The rut for our species of wild deer in Ireland (red, sika and fallow) generally runs from late September to late October, when stags will forego their normal patterns of behaviour to seek out hinds and does where and when they can. The roar of the red, the whistle of the sika and the grunt of the fallow can be heard on mountain and in forest as the males challenge one another and establish their right to breed.

The next and final event in the 2023 Series of Deer Alliance HCAP Workshops, MCQs and Range Tests will take place on Saturday 14th October 2023, at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207 (10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.). The supporting Range Test will be held on Saturday 28th October 2023 at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58.

Applications are now open for this HCAP event, the last in the 2023 Series. Application can be made online through the Deer Alliance website, www.deeralliance.ie, with payment through PayPal, using any valid debit card or credit card. Application can also be made in hard copy, by post, to the address shown on the current downloadable application form.

The cost of HCAP (Training Workshop, MCQ, Range Test and Certification) is unchanged and remains at €165.00.

In preparation for HCAP, candidates are recommended to study the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual thoroughly in advance. The Manual is available for purchase through the Online Applications section of the website, costing €35.00 inc. p. & p.

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.

Certification is now mandatory for all first-time applicants for a Deer Hunting Licence. HCAP is the only training programme in Ireland developed in partnership with Coillte Teoranta, National Parks & Wildlife Service, An Garda Síochána and all principal deer organisations. HCAP entered its twentieth year of operation in 2023 and to date approximately 3600 licensed deer hunters have participated in the programme. Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by ‘phone to 086 1927 845 (office hours).

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

The following candidates are eligible to participate in this Training Workshop & MCQ:

ABDELMONIEM, Ayman, 2023/0096
BREHENY, Colin, 2023/0107
BRUCE, Nick, 2023/0104
BYRNE, Ciaran, 2023/0083
CURTIN, Mark, 2023/0103
FLYNN, Declan, 2022/0113
FOOT, Adam, 2023/0109
KANE, Patrick, 2023/0091
KELLY, Colin, 2023/0110
KELLY, Robert, 2023/0087
LYDON, Kevin, 2023/0114
MASON, Ian, 2023/0113
McEVOY, Ian, 2023/0111
O’BRIEN, Jason, 2022/0098
O’LEARY, Anthony, 2023/0049
O’SULLIVAN, Joseph, 2023/0102
POCIUS, Raimundas, 2023/0106
SAVAGE, Sean, 2023/0056
STALENIS, Donatas, 2023/00105
TROY, Brian, 2023/0112
WALSH, Wayne, 2023/0108

This list will be updated as applications are received. Latest update, 27.9.2023

Coillte Licencees and Permit Holders are reminded that it is a term of every licence that warning signs are posted at every forest entrance before hunting, and removed at the end of the hunting period.

Warning signs can be purchased online HERE

The 2023-2024 Open Hunting Season for male deer opens on 1st September and closes on 31st December. Changes to the Open Season (male and female deer) are currently under consideration but not yet finalised.

The candidates listed below all completed their Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme with their Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore on Saturday 26th August 2023. Thanks, as always, go to the Midland Range management and personnel, including J. P. Craven and Tony Saunders, and to Deer Alliance Range Officers Pat Scully and Liam McGarry. Successful candidates received their HCAP Certificates, ID cards and badges from Liam McGarry on behalf of Liam Nolan, Deer Alliance HCAP Course Director.

NEW HCAP-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES, DATE OF CERTIFICATION 26th AUGUST 2023

CASE, Neville, 2023/0092
COX, Brett Fitzgerald, 2023/0082
DALE, Cian, 2023/0081
DEMPSEY, James, 2023/0085
DICKER, Johnny, 2023/0094
EARLE, William, 2023/0099
ENNIS, Dylan, 2023/0100
FOOTE, Peter, 2023/0077
HEAVEY, Desmond, 2023/0098
HENRY, Robert, 2023/0097
LANCASTER, Samuel, 2023/0084
McCARTHY, Sean, 2023/0089
McGRATH-DALY, T. J., 2023/0072
MURPHY, James, 2023/0090
O’MALLEY, Frank, 2023/0095
O’TOOLE, Patrick, 2022/0096
RUST, J. P., 2023/0093
STUART, Charles, 2023/0086
WHELAN CURTIN, William, 2023/0050

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. HCAP assessments are not normally held during the Open Hunting Season but an event may be organised in October 2023, subject to demand, in which case details will be announced on the News & Updates section of the website, once confirmed.

The Open Season for male deer commences on 1st September and runs to 31st December each year. Red deer are fully protected in Co. Kerry and may not be shot except under special Ministerial licence. Possible changes to the Open Seasons Order (all species and both sexes) are under consideration and will be notified here in the case of any change. 

The following candidates are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test taking place at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 26th August 2023.

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).

