National Parks & Wildlife Service have confirmed the introduction of mandatory training, assessment and certification (HCAP) for first-time applicants for a Deer Hunting Licence (DHL) with effect from 2021. This follows a fifteen-year campaign by Deer Alliance HCAP and we welcome this statement from NPWS.

Date Released: Friday, March 13, 2020

Mandatory training and certification for first time applicants for deer hunting licenses is being introduced.

Under the Wildlife Acts, annual licences are required to hunt deer during the Open Season which is the period during which deer can be legally shot. The Open Season for deer operates generally from 1 September to 28 February of the following year, depending on the species and gender of deer. About 5,500 deer hunting licences are issued each year of which in the region of 1,000 are first time applicants. For the 2021/22 deer hunting season which starts on 1 September 2021 it will be a requirement for first time applicants to have the necessary training and certification.

The Department will put in place an appropriate oversight regime to ensure that the training and certification are delivered to an appropriate standard.

See the NPWS statement here.

The syllabus for training, assessment and certification follows the HCAP Model and can be accessed here.

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In light of the escalation of concerns surrounding spread of the Covid 19 virus as at today, 17th March 2020, Deer Alliance HCAP unfortunately feels it is wisest and most prudent to postpone the HCAP MCQ scheduled for Saturday 21st March 2020. All Candidates are hereby advised of this decision. Every effort will be made to communicate with each candidate individually by text or email here available.

This decision is taken with regret for any inconvenience and only after consultation with the public health authorities and State agencies setting the parameters for avoidance of infection across the community generally, as well as with a cross-section of candidates.
An alternative date will be fixed as soon as things settle down and updates will be posted here as soon as possible.

Deer Alliance greatly regrets any inconvenience to candidates who have made arrangements to travel or to take time off work to participate in the Training Workshop and/or MCQ. However, concerns are such as to demand that caution be exercised and that public health interests, and protection against infection for all parties involved, take precedence over anything else.

We trust candidates will bear with us until such time as the situation improves and things get back to normal.

All candidates listed below remain eligible to participate in the next scheduled MCQ,

ACATINCA, Vasilica, 2019/81
BURKE, David, 2020/0011
CREAMER, Ronan, 2019/0081
DEDAJ, Kristian, 2019/0078
DUNPHY, Garreth, 2020/0006
EDGE, Robert, 2018/0104
FINN, Richard, 2019/0082
FLAHERTY, James, 2018/0051
FLYNN, Cathal, 2020/0014
HAMILL, Michael/2020/0021
HARMON, James, 2020/0010
HARVEY, Brendan, 2020/0008
HEAVEY, Lisa, 2019/0080
HENDERSON, Simon, 2020/0020
HUNT, William, 2019/0063
HUTCHINSON, Robert, 2009/0108
KENDELLEN, Barry, 2020/0013
KENNY, Seán, 2020/0002
KIRWAN, Robert, 2020/0019
LARKIN, Andrea, 2020/0016
MacCARTHY, Dylan, 2020/0003
MacCARTHY, Seán, 2020/0004
MANNINGHAM-BULLER, Edward, 2020/0018
MAY, Sean, 2020/0015
O’CALLAGHAN, Michael, 2019/0079
O’CONNELL, Gary, 2020/0022
PASCALE, Florin, 2020/0001
REID, Graeme, 2020/0009
ROONEY, Paul, 2020/0007
TICE, Patrick, 2018/0007
WALSH, Maurice, 2020/0005
WHELAN, Andrew, 2020/0017

Amidst growing concern for the spread of the COVID19 virus, Deer Alliance HCAP have carefully considered the advisability of proceeding with the HCAP Training Workshop and MCQ taking place on Saturday 21st March 2020.

Given scheduling difficulties if the MCQ is postponed and a knock-on effect affecting other possible dates, it has ben decided that the Workshop and the MCQ will proceed as scheduled.
However, this decision will be reviewed over the coming seven days and if deemed appropriate, it will be reversed.

Meanwhile, all intending participants will attend at own risk. Any and all candidates experiencing any symptoms however slight, are urged to stay away. Any sign of influenza, a severe cold, coughing, sneezing, respiratory difficulties or muscular discomfort should be regarded very seriously, and self-isolation should be undertaken with immediate effect.

This notification will be updated as necessary and in any event, not later than Thursday 19th March.

ADDENDUM

Since posting the above notification, the Government has imposed a ban on indoor gatherings comprised of more than 100 attendees. On this basis, the MCQ will fit comfortably inside the upper limit and pending any further negative developments over the next few days, the MCQ will go ahead, as set out above.

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The following Candidates are eligible to participate in the HCAP MCQ taking place on Saturday 21st March 2020. The MCQ will start at 4.00 p.m. sharp (50 Multiple Choice Questions, Pass requirement 40 correct answers out of 50 questions, 50 minutes for written examination).

