Your Company Name and TagLine

 

John Creedon Memorial Shoot

July 21st 2010

The John Creedon Memorial Shoot in remembrance of our late Chairman John Creedon, recently took place at the An Ríocht Sooting Range, Castlemaine, Co Kerry. All proceeds from the competition went to charity, Saoirse & Liam Heffernan (son & daughter of WDAI member Tony Hefferenan) who have recently been diagnosed with Batten’s Disease, go to http://www.beeforbattens.org/ for further details.

Many thanks to the sponsors and organisers, in particular we would like to acknowledge Kevin McCarthy.

Click here for report

Click here for results

Click here for gallery

 

Ballinlough Castle Game Fair, Co Westmeath July 31st - August 1st 2010

July 15th 2010

Visit our stand in the Countryside Alliance Ireland Marquee on July 31 -August 1st 2010.

click here for further details http://www.irishcountryfair.com/

Final HCAP MCQ of 2010

July 11th 2010

The next scheduled HCAP MCQ will take place on Saturday 7 August 2010 at 2.00 p.m. in Maldron Hotel (just off exit 17 on the M7 motorway) Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 30 July 2010.

The MCQ will be preceded by preparatory workshops on August 3rd at 7.30pm-10.00pm and August 7th at 11.00am - 1.00pm, at the same venue. These workshops are available to members of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland

For successful MCQ candidates, the MCQ will be followed by a Range Test on Saturday 28 August 2010, at the Mildland Rifle Range, Co. Offaly.

This will be the last date in 2010 for Coillte Nominated Stalkers to become HCAP-Certified. Only HCAP-Certified persons can become Nominated Stalkers on Coillte forest property

 

Centre-fire shooting competition

July 10th 2010

Following an invitation from the St. Huberts Club of Ireland, the Wild Deer Association of Ireland in partnership with the St. Huberts Club of Ireland, IDS, WDG, WDS, will jointly host a centre-fire shooting competition on August 21st 2010, in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Details to follow

AGM Report 2010

June 20th 2010

The 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) took place on Saturday June 19th 2010 in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.

Officers elected were Billy O’Regan President, Pat Scully Chairman, Tom O’Donnell Vice Chairman, Damien Hannigan Hon Secretary, Tom Grace Treasurer, Eddie Graef Safety Officer, Dominic O’Hea PRO in addition twenty seven committee members from all regions were elected.

Due to significant growth in the association’s membership and growing demands on resources, members were offered the opportunity to receive notices by email or by joining a new Facebook Page created for members and non members.

Member were informed 2009/10 was by far the busiest year the association had experienced, with the association representing its members on many important issues, along with hosting and taking part in numerous events since the last AGM.

 

Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010

The recent threat to deer-stalking, led by the Green Parties “anti rural agenda’’ was highlighted. There has been considerable public and political controversy about the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010.   That is because it is the Bill designed to give effect to the commitment in the renegotiated Programme for Government ‘to ban stag hunting’.    Several statements and comments had been made by Minister Gormley, as well as by other members of the Green Party, that suggested that the phrase ‘to ban stag hunting’ referred only to their proposal to ban the Ward Union Staghounds in County Meath.   However, the controversy over the banning of the Ward Union Hunt must not be allowed to obscure the fact that the Bill goes much further than that single objective.

For the first time ever in law, Section 3, Subsection (2) of the Bill creates a new offence that will curb and inhibit our officially recognised and endorsed method of deer stalking.   

Section 3, Subsection 2 states, a person, including the holder of a license or permission granted under this Act, who hunts deer with two or more dogs shall be guilty of an offence.’ 

In simple terms, deer-stalkers now could be limited to only one dog to locate a fallen deer so that the animal may be dispatched humanely.  In short if a deer-stalker has more than one dog or hunts in a group with more than one dog they would now be guilty of an offence. In addition it is a requirement, of a Coillte lease that the stalker must have access to a dog or dog trained for the purpose of tracking injured deer.

In recent weeks the WDAI supported by the IDS met with senior officials from the DOE and Coillte to discuss their concerns, it quickly became apparent that no consultation had taken place with any of the deer organisations or indeed with Coillte. The WDAI also wrote to Minister Gormley and to the main political parties seeking urgent meetings with them to discuss this proposed restriction on deer stalking.  

