There will be a HCAP MCQ in Portlaoise, Co. Laois on Saturday 11 August 2012, hosted by the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, who will hold preparatory Workshops for members during the preceding week.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the HCAP MCQ is Friday 3 August 2012.

Further information on the WDAI Workshops from wilddeerireland@gmail.com, tel. 0872496987.

Following on this MCQ, there will be a HCAP Range Test on Saturday 25 August 2012 for eligible candidates from this and other MCQs.

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. 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: Following experimentation over a number of Range Tests, the Deer Alliance have 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 a maximum of 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) 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.
h) Candidates taking two or more attempts at the 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.

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. 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 hcap@ireland.com.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) has welcomed information released by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD which shows that permits to cull wild deer outside of their designated hunting season have dropped by 16% in 2011, it is believed this is a direct result of a significant drop in deer numbers nationally. Such permits are granted to landowners by the Minister under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, to allow culling of deer where genuine crop damage is caused to farm land or forestry.

The WDAI has been to the fore in calling for a review of this process, as it is understood a growing number of permits are abused for financial gain by hunters rather than actual crop damage. The WDAI have raised these and other concerns with Minister Deenihan and his predecessor John Gormley. In 2011 Sean Fleming TD put a number of Parliamentary Questions on behalf of the WDAI to Minister Deenihan, regarding permits issued by him that included a condition allowing deer to be culled at night using rifles and powerful lamps used to dazzle deer. The Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) provides that such a practice should be lawful only for “educational or scientific purposes” and not for culling purposes, as this practice is considered an unethical method of culling deer and creates a serious safety risk to the general public. As a direct result of this request, permits allowing the shooting of deer at night are almost non-existent with only 9 granted in 2011 compared with 108 in 2010 – of the 9 granted 3 were to Coillte and NPWS staff.

The WDAI have also raised the unacceptable practice where Minister Deenihan continues to issue permits (63% of the total) allowing female deer to be culled during the months of May – August. During these months female deer have dependent fawns; if the female is shot, the new-born deer will be orphaned and suffer a horrendous death from starvation, which can take a number of weeks.

Damien Hannigan of the WDAI said: “While we support and encourage the culling of female deer as part of a proper deer management programme, to reduce deer numbers where over-population or genuine crop damage occurs. Culling females during these months when the young are still dependent, is an inhumane practice and contrary to ethical deer management. We call on Minister Deenihan to immediately cease this practice.”

Following discussions between the WDAI and Paul Fletcher, a representative of the main game handling establishments, who purchase the culled deer from hunters and who have seen a reduction in deer numbers been sold to them. It has been agreed game handling establishments will no longer purchase deer culled out of season and a premium currently paid for red deer will be removed. These unprecedented initiatives come on the back of growing concerns that deer numbers are under threat in many areas in particular it is believed red deer numbers have been decimated nationally by illegal poaching and over hunting. It is hoped these initiatives will allow deer numbers to recover to sustainable levels.

Paul Fletcher of Premier Game Ltd said: “all the main Game Handling Establishments who are concerned for our national deer herds have agreed not to purchase deer culled out of season.” Damien Hannigan, WDAI, said: “we may well be culling deer faster than they can reproduce, not allowing them sufficient time to recover from unprecedented levels of illegal poaching.”

(Above information issued by Wild Deer Association of Ireland on 2 April 2012)

(Sika stag photograph by Fran Byrne, Fallow buck and Red stag photographs by Brendan Devitt)

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland are currently supporting two projects, the first on Sika/Red Deer hybridisation in the North West of Ireland in collaboration with University of Edinburgh, Coillte, NPWS; and the second, Dr Ruth Carden on Fallow Deer nationally on the island of Ireland in collaboration with University of Nottingham.

Sika and Red Deer tissue samples are required for the North West areas of Ireland. Fallow Deer tissue samples are required from throughout the island of Ireland. You will be required to indicate the coat colour of animals shot on the data card supplied, along with the tissue sample.

Fallow coat varieties range from – Black (black/dark brown colour in summer; black rump and spots are very faint), Brown (Summer – rich chestnut brown with brown rump and spots very faint), Menil (summer – rich-ginger brown with white spots clearly visible along flanks of the body, white rump, brown stripe on tail), Common (summer – rich-ginger brown with white spots clearly visible along flanks of the body, white rump, black stripe on tail) & White. During winter, all coat varieties are duller versions of the summer coats.

Ever since the Neolithic period, humans have selectively transported and maintained this elegant animal, taking it from its restricted native range in the eastern Mediterranean across Europe where it is now an established icon of stately homes. Wherever fallow deer have been introduced they have altered the physical and psychological landscape and their distribution is a direct record of human migration, trade, behaviour and world view. Given their impact and significance, Fallow deer are genuinely worthy of investigation, with potential to provide cultural data of the highest relevance and significance for a range of disciplines and audiences.

