DEER STALKING

gentleman jim

well lads, i want to get into deer stalking and i have already starting the process of applying for the HCAP book and test! i'm just looking to hear different peoples views on the HCAP test? how did they get on doing the test, any trick questions?what did they think of it? ALL help on the HCAP test would be great!
what way you's went looking for permission and who you's found best to deal with?
all ADVICE welcome lads!

thedragon

Well for a start, this is a good idea. the only problem I'd have is lining the pockets of those IDS pricks. Id personally have nothing to do with any organisation that profits from hunting holidays. Having said that, I do know that theres a lot of very good men in the IDS, that much is for sure. But they have been tainted over the years by the scum that are also involved, and thats from the top down. Now SPARKS leave this up, theres absolutely nothing wrong with this post, it can all be backed up.

sixpointfive

pm sent jim

sixpointfive

Im not a member of ids or any of those organisations but i know a few guys who are and they are very good men,very knowledgable i have learned alot from them over the years, i have no problem with any of the deer groups, im sure there are good and bad ones depending on opinions but some members here have major problems with the ids, dont know what its about, life is too short...
HCAP is a bit of a racket in my opinion, you can still get on leases without it,but on the other hand it is a good idea to do it because you will learn some stuff especially if you are new to deer hunting.

monarch

sixpointfive wrote: »

Im not a member of ids or any of those organisations but i know a few guys who are and they are very good men,very knowledgable i have learned alot from them over the years, i have no problem with any of the deer groups, im sure there are good and bad ones depending on opinions but some members here have major problems with the ids, dont know what its about, life is too short...
HCAP is a bit of a racket in my opinion, you can still get on leases without it,but on the other hand it is a good idea to do it because you will learn some stuff especially if you are new to deer hunting.

the hacp manual has a lot of information on deer and anyone you can talk to who has stalked will have usefull info for you.
everybody makes mistakes and if you can hear from these guys about the ones they have made i am sure it help you to avoid making some of them.
best of luck its great sport.

poulo6.5

gentleman jim wrote: »

well lads, i want to get into deer stalking and i have already starting the process of applying for the HCAP book and test! i'm just looking to hear different peoples views on the HCAP test? how did they get on doing the test, any trick questions?what did they think of it? ALL help on the HCAP test would be great!
what way you's went looking for permission and who you's found best to deal with?
all ADVICE welcome lads!

hi jim, you shoot anything before, i never did the HCAP so cant offer any advice . before i got my gun i used to go along with some friends stalking, got to know the area's for hunting and what was involved once the fatal shot was taken . that way once i got my gun i was ready to go. what kind of rifle are you getting . best of luck

Cass

Can someone clarify a few points for me?

Hcap is only for Coillte lands.
It is not recognised outside of Ireland.
It is not a necessity.
The price on the course has doubled as has resitting prices (if you fail)

Curiosity more than anything else.

rob308

Cant comment on the hcap eithe bacause i never sat it. If you have any friends or family stalking try tag long with them to pick up a few basics such as field craft and carcass handling. With regard to shooting grounds if there are deer anywhere close to you the best approach is to knock on doors. If not try to get talking to any local deer hunters and perhaps they can point you in the right direction. It is surprising how much hunting there is out there even in the socalled good areas without having to resort to leasing ground though it is easier when you have a contact or are known to someone in the locality. In my opinion leasing of hunting is a last and costly resort. Hope this is of some help. Feel free to pm me if you need any other advice

meathshooter

ezridax wrote: »

Can someone clarify a few points for me?

Hcap is only for Coillte lands.
It is not recognised outside of Ireland.
It is not a necessity.
The price on the course has doubled as has resitting prices (if you fail)

Curiosity more than anything else.

there is talk of it becoming a requirement to hold a deer licence

Grizzly 45

ezridax wrote: »

Can someone clarify a few points for me?

Hcap is only for Coillte lands.

Yes,it was only designed for Coilte and to satisfy their insurance requirements

It is not recognised outside of Ireland.

No,but then HCAP &Co dont recognise any EU liscenses[which are 100% tougher] here.Although they shamelessy swipe stuff from the German hunting test.

It is not a necessity.

Unless you hunt on Coilte lands,with all the accompanying hassle No!

The on the course has doubled as has resitting prices (if you fail)

No idea,but wouldnt surprise me it it had.

Cass

I only ask as i have a deer license through Duchas (npws) and they made no mention of me having the HCAP or even going for it. I don't shoot coillte land, i have 2,000 acres of privately owned land (not mine) to shoot. I get my permissions signed each year and that does them.