On May 25th the WDAI were invited to address the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government, chaired by Deputy Seán Fleming (Fianna Fáil). Pat Scully and Damien Hannigan attended on behalf of the WDAI to make their submission, supported bythe IDS and Deer Alliance. It is a fair representation of that meeting to say we received unanimous support from all senators and deputies in attendance.

Following the WDAI submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, Deputy Maire Hoctor along with five other Fianna Fáil backbenchers signed a motion for the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary party meeting, "seeking an amendments to and if not, the deletion of Section 3 of the proposed bill which claimed that a hunter with two dogs or more would be liable to a serious summons while stalking wild deer".

This was followed by a statement on June 1st by Minister of State at the DOE, Michael Finneran on behalf of Minister Gormley, stating

“It was never the intention that the legislation would place any restriction on lawful deer stalking. Accordingly, the Minister is in consultation with Parliamentary Counsel on an amendment to the Bill to address the fears expressed by Wild Deer Association of Ireland and Irish Deer Society representing deer hunters that the provisions of the Bill will inadvertently affect the legitimate practice of deer stalking.    This amendment relates to Section 3 of the Bill.''

The support received from Sean Fleming TD, Maire Hoctor TD and Phil Hogan TD, Countryside Alliance Ireland, NARGC, Deer Alliance and IDS, was acknowledged. 

 

Section 42 Licences for females

There was also deep concern expressed that Minister Gormley was issuing licences to landowners under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, to cull female deer during the months of May - June, when female deer gave birth to fawns, if the female was shot, the fawn would be orphaned and suffer a horrendous death, which can take a number of weeks.

It was acknowledged that legitimate deer-stalkers do not request licences under Section 42, to cull female deer, rather the license they receive, may be non-specific as to what sex can be culled.

While the WDAI supports and promotes the culling of female deer as part of a proper deer management programme, to reduce deer numbers where over population exists. Culling females when a fawn is born during these months and in fact right up to August – September when the fawn is still dependent, is an inhumane practice and contrary to animal welfare or ethical deer stalking. The WDAI has written to Minister Gormley, highlighting their concerns and calling on him to immediately consult with the organisation’s representing deer hunters, on this matter.

At a national and European level the WDAI continues to be respected and acknowledged as a leading authority on wild deer and as a national representative body for deer stalkers in Ireland. This status has received further recognition with our association receiving an invitation and accepting membership of FACE Ireland and CIC International. FACE is recognised by the European Commission as the main discussion partner, representing Europe's 7 million hunters, whereas, CIC International represents hunters in over 80 countries around the world.

New initiatives and events

In the coming months the WDAI plans to launch a number of important initiatives to support legitimate deer stalkers and protect the reputation of deer-stalking. “Report a Wildlife Crime’’ will allow the reporting of wildlife crimes such as deer poaching, through the associations website www.wilddeerireland.com or by completing a questionnaire, each report will be logged and followed up by the relevant authorities.

The WDAI is also supporting an existing “Wildlife Warden’’ initiative provided by the Shannon, Mulkear District, Angling Club, which provides a voluntary “Wildlife Warden” service detecting various wildlife crimes with the support of the relevant authorities, this initiative has had many successes since its launch in 2009.

Members were informed reports of Road Traffic Accidents involving deer or “Deer RTA’s” are on the increase, as our growing motorway network impacts on existing deer habitat and the range of our deer herds expands. Were a human fatality to happen resulting from a Deer RTA, this could create a negative and alarmist impression of wild deer, with possible negative consequences for deer-stalking. Kildare Deer Watch in recent years has begun to identify, Deer RTA’s hotspots in the Kildare area, along with educating road users, road planners and County Councils on the corrective actions required to reduce Deer RTA’s. It has now been decided to extent this programme as part of a national Deer RTA awareness group called Deer Awareness Ireland, which the WDAI will play an important role.

The WDAI will also host or support a number of events during June, July & August, on June 26th a shoot in memory of former chairman; John Creedon will take place in the An Ríocht Shooting Range, Castlemaine in Co. Kerry. All are welcome and the competition is organised for all shooters including those who are not members of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland.