To realise this potential the AHRC is funding a major international project that will employ methods proven by our pilot study – e.g. the integration of archaeology, history, geography and anthropology with genetics, stable isotope analysis and osteological research – to examine the circumstances and cultural significance of this species’ diffusion across Europe.

Further information can be found on the Fallow Deer Project can be found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/archaeology/research/projects/current/fallow-deer.aspx

If you can help please email WDAI on wilddeerireland@gmail.com or phone 087 2496987.

(Notice issued by Damien Hannigan, Honorary Secretary
Wild Deer Association of Ireland, www.wilddeerireland.com)

Visitors to the Deer Alliance HCAP Blog are invited to consider the contents of advisory information on LYME DISEASE set out in the letter below, and are urged to take the information on board when deerstalking, hillwalking or undertaking any activity likely to lead to exposure to Lyme Disease.

Dear Sir/Madam

Re. Protecting against Lyme Disease when taking part in outdoor pursuits

I am writing to you on behalf to the South East Regional Zoonoses Committee. We are a multidisciplinary group of Human and Animal Health Professionals from the South East whose remit includes informing the public about diseases that can be passed between animals and humans.

Those affiliated with Deer Alliance Ireland are involved in outdoor pursuits and may be at risk of contracting Lyme disease because these activities.

Lyme disease, which is spread by tick bites, can, in a minority of cases, cause severe debilitating heart and nervous system disease. Recently the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre issued a warning to people who engage in out-door pursuits in the summer months -ramblers, campers, mountain-bikers and others who work or walk in forested or grassy areas -to be vigilant against tick bites. Ticks are tiny insect-like creatures that feed on the blood of mammals and birds and will also feed on humans. Ticks are more active and numerous in the summer months and protecting against tick bites protects against Lyme disease.

Tick bites can be prevented by:
• Wearing long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and shoes
• Using insect repellent
• Checking skin, hair and warm skin-folds (especially the neck and scalp of children) for ticks after a day out
• Removing any ticks and consulting with a GP if symptoms develop
• Using tick collars for pets (they can get Lyme disease) and inspecting them for (and removing) any ticks.

Only a minority of ticks carry infection. If a tick is removed within a few hours, the risk of infection is low. The entire tick, including any mouthparts which might break off, should be removed with a tweezers by gripping it close to the skin. The skin where the tick was found should be then washed with soap and water and the area checked over the next few weeks for swelling or redness. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their GP and explain that they had been bitten by a tick.

Further important information on protecting against Lyme disease, an information leaflet and a poster are available at http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/

We would urge you to encourage those affiliated with Deer Alliance Ireland to read this information and we suggest that a copy of the HPSC leaflet be included with your education material.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Sarah Doyle, MB MRCPI MPH MFPHMI, MCRN 19055
Consultant in Public Health Medicine,
Secretary to the South East Regional Zoonoses Committee,
Public Health Department,
HSE Offices,
Dublin Road,
Kilkenny

24 January 2012

The following is the text of submissions made on behalf of Deer Alliance HCAP to the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (see previous posting, 17 October 2011, in relation to the Inter-Agency Deer Policy Review Group Draft Document).

DEER ALLIANCE
HUNTER COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME
SUBMISSIONS ON DEER MANAGEMENT POLICY VISION

1: BACKGROUND TO DEER ALLIANCE HCAP

1.1: Deer Alliance HCAP was formed in 2001 arising from a requirement on the part of Coillte Teoranta for a process of certification of all persons hunting wild deer on Coillte’s forest property portfolio throughout Ireland. Discussions in that year saw the identification of relevant stakeholders, the coming together of a range of interests and the development of a programme for the assessment and certification of hunter competence designed to meet Coillte’s immediate needs, based on best-practice models studied across Europe, and outside Europe.

1.2: The Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) was launched in April 2005 following four years of careful development which included the production of a Stalker Training Manual.

1.3: Since HCAP’s introduction in 2005, some 1200 licensed deer hunters have undertaken the Programme on a voluntary basis and at the time of writing approximately 1000 candidates have been HCAP-Certified.

1.4: At the time of writing, a revised Training Syllabus is under consideration by the Deer Alliance Assessment Committee, with a view to introduction early in 2012. The revised Training Syllabus will comprise a set number of hours training and preparation, to include a new Food Safety Module under development in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

2: DEER ALLIANCE POLICY ON ASSESSMENT, CERTIFICATION AND THE ISSUE OF DEER HUNTING LICENCES.

2.1: It is the policy of Deer Alliance HCAP that HCAP certification (or equivalent) should be a prerequisite for all holders of or applicants for any licence to hunt wild deer in Ireland.

