Deer Alliance HCAP has received numerous inquiries in recent days from licensed hunters who have not yet, as of today 31st August 2020, received their Deer Hunting Licence for the Season 2020-2021, which commences tomorrow 1st September 2020. This is despite the undertaking made by NPWS given subsequent to commencement of the Covid 10 lockdown, that applications received by 30th June 2020 would be issued before 1st September 2020.

The Wildlife Licensing Unit of NPWS are grappling with the difficulties generated by the lockdown and arising from limitations on resources needed to handle an ever-increasing volume of applications.

Deer Alliance HCAP has now called on the WLU to confirm that all valid DHLs for the Season 2019-2020 will be extended pending issue of licences for 2020-2021. This would be in line with precedent set for extensions of regulatory licences such as driving licences, NCTs and other regulatory controls. We have suggested that WLU and NPWS make an appropriate statement immediately so as to forestall any question of turning legal hunters into illegal hunters, by reason of the WLU’s inability to meet demand for processing of valid applications.

The following Candidates are deemed to be HCAP-Certified following successful completion of their HCAP Assessment after the Range Test held on 29th August 2020 (names, followed by HCAP Number).

Date of Certification: 29th August 2020.

BUCKLEY, Stephen, 2020/0050
FLEMING, Jake, 2020/0051
KELLY, Derek, 2020/0048
KELLY, Joe, 2020/0057
McMAHON, Brian, 2020/0052
MERRIGAN, Ian, 2020/0058
NASH, Thomas, 2020/0053
O’SULLIVAN, Chris, 2020/0024
PASCALE, Florin, 2020/0001
REDMOND, Patrick, 2020/0059
STACEY, Ciaran, 2020/0033
ST. LEGER, Anthony, 2020/0047

All Candidates in attendance were successful on this occasion and were presented with their HCAP Certificates, ID Cards and Badges at the conclusion of the Range Test. A high standard of marksmanship was evident from all candidates. Thanks go to HCAP Range Officer Pat Scully for his administration of the Range Test, also to Tony Saunders, John Paul Craven and all at Midland National Shooting Centre of Ireland for their usual very professional management of the Test on the Range.

Candidates who were No-Shows on this occasion will be carried forward to the next scheduled Range Test, except where they have missed two or more Range Tests, in which case they are automatically de-listed as eligible and can complete their HCAP only on payment of the standard HCAP Repeat Fee (€50.00)

HCAP RANGE TEST CANDIDATES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR FIREARM IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL, FIT FOR PURPOSE AND PROPERLY ZEROED FOR THE TASK IN HAND.

The Range Test for HCAP Candidates having successfully completed their MCQs on 22nd August 2020 and in some cases, on previous dates, will take place on Saturday 29th August 2020 at the Midland National Shooting Ground, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, commencing at 10.00 a.m. sharp. The list includes candidates eligible for the Range Test following qualification at previous MCQs but having deferred their Range Test on previous occasions. Such candidates are reminded that if having deferred two or more Range Tests, they miss the Range Test on 29th August 2020 they will be delisted as eligible and may complete their HCAP only by re-entering for the Range Test stage and paying a Repeat Fee of €50.00.

Candidates should be present from 9.30 a.m. in order to sign in and to exhibit their current Firearms Certificate and evidence of insurance. There will be one firing detail only on this occasion and prompt attendance is essential.

Procedures to be followed at each Range Test are posted separately

ELIGIBLE RANGE TEST CANDIDATES

BUCKLEY, Stephen
CANAVAN, Ian
EDGE, Robert
FLEMING, Jake
HUNT, William
KEAVENEY, Garry
KELLY, Derek
KELLY, Joe
McMAHON, Brian
MERRIGAN, Ian
NASH, Thomas
O’SULLIVAN, Chris
PASCALE, Florin
REDMOND, Patrick
SHANAHAN, Maurice
STACEY, Ciaran
ST. LEGER, Anthony
VENABLES, Aaron

All successful candidates will receive a Certificate of Competence, Deer Alliance HCAP ID Card and Deer Alliance HCAP Badge.

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in Carlow on Saturday 22nd August 2020 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range on Saturday 29th August 2020. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately shortly.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 22nd August 2020 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice (date to be announced here in due course)

2020/0050, 94%, Pass
2020/0055, 96%, Pass
2020/0051, 94%, Pass
2020/0049, 82%, Pass
2020/0054, 94%, Pass
2020/0048, 88%, Pass
2020/0057, 94%, Pass
2020/0052, 92%, Pass
2020/0058, 86%, Pass
2020/0053, 94%, Pass
2020/0024, 84%, Pass
2020/0001, 94%, Pass
2020/0059, 84%, Pass
2020/0033, 82%, Pass
2020/0047, 94%, Pass

Congratulations to all Candidates.

THE HCAP MCQ SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST WILL PROCEED AS PLANNED.

The next scheduled HCAP MCQ and RANGE TEST will take place on Saturday 22nd August 2020 (4.00 p.m., preceded by optional Training Workshop, 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.)

