Sika stag, Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow. Click to enlarge

29th November 2016

Deer Alliance, originators of the Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) and running HCAP since its introduction in 2005, have announced a series of new programmes commencing in 2016.

1: ADVANCED DEER MANAGEMENT COURSE

The ADMC is a progression from HCAP and will be open to all HCAP-Certified candidates. The new course will be presented over three days on three consecutive Saturdays, covering the following topics:

• Principles of Deer Management
• Policy Objectives
• Census Techniques
• Population Dynamics
• Cull Planning
• Cull selection
• Deer and Forestry
• Risk Assessment
• Deer and Agriculture
• Health and Safety
• Economics of the Deer Harvest
• Diseases of Wild Deer
• Food Safety
• Law, including legislation relating to Firearms, Wildlife, Disease and Waste Management
• Park Deer
• Deer Management Groups
• Report Writing, Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements

Cost has not yet been finalised but will be in the range €300 – €350. Participation will be limited to a maximum of thirty candidates on each course. Booking will be through the Deer Alliance website early in the New Year. The ADMC is designed to be relevant to policies currently under examination by the Irish Deer Management Forum as well as to safe, efficient and humane control and conservation of wild deer with particular reference to farm and forestry stakeholder interests. It is seen as a natural extension to HCAP for those licensed hunters with deer management responsibilities on farmland and forestry for both private landowners and Coillte Teoranta.

Successful Candidates will be presented with the Deer Alliance Advanced Deer Management Course Certificate.

2: ADVANCED MARKSMANSHIP COURSE

The Advanced Marksmanship Course (AMC) The purpose of the AMC is to add to the value of the basic HCAP qualification for HCAP-Certified Candidates and to underpin safe, efficient and humane control of wild deer through accuracy and consistency of control methods used by qualified persons. The intended audience is the universe of HCAP-Certified candidates, being fully insured holders of valid Firearms Certificates for deer rifles of a calibre not less than .243, bullet weight 100 grains and muzzle energy not less than 2100 foot-pounds. Duration will be over one day, including half-day of lectures and half-day on the Firing Range. Cost will be €100.00, with entry restricted to HCAP-Certified Candidates only.

The Lecture Syllabus will include:

• Care and maintenance of the rifle
• Firearms security
• Ballistics and choice of calibre
• Choice of Telescopic Sights
• Zeroing the Rifle
• Current Firearms Legislation

The Practical Element (Course of Fire) will be:

• 15 (fifteen) rounds of ammunition (not supplied)
• All positions at 100 metres
• 5 (five) rounds prone, rested
• 5 (five) rounds kneeling, rested
• 5 (five) rounds standing, rested.
• All on HCAP Deer Target, killing zone Heart & Lung area.
• Shooting through all three positions (no break between position change)
• Normal Stalking Aids only, to include standard thumb-sticks, commercial stalking sticks, bipods and tripods.
• Shooter can opt out at any stage if any shot is dropped
• One Repeat only on the day

Successful Candidates will be presented with the Deer Alliance Advanced Marksmanship Course Certificate.

3: FIREARMS COMPETENCE COURSE (FCC)

The purpose of the FCC is to offer a fully validated Competency Standard for first-time Firearms Certificate Applicants (Rifled Firearms and Shotguns). The intended audience is the universe of first-time applicants for certificates for rifled firearms, including rim-fire and centre-fire calibres, for target and/or competition use, vermin control or hunting of wild deer under licence; and for first-time applicants for certificates for shotguns for game shooting. Duration will be one day, including half-day of lectures and half-day of practical demonstration of safe handling of firearms.

The Lecture syllabus will include

• Current Firearms Legislation
• Ground-rules for safe use, possession and carriage of firearms
• In-Home Firearms Security
• Care and maintenance of the rifle and shotgun
• Ballistics and choice of rifle calibre
• Ballistics and choice of shotgun gauge
• Choice of Telescopic Sights
• Zeroing the Rifle

The practical hands-on element of the FCC will include firearms handling for beginners, including safe handling of Rim-Fire and Centre-Fire rifle calibres and Shotguns. Participants will be certified as having attended for purposes of a first-time Firearms Certificate application, as currently required by the Garda Siochana.