The MCQ will be preceded by an optional Training Workshop running from 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. covering all aspects of deer management including species recognition, habitat, habits & characteristics, herd structures, cull planning, fieldcraft, disease recognition, deer and the law, firearms legislation and related topics. The add-on cost of participation in the Training Workshop is €50.00 payable on the day. Pre-booking is necessary, by text to 086 1927 845 or by email to deeralliance@gmail.com.

The venue for the Training Workshop and MCQ is the Ionad Dara Centre, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

See previous posting for links to purchase of Stalker Training Manual and Best Practice Guides.

Application for HCAP can be made through the Online Applications section of the Deer Alliance website here

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

ACATINCA, Vasilica, 2019/81
BURKE, David, 2020/0011
CREAMER, Ronan, 2019/0081
DEDAJ, Kristian, 2019/0078
DUNPHY, Garreth, 2020/0006
EDGE, Robert, 2018/0104
FINN, Richard, 2019/0082
FLAHERTY, James, 2018/0051
FLYNN, Cathal, 2020/0014
HARMON, James, 2020/0010
HARVEY, Brendan, 2020/0008
HEAVEY, Lisa, 2019/0080
HUNT, William, 2019/0063
HUTCHINSON, Robert, 2009/0108
KENDELLEN, Barry, 2020/0013
KENNY, Seán, 2020/0002
LARKIN, Andrea, 2020/0016
MacCARTHY, Dylan, 2020/0003
MacCARTHY, Seán, 2020/0004
MANNINGHAM-BULLER, Edward, 2020/0018
MAY, Sean, 2020/0015
MOONEY, Paul, 2020/0007
O’CALLAGHAN, Michael, 2019/0079
O’CONNELL, Gary, 2020/0022
PASCALE, Florin, 2020/0001
REID, Graeme, 2020/0009
TICE, Patrick, 2018/0007
WALSH, Maurice, 2020/0005
WHELAN, Andrew, 2020/0017

This list will be updated as applications are received. The closing date for applications will be midnight on Wednesday 18th March 2020.

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The first in the 2020 Series of HCAP training workshops and assessments will take place on Saturday 21st March 2020, in the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. HCAP is a two-stage process, with success in the Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) examination on 21st March followed on Saturday 18th April 2020 by a Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Cost of HCAP is unchanged, at €165.00. Application can be made online, with payment through PayPal, or in hard copy, payment by cheque or postal order.

Purchase of the Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual is optional but highly recommended, cost €35.00, available through the Online Applications of the Deer Alliance website.

To apply for HCAP or to purchase the Stalker Training Manual, click here

Preparation for the MCQ is supported by optional Training Workshops held on the same day as the MCQ (Workshops 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., MCQ at 4.00 p.m.), add-on cost €50.00.

A series of informative Best Practice Guides can be accessed here

Tommy Sera, Tommy’s Outdoor Podcasts, has put together a useful two-part guide to HCAP, which can be accessed at the following links:

Part 1: HCAP MCQ

Part 2: HCAP Range Test

Information will be updated regularly here on the News & Updates section of the Deer Alliance website and Candidates should check in occasionally for updates on MCQs and Range Tests.

HCAP, the only course developed in partnership with Coillte, NPWS and other stakeholders, has been the gold standard in stalker training, assessment and certification since inception in 2003 and is now in its 17th year of operation, during which time approximately 3500 licensed hunters have participated in the programme.

The following Candidates are deemed to be HCAP-Certified following successful completion of their HCAP Assessment after the Range Test held on 14th September 2019 (names, followed by HCAP Number).

Date of Certification: 14th September 2019.

Agavriloaie, Sorin, 2019/0044
Bishti, Karl, 2019/0031
Bockariov, Pavel, 2019/0065
Boland, Brian, 2019/0064
Callanan, Ross, 2019/0076
Christy, Barry, 2019/0067
Cleere, Gavin, 2019/0077
Ferron, Thomas, 2019/0068
Fitzgerald, Edmund, 2019/0072
Forde, Seán, 2019/0060
Hurley, Eric, 2019/0062
Kennedy, Daniel, 2019/0073
Mackevicius, Arunas, 2018/0127
Magee, Rory, 2019/0043
Murray, Daniel, 2019/0071
Nolan, James, 2019/0070
O’Keeffe, Danny, 2018/0012
O’Keeffe, Robert, 2019/0058
Ó Maoilchiaráin, Paraic, 2019/0069
Robertson, Drew, 2019/0010
Rothwell, Ivan, 2019/075
Scholz, Felix, 2019/0059
Voitukovic, Edvard, 2019/0066
White, Conor, 2019/0057

All Candidates in attendance were successful on this occasion and were presented with their personal 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 Pat Scully and John Manley for their able 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.

