Mid-March to mid-April is the optimum time to carry out a census of woodland deer. There is no shooting disturbance, family units are still intact, male deer have usually not removed themselves from the herd for the period of antler growth, and undergrowth is still low.
The next event in the 2023 Series of Deer Alliance HCAP Workshops, MCQs and Range Tests will take place on Saturday 6th May 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 13th May 2023 at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58.
Applications are now open for this HCAP event , the second 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 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. Current members of IFA Countryside will have received an email update from IFA Countryside in recent days, new and intending members should call 1800 236 236 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 enters 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 (name and HCAP Number):
ANDZELIS, Erikas, 2023/0045
BOLAND, Peter, 2023/0007
CLESHAM, Thomas, 2023/0054
DARCY, John Joe, 2023/0055
FLYNN, Declan, 2022/0113
KEANE, John, 2023/0032
LACEY, Declan, 2023/0063
MALONE, Tony, 2023/0021
MARIN VARGAS, Manuel, 2023/0046
MAY, Eoghan, 2023/0053
MAXWELL, David, 2022/140
McALEER, Dan, 2023/0061
MOLONEY, Michael, 2023/0058
O’BRIEN, Jason, 2022/0098
O’LEARY, Anthony, 2023/0049
PERCIUN, Sergiu, 2023/0060
RIZIJS, Kristaps, 2023/0059
SAVAGE, Sean, 2023/0056
SIČ, Tomislav, 2023/0057
SPAKAUSKAS, Laurynas, 2022/0138
STRAHAN, Graham, 2023/0064
STUART, Martin, 2023/0051
STUART, Peter, 2023/0052
THOMAS, Alan, 2023/0062
THOMSEN, Birthe, 2022/0088
VADANUIC, Mihail, 2023/0047
WHELAN CURTIN, William, 2023/0050
Candidate should make a permanent note of their HCAP Number for future reference.
This list will be updated as applications are received. Last Update 18.4.2023
