Cheapest way to do DSC 1 and 2?

[wildfowler.250]

Well folks, I thought I’d pick some brains on here as to the cheapest / quickest,(ie most efficient) way to do a DSC 1 and 2?

It’s not something I plan to have for leasing stalking or selling meat but it probably won’t go wrong in the long run. No doubt you’ll always learn something new as well.


Based in Scotland. I assume it would be a case of
Doing DSC 1 then a day on the hinds for the level 2?


I know there’s a lot of pros for the certificate and a lot of folk against them as well. The actual DSC 1 doesn’t really open many doors apart from being able to sell meat? I feel like most places like the arran scheme or leases look for a level 2 these days?


Thanks!

 

[Stevie/P]

Well folks, I thought I’d pick some brains on here as to the cheapest / quickest,(ie most efficient) way to do a DSC 1 and 2?

It’s not something I plan to have for leasing stalking or selling meat but it probably won’t go wrong in the long run. No doubt you’ll always learn something new as well.


Based in Scotland. I assume it would be a case of
Doing DSC 1 then a day on the hinds for the level 2?


I know there’s a lot of pros for the certificate and a lot of folk against them as well. The actual DSC 1 doesn’t really open many doors apart from being able to sell meat? I feel like most places like the arran scheme or leases look for a level 2 these days?


Thanks!

I wish you well in your endeavour
Unfortunately stalking quickness and cheap
Don’t really go together
But best of luck.

 

[VSS]

The cheapest way to do DSC1 is to study at home and then just pay for the test. But it's not the best way. No matter how much experience you think you've already got, you'll always benefit from the two days teaching that attending the course gives you, and meet a lot of other like-minded folk at the same time.

Incidentally, the "selling meat" (Large Game Meat Hygiene) bit is no longer included as standard in the DSC1. It's part of DSC2 now. Or you can do it as a standalone qualification.

I suspect that the cheapest way to do DSC2 would be for the AW to come to your ground, so you're not having to pay for a stalk.

 

[finnbear270]

Put some time in, with an AW.

 

[John Doe]

You can arrange to just do the level 1 assessments without any training if you are sure that you know your stuff. I know a guy that did this and said it was a walk in the park but he is the sort of guy that only has look at something once and he has it nailed, don’t you hate them! He did also say that two others who did it with him failed nearly everything because they didn’t do any preparation!

 

[Hayduke]

Buy off the back of Private Eye small adds or other similar reputable place, fraction of the price and worth just as much

 

[bottletopbill]

Cheapest way is do the course and study on DSC training £20. for two month (dsc1 only)
I booked a assessment only WAS ABOUT £100. CHEAPER then I paid the extra to do the complete course think of the time and cost for a retest in six sections

Practice the shooting test time and time again I was 65 yrs old and never stalked deer before but passed first time other's who had been stalking failed sections and that was gut wrenching to see others fail.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

For DSC1 there are courses available from BDS, BASC, SGA and a number of independent trainers in Scotland. As noted above a lot can be learned from both the formal course and the chat over coffee and lunch. Training doesn't stop when you've got your DSC1/2, there's always more to learn.
Good luck.
JCS

 

[NullMac]

The cheapest way to do DSC1 is to study at home and then just pay for the test. But it's not the best way. No matter how much experience you think you've already got, you'll always benefit from the two days teaching that attending the course gives you, and meet a lot of other like-minded folk at the same time.

I think that's right. I studied at home and turned up for the test day. I was fortunate enough to sit in on the recap that morning and think I would have got more out of it on the course. Studying online felt like I was just learning a lot of facts while the guys on the course were getting more context and ways to think about things.

 

[Free range rob]

I actually enjoyed doing the whole thing, sure it cost a few bob more, but the craic with a bunch of likeminded people, few beers in the evening, general chatting through the day with the others and the guys running the course, made a couple of good friends, well worth the extra bit in my opinion.