HUNTER COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (HCAP)

In addition to the three new Courses, Deer Alliance HCAP Assessment will continue to be provided in 2016, including optional Training Workshops offered on the same day as each HCAP written examination and which have proven highly successful since introduction in 2013. The cost of HCAP will increase to €150.00 on 1st January 2016, the first and only cost increase since 2006. Booking for HCAP is open now through www.deeralliance.ie. Applications for HCAP received before 1st January 2016 will be honoured at the existing cost of €100.00.

Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by ‘phone to 086 1927 845.

Venison – a natural and healthy by-product of exercise of the hunter’s cull programme

Food Law and Hunters Supplying Wild Game for Human Consumption

Do Hunters have to comply with Food Law?
Yes. Hunters who hunt wild game with the intention of selling it for human consumption are food business operators and the food they produce has to meet the relevant requirements of food law.

What about wild game for private domestic consumption?
Wild game hunted for private domestic consumption is excluded from food law.

What food law applies to wild game and who enforces it?
Both European Union (EU) and national legislation apply to wild game hunted and intended to be placed on the market for human consumption.

Whilst the Food Safety Authority (FSAI) has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food law the competent authorities (CAs) directly involved with wild game controls are the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Do hunters need to register as Food Business Operators?
Yes. Hunters intending to place wild game on the market for human consumption must register as a food business operator.

What about records and traceability?
In order to assure traceability hunters must keep certain records and must be able to promptly supply this information to the authorities, if requested.

What records must be kept?
The following records must be kept:

• Date, time and location as well as the type (e.g. deer, pheasant, rabbit) and number of wild game killed.
• Details of the Approved Game Handling Establishments (AGHEs) and intermediaries (e.g. game dealers), if applicable, to whom they have sold wild game as well as the date of supply.

What general hygiene requirements apply to hunters?
• Wild game must be protected from contamination arising from any source including pests, animals, waste and hazardous substances
• Any facilities used in connection with hunting (including equipment, transport facilities and storage facilities) must be kept clean using potable water and where necessary disinfected
• Hunters must report suspicion of contagious disease (e.g. bTB in deer) to the relevant competent authority — Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) or the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS)
• Ensure that persons involved in the handling of such wild game are in good health

What are the hygiene rules for evisceration and transport of wild game?
The intestines of large wild game should be removed as soon as possible after killing game. Care must be taken to prevent contamination from faeces, dirt, animals, pest and other sources of contamination as it is taken away from the site of hunting.

Any vehicles used for the transport of wild game must be kept clean and where necessary, after cleaning, disinfected. During transport game must not be piled, heaped or stacked at any stage as this will cause cross-contamination and make cooling the game difficult.

What about storage of wild game?
Hunters must endeavour to maintain the cold chain for hunted wild game, namely, 4 degrees C or below for small wild game, 7 degrees C or below for large wild game (deer).

The storage temperatures referred to above must be achieved within a reasonable period of time (24 hours of killing). Storage of wild game prior to sale may be in a “game larder”. Game larders must have facilities for active chilling. Game must be separated from each other in the larder.

Do hunters have to be trained?
Yes. Hunters supplying wild game to Approved Game Handling Establishment’s (AGHEs) must be trained in animal health and hygiene relevant to wild game. It is recommended that all hunters undertake such training.

From January 1st 2014 all game supplied to an AGHE must have been inspected by a
trained hunter and be accompanied by a trained hunter declaration.

What is a trained hunter declaration?
It is a statement confirming that when the hunter examined the hunted game:

• no abnormal characteristics were found
• no abnormal behaviour was observed before killing
• there is no suspicion of environmental contamination

What about export of in-fur large wild game?
Only game processed through approved game handling establishments (AGHEs) may be exported and it must be accompanied by a Commercial Document (CD) as well as a trained hunter declaration.
The Commercial Document must be signed by the Official Veterinarian who has conducted an examination of the game. Exported game must be transported directly to an approved establishment in the destination State.

The basic fee for the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme will increase to €150.00 with effect from 1^st January 2016. The new fee structure will include a copy of the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual during an initial period only.

