but not two opportunities at both stages).

At Stage 1 (grouping stage), candidates are required to place three rounds in a four-inch group, with a four-inch black aiming point on a six-inch white circle, in the prone position, rested.

At Stage 2 (deer target), candidates are required to place nine rounds within the heart & lung area on the life-size sika hind target – three rounds prone rested at 100 metres, three rounds sitting/kneeling at 60 metres and three rounds standing. All legitimate stalking aids are permitted. Sound moderators may be used provided they are factory-threaded.

Candidates wishing to avail of Club rifles should contact Tony Saunders at MRC directly, tel. 087 097 7589, in advance of the Range Test.

Candidates will be observed at all times for adherence to all safety protocols. Any lapse in safety standards may be followed by immediate expulsion from the Range, at the discretion of Range management.

ELIGIBLE RANGE TEST CANDIDATES

COLE, Matthew
CULLEN, Tom
DOYLE, Alan
ENNIS, Alan
FITZGERALD, Ollie
FOXTON, Jordan
GOLDEN, Jonathan
GRANT, Diarmuid
HYLAND, Enda
HYLAND, Norman
LAWLOR, John
McCULLOUGH, Ashley
McENROY, Niall
McGRATH, Anthony
McLOUGHLIN, Eamonn
McMORROW, Oonagh
MOLDOVAN, Andrei
MOLDOVAN, Imiha
MULDOON, Seán
NIBLOCK, David
O’SHEA, John
STARODUBTSEV, Eugene
TREACY, Grainne
PEARSON, Michael
POP-BUIA, Lenut
POTTS, Christopher
SAHOVS, Andrejs
SZOKE, Tamas
WILLIS, Elliot
WILLIS, Rodica

The above list includes candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at previous Range Tests. For such candidates, failure to attend on 18th May 2024 without notice will lead to de-listing as eligible candidates and if they wish to complete their HCAP certification process, they will have to re-apply for the Range Test as Repeat Candidates.

Location of Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58.

A round of tender offers for hunting on Coillte forest property will open through HAMS (Heritage Area Management System, previously Hunting Area Management System)  on 31st May 2024. Bidders must have a registered account on the HAMS system.

For information on HAMS, to register an account or to update account information, click HERE

The application process for the NPWS Deer Hunting Licence will shortly go fully online. The system was recently demonstrated to stakeholders and will undoubtedly lead to more efficient and time-efficient processing  of applications. Applicants will be required to register and maintain an account on the NPWS Heritage Licensing Portal. When making an application, applicants are required to upload a passport-type photograph and copies of their Firearms Certificate and HCAP certificate (mandatory for first-time applicants for the DHL and optional or holders of recent licences). Written landowner permission will not be required but applicants must fulfill two Declarations relation to land permission and obligations under the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended). Applicants renewing their DHL must also provide details of last season’s cull.

The system will go live on 4th June 2024 and application for the DHL can be made from that date.

To view the Licensing Portal Demonstration in pdf form, click here: DHL Portal Demo 10.5.2024

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on Saturday 11th May 2024 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 NC58 on Saturday 18th May 2024. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 11th May 2024 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice, in which case they are now de-listed as eligible and must re-enter the HCAP process as Repeat Candidates if they wish to complete their HCAP Certification.

2024/0077, 94%, Pass
2024/0018, 86%, Pass
2024/0062, 94%, Pass
2024/0061, 80%, Pass
2024/0056, 88%, Pass
2024/0069, 96%, Pass
2024/0057, 88%, Pass
2024/0079, 86%, Pass
2017/0181, 94%, Pass
2024/0059, 90%, Pass
2024/0072, 92%, Pass
2024/0051, 88%, Pass
2024/0049, 94%, Pass
2024/0045, 94%, Pass
2024/0065, 98%, Pass
2024/0012, 98%, Pass
2024/0048, 94%, Pass
2024/0060, 94%, Pass
2024/0075, 94%, Pass
2024/0063, 94%, Pass
2024/0052, 94%, Pass
2024/0047, 94%, Pass
2024/0046, 94%, Pass
2024/0076, 96%, Pass
2024/0080, 94%, Pass
2024/0071, 96%, Pass
2024/0053, 90%, Pass
2024/0073, 98%, Pass
2024/0054, 96%, Pass
2024/0055, 94%, 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. Repeat candidates are not required to repeat the Training Workshop which precedes each MCQ but must re-enter HCAP as Repeat Candidates. “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.