Cheapest way is as said, study up and just take the assessment, then get the AW to come to your ground, or buddy up with one.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Thanks folks! Really appreciate the feedback. I’d drafted out lots of individual replies but you’ve all covered it very well. I think the courses sound like the way to go from a sociable point of view alone.

Is there any difference in costs through basc / BDS etc? I assume the exam and material is all the same.


Cheers!

 

[nic531]

For DSC1 there are courses available from BDS, BASC, SGA and a number of independent trainers in Scotland. As noted above a lot can be learned from both the formal course and the chat over coffee and lunch. Training doesn't stop when you've got your DSC1/2, there's always more to learn.
Good luck.
JCS

I read that as SAGA were doing the DSC! I know stalkers are getting older but......

 

[Corf30]

Incidently where/who is nearest shropshire offering DSC 1?

 

[Tazz]

If you want DSC1&2 just for the “Badge” then yes home study, pay for test, then get 1 stalking day booked with AW. However most of us did the two qualifications to add to our knowledge and listen to other experiences, skills and tips. Other opinions will follow

 

[Phil A.]

Depends on your experience really.

I’m a complete novice so I’m doing pre-DSC1, DSC1 then paid stalks with AW.

You could rock up to the assessment then do a stalk the following morning with an AW.

 

[Basil H]

To get the most out of a course I would recommend getting once or twice first. What you are taught and what is discussed will make a lot more sense. Back in the day I was involved with a winter evening class for would-be sailors (the old Coastal Certificate). A couple of folk turned up who wanted to do the course before buying a boat in the spring although they had no practical experience at all. They struggled and gave up, which was sad.

 

[sagittariun]

Did my DSC1 back in 2018, and remember thoughly enjoying it, just in to retirement, and feeling slightly isolated, it was good to spend the day with like minded people. The Training manual was good reading and set the scene for practical experiences to come.

 

[willie_gunn]

As you are talking of both DSC1 and DSC2, the answer will depend greatly upon your level of practical experience.

For DSC1 there's plenty of good advice above. If you can find availability at a convenient location, get it booked!

When it comes to DSC2, only you can say whether you have sufficient experience to meet the standard required for all the Performance Criteria. Download the e-ICR and the AW briefing document from the DMQ website, read them through, and give yourself an honest assessment as to whether you could complete the process unaided and unguided.

As I have said elsewhere, the part of DSC2 up to and including taking the shot is - to my mind at least - the easy bit. It is the process after that, covering the approach and inspection of the carcass, the gralloch, the extraction from the field, the transport, and the larder work, that catches most Candidates out. By the time you do your witnessed stalk these should all be second nature to you. DSC2 is not designed as "on the job" training, and these days the AW can only witness, not question, teach or guide you as to what you should be doing and how you should be doing it!

If you are confident on all of these PC's then, assuming you have already paid and registered, the cheapest way to complete DSC2 is likely to be to get the AW to come to your ground and witness your stalk. This is assuming you have sufficient deer on your ground to support the likelihood of a successful stalk. If you don't, then perhaps find an AW who can take you out instead.

Presuming your AW is on the ball then, given a week or two for the call from the Assessor, you could theoretically get both your DSC1 and DSC2 completed within the calendar month.

 

[kieran222]

As others have already said, study at home for the DSC1 and just pay for the assessment. That's what I did as it wasn't really practical to commute to the course daily. This will also save you taking a couple of days off work. There is some great info in the BDS manual.
When I did the course there were a few people on the course that failed. I remember the exam supervisors (course instructor) was very disappointed with some of the assessments as he was looking through them as we were getting on with the next assessment.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that all you have to do is turn up for the course and listen to the instructor for two days and you will pass. You do need to ensure you are familiar with all of the key data. This will save you the cost of a repeat.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

+1 for dsctraining.org and attending the whole DSC1 course. I've not done my DSC2 yet so can't comment on that.