This is the first and only increase in the HCAP fee since 2006, and is necessary to meet increased administrative and other costs.

The Stalker Training Manual will continue to be available for purchase through the Online Applications section of the Deer Alliance website at the unchanged price of €35.00 including post & packaging.

Paid Applications received between date of this posting 1^st October 2015 and 31^st December 2015 in respect of HCAP Assessments to take place in 2016 will be accepted and honoured at the existing fee of €100.00. The schedule of HCAP MCQs and Range Tests will be published here early in the New Year, together with announcements of new activities currently under development.

18 September 2015: Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice and Equality has announced a series of changes to the licensing of firearms in Ireland.

This follows widespread consultation with key stakeholders and hearings by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence on a report from a Joint Garda Síochána/Department of Justice and Equality Working Group published in November 2014.

The Minister thanked the Oireachtas Committee for their detailed deliberations on this matter and she further thanked An Garda Siochana and stakeholders including bodies representing rural and sporting interests for their proactive engagement during the Minister’s consultations.
Minister Fitzgerald stated: “It is clear that there are different, genuinely held views as to the approach which should be taken to the licensing of firearms in Ireland, particularly in relation to handguns.”
“I share the concerns of An Garda Síochána in relation to public safety and I am determined to prevent any proliferation of handgun availability in Ireland. However, I also acknowledge the dedication and responsibility of the owners of legally held firearms.
“I appreciate that certain measures must be taken in the context of the current renewal cycle for firearms. Accordingly I am today announcing a series of proposals which will address issues in the short term but also maps out the longer term future for a licensing system which balances the rights of those who wish to pursue their interests with public safety, which has to be the paramount consideration.”
Minister Fitzgerald therefore decided on the following series of measures:

Establishment of a new Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority

The Minister intends to make fundamental long term reforms of firearms licensing by establishing a new Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority.

The Minister has welcomed the Joint Oireachtas Committee recommendations in relation to the establishment of a national firearms control and advisory licensing authority and an independent appeals process in relation to decisions of An Garda Síochána.
The primary function of the Authority will be to determine, on the basis of an objective assessment of all the issues, with safety of the public being paramount, whether particular forms of firearms may be licensed in the State, whether there should be any limit on the number of such firearms and what safety conditions might properly be applied to their licensing. The functions of the Authority will be subject to further consultation in advance of the preparation of the necessary enabling legislation, which will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee.
Individual licensing decisions will continue to be made by members of An Garda Síochána in the light of the determinations made by the Authority but it is intended that the Authority will adjudicate on appeals from decisions by An Garda Síochána. This will offer an alternative to the current system of court appeals.

Immediate cap on licensing of any new centre-fire semi-automatic rifles

The Minister intends to introduce an immediate temporary cap on the licensing of any new centre-fire semi-automatic rifles pending the establishment and determination of the Authority.

Legislation will provide for the revocation of any licenses issued between today
(18 September 2015) and the enactment of the legislation and it is intended that anyone applying for licenses of this nature will be informed of that fact.

New Statutory Instrument re-defining non-restricted handguns

The Minister has this week signed a new Statutory Instrument re-defining what constitutes a non-restricted handgun. This takes account of the Joint Oireachtas Committee recommendation in relation to the need to introduce secondary legislation in advance of the renewal of many firearms at this time.

The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that, while the Minister, of course, cannot interfere with individual licensing decisions, persons who currently hold licenses for handguns will be able to reapply for a license in the current licensing round. This legislation will clarify for An Garda Síochána what firearms may be considered by them for licensing.
The Minister intends to monitor the number of 0.22 inch rim fire calibre handguns being licensed. In line with her commitment to prevent any proliferation of handgun availability in Ireland, the Minister today announced that if there is a significant increase in the number of applications for new certificates or import licence applications for these handguns then she will introduce priority legislation for a future cap.
The current arrangements introduced in 2008 whereby no new licences will be issued for centre fire handguns will remain in place.

Gardai to establish centralised licensing system for restricted firearms

The Minister has welcomed the Garda Commissioner’s intention to establish a centralised licensing system for restricted firearms, pending the establishment and determination of an independent body to determine what firearms should be licensable.

