Red deer stag in Connemara. Photograph by Paul Wood. Click to enlarge.

The Deer Alliance has completed its round of Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) MCQs and Range Tests for 2014, resulting in another 120 candidates joining the ranks of HCAP-Certified stalkers who have completed the programme, now totalling some 2000 licensed hunters.

HCAP was introduced in 2005 following four years of development and enters its tenth year of operation next year. All hunters wishing to hunt wild deer on Coillte forest property or to hold forest properties under licence from Coillte are required to be HCAP-Certified. The Deer Alliance this year added Training Workshops as an adjunct to the programme, with Workshops and MCQ Assessments centralised in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. All Range Tests are held at the Midland National Shooting Centre, at Blue Ball, Tullamore. The Workshops in particular have proven highly successful, according to Liam Nolan, Director/Administrator of HCAP, who presents the Workshops. Guest speakers at Workshops have included Barry Coad, Deer, Game & Sporting Rights Manager of Coillte, Wesley Atkinson, Eastern Regional Manager of the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Liam McGarry of the Irish Deer Society, Joe Murphy of the Irish Trophy Commission and Damien Hannigan of WDAI.

The Deer Alliance programme for 2015 will be announced early in the New Year. An announcement is imminent concerning the proposed Deer Alliance Food Safety Module, in compliance with Regulation EC 853/2004, which covers safe game meat handling requirements.

Intending HCAP Candidates can apply online on the Deer Alliance website, www.deeralliance.ie. The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual can also be purchased through the “Online Applications” section of the website, and further announcements can also be accessed through the blog section.

The following Candidates (total 37) are certified as HCAP-qualified, having passed the HCAP Range Test held on 9th August 2014, and are now listed on the Register of HCAP-Certified Persons registered with Coillte Teoranta and National Parks & Wildlife Service.

The Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme is now in its ninth year of operation, having been commenced in 2005 following four years of development.

Date of Certification: 9th August 2014.

Britton, Christopher, 2014/0085
Byrne, Thomas, 2014/0113
Callan, Noel, 2014/0095
Cleary, Pat, 2014/0080
Colfer, Michael, J. 2013/0081
Crotty, Paul, 2013/0077
Cullen, Brian, 2014/0044
Dalton, David, 2014/0056
Darcy, Ken, 2014/0097
Doherty, Edward, 2014/0105
Doherty, Seamus, 2014/0106
Downes, Kevin, 2014/0096
Doyle, Michael, 2014/0117
Duignan, Ciaran, 2014/0109
Fahey, Adrian, 2014/0103
Fallon, James, 2014/0102
Horan, John, 2013/0096
Kane, Mark, 2014/0086
Keenan, Tommy, 2014/0100
Keenan, Tony, 2014/0098
Maher, William, 2014/0087
Manley, Joel, 2014/0111
Manley, Richard, 2014/0112
Mannion, Peter, 2014/0107
McCormack, Pat, 2014/0114
Murphy, Pat, 2014/0092
O’Brien, David, 2014/0091
O’Brien, Eddie, 2014/0082
O’Rourke, Paddy, 2014/0093
O’Sullivan, Stephen, 2014/0084
Phibbs, Owen, 2014/0115
Roche, Darragh, 2014/0081
Ryan, Stephen, 2014/0110
Schots, Auke, 2014/0075
Treacy, Johanna, 2014/0104
Van Steenis, Marius, 2014/0083
Wemyss, Eoin, 2014/0116

     
MAPS TO MIDLANDS NATIONAL SHOOTING GROUNDS – CLICK TO ENLARGE

PROCEDURES AT HCAP RANGE TESTS

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 to deeralliance@gmail.com or text message to 086 1927 845) 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 9th August 2014. The list includes Candidates still eligible to participate from previous dates (*asterisked). 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.
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 is 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.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

