ROSE GIBBONS, FROM DONEGAL, COMPLETED HER HCAP CERTIFICATION ON 28th OCTOBER 2023 AT THE MIDLAND RANGE

The candidates listed below all completed their two-stage Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme with their Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore on Saturday 28th October 2023. Thanks, as always, go to the Midland Range management and personnel, including Tony Saunders and J. P. Craven, and to Deer Alliance Range Officers Liam McGarry and Pat Scully. Successful candidates received their HCAP Certificates and badges from HCAP Course Director, Liam M. Nolan.

NEW HCAP-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES, DATE OF CERTIFICATION 28th OCTOBER 2023:

BREHENY, Colin, 2023/0107
BRUCE, Nick, 2023/0104
BYRNE, Ciaran, 2023/0083
CALLAGHAN, David, 2023/0128
CLAVIN, Anthony, 2023/0123
CURTIN, Mark, 2023/0103
DALY, Dylan, 2023/0067
DONNELLY, James, 2023/0116
EGAN, Michael, 2023/0118
FOOT, Adam, 2023/0109
GIBBONS, Rose, 2023/0120
GILLESPIE, David, 2023/0088
KEHOE, Michael, 2023/0121
KELLY, Colin, 2023/0110
MAGUIRE, Conor, 2023/0044
MASON, Ian, 2023/0113
McEVOY, Ian, 2023/0111
MURPHY, Alex, 2023/0124
MURRAY, Noel, 2023/0117
POCIUS, Raimundas, 2023/0106
QUINN, Anthony, 2023/0127
RAFFERTY, Colm, 2023/0122
SHANAB, Mohammed, 2023/0125
STALENIS, Donatas, 2023/0105
TROY, Brian, 2023/0112
WALSH, Wayne, 2023/0108

The list of successful candidates included 16 members of IFA Countryside, who benefited from a 40% subsidy of the ordinary HCAP fee, courtesy of IFA Farm Business Skillnet.

Successful candidates are enrolled as members of the Association of HCAP-Certified Hunters except where they have opted out of membership.

This was the last in the 2023 Series of HCAP Assessments. No further Assessments (Training Workshops, MCQs or Range Tests) will be held this calendar year. The 2024 programme of events will be posted here early in the New Year.

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.

ANTHONY QUINN AND MARK CURTIN

Colm Rafferty, Nick Bruce and Ian Mason

IAN McEVOY AND ADAM FOOT

ALEX MURPHY

BRIAN TROY

COLIN KELLY AND MICHAEL KEHOE

DAVID CALLAGHAN

MICHAEL EGAN

Ciaran Byrne and Mohammed Shanab

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES

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 28th October 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. 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).

At Stage 1 (grouping stage), candidates are required to place three rounds in a four-inch group, with a four-inch black aiming point on a six-inch white circle, in the prone position, rested.

At Stage 2 (deer target), candidates are required to place nine rounds within the heart & lung area on the life-size sika hind target – three rounds prone rested at 100 metres, three rounds sitting/kneeling at 60 metres and three rounds standing. All legitimate stalking aids are permitted. Sound moderators may be used provided they are factory-threaded.

Candidates wishing to avail of Club rifles should contact Tony Saunders at MRC directly, tel. 087 097 7589, in advance of the Range Test.

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 RANGE TEST CANDIDATES

BRADBURY, Ross
BREHENY, Colin
BRUCE, Nick
BULBUC, Julian
BYRNE, Ciaran
CALLAGHAN, David
CLAVIN, Anthony
CURTIN, Mark
DALY, Dylan
DEEGAN, Paul
DONNELLY, James
EGAN, Michael
FOOT, Adam
FRANEY, Dillon
FURLONG, Conor
GIBBONS, Rose
GILLESPIE, David
HENNESSY, Liam
KEHOE, Michael
KELLY, Colin
MAGUIRE, Conor
MASON, Ian
McEVOY, Ian
MURPHY, Alex
MURRAY, Noel
POCIUS, Raimundas
POWER, Gavin
QUINN, Anthony
RAFFERTY, Colm
SHANAB, Mohammed
STALENIS, Donatas
TROY, Brian
WALSH, Wayne

The above list includes candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at previous Range Tests in 2023. For such candidates, failure to attend on 28th October 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

A fine West of Ireland Red Deer Stag photographed in mid-October 2023, with the rut in full swing.

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on Saturday 14th October 2023 and are eligible to participate in the HCAP Range Test to be held at the Midlands Range, Blue Ball,Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday 28th October 2023. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately in due course.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 14th October 2023 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ in 2024, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice.

2023/0124, 94%, Pass
2023/0117, 92%, Pass
2023/0106, 88%, Pass
2023/0127, 80%, Pass
2023/0122, 90%, Pass
2023/0125, 84%, Pass
2023/0105, 94%, Pass
2023/0112, 82%, Pass
2023/0108, 88%, Pass
2023/0107, 86%, Pass
2023/0104, 90%, Pass
2023/0083, 84%, Pass
2023/0128, 80%, Pass
2023/0123, 80%, Pass
2023/0103, 88%, Pass
2023/0116, 90%, Pass
2023/0118, 88%, Pass
2023/0129, 82%, Pass
2023/0121, 90%, Pass
2023/0110, 90%, Pass
2023/0113, 82%, Pass
2023/0111, 84%, Pass
2023/0109, 84%, Pass
2023/0119, 92%, Pass
2023/0126, 80%, Pass
2023/0120, 86%, Pass

The following candidate (HCAP number, followed by mark achieved) was unsuccessful and is 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.

2023/0114, 72%, Fail

Candidate 2023/0102 failed to hand in his completed MCQ paper and, subject to appeal, is deemed to have failed.

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).

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS EVENT WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY 9th OCTOBER 2023

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

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

ABDELMONIEM, Ayman
BREHENY, Colin
BRUCE, Nick
BYRNE, Ciaran
CALLAGHAN, David
CLAVIN, Anthony
CURTIN, Mark
DONNELLY, James
EGAN, Michael
FLYNN, Declan
FOOT, Adam
FRANEY, Dillon
FURLONG, Conor
GIBBONS, Rose
HENNESSY, Liam
KANE, Patrick
KEHOE, Michael
KELLY, Colin
KELLY, Robert
LYDON, Kevin
MASON, Ian
McEVOY, Ian
MURPHY, Alex
MURRAY, Noel
O’BRIEN, Jason
O’LEARY, Anthony
O’SULLIVAN, Joseph
POCIUS, Raimundas
QUINN, Anthony
RAFFERTY, Colm
SAVAGE, Sean
SHANAB, Mohammed
STALENIS, Donatas
TROY, Brian
WALSH, Wayne

Candidates are reminded that once processed, application fees are non-refundable.

This list will be updated as applications are received. Latest update, 14.10.2023

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