2.2: Deer Alliance HCAP has actively promoted this policy to the National Parks & Wildlife Service and to successive Ministers since inception in 2005 and is committed to achieving this objective within the lifetime of the current Government. Deer Alliance HCAP is optimistic that this objective will finally be achieved within this stated time frame.

3: DEER ALLIANCE HCAP PARTICIPATION IN FORMULATION OF DEER MANAGEMENT POLICY

3.1: It follows from Point 2.1 and 2.2 above that as and when a requirement for mandatory certification is adopted by NPWS, the framework within which a majority of deer hunters operate will change radically. At the time of writing, approximately one in four licensed deer hunters are HCAP-Certified, and have undergone some level of training and a measurable level of assessment as to competency. A further substantial number of licensed hunters, totalling 3000 or more, will need to become HCAP-Certified over a lead-in period expected to take three to five years e.g. all new licence applicants to be certified before grant of licence, and all existing licence holders to become HCAP-Certified with a three to five year period (to be decided).

3.2: Clearly, the adoption of mandatory assessment and certification has profound implications for practical management of wild deer. It is the licensed deer hunter who will in the final analysis be responsible for practical implementation of policy, which to be successful in terms of implementation must include the humane and efficient culling of deer in order to achieve policy objectives as identified in the Draft Deer Management Policy Vision document.

3.3: Deer Alliance HCAP therefore formally proposes that mandatory assessment and certification based on the HCAP model be included as an essential part of any final policy for the management of wild deer.

3.4: Deer Alliance HCAP confirms its wish and intention to remain fully involved in and committed to the development of a national policy on the management of wild deer, including but not limited to the adoption and inclusion of mandatory assessment and certification as an essential element in wild deer management.

Submitted on behalf of Deer Alliance HCAP, 23 November 2011.

All intending HCAP Candidates are advised that all communication regarding eligibility for participation in the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme, announcement of results of HCAP MCQs and confirmation of Certification following completion of the Programme, is through the Deer Alliance website and the associated blog (www.deeralliance.blogspot.com).

The names of all candidates for upcoming MCQs are published on the blog. The numbers only (no names) of candidates, giving results of each successive MCQ, are published on the blog, giving pass/fail mark. The names and numbers of all candidates eligible for successive Range Tests are published on the blog prior to scheduled Range Tests. The names and numbers of successful candidates (“HCAP-certified candidates”) are published on the blog following each Range Test.

On initial participation in the Programme i.e. on sitting the HCAP MCQ, each candidate is required to sign an Attendance Form, which contains the following words:

“The results of this HCAP MCQ will be posted on the Deer Alliance blog (www.deeralliance.blogspot.com) approximately ten days after date of MCQ. Only Candidates’ individual HCAP number is posted, together with pass/fail mark. All successful Candidates’ names and numbers are posted on the blog following completion of the overall Programme i.e. after Range Test. By signing this Attendance Sheet, all Candidates confirm their authority to Deer Alliance HCAP to publish this information without breach of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003”.

Any candidate having a difficulty with this authority and indemnity in respect of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003 should notify their difficulty, in writing, to Deer Alliance HCAP in advance of participation in any HCAP MCQ.

THE HCAP APPLICATON FORM

The current HCAP Application Form requires the provision of certain information from intending candidates. This includes information regarding membership of participating bodies e.g. the relevant deer organisations, whether candidates are current Coillte Licensees or Nominated Stalkers, whether they carry shooting insurance and with which insurance provider, whether they currently possess a firearms certificate and if so, for a rifle of what calibre.

This information is used to prioritise candidates where an assessment module is over-subscribed and to assist in the general administration and further development of HCAP. The information is sought on a voluntary basis and is treated as confidential at all times. Its circulation is restricted to the secretarial function within Deer Alliance and is not published to any third parties. Individual data is not retained by Deer Alliance HCAP and is not subsequently available to any party.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has developed a Draft Policy Vision for Deer Management in Ireland. The Department now invites written submissions from interested parties and organisations in relation to this document, and deer management policy related issues in general.

In addition to written submissions, the Department also invites written expressions of interest from organisations and groups interested in participating in a future Policy Development Partnership that will assist with the further development of an agreed Deer Management Strategy for Ireland, in conjunction with the Departments concerned.

The following is a link to the Draft Policy Vision document:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestservicegeneralinformation/DeerManagementPolicyVisionSeptember2011.pdf

Written submissions and expressions of interest should be sent by email to dmpolicyvision@agriculture.gov.ie

or by post to:

Submission on Deer Management Policy Vision,
Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
Johnstown Castle Estate,
Wexford.

Submissions received will be made publicly available on the DAFF website.