2024/0068, 70%, Fail

Applications are now open for the next event in the 2024 Series of HCAP assessments, which will be held on Saturday 29th June 2024 (Training Workshop & MCQ (10am – 5pm) and Sarurday 6th July 2024 (Range Test, 10am start time). 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.

This is the last opportunity for first-time applicants for the Deer Hunting Licence to achieve HCAP accreditation before the start of the new season 2024-2025 on 1st August 2024.

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. 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.

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

HCAP Range Test Target. All shots to be grouped on the heart/lung area.

The candidates listed below all completed their two-stage Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme with their Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore on Saturday 9th March 2024. Thanks, as always, go to the Midland Range management and personnel, including Tony Saunders and J. P. Craven, and to Deer Alliance Range Officers Liam McGarry and Pat Scully. Successful candidates received their HCAP Certificates, ID cards and badges from HCAP Course Director, Liam M. Nolan.

NEW HCAP-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES, DATE OF CERTIFICATION 9th MARCH 2024:

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
CUNNINGHAM, Alan, 2024.0006
CURLEY, Robert, 2024/0027
CURTIN, Eoin, 2024/0007
FRANEY, Dillon, 2023/0119
FURLONG, Conor, 2023/0126
HALLIGAN, Bobby, 2024/0013
HANRAHAN, Gerard , 2024/0024
HENNESSY, Liam, 2023/0129
KAAR, Eoin, 2024/0025
KEATING, Michael, 2024/0026
KENNEDY, Stephen, 2024/0043
LAWLOR, Jonah, 2021/0058
MANAHAN, Jordan Guiry, 2024/0044
Mamuka Marukashvili, 2024/0040
McCABE, John (Jnr.), 2024/0031
McGIFF, Mark, 2024/0032
McINERNEY, Fergal, 2024/0036
MULLEN, Alan, 2024/0034
NEWTOWN, Thorfinn, 2024/0035
O’GRADY, Gary, 2024/0017
O’SULLIVAN, Bob, 2024/0029
O’SULLIVAN, Leon, 2024/0030
PHIPPS, Richard, 2024/0023
SUCIU, Razvan, 2024/0009
SUSKA, Lukasz, 2024/0042
TOOMEY, Kevin, 2024/0016
UDDIN, Imran, 2024/0010

The list of successful candidates included 19 members of IFA Countryside, who benefited from a 40% subsidy of the ordinary HCAP fee, courtesy of IFA Farm Business Skillnet.

Successful candidates are enrolled as members of the Association of HCAP-Certified Hunters except where they have opted out of membership.

Candidates who were No-Shows at this Range Test will remain eligible to participate in the next scheduled Range Test except where they have missed two or more earlier events. Reminders are not issued.

GALLERY

Pics, from top:

Alan Mullen, Robert Curley & Liam Atkinson, Brendan Commane, Brian Cornelia, Brothers Adam & Jack Canning, Father & son, Leon & Bob O’Sullivan, Imran Uddin & Alan Cunningham, Mamuka Marukashvili, Mark McGiff, John McCabe & Michael Keating, Razvan Suciu, Stephen Kennedy & Jonathan Byrne, Tommy Brophy, Gerard Hanrahan & Richard Phipps.

The candidates named below are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test taking place at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 9^th March 2024.

Candidates should be present at the Range from 9.30 a.m., to sign in with Range management in the Clubhouse, with personal ID, firearms certificate, and evidence of insurance. Zeroing is not permitted on the morning of the Range Test. A reminder that sound moderators and all legitimate stalking aids e.g., shooting sticks, bipods and tripods are permitted. After registration candidates should proceed in their vehicles to the Main Range, in convoy under the direction of Range personnel. After successful completion of the Range Test, candidates will be given a card which they should bring back to the Clubhouse to receive their HCAP Certificate.