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 CANDIDATES

BRADBURY, Ross
BULBUC, Julian
CASE, Neville
COX, Brett Fitzgerald
DALE, Cian
DALY, Dylan
DEEGAN, Paul
DEMPSEY, James
DICKER, Johnny
EARLE, William
ENNIS, Dylan
FOOTE, Peter
GILLESPIE, David
HEAVEY, Desmond
HENRY, Robert
LANCASTER, Samuel
MAGUIRE, Conor
McCARTHY, Sean
McGRATH-DALY, T. J.
MURPHY, James
O’MALLEY, Frank
O’TOOLE, Patrick
POWER, Gavin
RUST, J. P.
STUART, Charles
WHELAN CURTIN, William

The above list includes candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at previous Range Tests in 2023. For such candidates, failure to attend on 26th August 2023 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 12th August 2023 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 26th August 2023. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 12th August 2023 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice, in which case they will now be de-listed as eligible and must re-enter the HCAP process as Repeat Candidates if they wish to complete their HCAP Certification

2023/0092, 98%, Pass
2023/0082, 92%, Pass
2023/0067, 84%, Pass
2023/0085, 98%, Pass
2023/0094, 94%, Pass
2023/0099, 96%, Pass
2023/0100, 80%, Pass
2023/0088, 94%, Pass
2023/0098, 80%, Pass
2023/0097, 80%, Pass
2023/0084, 94%, Pass
2023/0089, 90%, Pass
2023/0090, 86%, Pass
2023/0095, 94%, Pass
2022/0096, 88%, Pass
2023/0093, 98%, Pass
2023/0086, 96%, Pass

All Candidates were successful on this occasion.

Sika stags in winter coat.

The Irish Deer Society have launched an online survey into the workings of HAMS (Coillte’s Hunting Area Management System) in order to determine the effect it may had on deer control on Coillte forest property in the 2022/2023 hunting season. All users of HAMS are encouraged to participate in the survey so that a representative picture can be built for the benefit of all users.

To complete the survey, click HERE.

Sika calf. Most calves art born from early June to mid/late July, with fallow calves born a short while later than sika or reds. Calves found in the wild should be left undisturbed, they have very seldom, if ever, been abandoned. The mother deer leaves the very young calf alone for a lot of the day, returning periodically to feed and nourish the calf.

The next event in the 2023 Series of Deer Alliance HCAP Workshops, MCQs and Range Tests will take place on Saturday 12th August 2023, at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207 (10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.). The supporting Range Test will be held on Saturday 26th August 2023 at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58.

Applications are now open for this HCAP event, the third in the 2023 Series. Application can be made online through the Deer Alliance website, www.deeralliance.ie, with payment through PayPal, using any valid debit card or credit card. Application can also be made in hard copy, by post, to the address shown on the current downloadable application form.

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS EVENT ARE NOW CLOSED

The cost of HCAP (Training Workshop, MCQ, Range Test and Certification) is unchanged and remains at €165.00.

In preparation for HCAP, candidates are recommended to study the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual thoroughly in advance. The Manual is available for purchase through the Online Applications section of the website, costing €35.00 inc. p. & p.

Members of IFA Countryside can avail of a 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.

Certification is now mandatory for all first-time applicants for a Deer Hunting Licence. HCAP is the only training programme in Ireland developed in partnership with Coillte Teoranta, National Parks & Wildlife Service, An Garda Síochána and all principal deer organisations. HCAP entered its twentieth year of operation in 2023 and to date approximately 3600 licensed deer hunters have participated in the programme. Enquiries by email to deeralliance@gmail.com or by ‘phone to 086 1927 845 (office hours).

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

The following candidates are eligible to participate in this Training Workshop & MCQ:

ABDELMONIEM, Ayman
BYRNE, Ciaran
CASE, Neville
CLIFFORD, Alan
COX, Brett Fitzgerald
DEMPSEY, James
DICKER, Johnny
FLYNN, Declan
GILLESPIE, David
HEAVEY, Desmond
HENRY, Robert
KANE, Patrick
KELLY, Robert
LANCASTER, Samuel
McCARTHY, Sean
MURPHY, James
O’BRIEN, Jason
O’LEARY, Anthony
O’MALLEY, Frank
O’TOOLE, Patrick
RUST, J. P.
SAVAGE, Sean
STUART, Charles

The candidates listed below all completed their Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme with their Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore on Saturday 8th July 2023. Thanks go to the Midland Range management and personnel, including J. P. Craven and Tony Saunders, and to Deer Alliance Range Officers Pat Scully and Liam McGarry. Successful candidates received their HCAP Certificates, ID cards and badges from Liam Nolan, Deer Alliance HCAP Course Director.

NEW HCAP-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES, DATE OF CERTIFICATION 8th JULY 2023

ALCORN, Gareth, 2023/0076
BYRNE, Brendan, 2023/0023
BYRNE, Keith, 2023/0079
KAVANAGH, David, 2023/0069
KAVANAGH, Michael, 2023/0070
KELLY, Dominic, 2023/0073
KERRY, Naomi, 2023/0080
LENEHAN, Adrian, 2023/0074
SMYTH, George, 2023/0078
SPAKAUSKAS, Laurynas, 2022/0138
WOODLOCK, John, 2023/0071

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. The Next HCAP event in the 2023 Series will be on Saturday 12th August 2023 (Training Workshop & MCQ) and Saturday 26th August 2023 (Range Test).

THE NEXT HCAP ASSESSMENT IN THE 2023 SERIES WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY 12th AUGUST 2023 (TRAINING WORKSHOP & MCQ) FOLLOWED BY THE ASSOCIATED RANGE TEST ON SATURDAY 26th AUGUST 2023. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN AND CAN BE MADE ONLINE.

The following candidates are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test taking place at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 8th JULY 2023. 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 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).

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.

ALCORN, Gareth
BRADBURY, Ross
BULBUC, Julian
BYRNE, Brendan
BYRNE, Keith
DALE, Cian
DEEGAN, Paul
FOOTE, Peter
KAVANAGH, David
KAVANAGH, Michael
KELLY, Dominic
KERRY, Naomi
LENEHAN. Adrian
MAGUIRE, Conor
McGRATH-DALY, T. J.
POWER, Gavin
SMYTH, George
SPAKAUSKAS, Laurynas
WHELAN CURTIN, William
WOODLOCK, John