Do you think that the current shooting test for the DSC1 qualification is suitable or sufficient?

[8x57]

Quote from the DMQ website.

Deer Stalking Qualification – 1​

DSC1 is an initial qualification for deer stalkers and managers. It is a largely knowledge based qualification which enables candidates to demonstrate their understanding of basic deer management principles and meat hygiene, and to show competence in safety and shooting at simulated targets.
The current shooting test for DSC1 is -

2 shots into the chest killing area of a DMQ deer target from 100m. The shooting position is prone or from a simulated highseat (if available) normal stalking aids such as rucksack or bipod may be used.

2 shots into the chest killing area of a DMQ deer target from 70m. The shooting position may be standing, kneeling, or sitting. sitting or kneeling. As before, normal aids such as bipods or sticks may be used.

2 shots into the humane despatch (head) killing area of a deer target from 10 -20m. The shooting position is standing, and sticks may be used. Please note the range for this discipline may vary due to individual range requirements. Shooting safety glasses must be worn when taking this discipline.


Bearing in mind the various debates that have been going on for the last few days on this site regarding qualifications and testing etc. I just wonder what the general consensus of the site members is.

 

[VSS]

No.
The old 9 shot test sequence should have been retained, and they should have added 2 shots from a simulated highseat and the 2 HD shots, imo.

 

[Cris]

DSC is basic by design. So it follows that the shooting test is …….. basic and hence fits the objective of the course. Nobody is coming away an experienced shot from the course unless they have experience prior.

 

[artschool]

this will be another fun thread of willy waving

 

[enfieldspares]

Erm put me right if I am wrong. Two shots from a high seat if actually put where they should be on a real deer would be fails on a DSC 1 shooting test? As the target and vital zone are two dimensional so take no account of the actual downward path of a bullet shot on a real three dimensional deer from a high seat? And the need for the shot to be aimed "up" to allow for the downward path it will take to the heart if shot from above from a high seat?

 

[VSS]

Erm put me right if I am wrong. Two shots from a high seat if actually put where they should be on a real deer would be fails on a DSC 1 shooting test? As the target and vital zone are two dimensional so take no account of the actual downward path of a bullet shot on a real three dimensional deer from a high seat? And the need for the shot to be aimed "up" to allow for the downward path it will take to the heart if shot from above from a high seat?

No they wouldn't, unless the shots were taken at very close quarters. At 100 yards the difference is negligible, and wouldn't affect shot placing.
(And besides, a simulated highseat, for the purpose of such a test, could in fact be a low seat. The reason why I think such a thing should be included is because for many candidates, doing DSC1 at the start of the stalking journey, the first deer they shoot will be from a highseat).

 

[timbrayford]

"and to show competence in safety and shooting at simulated targets."
Precisely what it does do, so why confuse it with competently shooting at a deer instead?

 

[bottletopbill]

I did my DSC1 test shooting with a borrowed riffle Never shot a deer before my test.
And with luck passed at my first attempt despite raining hard (luck was with me .
Some had shot many deer prior to the test but failed after there two attempts.
That is why i still practice in all weather conditions at 100m to 200m range

 

[Donkey Basher]

My only suggestion would be to use a photographic image as the target with the ‘kill’ area on the reverse side instead of the solid black silhouette.

 

[Buchan]

I'd really like to know why the test was changed. Introducing the humane dispatch close range is reasonable, but why remove the 40 and, critically, why remove the 3 in a 4"? 9 shots to 4 is a huge reduction.

 

[Klenchblaize]

My only suggestion would be to use a photographic image as the target with the ‘kill’ area on the reverse side instead of the solid black silhouette.

Or a standard DJV roe target with the score rings on the back. Got to keep that very helpful blade of grass as an aiming mark.

K

 

[Shootgun]

Is not the DSC1 lacking nowdays, is the DSC2... Don't get me started !

