If you wish to shoot Deer you can do it with the `estate rifle` provision or with your own in the presence of the estate stalker who is effectively your mentor.
When you have land of your own and passed the DSC1 you may be deemed a fit and safe person but possibly the authorities may think there should be a `mentor` to keep an eye upon you for a while.
unfortunately many FLO's are taking it into their own hands and not giving people deer conditioned FAC's unless they have land of their own with deer and authority to shoot and expressing DSC1 as a minimum standard.
They are beginning to see booked stalks as a way round this and as a result not allowing deer conditioned certificates purely on booked stalks.
This is completely outside HO guidance and any possible authority an administrative body should be exercising
FAC applicants need to demonstrate they have
1) a demonstrable need and good reason for ownership (NRA membership is yours, deer is an afterthought) Incidentally good reason and conditions should not necessarily be the same. just because you want a rifle for its primary use should not restrict you solely to this use. Case in point: I have a .222 which I got for its primary use of shooting foxes, it is conditioned for deer/fox as it is legal to shoot deer with it and I should be the one choosing what it is pointed at not the FLO!
2) they are a fit person to hold one (safe handling and experience is part of this, your FEO has never seen or likely ever will see you shoot, you need to answer all questions and give reasons why you feel you are a safe choice, backstops, handling, security, shot positions, choice of firearms, rudimentary ballistics knowledge, details of areas you would expect to be shooting etc etc )
thats it!
anything else is an imposition on behalf of the FLO
IMO do not accept anything outside of this