Garda Inspectorate to review the administration of firearms licensing

The Minister intends asking the Garda Inspectorate to review the administration of firearms licensing by An Garda Síochána, following the establishment and operation of the Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority.

The Minister has noted the Joint Oireachtas Committee recommendation that the Garda Inspectorate carry out an independent review of the current firearms licensing regime. Given the changes now proposed, it is deemed more appropriate to review the administration of firearms licensing by An Garda Síochána when the new arrangements are well in place i.e. 12 months after the establishment and operation of the Authority.

Re-establishment of Firearms Consultative Panel

The Minister intends to re-establish the Firearms Consultative Panel to examine general issues of common concern which could include issues such as the establishment of a ballistic record of certain firearms, updated storage conditions for firearms and the reloading of ammunition.

There will be no changes to the licensing of shotguns and rifles which make up 99% of licensed firearms in Ireland.
Minister Fitzgerald stated: “These proposals are aimed at balancing public safety and the interests of licensed firearms holders. The new Authority will be best placed to make an objective and independent assessment as to whether we continue to allow certain firearms to be licensed and result in a more transparent licensing system. In the meantime all persons who currently hold licences for 0.22 inch rim fire calibre handguns can apply to have those licences renewed.”
Individual firearms licensing decisions have been and continue to be subject to judicial review. The findings of the Courts in relation to the law on firearms clearly can have implications for the implementation of proposals in this area.

SUMMARY

· Proposal to establish new Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority

· Immediate cap on licensing of any new centre-fire semi-automatic rifles

· Minister signs new Statutory Instrument re-defining non-restricted handguns

· An Garda Síochána to establish centralised licensing system for restricted firearms

· Garda Inspectorate to review the administration of firearms licensing

· Re-establishment of Firearms Consultative Panel

· No changes to the licensing of shotguns and the vast majority of rifles which make up 99% of licensed firearms in Ireland.

Liam Nolan, Director of the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) has warned landowners of the potential danger to livestock and property from illegal deer shooters operating under cover of night.

He said “The opening of the deer hunting season on 1st September brings with it greater activity by commercial shooters anxious to reap the rewards from the sale of illegally-shot venison. Shooting deer at night with lamps is against the law, and potentially highly dangerous for both livestock and humans”. He went on, “Excessive shooting of deer has very little to do with deer control or deer management, and everything to do with monetary reward. For this reason, landowners should ensure that only properly licensed, insured and HCAP-certified hunters have access to land for the purpose of deer control”.

There are approximately 4600 licensed deer hunters in Ireland who between them are responsible for an annual cull of upwards of 30000 deer. Culling by shooting is widely accepted as the safest, most efficient and most humane method of deer control, when carried out by competent persons.
Liam Nolan is calling on landowners to be on the watch for unauthorised persons hunting by day or by night on their property or on adjoining land, and to notify their local Gardai if they observe any suspicious activity. Gardai in Wicklow and Carlow continue to carry out “Operation Bambi” which has proven successful in deterring deer poaching in recent years, and focus on poaching is spreading throughout the rest of the country, supported by the Garda Siochana and Conservation Rangers from the National Parks & Wildlife Service. The legal hunting season for male deer (stags and bucks) runs from 1st September to 31st December and for female deer (hinds and does) from 1st November to 29th February.

Andrea Gaborova (above right, seen here with Peter Gabor, HCAP-Certified in 2014) joins the ranks of HCAP-Certified Candidates following success in the HCAP Range Test held on Saturday 8th August 2015.

The following Candidates (21 in number) are deemed to be HCAP-Certified following successful completion of the Range Test stage of the HCAP process on 8^th August 2015.

Date of Certification: 8^th August 2015.

