DSC1 - is it useful and who runs a good course?

[kennyc]

do you need to have done lvl1 to do lvl2?

nope

[Blackstuff]

I would argue that it shouldn't be regarded as a pre-requisite for getting stalking on your FAC as it is a "paper course" and not "hands on" , there is also no support in legislation (as far as I am aware) for any "requirement" to possess DSC1 before being allowed stalking on your FAC,it does however entitle you to put Venison into the food chain as you have proven you can pass a test on meat hygiene
that said, I found it a very interesting course and enjoyed doing it, it doe's give you a lot of information about Deer and their habits, and is a place to meet like minded people. it is not the Holy Grail so don't go there expecting it to be life changing.
the shooting test is easy peasy (unless you are one of the two tits on my course who couldn't even hit the paper ) and the written tests themselves do require you to be able to retain information! so chose a supplier that gives you the resources to practise tests in advance of the actual course.

100% agree with this

If you don't have someone to 'show you the ropes' and don't want to just turn up and shoot in the format of a paid stalk, but actually learn the basics about deer and stalking its a good first step.

Basically if you've been deer stalking for years you're likely to get much from it, but if you're just coming into it, it can be useful.

I have DSC 1 and 2 and found them to be very useful. I can, however, see the arguments for and against. With the forest owners demanding level 1 or 2 to get a sporting lease there seems to be benefit in it.
Greenlea between Newcastle and Carlisle do a good course.

Did mine there and it was really good. John also does a carcass prep/butchery course

[Triffid]

To me there are two issues that I faced when I wanted to start stalking.
Firstly getting the Police to give me permission to use my rifles outside the confines of a range. and
Secondly getting my own competence up so I could do it safely.

Doing the DSC was a help to both of these, but I did alot of other things as well. I did mine with the BDS/Chris Hayward and it was fine. Lots of useful information, which I've still got and refer to.

But probably the best bit of training I did was to go out with an experienced stalker and my advice would be to follow a similar route.

The Police gave me 'mentoring' conditions at first, but removed these as soon as my mentor wrote it to say he was happy with me. I've still got territorial conditions on my FAC, but its not an issue as I only really shoot on a couple of patches of land.

Triffid

[kennyc]

We're thinking that our shooting is now good enough to allow us to hunt, and so we're planning on asking Mr Plod for an appropriate rifle and variations (our existing rifles are mainly pre-1919 battle rifles). We're also contemplating a DSC 1 course, though we have heard conflicting reports on whether or not they are actually useful. What do the members of these esteemed fora think about them ?

where are you based? FYI my K31 is cleared for Deer so your battle rifles may do the job......

[JS569]

We're thinking that our shooting is now good enough to allow us to hunt, and so we're planning on asking Mr Plod for an appropriate rifle and variations (our existing rifles are mainly pre-1919 battle rifles). We're also contemplating a DSC 1 course, though we have heard conflicting reports on whether or not they are actually useful. What do the members of these esteemed fora think about them ?

where are you based? FYI my K31 is cleared for Deer so your battle rifles may do the job......

If he was in West Yorks and wanted to use his k31, i'd be surprised if they would have a problem. In theory as long as you're willing to use the rifle and the calibre is appropriate the Police shouldn't have an issue.

[meles meles]

Oh we're sure our K31 is good for the job, but we just might want (yet) another rifle...

[AL8]

I did my DSC1 because you could write my knowledge of deer on the back of a postage stamp. I found it very informative and made a friend on the course as well, who happens to belong to the same shooting club as me. I am also very lucky to have a very small plot of land to shoot on which got cleared for a .308 no problems at all.I would like to think it was because of my general shooting experience and the course. Mine was through BASC, I really enjoyed it. For me it was money well spent.

[Primer]

I did my course in February and found it very informative on deer species and recognition of which I didn't have a clue about, I met a good bunch of lads on it and all but one passed the test, I called it karma as he was a dual national from the states who scoffed at me on the introductions when I said I mostly only did mini rifle and psg over 25 to 50m as he loads of guns and shot over long distances but strangely couldn't put 3 holes in the circle, we must have wasted an extra hour in the freezing Hampshire field while he tried several guns before they failed him.

There were many aspects of the course that could be improved and a lot of wasted time watching a video of a stalk and gralloch which seemed to contradict a lot of what the training manual stated. I certainly wouldn't recommend my course provider as the itinerary did provided was not followed and most of the kit I purchased as shown as required on their kit list was not used.

The Donnington course should be good as I purchased a few of their dvds before hand and also the training manual I was provided on my course was one of theirs.

You can just do the assessment and exams which makes it cheaper but you will either need good knowledge of deer or purchase training material beforehand.

[M99]

Badger

As you frequent the tunnels at Carlton moor, Mike hosts a DCS1 run by BASC - the course is no nonsense, no bullshit and does what it says on the tin.

Mike

[Countryman]

I must have done my initial DSC 1 getting on for 20 years ago when applying for a rifle for Deer with no club membership at the time.

I did mine with Jelen Deer services. I shot my first Roe during the course. I have stayed in touch with Mike at Jelen on and off since and his outfit have expanded no end. A couple of years ago I had to update my qualification with the Large Animal Meat Hygiene change and Mike helped me out.

I think it's really useful. Nearly every other country has a Trained Hunter Qualification. They are considered a badge of honour.

More and more they are now a pre-req to rifles being conditioned for Deer.