Candidates are permitted one opportunity at the Grouping Stage and two opportunities on the Main Target, OR two opportunities at the Grouping Stage and one at the Main Target (but not two opportunities at both stages).

At Stage 1 (grouping stage), candidates are required to place three rounds in a four-inch group, with a four-inch black aiming point on a six-inch white circle, in the prone position, rested.

At Stage 2 (deer target), candidates are required to place nine rounds within the heart & lung area on the life-size sika hind target – three rounds prone rested at 100 metres, three rounds sitting/kneeling at 60 metres and three rounds standing. All legitimate stalking aids are permitted. Sound moderators may be used provided they are factory-threaded.

Candidates wishing to avail of Club rifles should contact Tony Saunders at MRC directly, tel. 087 097 7589, in advance of the Range Test.

Candidates will be observed at all times for adherence to all safety protocols. Any lapse in safety standards may be followed by immediate expulsion from the Range, at the discretion of Range management.

ELIGIBLE RANGE TEST CANDIDATES

ATKINSON, Liam
BEKIC, Danijel
BROPHY, Tommy
BYRNE, Jonathan
CANNING, Adam
CANNING, Jack
COMMANE, Brendan
CORNELIA, Brian
CUNNINGHAM, Alan
CURLEY, Robert
CURTIN, Eoin
FRANEY, Dillon
FURLONG, Conor
HALLIGAN, Bobby
HANRAHAN, Gerard
HENNESSY, Liam
KAAR, Eoin
KEATING, Michael
KENNEDY, Stephen
MANAHAN, Jordan Guiry
MARUKASHVILI, Mamuka
McCABE, John (Jnr.)
McGIFF, Mark
McINERNEY, Fergal
MULLEN, Alan
NEWTOWN, Thorfinn
O’GRADY, Gary
O’SULLIVAN, Bob
O’SULLIVAN, Leon
PHIPPS, Richard
SUCIU, Razvan
SUSKA, Lukasz
TOOMEY, Kevin
UDDIN, Imran

The above list includes candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at previous Range Tests in 2023. For such candidates, failure to attend on 9^th March 2024 without notice will lead to de-listing as eligible candidates and if they wish to complete their HCAP certification process, they will have to re-apply for the Range Test as Repeat Candidates.

Location of Midland Range

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on Saturday 2nd March 2024 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly R35 NC58 on Saturday 9th March 2024. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 2nd March 2024 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ on Saturday 11th May 2024, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice, in which case they will now de-listed as eligible and must re-enter the HCAP process as Repeat Candidates if they wish to complete their HCAP Certification

HCAP NUMBERS, FOLLOWED BY THE PASS MARK ACHIEVED

2024/0009, 92%, Pass
2024/0042, 90%, Pass
2024/0016, 94%, Pass
2024/0010, 100%, Pass
2024.0006, 88%, Pass
2024/0027, 92%, Pass
2024/0007, 100%, Pass
2024/0013, 90%, Pass
2024/0024, 88%, Pass
2024/0025, 92%, Pass
2024/0026, 94%, Pass
2024/0043, 92%, Pass
2024/0044, 92%, Pass
2024/0040, 90%, Pass
2024/0031, 96%, Pass
2024/0032, 94%, Pass
2024/0036, 98%, Pass
2024/0033, 96%, Pass
2024/0039, 94%, Pass
2024/0002, 88%, Pass
2024/0003, 94%, Pass
2024/0038, 98%, Pass
2024/0037, 100%, Pass
2024/0004, 98%, Pass
2024/0005, 92%, Pass
2024/0034, 92%, Pass
2024/0035, 96%, Pass
2024/0017, 96%, Pass
2024/0029, 96%, Pass
2024/0030, 94%, Pass
2024/0023, 98%, Pass

ALL CANDIDATES PASSED THE MCQ ON THIS OCCASION.