Why Should You Consider Taking The Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC)?

It’s worth thinking about. One of the great joys of being involved with deer is that there is always something new to learn, no matter how long you have been stalking. On courses such as the British Deer Society’s DSC1 you will, over three intensive but thoroughly enjoyable days, cover a multitude of subjects ranging from deer ecology, the law, and rifle ballistics, to discovering the finer aspects of stalking safety and proving your ability to shoot straight on the range – all under the guidance of experienced, enthusiastic and helpful instructors.   

You don’t even have to bring your own rifle as the BDS can supply all necessary equipment if it is needed.

^{You have to prove that you can shoot straight on the firing range in the DSC1 examination}

Although it’s true that the ultimate aim of undertaking the DSC1 is attaining a certificate, you’ll get much more out of it. Director at GunsOnPegs, Frank Stephenson completed his DSC1 in the Winter of 2017 and explained 'It is a fantastic course and examination to take part in. Revising was not difficult, as it was a very interesting subject matter; learning about the finer details and habits of the six British deer species was enjoyable'.

^{A fallow buck and doe}

You’ll be surrounded by other candidates eager to learn, and the collective buzz and craic is a great encouragement. On top of all this, on successful completion you will hold a nationally recognised qualification which not just increases your personal knowledge but is proof to firearms licensing authorities, landowners and others of your competence.

Frank from GunsOnPegs said 'It has certainly made me approach stalking in a different way. It has increased my knowledge of how to spot disease within deer, my understanding of specific traits and I believe even the most experinced stalker would learn a thing or two from completing the course'.

Another benefit of getting your certificate is that it gives you Trained Hunter status, enabling you to pass venison on to the public through a game dealer.

^{Having Trained Hunter status, enables you to pass venison on to the public through a game dealer.}

Other training aids are very helpful, but nothing beats having an experienced teacher who can answer questions as they occur to you. To help you prepare, the BDS provides a comprehensive manual to all of their candidates which provides everything you need to know, as well as a lot more. You might also consider trying the BDS's Ultimate Deer Data, an entertaining and informative interactive training package with facts and quizzes to help you learn.

^{The written part of the examination for the DSC1}

After DSC1 there is the option of stepping up to DSC2, a portfolio based qualification assessed against practical stalking, and if you really get the deer bug there is the BDS Deer Management Course which takes you to the next level of extending your knowledge.

Frank finished by saying: 'I am very keen to undertake my DSC2 and it is just a matter of booking it in and finding witnesses who are suitably located for my assessed stalks'.

^{A red stag with a jackdaw perching on its rump}

Would you like to find out more about the DSC? Simply visit the BDS website at www.bds.org.uk and click on the ‘training’ tab. There you will find details of courses with venues all over the country, Ultimate Deer Data, and everything else that you need to know.