The WDAI will also attend the Game Fairs in Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath on July 31st/August 1st, and Birr Castle, Co. Offaly on August 28th/29th - attending both events as a guest of Countryside Alliance Ireland, to whom they wish to thank for their unconditional & continued support.

All those who wish to hunt deer on Coillte property must now have the Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP), to accommodate members who have not yet completed the HCAP, another HCAP exam and preparation workshop will be hosted by the WDAI on August 7th in Portlaoise.

Following the AGM, which was attended by over 90 members from all over the country, a mouth-watering venison banquette was provided by the chefs at Kilcoran Lodge.

 

In conjunction with the AGM the association’s annual trophy exhibition was held – awards were presented for Best Fallow to Eoin Corcoran, Cork- Most Unusual to John O’Sullivan, Limerick - Best Overall to Shane Mc Namara, Cork.

In memory of former Chairman John Creedon, the John Creedon Memorial Award for Wildlife Photography sponsored by Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) was presented, the competition was judged by award winning and renowned Wildlife Photographer Mark Combes, with Vincent Flannelly from CAI presenting the first prize to Tony Tang, Wexford, who captured a fantastic image while hunting in the Masai Mara, Kenya.

This was followed by a member’s draw for a hunting trip to South Africa, kindly sponsored by Mayogi Safaris, Eastern Cape, South Africa www.mayogi-safaris.co.za  with all proceeds going to the Bee for Battens Foundation www.beeforbattens.org. Pat Scully, Laois was the lucky winner.

There were also a number of exhibitors and a display of African game species for members to view.

All those who contributed to the associations growing success were acknowledged and thanked.

Shooting Competition in Memory of John Creedon

June 19th 2010

The John Creedon Memorial Shoot has been launched as an annual competition in remembrance of John. All proceeds from the competition will go to charity. This year’s proceeds will go to Saoirse & Liam Heffernan who have recently been diagnosed with Batten’s Disease. go to http://www.beeforbattens.org/ for further details.

The competition this year will take place in the An Ríocht Sooting Range, Castlemaine in Co. Kerry on June 26th. All are welcome and the competition is organised for all shooters including those who are not members of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland.

The competition will be open to all calibres and standards, for further details go to http://www.jcreedon.info

We would call on all members to support this worthy event

Annual General Meeting 2010

May 12th 2010

The 29th Annual General Meeting of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland will be held on Saturday June 19th 2010 at 7.30pm in the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary (1 mile from exit 11 on the M8 Cork to Dublin motorway) you can contact the hotel on 052 7441288 if you require accommodation in the hotel or their new woodland lodges - be sure to mention the Wild Deer Association when making your booking to get a discounted rate.

Following the A.G.M. a Venison Buffet will be provided with spouses/partners welcome.

In memory of our late Chairman John ''Johnny'' Creedon who sadly passed away on January 15th 2010, Countryside Alliance Ireland have kindly sponsored the John Creedon Memorial Trophy. Johnny's love for deer stalking was only matched by his passion for wildlife photography so the committee see it fitting that this award recognises the best in wildlife photography.

In conjunction with the A.G.M. our annual competition will be held for best trophy heads. Categories - 1. Best Fallow head 2. Most unusual 3. Best Overall. Note: Heads must have been shot within the previous 12 months.

Membership for the coming year is due following the AGM and can be paid on the night, along with any outstanding membership, if you are unable to attend please forward to PO Box 31, Midleton, Co. Cork. Ordinary membership is 20 euros, Family 25 euros, for the first time we are offering Lifetime membership - Ordinary 200 euros, Family 250 euros.

We are pleased to confirm a member's draw will take place for those present on the night , prizes will include a hunting trip to the Eastern Cape, South Africa (terms & conditions apply) kindly sponsored by Mayogi Safari, all proceeds will go to the Bee for Battens Charity go to http://www.beeforbattens.org for further details.

Shooting Competition in Memory of John Creedon

May 12th 2010

The John Creedon Memorial Shoot has been launched as an annual competition in remembrance of John. All proceeds from the competition will go to charity. This year’s proceeds will go to Saoirse & Liam Heffernan who have recently been diagnosed with Batten’s Disease. go to http://www.beeforbattens.org/ for further details.