The Closing date for receipt of submissions is Monday, November 28, 2011.

Food Chain Information Requirements under Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 of the Eurpoean Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 (laying down specific food hygiene rules for food of animal origin).

There appears to be a degree of misinformation and confusion amongst hunters and others as to what is required under the above Regulation (generally described as the “EU Food Hygiene Regulations”). The following extracts from the Regulation set out exactly what is required in relation to wild game meat (including large and small wild game).

It is important to note that Chapter 1, Article 1 (3) of the Regulation, dealing with the scope of the Regulation, provides as follows:

(3) This Regulation shall not apply in relation to:

(a) primary production for private domestic use;

(b) the domestic preparation, handling or storage of food for private

domestic consumption;

(c) the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of primary

products to the final consumer or to local retail establishments

directly supplying the final consumer;

(d) the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of meat

from poultry and lagomorphs slaughtered on the farm to the

final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying

such meat to the final consumer as fresh meat;



(e) hunters who supply small quantities of wild game or wild

game meat directly to the final consumer or to local retail

establishments directly supplying the final consumer (emphasis added).

(Extract)



SECTION IV: WILD GAME MEAT

CHAPTER I: TRAINING OF HUNTERS IN HEALTH AND HYGIENE

1. Persons who hunt wild game with a view to placing it on the market for human consumption must have sufficient knowledge of the pathology of wild game, and of the production and handling of wild game and wild game meat after hunting, to undertake an initial examination of wild game on the spot.

2. It is however enough if at least one person of a hunting team has the the knowledge referred to in point 1. References in this Section to a ‘trained person’ are references to that person.

3. The trained person could also be the gamekeeper or the game manager if he or she is part of the hunting team or located in the immediate vicinity of where hunting is taking place. In the latter case, the hunter must present the wild game to the gamekeeper or game manager and inform them of any abnormal behaviour observed before killing.

4. Training must be provided to the satisfaction of the competent authority to enable hunters to become trained persons. It should cover at least the following subjects:

(a) the normal anatomy, physiology and behaviour of wild game;

(b) abnormal behaviour and pathological changes in wild game due to diseases, environmental contamination or other factors which may affect human health after consumption;

(c) the hygiene rules and proper techniques for the handling, transportation, evisceration, etc. of wild game animals after killing; and

(d) legislation and administrative provisions on the animal and public health and hygiene conditions governing the placing on the market of wild game.

5. The competent authority should encourage hunters’ organisations to provide such training.

(Extract)

CHAPTER II: HANDLING OF LARGE WILD GAME

1. After killing, large wild game must have their stomachs and intestines removed as soon as possible and, if necessary, be bled.

2. 2. The trained person must carry out an examination of the body, and of any viscera removed, to identify any characteristics that may indicate that the meat presents a health risk. The examination must take place as soon as possible after killing.

3. Meat of large wild game may be placed on the market only if the body is transported to a game-handling establishment as soon as possible after the examination referred to in point 2. The viscera must accompany the body as specified in point 4. The viscera must be identifiable as belonging to a given animal.

4.

(a) If no abnormal characteristics are found during the examination referred to in point 2, no abnormal behaviour was observed before killing, and there is no suspicion of environmental contamination, the trained person must attach to the animal body a numbered declaration stating this. This declaration must also indicate the date, time and place of killing. In this case, the head and the viscera need not accompany the body, except in the case of species susceptible to Trichinosis (porcine animals, solipeds and others), whose head (except for tusks) and diaphragm must accompany the body. However, hunters must comply with any additional requirements imposedin the Member State where hunting takes place, in particular to permit the monitoring of certain residues and substances in accordance with Directive 96/23/EC;

(b) In other circumstances, the head (except for tusks, antlers and horns) and all the viscera except for the stomach and intestines must accompany the body. The trained person who carried out the examination must inform the competent authority of the abnormal characteristics, abnormal behaviour or suspicion of environmental contamination that prevented him or her from making a declaration in accordance with (a);

(c) If no trained person is available to carry out the examination referred to in point 2 in a particular case, the head (except for tusks, antlers and horns) and all the viscera except for the stomach and the intestines must accompany the body.

5. Chilling must begin within a reasonable period of time after killing and achieve a temperature throughout the meat of not more than 7 °C. Where climatic conditions so permit, active chilling is not necessary.

6. During transport to the game-handling establishment, heaping must be avoided.

7. Large wild game delivered to a game-handling establishment must be presented to the competent authority for inspection.

8. In addition, unskinned large wild game may be skinned and placed on the market only if:

(a) before skinning, it is stored and handled separately from other food and not frozen; and

(b) after skinning, it undergoes a final inspection in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 854/2004.

9. The rules laid down in Section I, Chapter V, apply to the cutting and boning of large wild game.