This was the last HCAP Assessment and Range Test in the 2019 Series. The 2020 Calendar will be posted here when dates are fixed.

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.

The Range Test for HCAP Candidates having successfully completed their MCQs on 31st August 2019 and in some cases, on previous dates, will take place on Saturday 14th September 2019 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 14th September 2019 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

Agavriloaie, Sorin
Bishti, Karl
Bockariov, Pavel
Boland, Brian
Callanan, Ross
Christy, Barry
Cleere, Gavin
Doran, Mark
Ferron, Thomas
Fitzgerald, Edmund
Forde, Sean
Hurley, Eric
Ivanoff, Eftim
Kennedy, Daniel
Mackevicius, Arunas
Magee, Rory
Murray, Daniel
Nolan, James
O’Keeffe, Danny
O’Keeffe, Robert
O’Maoilchiarain, Paraic
O’Toole, Niall
Robertson, Drew
Rothwell, Ivan
Scholz, Felix
Shanahan, Maurice
Venables, Aaron
Voitukovic, Edvard
White, Conor

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, on Saturday 31st August 2019 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range on Saturday 14th September 2019. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately in due course.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 31st August 2019 will be carried forward to the first scheduled MCQ in 2020, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice. The schedule of dates for 2020 will be posted here in due course.

2019/0058, 96%, Pass
2019/0069, 96%, Pass
2019/075, 100%, Pass
2019/0059, 98%, Pass
2019/0044, 94%, Pass
2019/0031. 94%, Pass
2019/0065, 86%, Pass
2019/0064, 100%, Pass
2019/0076, 82%, Pass
2019/0067, 98%, Pass
2019/0060, 98%, Pass
2019/0062, 100%, Pass
2019/0073, 98%, Pass
2018/0127, 90%, Pass
2019/0043, 92%, Pass
2019/0071, 96%, Pass
2019/0070, 86%, Pass
2019/0066, 88%, Pass
2019/0057, 90%, Pass
2019/0077, 96%, Pass
2019/0074, 98%, Pass
2019/0068, 88%, Pass
2019/0072, 80%, 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.

2017/0175, 62%, Fail
2019/0061, 68%, Fail

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The next HCAP MCQ in the 2019 Series will take place on Saturday 31st August 2019 (3.30 p.m.) in the Ionad Dara Community Centre, Chapel Street, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny (eircode R95 D654). The Range Test for successful candidates from this MCQ will be held on Saturday 14th September 2019 (starting at 10.00 sharp). All Range Tests currently take place at the Midland National Shooting Ground, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Candidates unable to participate on 31st August 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.

ELIGABLE CANDIDATES

Agavriloaie, Sorin
Bishti, Karl
Bockariov, Pavel
Boland, Brian
Callanan, Ross
Christy, Barry
Cleere, Gavin
Delaney, Liam
Doran, Mark
Edge, Robert
Ferron, Thomas
Fitzgerald, Edmund
Flaherty, James
Forde, Sean
Hunt, William
Hurley, Eric
Hutchinson, Robert
Kennedy, Daniel
Mackevicius, Arunas
Magee, Stephen
McCann, Donal
Murray, Daniel
Nolan, James
O’Keeffe, Robert
O’Maoilchiarain, Paraic
Rothwell, Ivan
Scholz, Felix
Tice, Patrick
Voitukovic, Edvard
White, Conor

The 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, Forest 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.

The following Candidates are deemed to be HCAP-Certified following successful completion of their HCAP Assessment after the Range Test held on 13th July 2019 (names, followed by HCAP Number).

Date of Certification: 13th July 2019.

Bonnie, Lee, 2019/0052
Breen, Gary, 2019/0040
Casey, John, 2019/0024
Cichorczyk, Grzegorz, 2019/0051
Condren, Sean, 2019/0001
Cosgrove, Garry, 2019/0045
Daly, William, 2019/0038
Daniel, Robert, 2019/0056
Dobbs, David, 2019/0053
Engmann, Daken, 2019/0046
Gut, Robert, 2019/0055
Kerr, Victor, 2019/0036
Kirby, Colm, 2018/0124
McCormick, Davin, 2019/0049
McManus, Rory, 2017/0184
O’Brien, James, 2019/0048
O’Rourke, Darren, 2019/0054
Snell, Trevor, 2019/0047
Sroczynski, Zdzislaw, 2019/0050
Walsh, Gabriel (Snr.), 2019/0041
Walsh, Gabriel (Jnr.), 2019/0042
Webbon, Peter, 2019/0014
Winters, Michael, 2019/0039

All Candidates in attendance were successful on this occasion and were presented with their HCAP Certificates, ID Cards and Badges at the conclusion of their successful Range Test. A high standard of marksmanship was evident from all candidates. Thanks go to HCAP Range Officers Liam McGarry and John Manley for their able 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 in 2019, 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.