The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on Saturday 4th March 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 18th March 2023. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 4th March 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 are now de-listed as eligible and must re-enter the HCAP process as Repeat Candidates if they wish to complete their HCAP Certification

2023/0006, 88%, Pass
2023/0030, 94%, Pass
2023/0043, 96%, Pass
2023/0009, 86%, Pass
2023/0042, 88%, Pass
2022/139, 94%, Pass
2023/0022, 98%, Pass
2023/0027, 82%, Pass
2023/0039, 90%, Pass
2023/0037, 86%, Pass
2023/0040, 86%, Pass
2023/0034, 90%, Pass
2023/0012, 92%, Pass
2023/0013, 86%, Pass
2023/0036, 86%, Pass
2023/0015, 94%, Pass
2022/0141, 88%, Pass
2023/0016, 96%, Pass
2023/0041, 94%, Pass
2023/0005, 80%, Pass
2023/0044, 88%, Pass
2023/0019, 92%, Pass
2022/0142, 88%, Pass
2023/0020, 88%, Pass
2023/0028, 90%, Pass
2023/0003, 80%, Pass
2013/0014, 92%, Pass
2023/0026, 94%, Pass
2023/0033, 94%, Pass
2023/0018, 92%, Pass
2023/0011, 92%, Pass
2023/0010, 94%, Pass
2023/0008, 84%, Pass
2023/0031, 88%, Pass
2023/0029, 90%, Pass
2023/0002, 90%, Pass
2023/0001, 84%, Pass
2023/0004, 98%, Pass
2023/0024, 92%, Pass
2023/0025, 92%, Pass
2023/0038, 90%, Pass
2023/0017, 98%, 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.

2023/0023, 74%, Fail

A recent Circular Direction addressed to each Garda Superintendent has been brought to our attention and is reproduced below in its entirety.

[To] Each Superintendent

In respect of the above matter an issue has arisen surrounding the licencing/authorisation of telescopic sights as defined by Section 1 (g)(i) of the Firearms Act 1925 as amended which are designed to be fitted to a firearm, usually while hunting at night time. This follows a recent instruction to all Registered Firearms Dealers by the Department of Justice advising them that these items require an importation licence issued by the Department prior to import and additionally, these items cannot be lawfully sold to a person unless that person is in possession of a Restricted Firearm Certificate granted by a Divisional Chief Superintendent of An Garda Síochána.

These items are included in the definition of a component part of a firearm in the 1925 Firearms Act as amended, as follows:

Section 1 (g) except where the context otherwise requires, any component part of any article referred to in any of the foregoing paragraphs and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the following articles shall be deemed to be such component parts:

(i); telescope sights with a light beam, or telescope sights with an
electronic light amplification device or an infra-red device, designed to be fitted to
a firearm specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (e),

Following legislative change in 2009, and to ease the financial burden on licensed firearms owners, a decision was taken at the time by the Project Board not to charge an additional €80 for each component part (e.g. silencer/telescopic sight etc) licensed for 3 years in addition to each €80 Firearm Certificate.

In the subsequent years, the prohibitive cost of purchasing a telescopic sight as described at Section 1 (g) (i) of the Act resulted in a relatively small number firearm owners seeking authorisations for these components.

It has recently come to the attention of the Department of Justice that a significant number of these night vision/telescopic sights have been imported into the State by Registered Firearms Dealers without an importation licence being in place and it seems likely that many licensed firearm owners are now in possession of these items without having the necessary permissions in place from An Garda Síochána.

To compound matters, the Department has advised that Statutory Instrument 21/08, as amended, provides that telescope sights as defined by Section 1(g)(i) of the Act are in fact Restricted Firearms and therefore require a separate firearm certificate granted by a member of Chief Superintendent rank, as members of Chief Superintendent rank do not have the authority to authorise a firearm under the Firearms Act. Only members of Superintendent rank are lawfully permitted to grant authorisations under the Act, but it now seems the case that hundreds of authorisations for these telescopic sights/beams granted to otherwise law abiding licensed firearm holders have been granted by Garda Superintendents, who may have inadvertently acted ultra vires to the Act.

