How much ammo do I need for DSC1?

Thank you.
Famous last words but I’m not really worried about the shooting test. If I fall to bits with nerves after 40 years of shooting I may as well pack it up….but I guess you never know until you do it.

Treat it like the real world and the moment your cheek touches the stock the outside world will just fade away .........

and remember you don't have to worry about range, backstop, other deer, sex, cull animal etc..... just chill and shoot ;)

Like you shooting wasn't an issue just didn't want to embarrass myself in the exam, as a middle-aged dyslectic :lol:
 
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That’s what I’m more worried about, going blank trying to answer an obvious question 🤣
just remember the answer will be Fallow or Sika or Buck or Stag :lol::lol::lol::lol:
and don't forget how many days in each month or just answer.... the start of or the end of....
 
TBH the multiple choice was easy, but the deer recognition photos had me thinking. Since I am not familiar with them all, never mind how they look throughout the year.

Of course in real life this isn't an issue, on any particular day, or location, I've got a fair idea of what might step out in front of me, and whether it is in season.

Nevertheless I got one wrong (much to the amusement of the examiner), So only 99/100 overall for the written test.

Read the manual, and the question bank, then read it again. There's lots in the manual of interest beyond just passing the test. If you are on a full course (3 or 4 days), with a vareity of others, then do enjoy the experience. If you are severely dyslexic then the provider might be able to help with someone to read for you, extra time, or whatever. Don't be shy to ask.

It'll be alright, not gonna overthink it. If there's prone shooting, I want the bipod for sure
All explained here: It used to be tougher. You can also buy the official target from the BDS to practice with. Don't fluff the close range head shot, if you have a large 'scope, or even any 'scope, you'll probably have to compensate.

Changes to DSC1 and DSC2 - The British Deer Society

Paper Targets, Inserts & Target Patches Archives - The British Deer Society

Prone off a bipod at 100m should be straightforward. But suggest you practice your field positions at 70m (standing, sitting or kneeling) All "normal shooting aids" allowed, e.g. sticks, quad sticks, long bipod, whatever. I suspect that bolting it onto a tripod might not be :-|

Shooting Assessment

From April the 1st a new Shooting Assessment will be implemented. It will consist of two rounds at the chest of the deer target from 100m from the prone or simulated high seat position, two rounds from 70m from standing, sitting or kneeling and, finally, two rounds from between 10 and 20m from the standing position at the head of the deer target. All normal shooting aids may be used.

The chest target area has been reduced slightly and a new target area marked on the head. The grouping and zeroing phase has been removed completely but Candidates will have an opportunity to check their rifles or familiarise themselves with a club rifle.

Only two attempts at the Shooting Assessment will be allowed in any one day.

...


Trained Hunter

The DSC1 course will no longer provide a route to the Trained Hunter status/qualification as this has been moved to DSC2 however game meat hygiene will still be taught as underpinning knowledge.

Any candidate that has Accredited Prior Learning in the form of a stand-alone Trained Hunter qualification (LANTRA/NGO) will be able to submit this as evidence and their certificate will reflect this.
 
The DSC1 'shooting test' is a joke IMHO.

I understand the need for shorter distances (100m and closer) due to the contraints experienced by different venues, but the fact someone is able to pass with no prior experience with centrefire firearms shows it is simply too easy.

Ever heard of someone never having driven a car or simillar vehicle and passing their driving test on the first try?

If I were to sugguest amendments, it would be as follows:

1. Make all shots either offhand or on sticks, no bipods allowed.

2. Set a time limit of 5 seconds for each shot, running successively, so you get 10 seconds total for two shots but the first shot must be fired within 5 seconds of the candidate being walked to the firing point and being told they are safe to shoot, no allowance for 'getting ready'.

This would dramatically change the course and raise the required level of competence. I once conducted a 'shooting test' run along the lines of the DSC1 test and the candidate had a negligent discharge off sticks... a danger to themselves and others, I doubt they would concern any deer!
 
The DSC1 'shooting test' is a joke IMHO.

I understand the need for shorter distances (100m and closer) due to the contraints experienced by different venues, but the fact someone is able to pass with no prior experience with centrefire firearms shows it is simply too easy.

Ever heard of someone never having driven a car or simillar vehicle and passing their driving test on the first try?

If I were to sugguest amendments, it would be as follows:

1. Make all shots either offhand or on sticks, no bipods allowed.

2. Set a time limit of 5 seconds for each shot, running successively, so you get 10 seconds total for two shots but the first shot must be fired within 5 seconds of the candidate being walked to the firing point and being told they are safe to shoot, no allowance for 'getting ready'.

This would dramatically change the course and raise the required level of competence. I once conducted a 'shooting test' run along the lines of the DSC1 test and the candidate had a negligent discharge off sticks... a danger to themselves and others, I doubt they would concern any deer!
Without having done it myself yet, the shooting skills required do seem lax for the generally-accepted certification, but I would assume that the DSC2 is the bit of paper which would prove one is competent. A DSC1 is perhaps more an exercise in separating wheat from chaff with regards to deer knowledge, rather than a certificate for one's marksmanship
 
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I would assume that the DSC2 is the bit of paper which would prove one is competent.

Assume nothing!