Bertels, Gareth, 2015/0091

Braccesi, Giovanni Adorni, 2015/0105

Bradley, James, 2015/0102

Conan, Harry, 2015/0101

Connolly, Adrian, 2015/0071

Connolly, Declan, 2015/0070

Coogan, Brendan, 2015/0093

Dermody, Thomas, 2015/0005

Fitzgerald, Daire, 2015/0097

Gaborova, Andrea 2015/0098

Hanley, Andrew Patrick, 2015/0096

Hayes, Noel, 2015/0092

Keegan, Cathal, 2015/0095

Kelly, Paul, 2015/0074

Nunn, Sam, 2015/0038

O’Neill, John, 2015/0104

O’Riain, Séamus, 2015/0034

O’Scolai, Peadar, 2015/0013

Ryan, Michael Gregory, 2015/0028

Sludds, Tiernan, 2015/0094

Schwarzenbach, Roger, 2015/0103

Following on its deliberations over the period to end of July 2015, the Irish Deer Management Forum (established March 2015) has issued its first set of recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture and to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.The background to the establishment of the IDMF is set out in earlier postings here. Deer Alliance HCAP is represented on the forum by Liam M. Nolan. The following is the text of the letter issued to the Ministers respectively on 29th July 2015,

RE: Recommendation 1 from the Irish Deer Management Forum to the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht.

Dear Minister[s],

With reference to O’Keeffe, J., Report of Deer Removed under Licence C123/2014 covering areas in Wicklow East: Interim Internal Report, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 2015.

Thank you  for  referring  the  findings  of  the  interim  report  on  incidence of  Bovine Tuberculosis infection in deer in the Calary area of County Wicklow to the Irish Deer Management Forum. We convened a special meeting on the 15thJune 2015 to consider the findings and prior to this Mr. Barry Coad of Coillte and Dr Tim Burkitt of the National Parks and Wildlife Service had kindly carried out  research on our behalf into the density  of deer on State lands  within  the Roundwood area including areas adjacent to farmland in the Calary area. This density was found to be high with over 32 animals per 100 hectare. The IFA, through its representative on the Forum Mr. Tom Shortt, also carried out research on the economic losses to the Calary study area attributable to the continuing TB issue with an estimate of some Euro 1 million being presented.

The recommendations of the Forum to the Department in respect of the interim report are:

1. On the grounds of deer welfare both the Department of Agriculture and the Environment should work with landowners, land managers, hunters and wildlife interests to reduce both the density of deer (namely Sika [Cervus nippon]) in the Calary area of County Wicklow and the incidence of Bovine TB infection within the deer herd in that area.

2. A deer management plan should be developed urgently for the  area of the study  and implemented within normal deer management seasons.

3. Tom Shortt IFA has agreed to convene a TB in Deer Subcommittee of the Forum to provide integrated guidance and advice on this  opic in  Ireland, including on a plan for the Calary area, in conjunction with the Wicklow Deer Management Partnership.

4. The Irish Deer Management Forum considers that the incidence of Bovine TB in deer in the Calary area of County Wicklow area is a special case. It should not be taken as an indicator of Bovine TB levels within deer elsewhere in Ireland.

5. Some members of the Forum are concerned that in other areas of high incidence of Bovine TB in cattle there may also be infection within the deer herd and research should be directed by the Departments to a small number of other areas in consultation with the Forum

6. The IDMF’s recently formed Data Sub-committee has confirmed that there is no evidence to link Bovine TB incidence in deer in Ireland or the UK to Bovine TB outbreaks or persistence in cattle herds.

7. The Forum considers however that if deer and cattle share feeders for example the potential for transfer exists and this should be avoided.

Issued on behalf of

Judith A. Annett,

Chair, Irish Deer Management Forum.

Reen Point,

Blennerville,

Tralee,

Co. Kerry,

Ireland.

Telephone +353 66 714 9340

idmf@agriculture.gov.ie

The HCAP Range Test taking place on Saturday 8^th August 2015 marks the end of HCAP events for 2015. MCQ s and Range Tests are not conducted during the hunting season September to February due to deer management and other commitments on the part of the organising parties, also because inclement weather often militates against the holding of Range Tests. The next opportunity to participate in the HCAP Assessment and Certification process will be early in 2016 and full details of dates and venues will be posted here in due course. Applications will continue to be processed during this time. Application can be made at any time through the Online Applications section of the website. The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual is also available for purchase through the same Online Applications page.

Congratulation to all those Candidates who successfully completed HCAP in 2015.

