The introduction of a mandatory certification process follows decades of lobbying from deer hunting organisations and a recommendation from the Irish Deer Management Forum.
The test will certify that a hunter is competent in his/her knowledge of hunting regulations and the law under the provisions of the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP).
Any hunter already holding a licence will be allowed a five-year grace period from 1 January 2018 to take the test.
Private land
The possession of HCAP certification was already a necessary requirement for hunters entering Coillte forestry, but will now also apply to hunters working on private land.
There are approximately 4,900 holders of a deer hunting licences in Ireland, and on average 600 people apply for a licence every year.
HCAP certification
Roughly half of the 4,900 current holders of a deer hunting licence already have HCAP certification.
The Deer Alliance anticipates an increased demand for licences in 2018, and intends to run a series of twelve multiple choice question written assessments in 2018, supported by six range tests.
Applicants will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis and the cost of HCAP is €150, which includes a multiple choice written test and a range test.
Read more
700 ddeer hunting applications lodged
Wild deer not a reservoir for BVD or IBR says new study
Cavan Council complains to Department over deer population
The introduction of a mandatory certification process follows decades of lobbying from deer hunting organisations and a recommendation from the Irish Deer Management Forum.
The test will certify that a hunter is competent in his/her knowledge of hunting regulations and the law under the provisions of the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP).
Any hunter already holding a licence will be allowed a five-year grace period from 1 January 2018 to take the test.
Private land
The possession of HCAP certification was already a necessary requirement for hunters entering Coillte forestry, but will now also apply to hunters working on private land.
There are approximately 4,900 holders of a deer hunting licences in Ireland, and on average 600 people apply for a licence every year.
HCAP certification
Roughly half of the 4,900 current holders of a deer hunting licence already have HCAP certification.
The Deer Alliance anticipates an increased demand for licences in 2018, and intends to run a series of twelve multiple choice question written assessments in 2018, supported by six range tests.
Applicants will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis and the cost of HCAP is €150, which includes a multiple choice written test and a range test.
Read more
700 ddeer hunting applications lodged
Wild deer not a reservoir for BVD or IBR says new study
Cavan Council complains to Department over deer population
SHARING OPTIONS