The competition this year will take place in the An Ríocht Sooting Range, Castlemaine in Co. Kerry over the weekend of June 26/27th. All are welcome and the competition is organised for all shooters including those who are not members of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland.

The competition will be open to all calibres and standards, for further details go to http://www.jcreedon.info

We would call on all members to support this worthy event

WDAI host two International Speakers

March 23rd 2010

Correction to members notice for this event - notices received from today may contain a slip stating membership is outstanding, this is incorrect and should be ignored. If you received a notice for this event and there is no additional slip enclosed this means your membership is outstanding - please inform any WDAI member that you know in your area.

On Saturday April 3rd 2010 @ 7pm in the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary we will host two international speakers who will present on deer related subjects.

Arno Dorfling owner of Mayogi Safaris, Eastern Cape, South Africa which is located in one of the best hunting areas in the Eastern Cape covering an area in excess of 25,000 acres will give a presentation about the hunting methods and quarry in the Eastern Cape. Further details about Mayogi Safaris can seen at www.mayogi-safaris.co.za

Dr Jaimie Dick, Queens University Belfast and Glasgow University brings his ‘’Muntjac Roadshow’’ to Cahir which highlights the increasing population of Muntjac deer in Ireland and the issues such invasive species cause for our native habitat. For further details go to www.invasivespeciesireland.com

Chinese muntjac deer have significant ecological and economic impacts in Great Britain and, disturbingly, are now found in captivity and in the wild throughout Ireland. Dr Jamie Dick presents his 'muntjac roadshow', which deals with muntjac identification, life-cycle, behaviour, ecology and impacts on animals, plants and humans. It will also detail collation of evidence of muntjac in captivity and free-living throughout Ireland. Methods of eradication and control are explored, much from personal experiences stalking muntjac in England. The roadshow is a combination of slides, mounted specimens, skulls, casts of footprints, recordings of their calls and other interactive material.

 

WDAI hold HCAP Worshop and MCQ Exam

February 27th

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland will host a Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) MCQ exam at 2pm on Saturday March 27th 2010 in the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
 
In advance of the exam the Wild Deer Association of Ireland will host a workshop to help those sitting the exam prepare, these workshops have a proven track record in supporting candidates pass the MCQ and achieve higher results. The workshop will take place on Tuesday March 23rd @ 7pm in the same location as the exam with a final overview at 11.30am on March 27th prior to the exam

The oral safety test & range test will take place on Saturday April 24th at the Midland Rifle Range, Co. Offaly (for those candidates who pass the MCQ exam) or must be completed within 6 months of successfully passing the written MCQ exam.

 

Hungary 2010 the inside story and images

February 17th 2010

For the inside story click here

10th Annual Carcass Handling Seminar

February 3rd 2010

Our 10th annual Carcass Handling Seminar will take place at 2.00pm sharp in Cahir, Co. Tipperary on Sunday 7th, February 2010.

Directions to the Seminar are as follows; take the Limerick/ Cork exit from Cahir town centre; on passing Cahir Castle the first building (old mill) on the left over the bridge. We would ask that members bring along as many fresh deer carcasses as possible, including pluck in a separate container for examination.

This year’s event will include – Field Evisceration & Butchery – preparation of Cape for taxidermist – demonstration by Dept Vet on Carcass examination & disease identification  – demonstration by butcher on preparation of carcass for consumption – Venison BBQ – Trophy head measuring – we hope to have a demonstration on smoking venison. We are pleased to confirm that all those members who attend will have the opportunity to enter a draw courtesy of Dominic O'Hea and Mayogi Safaris who are based in Eastern Cape, South Africa (www.mayogi-safaris.co.za) providing a great hunting experience and an unforgettable time! Dominic will have all the details about Mayogi on the day. (terms and conditions apply and tickets available on the day)

The Skill and Knowledge of Carcass Handling is something that we all require new or old to Deer-stalking, so the committee would like the support of all members for this event. Light refreshments & barbecued venison will be provided free of charge.

