I'm new to stalking. Do you need to have done your dsc1 before you can go stalking. I'm not new to shooting and I process my own sheep, I'm sure there is still a lot on the course for me to learn but do I need it. To do the course I would need to wait till there is one I could drive to each day as I have a pack of dogs and other animals to look after. Cheers
DSC1 Do i need it ?
- Thread starter moxon508
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Utectok
Well-Known Member
No you don't need it but it is interesting and useful if you expand your deer stalking opportunities.
On the one hand plenty of people say its a waste of time and money.... but if you like stalking why not learn about it.. I founds it both interesting enjoyable and opened up opportunities. A Lot of syndicates insist on DSC1 and many now insist on 1 and 2. Even our wee syndicate now says guns must be working towards DSC2. Keeps Scottish woodlands happy.
On the one hand plenty of people say its a waste of time and money.... but if you like stalking why not learn about it.. I founds it both interesting enjoyable and opened up opportunities. A Lot of syndicates insist on DSC1 and many now insist on 1 and 2. Even our wee syndicate now says guns must be working towards DSC2. Keeps Scottish woodlands happy.
You can go stalking without a DSC1, and without having a Firearms Certificate or owning a rifle.
The DSC1 is useful, though, if you want to understand more about deer, the law related to deer and deer stalking, safety, etc. It also offers the chance to meet a group of like-minded people.
The DSC1 is useful, though, if you want to understand more about deer, the law related to deer and deer stalking, safety, etc. It also offers the chance to meet a group of like-minded people.
Lots of opinions on the subject, if you are relatively new to stalking it’s a useful qualification to get as you will learn a lot from it plus many syndicates now require it to join plus to the police it’s a demonstration of your commitment to stalking. There are also ways of doing the studying on line and just attending the exam and shooting test if “available days” are an issue
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
By the letter of the law you do not require a qualification to shoot deer, however and dare I say it Firearms Licensing Branches rightly invariably have a policy of requiring evidence of your experience with centrefire rifles in the pursuit of deer. For the newbie the DSC or similar is a starting point which may satisfy some forces though is not guaranteed to get you the rifle. The other factor to be demonstrated is experience with c/f rifles and/or deerstalking itself - soooo if you are a member of a target club and/or have been shooting deer for several years and can evidence this (letters from club/guides/estates etc.) you can present this as sufficient case for said acquisition - proof of additional future bookings will help. NB - There I have seen no obvious consistency in the outcome of such applications!
For interest and despite being told that I must have an “ology” I went down the latter route many years ago and was granted 2 deer rifles - the FACs for which have been regranted on the nod ever since, the last being only two weeks ago.
Sooo in summary - if you can put together a well-written case which demonstrates good reason married with what I have set out above you have a good chance of getting the fac without a qualification but note well the potential for baseless refusal!
Good luck.
For interest and despite being told that I must have an “ology” I went down the latter route many years ago and was granted 2 deer rifles - the FACs for which have been regranted on the nod ever since, the last being only two weeks ago.
Sooo in summary - if you can put together a well-written case which demonstrates good reason married with what I have set out above you have a good chance of getting the fac without a qualification but note well the potential for baseless refusal!
Good luck.
well it makes it difficult getting granted a deer legal rifle on your fac , means most commercial stalking insist on being accompanied without it . The police might well refuse your application because its their decision to make because " experiance and training " are mentioned in the rules , NOT they cant grant someone without level 1 or other training just they can refuse .
Complete rubbish.
really ? its very , very common 243 win and above ! The act actually mentions training and experience for 243 win and above ( the deer calibers) to be used off ranges . Its been a big thing regards 243 win and foxing .
Its not my idea it it very much is something that occurs in a lot of counties and its become more common rather than less common over the years i have been involved .
Some folks just aint worth bothering with
bottletopbill
Well-Known Member
Got my 243 open ticket a few years ago still not shot a deer. Completed my DSC1 last day of October 2022 and I will be 66yrs old in March .
Thought after many years just go for it and i passed on my first attempt.
As you stated time is tight you can do a assessment only and do your test in a day or two.
But go on DSC training for three months prior to test and do lots of target practice you can buy the target for about seven quid and make copies (this was the hardest test of the five )
Good luck
Bill
Thought after many years just go for it and i passed on my first attempt.
As you stated time is tight you can do a assessment only and do your test in a day or two.
But go on DSC training for three months prior to test and do lots of target practice you can buy the target for about seven quid and make copies (this was the hardest test of the five )
Good luck
Bill
Rake Aboot
Well-Known Member
No
You don’t
And it does nothing for getting a deer rifle on your fac.
Getting some stalking does that. Even that’s not a necessity
You don’t
And it does nothing for getting a deer rifle on your fac.
Getting some stalking does that. Even that’s not a necessity
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
The law requires "Good Reason" not "Qualifications"
I'm the other end of the spectrum to @bottletopbill . I'm brand new, had never done a stalk. I went on the same course as he did and I think from a novice perspective, it forced me to learn a lot about deer, stalking, and law, that I otherwise wouldn't have necessarily learnt for years.
I'm certainly glad I did it. I feel it's put me where I could be in a year or so time with regards to deer ID and things. It's like a helping leg up to where some stalkers already are.
Where it does nothing is the practical side. You'll still be basically clueless on the grollach and the actual shooting.
I'm certainly glad I did it. I feel it's put me where I could be in a year or so time with regards to deer ID and things. It's like a helping leg up to where some stalkers already are.
Where it does nothing is the practical side. You'll still be basically clueless on the grollach and the actual shooting.
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
No, it just makes life easier!
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
If you can find a deer park or farm that's willing to let you help with gralloching its a great way to learn
I've since done a paid stalk and, whilst we came away empty handed, he did say next time if we get one he will show me that. As far as getting assistance into the world of stalking, I've personally found it a very closed off world with only paid stalks an option.
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