LOCATION MAPS TO MIDLAND NATIONAL SHOOTING GROUNDS, 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.

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. Current Countryside Alliance, IFA Countryside or NARGC 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.

6: All Candidates are 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. No insurance, no Range Test; no Firearms Certificate, no Range Test.

7: Sound Moderators are permitted only where MRC Range Officials are satisfied that the Moderator is factory-fitted and that the firearm in question is in proof.

8: Following experimentation over a number of Range Tests, Deer Alliance HCAP has adopted the following procedures in respect of Range Tests:

a) All Candidates will be listed alphabetically (surname first) and allocated to firing details accordingly.
b) Each Firing Detail has up to 16 positions (up to 16 Candidates to each Detail).
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) The Range Test consists of accurate grouping of three shots in a four-inch circle at a distance of 100 metres, taken in the prone position; followed by accurate placement of six shots in the heart/lung area of a life-size deer target (two shots prone or sitting at 100 metres, two shots sitting or kneeling at sixty metres and two shots standing at 40 metres). Normal stalking aids may be used e.g. slings, bipods/tripods or stalking sticks. Candidates are permitted two attempts at the grouping target followed by one attempt at the deer target or one attempt at the grouping target and two attempts at the deer target.
h) 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 before leaving the Range in order to receive the HCAP Certificate and/or to register for any subsequent Range Test.
i) Candidates taking two or more attempts at the overall Range Test on any given day are required to pay a Repeat Fee of €25.00. The Repeat Fee if taking the Range Test for a second or further time on any subsequent Range Test day is €50.00. Repeats on the day of the Range Test are entirely at the discretion of the designated HCAP Range Officials.
j) 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 and. copies will be available at each Range Test. It is the responsibility of each Candidate to ensure that best practice safety procedures are followed at all times.

Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com.

The following Candidates are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test taking place at the Midland Rifle Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 8 August 2015. All Candidates are reminded of the “180-day Rule”, which provides that Candidates are required to complete the HCAP process, including their Range Test, within 180 days of sitting their first MCQ. Failure to complete within 180 days without notice and reasonable excuse may require the Candidate in question to start the process again, including re-sitting the MCQ. As this is the last Range Test in 2015, Candidates unable to participate should ensure they advise Deer Alliance HCP accordingly in advance of the date.

Candidates are listed to shoot alphabetically, in Firing Details of 15 shooters at a time. The Range Test will commence at 10 a.m. sharp and Candidates are required to be present at the Range not later than 9.30 a.m. in order to register to shoot and to receive a Safety Briefing. Candidates are required to sign in at the Range, to produce a valid Firearms Certificate in respect of the firearm to be used and to produce evidence of valid insurance cover.

Approximately forty minutes are allocated for each Firing Detail and Candidates can estimate their likely start time on this basis. However it is recommended that all Candidates be present on the Range from 9.30 a.m. as places will open up on each Detail where eligible Candidates fail to appear on time or at all.

Candidates are reminded that zeroing of firearms is not permitted on the day of the Range Test.

A full rundown of procedures followed at HCAP Range Tests together with a location map will appear here separately.

CANDIDATES

Bertels, Gareth, 2015/0091

Braccesi Chiassi, Giovanni , 2015/0105

Bradley, James, 2015/0102

Conan, Harry, 2015/0101

Connolly, Adrian, 2015/0071

Connolly, Declan, 2015/0070

Coogan, Brendan, 2015/0093

Dermody, Thomas, 2015/0005

Fitzgerald, Daire, 2015/0097

Gaborova, Andrea 2015/0098

Hanley, Andrew, 2015/0096

Hayes, Noel, 2015/0092

Hochstetler, Wendell, 2015/0008

Keegan, Cathal, 2015/0095

Kelly, Paul, 2015/0074

Nunn, Sam, 2015/0038

O’Neill, John, 2015/0104

O’Riain, Séamus, 2015/0034

Redmond, Noel, 2015/0031

Ryan, Michael, 2015/0028

Sludds, Tiernan, 2015/0094

Smyth, Gary, 2015/0017

Schwarzenbach, Roger, 2015/0103

Scully, Peter, 2015/0013