We are planning a number of workshops during March for those planning to sit the Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) with a view to completing the HCAP Multiple Choice Exam in March/ April. The workshop & exam will be subject to a minimum of 30 members taking part, if you are interested or know someone who is interested in taking part please confirm by February 8th by contacting us on 087 2496987 or e-mail wilddeerireland@eircom.net .These workshops have been a great success todate for those wishing to complete the HCAP.

Schedule 

2.00pm – Commercial Carcass Preparation – John Buckley, Game Butcher

2.30pm – Field evisceration and field butchery – Pat Scully, Deer Stalker

3.00pm – Disease identification and general health – John Murray, Dept. of Agriculture

3.30pm – Venison Smoking - Philip Derhart, Ballymaloe

3.50pm – Trophy Measuring – Irish Trophy Commission

4.10pm – Cape Preparation – Kurt Ecker, Taxidermist

4.30pm – Members draw for a hunting trip to South Africa

*Venison BBQ and light refreshments served

*Warm clothes recommended

Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) Workshop & MCQ exam

January 17th 2010

Following the success of our HCAP workshops to date we will host another HCAP workshop and MCQ exam during March to register for your place contact us on 00353 87 2496987 or email wilddeerireland@eircom.net or info@wilddeerireland.com - write to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, PO Box 31, Midleton, Co. Cork before February 8th 2010.

Remember to be a nominated stalker or lease-holder on a Coillte deer lease you must now have completed the HCAP, not to mention the obvious benefits to your stalking and knowledge of deer stalking

Wild Deer Association of Ireland members Wild Boar Driven Shoot in Hungary

October 30th 2009

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland plans to run a second Wild Boar Driven shoot in Hungary on January 22nd 2010. The trip will be over 4 days with places limited, for further details contact Dominic O'Hea 086 8120442 or Damien Hannigan 087 2496987.

Bruce Banwell DVD now available

October 18th 2009

Following the address by world renowned deer author & expert Bruce Banwell to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, a DVD has now been produced of Bruce's talk.

If you would like a copy please forward a postal order or cheque for €15 made payable to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland to PO Box 31, Midleton, Co. Cork

Bruce Banwell speaks to the WDAI members

August 31st 2009

World renowned deer expert & author Bruce Banwell from New Zealand spoke to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland members on Friday August 21 st at the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. There was a large attendance to hear Bruce speak on a wide range of topics relating to deer & Bruce's experiences while travelling the world.

Read more about Bruce Banwell

 

Birr Castle Game Fair 2009

August 24th 2009

The 2009 Irish Game & Country Fair took place on Saturday & Sunday August 22nd - 23rd in Birr Castle Co. Offaly. This event continues to grow year on year with an action packed weekend of events & attractions. While Sunday was somewhat of a 'mud fest' it didn't dampen the spirits of the thousands who attended.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland where guests of Countryside Alliance Ireland who we would like to express our thanks too Lyall & his team for there continued generosity & support.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland recently expanded its game fair exhibition by investing in new display units for use at such events as Birr Castle, which includes fanstic images kindly donated by members John Delea & John Creedon to whom we are truly grateful.

While the WDAI stand was extremely busy throughout the weekend with queries of all matters deer related the star attraction was Ger Halligan's 257 CIC points Red Stag which received a lot of positive attention.

 

WDAI Shoot 2009

August 23rd 2009

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland annual shoot took place on Sunday August 16 th 2009 at the Kingdom Riocht Rifle & Pistol Club, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry.

The competition was open to all standard sporting rifles & the theme was of a sporting nature over 100 yards (prone un-rested) 200 (prone sand bags) & 300 (prone bi-pods) with 5 shots at each target.

After an enjoyable day in testing conditions & a high standard of shooting the winners following a count back for 2 nd & 3rd were – 1st John Clooney, Laois with132 points out of a maximum 150 – 2 nd Jonathan Murphy, Cork with 125 points – 3 rd Dan Quinlan, Tipperary 125 points – 4 th Kevin McCarthy, Clare 112 points.