Britton, Christopher, 2014/0085
Byrne, Thomas, 2014/0113
Callan, Noel, 2014/0095
Cavaliere, Riccardo, 2014/0101
Chubb, Patrick, 2014/0088
Cleary, Pat, 2014/0080
Colfer, Michael, J. 2013/0081
Crotty, Paul, 2013/0077
Cullen, Brian, 2014/0044*
Dalton, David, 2014/0056*
Darcy, Ken, 2014/0097
Doherty, Edward, 2014/0105
Doherty, Seamus, 2014/0106
Downes, Kevin, 2014/0096
Doyle, Michael, 2014/0117
Duignan, Ciaran, 2014/0109
Dunne, Jonathan, 2012/0066*
Emmett, Christopher, 2014/0089
Fahey, Adrian, 2014/0103
Fallon, James, 2014/0102
Finn, Tony, 2014/0090
Horan, John, 2013/0096*
Kane, Mark, 2014/0086
King, Patrick J., 2012/0073*
Keenan, Tommy, 2014/0100
Keenan, Tony, 2014/0098
Maher, William, 2014/0087
Manley, Joel, 2014/0111
Manley, Richard, 2014/0112
Mannion, Peter, 2014/0107
McCormack, Pat, 2014/0114
Mulvany, David, 2013/0009*
Murphy, Pat, 2014/0092
Neill, Paul, 2014/0108
O’Brien, David, 2014/0091
O’Brien, Eddie, 2014/0082
O’Rourke, Paddy, 2014/0093
O’Sullivan, Stephen, 2014/0084
Phibbs, Owen, 2014/0115
Roche, Darragh, 2014/0081
Ryan, Stephen, 2014/0110
Schots, Auke, 2014/0075
Scully, Declan, 2013/0024*
Treacy, Johanna, 2014/0104
Van Steenis, Marius, 2014/0083
Wemyss, Eoin, 2014/0116

 WELL DONE, ALL!

Due to the Bank Holiday Weekend there has been a one-day delay delay in finalising results of the most recent HCAP MCQ.

The results will be posted here at or by close of business today (Tuesday 5th August 2014)

Fallow buck (click to enlarge)

A Training Workshop will take place in the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny on Saturday 26th July 2014, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (followed by HCAP MCQ at 4 p.m. at the same venue). Places must be booked in advance by text to 086 1927 845 or email to deeralliance@gmail.com, and payment €50.00 may be made on the day. The Ionad Dara Centre is situated beside the Catholic Church, Church Street, Goresbridge.

Participation in the Training Workshop is entirely optional and is offered as a support facility to HCAP candidates. Candidates are invited to bring their own lunch (also available locally) although tea and coffee will be available.

Speakers will include:

Wesley Atkinson, Eastern Regional Manager, National Parks & Wildlife Service

Barry Coad, Deer, Game & Sporting Rights Manager, Coillte Teoranta.

Liam M. Nolan, Deer Alliance.

Joe Murphy, Irish Trophy Commission and WDAI

Damien Hannigan, Wild Deer Association of Ireland.

The full range of topics associated with the HCAP MCQ will be covered.

Applications for the HCAP MCQ closed on Monday 21st July 2014. Applications for the Training Workshop will be accepted up to close of business on Friday 25th July 2014. A list of candidates eligible for the MCQ is set out in a separate posting on this blog.

Aftermath of successful interception of deer poachers by the Garda Siochana (click to enlarge)

Liveline Podcast LMN 16.7.2014

Liveline Podcast LMcG 17.7.2014

Liveline Podcast DH 18.7.2014

Liam Nolan of the Deer Alliance, Liam McGarry of the Irish Deer Society and Damien Hannigan of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland were interviewed on the RTE Radio 1 “Liveline” programme on Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th and Friday 18th July 2014 respectively dealing with the issue of deer poaching and in particular the issue of shooting of deer with lamps at night in or out of season. Podcasts of the broadcasts can be downloaded at www.rte.ie/radio1/liveline/podcasts or by clicking on the links above.

 Red stag in velvet

The following Candidates remain eligible to participate in the next-scheduled MCQ, to be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday 26^th July 2014. As before, the venue will be the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

The MCQ will be preceded by a Training Workshop which will run from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and is intended to prepare Candidates thoroughly for the MCQ when supported by the Deer Alliance Training Manual. Guest speakers will attend. The add-on cost of the Training Workshop is €50.00. Candidates wishing to participate in the Training Workshop must book a place in advance (by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by text to 086 1927 845). Payment can be made on the day where a place has been reserved.