This Section has discussed the matter with the Department of Justice. The Department have issued clear instructions to RFDs not to import or sell these items without the necessary documentation in place. It is noted that the vast majority of licensed firearm owners may be in possession of these items without the required restricted firearm certificate in place and will have done so in good faith.

In the interim the following measure will apply;

The authorisation of component parts by Garda Superintendents in respect of telescope sights with a light beam, or telescope sights with an electronic light amplification device or an infra-red device, should cease pending the outcome of discussions with the Department. [T]he authorisation of silencers etc. can continue by Garda Superintendents, as silencers/moderators are not defined as restricted firearms under the Act.

The Firearms Policy Unit have sought an urgent meeting with all concerned stakeholders in respect of this matter to find an amendable solution to regularise the possession, use and carriage of these items by law abiding firearm owners.

Please bring this instruction to the attention of Issuing Officers, Firearms Officers and Firearms Administration staff within your remit.

Forwarded for your attention, please.

[Signed] Gráinne Callanan
Sergeant
Crime Legal/Block B, Ashtown Gate, Navan Road, Dublin 15, D15 NP9Y/ 085-8823355 grainne.m.callanan@garda.ie

(Communique ends)

This communique to Superintendents was preceded on or about 28th December 2022 by a separate direction to all Registered Firearms Dealers, reproduced below in its entirety:

28 December 2022

COMMUNIQUE re Night Vision and Thermal Imaging Equipment

To all RFDs

The Department of Justice has recently noticed a significant increase in advertising of night vision and thermal imaging equipment on Firearms Dealer’s social media sites. The Department wishes to remind all Dealers that these items are considered to be firearms in accordance with the definition of a firearm contained in the Firearms Act 1925-2009. The relevant section [S.1(g)(i)] of the Act states:

“firearm” means—

(g)…

(i) telescope sights with a light beam, or telescope sights with an electronic

light amplification device or an infra-red device, designed to be fitted to

a firearm specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (e),

The Department has audited the applications for import of these items and found a discrepancy between the numbers applied for and licensed for import and the apparent numbers being offered for sale.

The Department wishes to emphasise that the import of these items without appropriate documentation issued by the Department of Justice is an offence.

The Department would also draw your attention to the fact that the sale of these items must only be transacted upon production of appropriate documentation by the purchaser which has been issued by a Garda licensing officer in accordance with the Firearms Act-failure to comply with this is also an offence.

The Department would like to advise any Dealer who is in possession of these items without appropriate documentation to remove them from their premises without delay. The Department would also request that Dealers who have sold these items to end users should advise them of this communication and encourage them to regularise their possession with the licensing authorities without delay.

If you have any questions in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact this office at 01- 8592288 and/or firearms@justice.ie.

Best wishes for the New Year.

Firearms Team

Airm Thine agus Pléascaigh, agus Scéimeanna Cúitimh Ceartais Choiriúil
Firearms and Explosives, and Criminal Justice Compensation Schemes
Seachadadh Seirbhísi Ceartas
Justice Service Delivery
An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt
Department of Justice
Urlár 3, 7 Plás Íle, Baile Átha Cliath 2, D02 HK52
Floor 3, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2, D02 HK52
T +353 (0) 1 859 2288 PIG Inmheánach / Internal VOIP 488 661
E firearms@justice.ie W www.justice.ie twitter.com/DeptJusticeIRL

(Communique ends)

COMMENTARY

The subject of Night Vision Aides, Thermal Imaging Devices and Deer has been covered before on the News & Updates section of this website (May 29th 2020), to view click HERE.

This latest direction to Superintendents of the Garda Siochana on the licensing and use of such accessories lacks clarity and appears to be in conflict with prevailing legislation. A commentary has been delivered to the Garda Siochana and we look forward to their response.

Report by Joe Mag Raollaigh, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent, RTE, 21st February 2023

The Government aims to increase forest cover to 18% of land by 2050. The percentage of land in Ireland under forestry has reached 11.6%, according to figures compiled for the National Forest Inventory survey for the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Food. Broad-leave trees account for 30.6% of forests and conifers amount to 69.4%. The Government aims to increase forest cover to 18% of land by 2050.