© 2009 John Delea 087 2023203 all images - further 10 x 8 images available @ €12 (unframed)

 

Bruce Banwell addresses the WDAI

August 7th 2009

We are pleased to confirm world renowned deer expert & author Bruce Banwell from New Zealand will speak to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland members on Friday August 21 st at 7.30pm in the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet this iconic figure so make sure to attend. The National Parks & Wildlife Service will also make a presentation on ongoing deer related matters & there will some guidance on the new firearms licencing application.

Read more about Bruce Banwell

Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) Workshop & MCQ exam

July 19th 2009

Following the success of our HCAP workshops & MCQ exam on April 25th there have been numerous requests to host another HCAP workshop the MCQ exam this will take place on Saturday August 22nd in Cahir, Co. Tipperary @ 2pm workshops for members will take place @ 1oam prior to the exam - most places are already taken so if you are interested please contact us on 00353 87 2496987 or wilddeerireland@eircom.net or info@wilddeerireland.com as soon as posibble.

Remember to be a nominated stalker or lease-holder on a Coillte deer lease you must have completed the HCAP on or before January 1st 2010.

The HCAP Range Test for successful candidates will take place on Saturday September 26th at the Midland Rifle Range, Co. Offaly.

For further details or previous results click here

Association Annual Shoot

June 23rd 2009

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland annual shoot will take place at the Riocht Gun Range, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry at 11am on Sunday August 16th 2009. This event is open to all members who will receive further information closer to the event date.

28th Annual General Meeting the biggest & best yet!

June 14th 2009

The 28 th annual general meeting of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland took place on June 13 th at the Kilcoran Lodge, Cahir, Co. Tipperary with this year's event been the biggest to date.

The membership where informed the association has just had the best year in terms of membership with 68 new members joining from all regions of the country including Northern Ireland & that the associations web site www.wilddeerireland.com now attracts an average of 1,000 visitors per day from all over the world.

The association's head competition was won by Gerard Halligan, Clairemorris, Co. Mayo with his record breaking Red Stag (pictured on this web site), best Fallow was won by John Clooney & most unusual Paul Fletcher.

Overall the quality of heads on display was exceptional this year including an unusual Hog Deer & Pier David Deer displayed by Joe Murphy, Naas, Co. Kildare & the first Wild Boar taken in the wild in Ireland by Jim O'Keefe, Tipperary along with an amazing display of African Trophy heads.

The main prize in our members draw a Wild Boar weekend in Hungary was won by Michael Corbett, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary – congratulations to Michael who will be jetting off to Hungary in the coming months.

Award winning knife maker Pat Mulcahy & Kurt Ecker taxidermist had excellent displays of their crafts for members to view.

The meeting was followed by a fantastic venison banquet prepared by the chefs of the Kilcoran Lodge.

 

June 13th 2009

WDAI AGM

The 28 th Annual General Meeting of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland will be held on Saturday June 13th 2009 at 7.30pm sharp in the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary you can also contact the hotel or lodges on 052 41288 if you require accommodation.

Following the A.G.M. a Venison Buffet will be provided .

In conjunction with the A.G.M. our annual competition will be held for best Trophy Heads.

Categories - 1. Best Fallow head 2. Most unusual 3. Best Overall. Note: Heads must have been shot within the previous 12 months. Heads shot in excess of 12 months can be exhibited but will not be included in the competition; these heads must be identified to the judges in advance.

Membership for the coming year is due following the AGM and can be paid on the night, along with any outstanding membership (€20), if you are unable to attend please forward your membership fee to Wild Deer Association of Ireland, PO Box 31, Midleton, Co. Cork.

We are pleased to confirm a member's draw will take place for those present on the night, prizes include a Driven Wild Boar weekend at Nagyvad Hunting in Hungary visit www.nagyvadhunting.hu (terms & conditions apply) there will also be display of African game species.

April 25th 2009 -

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland hosted the largest Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) exam to date at the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperay on April 25th 2009 - with the deadline (January 2010) fast approaching for the HCAP to be a requisite of holding a Coillte Teo. deer lease over 67 candidates sat the exam. Candidates can expect exam results with in 10 - 15 working days of the exam.

April 7th & 8th 2009

8pm each night at the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperay - the WDAOI will hold it's annual Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) workshop. the WDAOI will host a HCAP MCQ in the same venue on April 25th.