Qualifications are only as good as the standards they operate to, and the recent changes to DSC2 has only lowered what was an easy bar to clear.

The solution is not 'DSC3' or anything of that nature. I would rather someone who is safe and has common sense and neither of those are courses you can take.
 
Like you shooting wasn't an issue just didn't want to embarrass myself in the exam, as a middle-aged dyslectic
A mate of mine has DSC I and DSCI I (old version).

He can neither read or write.

He "learned" the academic side of things with the help of his very understanding wife.

He "passed" the academic side of things with " reasonable adjustments " made by those that assessed his course - one of the assessors took him to a side room, read out his questions and wrote down his answers.

It can all be facilitated.
 
Just an observation, when I took my DSC1 many years ago, I couldn't understand the difficulties many others (some apparently very experienced but only doing it on sufferance because they now needed the minimum qualification to keep working) were having in doing something that I regarded as dead easy.

One bluffer wanted to use his "shooting chair" for the closer shots, insisting that it was his normal stalking equipment (?). He got short shrift, was told to use sticks, standing or kneeling, or a long bipod, all provided. He still failed three times. Oh, and ran out of ammo so had to scrounge some more. Still failed.

Others of course turned up completely un-zeroed, then fannied about holding up the rest of us whilst being indulged (actually pretty much coached by the RCO).

It should be more of a doddle nowadays, but I suppose the close range head shot might catch some out, if they don't compensate for the 'scope height above the barrel.

My point being that it is not a difficult test. No the target does not have a red spot to aim at, but up the back of the front leg, halfway up the body, is where to shoot.

Now here is an interesting statistic (as of 2018)

https://www.dmq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC1.pdf
I completely agree…I did mine in 2013 having never fired a centrefire rifle other than in cadets. I thought the shooting test was very very simple and easy, passed first time using their rifle, no bipod etc and borrowed sticks. Many didn’t, including one who had a heavily modified accuracy international .308 with a tripod not bipod which he claimed to have been stalking with the previous weekend - he managed to fail the test twice.

Don‘t worry about the test, it really is simple.
 
The DSC1 'shooting test' is a joke IMHO.

I understand the need for shorter distances (100m and closer) due to the contraints experienced by different venues, but the fact someone is able to pass with no prior experience with centrefire firearms shows it is simply too easy.

Ever heard of someone never having driven a car or simillar vehicle and passing their driving test on the first try?

If I were to sugguest amendments, it would be as follows:

1. Make all shots either offhand or on sticks, no bipods allowed.

2. Set a time limit of 5 seconds for each shot, running successively, so you get 10 seconds total for two shots but the first shot must be fired within 5 seconds of the candidate being walked to the firing point and being told they are safe to shoot, no allowance for 'getting ready'.

This would dramatically change the course and raise the required level of competence. I once conducted a 'shooting test' run along the lines of the DSC1 test and the candidate had a negligent discharge off sticks... a danger to themselves and others, I doubt they would concern any deer!
I undertook my DSC1 in June last year, and took a lot from it, the shooting is basic for sure and I had not shot a rifle (other than air rifles in my youth).

But with regards to your second point I would never want to feel rushed to take a shot on an animal. that shot should not be taken in my opinion and seems an unrealistic situation. I agree that there could be a set time limit, maybe from the 1st shot.

Wayne Gretzky said you miss every shot you dont take, how ever when it comes to shooting I look at it like I can never regret a shot I haven't taken as nothing can go wrong by not taking the shot.
 
The DSC1 'shooting test' is a joke IMHO.

I understand the need for shorter distances (100m and closer) due to the contraints experienced by different venues, but the fact someone is able to pass with no prior experience with centrefire firearms shows it is simply too easy.

Ever heard of someone never having driven a car or simillar vehicle and passing their driving test on the first try?

If I were to sugguest amendments, it would be as follows:

1. Make all shots either offhand or on sticks, no bipods allowed.

2. Set a time limit of 5 seconds for each shot, running successively, so you get 10 seconds total for two shots but the first shot must be fired within 5 seconds of the candidate being walked to the firing point and being told they are safe to shoot, no allowance for 'getting ready'.

This would dramatically change the course and raise the required level of competence. I once conducted a 'shooting test' run along the lines of the DSC1 test and the candidate had a negligent discharge off sticks... a danger to themselves and others, I doubt they would concern any deer!
A colleague of mine runs a lot of DSC1 courses and he tells me he has only ever had experienced stalkers and shooter fail the shooting test, normally the ones who think the test is too easy! :)
 
Why, are you not allowed to take more than one brand ammo to make up the amount needed?
You are allowed to take as many different 'brand' rounds as you wish.

The point is that they must be 'factory rounds' and not home-loads.

@kenbro had (I think) his tongue in his cheek when he posted. The 'suggestion' that if you do take 'home-loads' make sure they are all of the same 'head-stamp= (brand).
 
You are allowed to take as many different 'brand' rounds as you wish.

The point is that they must be 'factory rounds' and not home-loads.

@kenbro had (I think) his tongue in his cheek when he posted. The 'suggestion' that if you do take 'home-loads' make sure they are all of the same 'head-stamp= (brand).
If you take home loads (How can they tell?) or factory, they don’t need the same headstamp.
Ken.
PS. I didn’t do the post you’re attributing to me.
 
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