 

[6mmAI]

I don’t know what difference it would make changing the dsc1 shooting test. Personally i believe at each renewal of fac there should be a shooting and handling test, but that’s just me. I also think that all should put effort into practicing/ using there firearms. As many they sit in the cabinet then just head out expecting to “do alright”. I’m fortunate that due to my career I have a firearm in my hand all day most days of the year +/- an odd day due to shoot days. So if I have an unexpected miss what I can’t explain I will then check my zero.

For a example I have put to my estate that moving forward we will have a annual shooting test, as we have 6 “stalkers” who all voluntary cull deer on the estate, over the last 12 months they have between them culled 18 head, 5 of which have been rejected, 3 of them haven’t even got as far as the larder due to very poor shot placement. So moving forward they will have to put 2 bullets inside 2” off bipod / high seat, and 2 bullets inside 2” at 50m off sticks.
And if successful then a simulated stalk where they stalk 50m down a ride spot and identify a deer siloette then deploy sticks and put 2 bullets inside a 2” “kill zone” within 3 minutes.
Hopefully this will if nothing else ensure of humain harvesting of beasts, and that there zero is checked once in every 12 months as clearly something had gone pear shaped somewhere along the lines.

 

[bottletopbill]

Still think hands on training with a mentor is fare better .
Yes i did enjoy the course and think we can learn some things but hands on by a mentor would also be a benefit to stalking.
Went out for my one and only stalk and learnt a lot from him.
Was shown various tips and treated with respect even thou i must as pi--ed him off at times.

 

[VSS]

Still think hands on training with a mentor is fare better .
Yes i did enjoy the course and think we can learn some things but hands on by a mentor would also be a benefit to stalking.
Went out for my one and only stalk and learnt a lot from him.
Was shown various tips and treated with respect even thou i must as pi--ed him off at times.

I don't think either one is "better" than the other.
Both is best.
At least having done DSC1 you will have an idea of whether your mentor is any good!

 

[Donkey Basher]

@6mmAI - I had to read your stats a second time… 6 individuals culling 12 animals in 18 months, you might as well sack them all off on that basis alone! As for 5 ex 12 being rejected, that’s appalling - we all get something wrong ocassionally but that’s just unacceptable in my opinion. Sounds to me like you must shoot most of the cull plan yourself!! - maybe time to see if you can persuade some of your neighbouring keepers to pitch in a day or two & do far better than the ‘stalkers’ you’ve got at the moment!

 

[gixer1]

Do I think an imaginary circle is good? No, it should be based on the assessor looking at the silhouette and the hits and saying “yes, that would be dead”….or have the heart and lungs marked out with the feint lines…anyone that says a shot 3/4” outside that circle is not a kill shot does not know a roe deer!

 

[VSS]

Do I think an imaginary circle is good? No, it should be based on the assessor looking at the silhouette and the hits and saying “yes, that would be dead”….or have the heart and lungs marked out with the feint lines…anyone that says a shot 3/4” outside that circle is not a kill shot does not know a roe deer!

Agreed, a more realistically shaped kill zone would be good.

 

[6mmAI]

@6mmAI - I had to read your stats a second time… 6 individuals culling 12 animals in 18 months, you might as well sack them all off on that basis alone! As for 5 ex 12 being rejected, that’s appalling - we all get something wrong ocassionally but that’s just unacceptable in my opinion. Sounds to me like you must shoot most of the cull plan yourself!! - maybe time to see if you can persuade some of your neighbouring keepers to pitch in a day or two & do far better than the ‘stalkers’ you’ve got at the moment!

18 animals in 12 months, but either way not good, I’ve harvested 150+ to my own rifle within that same timeframe with 2 rejections ( one being slightly to high and spoiling loin,”according to game dealer “ ( other being shot placement too far back and pulling gut through the diaphram “ that was my mistake” went to the dogs )
I inherited the “stalkers” so not as easy as sack them off, however with introducing a shooting test it’s a case of you fail it you don’t stalk, you pass it there isn’t the excuse for such a high number of rejections.

 

[bottletopbill]

Some of the guys on the shooting test were only 5mill outside the circle and failed.
So as VSS as put both DSC and a mentor works well together and have to agree with him it worked for me.
On the shooting test why cant we have a outer circle as a pass as it would still be a kill.