The current increase is a result of active afforestation and the natural development of forestry, it added. Ireland now has a total of 809,000 hectares under trees, compared with 698,000 hectares in 2006 and for the first time just over half of the country’s forests are in private ownership, mainly that of farmers. Overall, the national forest estate stores 323.5 million tonnes of carbon and provide a rich resource for biodiversity. The survey finds forests appear healthy overall, although some show sign of damage from animals, competing vegetation, exposure and nutrient deficiency.

The Government’s new forestry programme worth €1.3 billion over a number of years aims to continue to increase forest cover year-on-year and is mainly targeted at farmers, who can access annual premium payments for 20 years, the rates of which have risen by up to 66%. The National Forest Inventory records and assesses the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private. Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry Senator Pippa Hackett has welcomed the findings from the survey.

“Overall we are seeing that the national forest estate is still expanding and has now reached 11.6% of the total land area, with a wide variety of forest types present,” she said.

“The increase in area is a result of afforestation and the natural development of semi-natural forests on areas such as those previously used for industrial peat extraction.

“Between 2006 and 2022 semi-natural forests are responsible for one-third (33.1%) of the new forest areas captured.

“I’m also pleased to note that the share of broadleaf species in the national forest estate now stands at 30.6%, an increase of 5.9% since the first NFI results were published in 2006, and we have designed the new incentives for broadleaf planting in the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan to drive this figure further.”

(Report ends).

COMMENTARY

Government plans for a significant increase in forest cover has implications for wild deer throughout Ireland, as increased forest cover means increased shelter habitat for deer. Conversely, increased habitat means increased deer, and potential for increased deer damage especially to new forestry. It is also significant that over half the land under forestry is now in private ownership, as opposed to State ownership under Coillte Teoranta. This suggests an increasing opportunity (and need) for efficient management of wild deer by hunters working in collaboration with private landowners to achieve safe, efficient, humane and sustainable control of deer by qualified HCAP-Certified hunters.

Deer Alliance HCAP will commence the 2023 Series of Workshops, MCQs and Range Tests on Saturday 4th March 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 Saturday 18th March 2023 (Bank Holiday Weekend) at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58.

Applications are now open for this first event 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.

Certification is now mandatory for all first-time applicants for a Deer Hunting Licence (DHL). 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).

CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

BOLAND, Peter
BRADBURY, Ross
BURKE, Senan
BURNS, Niall
BYRNE, Brendan
CARROLL, Kyran
COLCLOUGH, Greg
COLLINS, Ciaran
DOYLE, Darragh
DRÓŻDŻ, Łukasz
FLYNN, Declan
FOLEY, Ryan
FURNESS, Mark
GOLAND, Patrick
GREGORY, Mikey
HAYES, Martin
HOARE. Shane
JACKSON, Noel
KEANE, John
KEANE, Manus
KELLY, Brian
LACZKO, Attila
LITTON, Darryl
LUNG, Vasile
MAGUIRE, Conor
MALONE, Tony
MALONEY, John
MAXWELL, David
McLOUGHLIN, Cian
MONAHAN, Leslie
MORRIS, Carl
NOBLETT, Ciaran
O’BRIEN, Jason
O’CONNOR, Liam
O’CONNOR, Tom
O’DONOVAN, Conor
O’RIORDAN, Adam
PATTON, Shane
PICKARD, Aaron
PICKARD, John
POWER, Gavin
REEVES, Gordon
RUXTON, Enda
SCALES, Michael
SMITH, David
SPAKAUSKAS, Laurynas
STACK, Stephen
STUART, Joseph
STAFFORD (Jnr.)
THOMSEN, Birthe
TAYLOR, John
TIMMONS, Daire
WALSH, John

Stakeholders across the country will by now be aware that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD have recently jointly launched a public consultation on deer management in Ireland. The purpose of the consultation, which is coordinated by the Deer Management Strategy Group, is to gather views on key issues relating to deer management in Ireland, the impact of increased deer numbers on a variety of issues such as forestry, biodiversity, road safety, animal health and welfare and the welfare of the deer themselves.