I've heard conflicting reports about HCAP, you know the usual, one side saying its vital, excellent and everyone must/should have it. Then there is the other side saying the polar opposite. For the time being i don't need it so am not going to worry but will keep my ears and eyes open for more info as people are telling me, as meathshooter said, that it may become a requirement. Watch this space i suppose.

thedragon

meathshooter wrote: »

there is talk of it becoming a requirement to hold a deer licence

If the IDS had there way, you'd have to be a member of them before you'd get your Deer licence. There working hard on that. Its all about money with them.

clivej

Meathshooter and myself sat the HCAP together (the last one at Largh) and we also took the shooting range test at the same time.

For me they were some tricky questions in there, the ones I found difficult were on Coillte. Just read through the HCAP manual and get yourself a hi-lighter pen and mark what you think the answers will be.

meathshooter

clivej wrote: »

Meathshooter and myself sat the HCAP together (the last one at Largh) and we also took the shooting range test at the same time.

For me they were some tricky questions in there, the ones I found diffecult were on the Coillte. Just read through the HCAP manual and get yourself a hi-lighter pen and mark what you think the answers will be.

we both passed first time(alot had to resit) also I have to say I enjoyed it.some supers are starting to ask for it too. it has on the end of the cert you get participating bodies by the garda,coillte,wicklow deer management ,npws,IDS,WDAI,IFA,Irish timber grower association,I don't think it a bad thing to have especially in the current firearm licensing scenario.but a good day out among friends cant beat that,and the lads at midlands range run the range test to the higest standards and as allways a pleasure to deal with

gentleman jim

thanks lads for all the replys!
i cant wait to get stalking!
i didn't think there would be so much mixed views on the HCAP and Coillte

Grizzly 45

OTOH,dont start giving the powers that be EVERYTHING in qualifications that you have or think you might need all at once.Otherwise they will demand it and more,and a time will come when you simply cant give them anything else...
Give them an inch and the WILL TAKE 10miles!!!
At the moment it is;if you shoot Coilte land go away and be fleeced by the IDS/HCAP and Coilte.
If you dont shoot on Coilte land dont bother,and until and when your Super says otherwise,dont bother..

Tackleberrywho

thedragon wrote: »

If the IDS had there way, you'd have to be a member of them before you'd get your Deer licence. There working hard on that. Its all about money with them.

HCAP, in my opinion. NOT a member of IDS, is only necessary for those who are absolute novices. Eg, Decided yesterday wanted to hunt deer.

I started stalking asa gillie with a guy 10 years ago, as I had no rifle or car oer any money either. To this end I provided the grunt required to drag a carcuss across a dith or drain etc.

However, I now shoot mostly alone and ring for assistance if I bag a stag/doe. 1 person always makesd lesss noise than two etc.

I do feel that the sport I love is being pushed to the brink by Societies in general.(Becoming a money game).n Hunting is what we as a nation have been doing for thousands of years. We however do not wish to make it an elitest sport of old.

I do believe that everybody who wants to purchase a firearm must undertake some basic training on safety target etc. However it should not cost the earth.

I have trained for lack of a better word, several of my comrades in safe and proficient use of firearms, and hunting. My philosophy is make the mistakes on the range, not in the field. But Rabbits are a great training aid.
Start with varminting rabbits, if you can consistantly get rabbits head shots then you are ready for bigger anamils. Nothing that HCAP entails that one can't read about. HCAP covers all forms of deer, But If you have never seen a Red in the wild; then what is the pouint of studying there calls etc. Study your chosen game, Study your hunting grounds off season with binos/rangefinder etc,practice butchering on rabbits Or help out a local butcher for free.. Then come 1st sept you are there!

If this offends any IDS i do apologise. I just feel we have enough hoops to jump through to even aquire a deer stalking rifle as is!
I love the fact that I hunt on farmland, as a farmers son I have the added advantage of being able to talk to the farmers if and when i meet them at there level. Infact they often contact me asking me to sort out a few rabbits
etc.

poulo6.5

My philosophy is make the mistakes on the range, not in the field. But Rabbits are a great training aid.
Start with varminting rabbits, if you can consistantly get rabbits head shots then you are ready for bigger anamils. Nothing that HCAP entails that one can't read about. HCAP covers all forms of deer, But If you have never seen a Red in the wild; then what is the pouint of studying there calls etc. Study your chosen game, Study your hunting grounds off season with binos/rangefinder etc,practice butchering on rabbits Or help out a local butcher for free.. Then come 1st sept you are there!

i agree completely, thats how i started , dun my time with a nice cz magnum, the scourge of all rabbits and fox in the area, i fired a couple of hundred rounds with my 6.5 at targets and vermin during the off season so i was right at home with it when the first fatal moment came.

poulo6.5

hi jim, i didnt get that buck yet but i got a nice doe instead. i went out this morning on my way to work. i'll get that buck at the weekend.