Coillte Teoranta have announced their 2020 first-round offers for licences to hunt deer on their forest property, for details click here.
Coillte have also published an updated Code of Practice 2020 for sustainable hunting and shooting of deer, game and other quarry species on Coillte forest property.
To view the Code click here.
The following is an extract from that updated Code of Practice, referencing requirements for evidence of competence for both bird shooters and deer hunters.
“2. Hunter Competence
Coillte believe that it is incumbent on all hunters to develop and maintain their skills and competencies with their firearms in order to minimise any associated safety risks and to avoid potential injury and unnecessary suffering by the quarry species. Regular practice on approved target ranges will assist a hunter in maintaining familiarity and proficiency with their firearm.
(Note:- The zeroing of rifles or other forms of target practice including clay pigeon shooting are not permitted on Coillte lands except under licence).
Coillte is rapidly moving to a position whereby only persons who have demonstrated their competence by satisfactorily completing recognised qualifications in safe firearms use and humane/sustainable hunting practices, will be licensed to hunt and use firearms on its lands.
Coillte’s current policy on this is :-
2.1 The hunting of game birds and other small quarry species :-
Coillte highly recommended that all game hunters complete a nationally recognised, certified, firearms safety training course and have demonstrated their competence through the successful completion of an appropriate assessment.
After the 1st January 2021, only persons who have satisfactorily completed an approved, certified, hunter competence assessment will be permitted to hunt and shoot game and other quarry species on its lands.
2.2 The hunting of wild deer:
Only persons who have satisfactorily completed an approved, certified, hunter competence assessment are permitted to stalk and shoot deer [on] Coillte lands.
This policy is implemented as follows:-
2.2.1 Licence Holders and Stalking Permit Holders (standard):
Only holders of the Hunter Competence Assessment Programme* (HCAP) qualification can hold a licence to hunt deer on Coillte lands.
All persons nominated to hunt under such licences (“nominated hunters”) will also require this qualification in order to be issued with an annual stalking permit which covers the full duration of the hunting season (standard permit)
2.2.2 Stalking Permit Holders (restricted) :- Nominated hunters who do not hold the HCAP qualification, but do hold an alternative, hunter qualification may, subject to additional conditions, be issued with a “restricted stalking permit” for a maximum duration of 2 weeks.
A total of two such restricted permits may be issued to such an individual during the course of a hunting season.
*Please note:- The Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) – is the only such qualification currently accepted by Coillte, as it is the only such assessment which evaluates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of relevant national legislation as well as Coillte’s licencing conditions and safety control measures”
(end of extract).