The Deer Management Strategy Group is chaired by dairy farmer Teddy Cashman and was convened in 2022 to continue the work of the Irish Deer Management Forum (IDMF). Other members of the Group include officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Notably, the various deer organisations which in the past have always led the way in attempting to deal with issues surrounding wild deer are not represented on the Group, despite having been active on the IDMF.

The Deer Management Strategy Group are now requesting the views of all stakeholders with the aim of creating a sustainable and effective deer management strategy. The consultation takes the form of an online survey under different headings, including Impacts, Solutions, Constraints, and Barriers. Further information including a link to the survey questionnaire can be found HERE .

CONCERNS

Many stakeholders are concerned at the nature and general direction suggested by the format of the online survey. Specifically, the online survey has all the hallmarks of a survey designed to arrive at a predetermined outcome. Many of the questions are leading in their nature and some are based on questionable assumptions. With nine loaded questions, multiple influencing factors and up to five responses available for each question, the opportunity for manipulation of responses is significant. Some of the questions could conceivably lead to unintended consequences, such as that suggesting re-classification of sika and fallow as invasive species. Re-classification could conceivably lead to removal of any protection for sika and fallow deer under the EC Regulation on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Alien Species [1143/2014]. Another question raises the issue of increased access to education and training for hunters when in fact, the responsible authorities have had a limited role in providing any education or training. Several other questions offer room for an engineered use of responses. Although there is a “Please State Other” box after each question it is difficult to see how “Other” responses can be factored into what is essentially a quantitative rather that a qualitative survey.

Some of the wording of the questionnaire has been described by a specialist research professional as “clumsy and unclear” and overall, it assumes a level of knowledge which uninformed respondents may not possess, and has a potential for bias.

Nonetheless, the survey is now in place and all stakeholders are encouraged to participate on or before the deadline of Friday 10th February 2023.

It is suggested that the different deer organisations whose members are likely to be affected by the outcome of the survey should provide information and leadership in relation to an optimum positive outcome for deer and deer enthusiasts including deer hunters. The outcome of the survey is likely to influence virtually all aspects of deer management, deer control and recreational deer hunting for some time into the future – including all aspects of deer welfare. The matter is too important to be left for “someone else” to deal with so all stakeholders (individuals and groups) are urged to take a pro-active approach and ensure their views are heard, recorded, and acknowledged.

Minister Charlie McConalogue

Minister Darragh O’Brien

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien T.D, recently jointly launched a new public consultation to inform the next phase of the development of the Deer Management Strategy.

The purpose of the consultation coordinated by the Deer Management Strategy Group is to gather views on key issues relating to deer management in Ireland, the impact of increased deer numbers on a variety of issues such as forestry, biodiversity, road safety, animal health and welfare and the welfare of the deer themselves.

The Deer Management Strategy Group is chaired by Teddy Cashman and was convened in 2022 to continue the work of the Irish Deer Management Forum (IDMF). Information as to other members of the Group has not to date been made available despite a request having been made to Minister McConalgue’s office.

Although never formally dissolved. the IDMF has not met since March 2018 and its re-convening has been called for repeatedly by a number of concerned stakeholders since 2018. The IDMF itself was established in 2015 following a round of public consultations commencing in 2011, during which up to 100 considered submissions were delivered by multiple affected stakeholders, leading to the publication of “Deer Management in Ireland – Framework for Action“, the contents of which remain valid for a majority of stakeholders but very few of which recommendations have yet been adopted.

The Deer Management Strategy Group are now requesting the views of all stakeholders with the aim of creating a sustainable and effective deer management strategy for both now and for the future. The consultation takes the form of an online survey under different headings, including Impacts, Solutions, Constraints, and Barriers.

Participants may find many of the questions set out in the Survey leading in their nature but have the opportunity of submitting their own more detailed submissions by delivering fuller opinions to either or both Ministers by the deadline for submissions.

Interested individuals, groups or organisations can share their views on deer management in Ireland by completing the online survey HERE.

Closing date for submissions is 5.00 p.m. on Friday, 10 February 2023.