The Deer Alliance Training Manual can be ordered and paid for through the Deer Alliance website, www.deeralliance.ie, cost €35.00 inc. p. & p.

The closing date for applications for this MCQ is Monday 21^st July 2014.

Successful Candidates will then be eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held on Saturday 9th August 2014.

There will be no further MCQs or Range Tests in 2014.

Eligible MCQ Candidates (including Candidates eligible from previous MCQ dates, marked with an asterisk)

Amrein, Rudi, 2013/0115*

Britton, Christopher, 2014/0085

Byrne, Thomas, 2014/0113

Cahill, Patrick, 2012/0042*

Callan, Noel, 2014/0095

Carr, Peter, 2014/0039*

Carroll, Michael, 2013/0014

Cavaliere, Riccardo, 2014/0101

Chubb, Patrick, 2014/0088

Cleary, Pat, 2014/0080

Coady, Mark, 2014/0036*

Colfer, Michael, J. 2013/0081*

Connor, Oliver, 2012/0091*

Cox, Robert, 2014/0099

Crotty, Paul, 2013/0077*

Darcy, Ken, 2014/0097

Devlin, Lisa, 2013/0087*

Doherty, Edward, 2014/0105

Doherty, Seamus, 2014/0106

Downes, Kevin, 2014/0096

Doyle, Michael, 2014/0117

Duignan, Ciaran, 2014/0109

Emmett, Christopher, 2014/0089

Fahey, Adrian, 2014/0103

Fallon, James, 2014/0102

Fedigan, Patrick, 2014/0026*

Finn, Tony, 2014/0090

Fitzgerald, Daire, 2013/0112*

Greaney, Stephen, 2013/0016*

Hand (Jnr.), Paul, 2013/0036*

Haughey, Gavin, 2012/0003*

Hendrick, Earl, 2013/0097*

Hickey, Francis, 2012/0016*

Hughes, Jamie, 2013/0125*

Kane, Mark, 2014/0086

Keenan, Tommy, 2014/0100

Keenan, Tony, 2014/0098

King, Patrick J., 2012/0073*

Maher, William, 2014/0087

Manley, Joel, 2014/0111

Manley, Richard, 2014/0112

Mannion, Peter, 2014/0107

McCormack, Pat, 2014/0114

McGuill, Pat, 2013/0079*

Moore, Kevin, 2014/0015*

Murphy, Pat, 2014/0092

Neill, Paul, 2014/0108

Neville, Pat, 2012/0097*

O’Brien, David, 2014/0091

O’Brien, Eddie, 2014/0082

O’Rourke, Paddy, 2014/0093

O’Sullivan, Rory, 2014/0094

O’Sullivan, Stephen, 2014/0084

O’Toole, Michael, 2012/0096*

Page, Aaron, 2012/0092*

Phelan, Patrick, 2014/0038*

Phibbs, Owen, 2014/0115

Roche, Darragh, 2014/0081

Ryan, Stephen, 2014/0110

Schots, Auke, 2014/0075*

Treacy, Johanna, 2014/0104

Van Steenis, Marius, 2014/0083

Wemyss, Eoin, 2014/0116

Young Sika female (click to enlarge)

The next scheduled HCAP MCQ will take place on Saturday 26th July 2014, at 4 p.m. at the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. Application and payment for HCAP assessment & certification (€100.00) can be made online through the Deer Alliance website (www.deeralliance.ie, “Online Applications”).
The MCQ will be preceded on the same day by a Training Workshop running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Training Workshop is not obligatory but is considered by previous candidates to be invaluable in achieving success in the MCQ. It is subject to an additional cost of €50.00, payable on the day, but booking must be made in advance by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by text to 086 1927 845.
The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual is available through the website, cost €35.00 inc. p. & p. Purchase of the Manual is not obligatory but again, considered invaluable as it contains all the relevant material for success in the MCQ, and much more besides.
The next scheduled HCAP Range Test will take place at the Midlands National Shooting Ground (Midlands Rifle Club), Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from 10 a.m. on Saturday 9th August 2014.