The venue for this MCQ  will be the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207. NOTE CHANGE FROM USUAL VENUE FOR THIS MCQ.

The supporting Range Test for successful candidates from the MCQ will take place on Saturday 29th August at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, commencing at 10.00 a.m.

The MCQ will be supported on 22nd August by an optional Training Workshop (add-on cost €50.00, payable on the day) running from 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 .pm. The MCQ will take place at 4.00 p.m., same day.

SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS MUST BE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES. CANDIDATES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH BARRIER MASKS (FACE MASKS) TO ENSURE ACCESS TO ALL AREAS OF THE VENUE.

The following candidates are eligible for this MCQ:

BUCKLEY, Stephen
CANAVAN, Ian
COOKE, Declan
DEDAJ, Kristian
FINN, Richard
FLAHERTY, James
FLEMING, Jake
HAMILL, Michael
HARVEY, Brendan
HEAVEY, Lisa
HENDERSON, Simon
HUNT, William
HUTCHINSON, Robert
KEAVENEY, Garry
KELLY, Derek
KELLY, Joe
KENDELLEN, Barry
LARKIN, Andrea
MANNINGHAM-BULLER, Edward
McMAHON, Brian
MERRIGAN, Ian
MURPHY, James
MURPHY, Paddy
MURPHY, Patrick
NASH, Thomas
O’CALLAGHAN, Michael
O’SULLIVAN, Chris
PASCALE, Florin
REDMOND, Patrick
ROONEY, Paul, 2020/0027
STACEY, Ciaran
ST. LEGER, Anthony
TICE, Patrick
WALKER, Ian

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS MCQ ARE NOW CLOSED.

ANY CANDIDATE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MCQ WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CARRIED FORWARD TO THE NEXT SCHEDULED DATE, WITHOUT PENALTY, EXCEPT WHERE THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY MISSED TWO OR MORE SCHEDULED DATES. HCAP FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

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The following Candidates are deemed to be HCAP-Certified following successful completion of their HCAP Assessment after the Range Test held on 25th July 2020 (names, followed by HCAP Number).

Date of Certification: 25th July 2020.

ACATINCA, Vasilica, 2019/0081
AMARANDEI, Vasile, 2020/0045
ANDERSON, Jon, 2020/0037
BURKE, David, 2020/0011
CEBOTARI, Ion, 2020/0034
COLE, David, 2020/0032***
CREAMER, Ronan, 2019/0083
DOHERTY, Martin, 2020/0028
DORAN, Mark, 2019/0074
DUNPHY, Garreth, 2020/0006
DWYER, Michael, 2020/0029
FLYNN, Cathal, 2020/0014
GUZUN, Grigore, 2020/0041
HARMON, James, 2020/0010
IVANOFF, Eftim, 2018/0050
JASKIEWICZ, Roman, 2020/0046
KENNY, Seán, 2020/0002
KIRWAN, Robert, 2020/0019
LABECKIS, Vitalijs, 2020/0043
LANE, Billy, 2020/0042
McCARTHY, Dylan, 2020/0003
McCARTHY, Seán, 2020/0004
MAY, Sean, 2020/0015
MURRAY, Ralph, 2020/0035
O’CONNELL, Gary, 2020/0022
O’CONNOR, Tony, 2020/0031
O’ROURKE, Kenneth, 2020/0030
O’TOOLE, Niall, 2019/0008
PODLASEK, Szymon, 2020/0023
PHELAN, Thomas, 2020/0036
PRICE, Warren, 2020/0026
REID, Graeme, 2020/0009
SIEDLEC, Adrian, 2020/0044
WALSH, Maurice, 2020/0005
WAWRZYNIAK, Dawid, 2020/0025
WHELAN, Andrew, 2020/0017

All Candidates in attendance were successful on this occasion and were presented with their HCAP Certificates, ID Cards and Badges at the conclusion of the Range Test. A high standard of marksmanship was evident from all candidates. Thanks go to HCAP Range Officers Liam McGarry and Pat Scully for their administration of the Range Test, also to Tony Saunders, John Paul Craven and all at Midland National Shooting Centre of Ireland for their usual very professional management of the Test on the Range.

Candidates who were No-Shows on this occasion will be carried forward to the next scheduled Range Test, except where they have missed two or more Range Tests, in which cases they are automatically de-listed as eligible and can complete their HCAP only on payment of the standard HCAP Repeat Fee.

HCAP CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE

HCAP MEMBERSHIP BADGE AND ID CARD

All Candidates taking part in the Deer Alliance HCAP Range Test on Saturday 25th July 2020 should follow current guidelines for social distancing and to maintain a minimum distance of two metres from other candidates at all times but especially at the pre-test registration process. Sanitation stations are in place and candidates are encouraged to use them. Tea and coffee facilities are suspended due to Covid 19 precautions and candidates should bring their own refreshments as required. While masks are not mandatory outdoors they should be worn at registration and when receiving Certificates of Competency after completing the Range Test.

