HCAP – THE GOLD STANDARD IN TRAINING, ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION FOR IRISH DEER HUNTERS
The next HCAP MCQ in the 2019 Series will take place on Saturday 22nd June 2019 (3.30 p.m.) in the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Chapel Street, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny (eircode R95 D654, GPS Coordinates DD latitude 52.63111, longitude -6.99472 or DMS N 52° 37′ 51.996” W 6° 59′ 40.992”). The Range Test for successful candidates from this MCQ will take place on Saturday 13th July 2019 at the Midland National Shooting Centre, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, commencing at 10.00 a.m.
Candidates unable to participate on 22nd June 2019 will be automatically carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ, the date of which will be fixed and notified here in due course, as soon as confirmed.
This MCQ will be supported by an optional Training Workshop, running from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on the same day as the MCQ (same venue). Bookings for the Workshop can be made by text message to 086 1927 845 or by email to deeralliance@gmail.com. Payment €50.00 is to be made on the day.
Although optional for candidates, it is recommended for all. The Workshop is broken down into a number of modules, covering species recognition, habits & habitat, practical deer management, deer & forestry, recognition of disease in wild shot deer, fieldcraft, safe use and security of firearms, the law concerning hunting of wild deer and best-practice procedures in all aspects of hunting deer in Ireland.
Candidates are expected to prepare fully for the MCQ. Thirty hours of self-study is recommended in order to prepare fully.
The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual is an optional purchase and can be purchased online through the Deer Alliance website, cost €35.00 including p. & p.
The Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) is the only training course, assessment and certification programme developed in partnership with Coillte Teoranta, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Garda Siochana, Irish Farmers’ Association and the different national deer organisations (including Irish Deer Society and the Wild Deer Association of Ireland). HCAP is mandatory for all licensed hunters hunting on Coillte forest property, and in line with a Ministerial undertaking to the Irish Deer Management Forum, will shortly be mandatory for all applicants for the annual Deer Hunting Licence (DHL), including persons hunting on private land. HCAP is the gold standard in training and assessment and the standard by which other courses are judged.
SUCCESSFUL HCAP CANDIDATES RECEIVE CERTIFICATE, ID CARD & HCAP BADGE