The 2022 Series of HCAP assessments concluded with a Training Workshop an MCQ on 29th October and Range Test on 5th November (the fifth in the 2022 Series), the results of which can be seen on an earlier posting here.

Plans for 2023 are now in hand, with the first Training Workshop and MCQ taking place early in March 2023, for which applications are now open.

Application can be made at any time through the Online Applications section of the Deer Alliance website. The cost of HCAP (Workshop, MCQ, Range Test and Certification) remains at €165.00. The Stalker Training Manual can be purchased in preparation for HCAP at a cost of €35.00 including p. & p., also through the Online Applications section of the website.

The venue for Workshops and MCQs remains the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, R93 N207, and Range Tests will continue to take place at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58.

Dates for these activities (and others) will be posted here early in the New Year.

HCAP Candidates who do not have access to their own deer-legal rifle have two options open to them. If they have a friend who has a deer-legal rifle and is prepared to let the candidate use that rifle for the Range Test, that is permitted, provided that the friend holds a valid Firearm Certificate for the firearm in question, holds valid shooting insurance and is present with the Candidate on the Range at all times.

Alternatively, the candidate can avail of a Club Rifle, usually in calibre .308, available from the Management of the Midland Range. Booking must be made at least two weeks in advance and is subject to Garda vetting. The current cost of rifle hire is €60.00, to include ammunition sufficient for the standard Range Test.

Candidates with no previous experience of full-bore rifle shooting may be required to undertake basic tuition and competency testing on a one-to-one basis at the Midland Range (to include the Range Test Course of Fire but not as part of the Range Test), the current cost of which is €150.00 (one person, one day tuition and test preparation).

Hire of a Club rifle and/or arrangements for tuition and test preparation, including all costs, are entirely a matter between Midland Range management and personnel, are outside the ordinary HCAP process and Deer Alliance HCAP has no responsibility or obligation in this regard.

Membership of IFA Countryside carries with it the shooting insurance required for the purposes of the HCAP Range Test, and may also offer subsidised training opportunities, including HCAP.

Deer Alliance HCAP remains the only such training and certification process developed in full partnership with Coillte Teoranta, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Forest Service, An Garda Siochana and other key stakeholder organisations and in 2023 enters its twentieth year of operation, with over 3600 licensed deer hunters having participated in HCAP to date.

Alan O’Dwyer

James O’Brien  

George Burdess

The candidates listed below all completed their Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme with a Range Test at the Midland Range, Blue Ball, Tullamore on Saturday 5th November 2022. Thanks go to the Midland Range management and personnel, including J. P. Craven and Tony Saunders, and to our Deer Alliance Range Officer Pat Scully. Successful candidates received their HCAP Certificates, ID cards and badges from Liam Nolan, Deer Alliance HCAP Course Director.

NEW HCAP-CERTIFIED CANDIDATES, DATE OF CERTIFICATION 5th NOVEMBER 2022

BRADLEY, Conor, 2022/0136
BRENNAN, Anthony, 2022/0110
BROOKS, Val, 2022/0116
BURDESS, George, 2022/0125
CORNISH, Jay, 2022/0118
FITZGERALD, Karl, 2022/0135
GORECKI, Mariusz, 2022/0105
HEFFRON, Eoin, 2022/0108
HEFFRON, Padraic, 2022/0109
McAULIFFE, Con, 2022/0111
McCLOREY, Patrick, 2022/0133
McGLUE, Ian, 2022/0132
MELNYK, Ihor, 2022/0115
O’BRIEN, James, 2022/0124
O’CONNOR, Tommy D., 2022/0114
O’DWYER, Alan, 2022/0127
O’MAHONY, James, 2022/0112
O’MALLEY, Padraig, 2022/0117
PERLAVICIUS, Justas, 2022/0129
QUIRKE, Andrew, 2022/0121
QUIRKE, Edward, 2022/0122
SWEENEY, John, 2022/0130
TROY, Eamon, 2022/0126
VASILIAUSKAS, Nerijus, 2022/0107
WESTON, Paul, 2022/0137
WHYTE, Keith, 2022/0131
ZARZYKA, Robert, 2022/0128

Successful candidates included IFA Countryside Members, Alan O’Dwyer, James O’Brien, George Burdess, Padraig O’Malley and Eamonn Troy, photographed above and below.