Remember to bring firearms certificate and evidence of identity and insurance.

Good luck to all candidates.

LOCATION OF MIDLAND RANGE (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

EIRCODE R35 NC58

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 identity, 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 usually has up to 20 positions (up to 20 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) 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 nine shots in the heart/lung area of a life-size deer target (three shots prone or sitting at 100 metres, three shots sitting or kneeling at sixty metres and three 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
i) Repeats on the day of the Range Test are entirely at the discretion of the designated HCAP Range Officials and may be subject to a Repeat Fee of €25.00
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.

HCAP RANGE TEST CANDIDATES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR FIREARM IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL, FIT FOR PURPOSE AND PROPERLY ZEROED FOR THE TASK IN HAND.

The Range Test for HCAP Candidates having successfully completed their MCQs on 11th July 2020 and in some cases, on previous dates, will take place on Saturday 25th July 2020 at the Midland National Shooting Ground, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, commencing at 10.00 a.m. sharp. The list includes candidates eligible for the Range Test following qualification at previous MCQs but having deferred their Range Test on previous occasions. Such candidates are reminded that if having deferred two or more Range Tests, they miss the Range Test on 25th July 2020 they will be delisted as eligible and may complete their HCAP only by re-entering for the Range Test stage and paying a Repeat Fee of €50.00.

Candidates should be present from 9.30 a.m. in order to sign in and to exhibit their current Firearms Certificate and evidence of insurance. Candidates are listed alphabetically and will shoot in firing details of multiple shooters (usually fifteen to twenty shooters in each detail).

Procedures to be followed at each Range Test are posted separately.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

ACATINCA, Vasilica
AMARANDEI, Vasile
ANDERSON, Jon
BURKE, David
CEBOTARI, Ion
COLE, David
CREAMER, Ronan
DOHERTY, Martin
DORAN, Mark
DUNPHY, Garreth
DWYER, Michael
EDGE, Robert
FLYNN, Cathal
GUZUN, Grigore
HARMON, James
IVANOFF, Eftim
JASKIEWICZ, Roman
KENNY, Seán
KIRWAN, Robert
LABECKIS, Vitalijs
LANE, Billy
McCARTHY, Dylan
McCARTHY, Seán
MAY, Sean
MURRAY, Ralph
O’CONNELL, Gary
O’CONNOR, Tony
O’ROURKE, Kenneth
O’TOOLE, Niall
PODLASEK, Szymon
PHELAN, Thomas
PRICE, Warren
REID, Graeme
SHANAHAN, Maurice
SIEDLEC, Adrian
VENABLES, Aaron
WALSH, Maurice
WAWRZYNIAK, Dawid
WHELAN, Andrew

All successful candidates will receive a Certificate of Competence, Deer Alliance HCAP ID Card and Deer Alliance HCAP Badge.

HEADS DOWN FOR HCAP CANDIDATES, MCQ SATURDAY 11th JULY 2020

(Click to enlarge)

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, on Saturday 11th July 2020 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range on Saturday 25th July 2020. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately in due course.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 11th July 2020 will be carried forward to the first scheduled MCQ in 2020, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice (date to be announced here when finalised).

2019/0081, 84%, Pass
2020/0045, 92%, Pass
2020/0037, 88%, Pass
2020/0011, 94%, Pass
2020/0034, 84%, Pass
2020/0032, 98%, Pass
2019/0083, 94%, Pass
2020/0028, 96%, Pass
2020/0006, 92%, Pass
2020/0029, 88%, Pass
2018/0104, 94%, Pass
2020/0014, 86%, Pass
2020/0041, 84%, Pass
2020/0010, 98%, Pass
2020/0046, 96%, Pass
2020/0002, 100%, Pass
2020/0019, 90%, Pass
2020/0043, 94%, Pass
2020/0042, 92%, Pass
2020/0003, 94%, Pass
2020/0004, 92%, Pass
2020/0015, 94%, Pass
2020/0035, 94%, Pass
2020/0022, 92%, Pass
2020/003, 94%, Pass
2020/0030, 92%, Pass
2020/0023, 100%, Pass
2020/0036, 90%, Pass
2020/0026, 98%, Pass
2020/0009, 80%, Pass
2020/0044, 96%, Pass
2020/0005, 94%, Pass
2020/0025, 100%, Pass
2020/0017, 98%, Pass

The following candidates (HCAP number, followed by mark achieved) were unsuccessful and are required to re-sit the MCQ stage before proceeding to any Range Test. The application fee for Repeat Candidates is €50.00. “Fail” grades may be appealed to the HCAP Assessment Committee, subject to written application accompanied by re-checking fee, €50.00. Where written application for re-checking is received, it is reviewed by the Committee at the next scheduled Committee meeting following receipt of application. Applications for re-checking must be received within 10 (ten) days of publication of results on this blog.

2020/0008, 66%, Fail
2019/0063, 76%, Fail
2020/0013, 72%, Fail
2020/0001, 68%, Fail
2020/0007, 68%, Fail
2020/0033, 58%, Fail