 Padraig O’Malley

                                                                                                                Eamonn Troy

The following candidates (HCAP numbers, followed by mark achieved) were successful in the HCAP MCQ held in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on Saturday 29th October 2022 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 5th November 2022. Procedures for Range Tests will be posted here separately.

Candidates who were Deferrals or No-Shows at this MCQ on 29th October 2022 will be carried forward to the next scheduled MCQ in 2023, except where they have missed two or more MCQs without notice, in which case they are now de-listed as eligible and must re-enter the HCAP process as Repeat Candidates if they wish to complete their HCAP Certification

2022/0135, 92%, Pass
2022/0105, 96%, Pass
2022/0108, 96%, Pass
2022/0109, 92%, Pass
2022/0111, 94%, Pass
2022/0133, 96%, Pass
2022/0132, 94%, Pass
2022/0119, 92%, Pass
2022/0115, 82%, Pass
2022/0124, 92%, Pass
2022/0114, 92%, Pass
2022/0136, 90%, Pass
2022/0110, 86%, Pass
2022/0116, 88%, Pass
2022/0125, 92%, Pass
2022/0120, 96%, Pass
2022/0107, 92%, Pass
2022/0137, 94%, Pass
2022/0131, 94%, Pass
2022/0128, 96%, Pass
2022/0118, 98%, Pass
2022/0134, 98%, Pass
2022/0127, 92%, Pass
2022/0112, 88%, Pass
2022/0117, 92%, Pass
2022/0129, 90%, Pass
2022/0121, 94%, Pass
2022/0122, 94%, Pass
2022/0130, 96%, Pass
2022/0126, 86%, Pass

Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) will hold a Training Workshop and Multiple-Choice Question Examination (MCQ) on Saturday 29th October 2022.

Venue: Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, R93 N207.
Time: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

The supporting Range Test for candidates successful in the MCQ will be held at the Midland Range, Derrymore, Blue Ball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NC58 on Saturday 5th November 2022.

This will be the last opportunity to participate in HCAP in 2022. The 2023 Series of HCAP Assessments will commence in March 2023.

Applications are now open and can be made online through the Online Applications section of the website at www.deeralliance.ie. Cost is €165.00 for first-time HCAP Candidates, €50.00 for Repeat Candidates, with payment through PayPal. Application can also be made in hard copy by post, with payment by cheque or postal order. The Deer Alliance Stalker Training Manual, on which the Workshop and MCQ are based, can be purchased through the same Online Applications section of the website, cost €35.00 including p. & p.

CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES 

NOTE: This list includes names of Candidates who were No-Shows at previous MCQs. Failure to attend the Workshop & MCQ on 29th October will mean such Candidates will be de-listed as eligible and if they wish to complete their HCAP certification process they will have to re-enter the process as Repeat Candidates, subject to the standard Repeat Fee of €50.00.

ANHOLD, Heinrich
BEIRNE, Declan
BRADLEY, Conor
BRENNAN, Anthony
BROOKS, Val
BURDESS, George
BUTLER, Andrew
BYRNE, Brendan
DEEGAN, Paul
FARRELL, Gavin
FENTON, Darren
FITZGERALD, Karl
FLYNN, Declan
GORECKI, Mariusz
HEFFRON, Eoin
HEFFRON, Padraic
KELLY, Alex
McAULIFFE, Con
McCLOREY, Patrick
McGLUE, Ian
McMAHON, John
MELNYK, Ihor
O’BRIEN, James
O’BRIEN, Jason
O’CONNOR, Tom
O’CONNOR, Tommy
O’DONOGHUE, Daniel
O’DWYER, Alan
O’MAHONY, James
O’MALLEY, Padraig
PERLAVICIUS, Justas
QUIRKE, Andrew
QUIRKE, Edward,
SWEENEY, John
SZCZEPANIEC, Artur
THOMSEN, Birthe
TROY, Eamon
VASILIAUSKAS, Nerijus
WESTON, Paul
WHYTE, Keith
ZARZYKA, Robert