Getting started from scratch

[Chris Richardson]

To be honest the best bit of advice that I can give you, is don’t get sucked into all the This is best, that is best. I recommend this, I recommend that, bollocks!

You can spend £300 on an 8 x 56 Schmidt and bender, you can buy a rifle for £300 and you will shoot Deer for years and years and years!

Good optics and reasonably priced rifle will serve you well

But what about loads of courses that we desperately “ need “ ???

 

[ackers1]

With evidence of of past stalks and future bookings there's no reason you can't apply for your FAC it shows good reason, you could book a DSC 1 course as more evidence for your application.

I didn't realise I could apply just on this basis, I will do that! Thank you.

 

[ackers1]

To be honest the best bit of advice that I can give you, is don’t get sucked into all the This is best, that is best. I recommend this, I recommend that, bollocks!

You can spend £300 on an 8 x 56 Schmidt and bender, you can buy a rifle for £300 and you will shoot Deer for years and years and years!

Good optics and reasonably priced rifle will serve you well

This sounds ideal but would it be realistically possible?

 

[ackers1]

I may be wrong here, but don't most syndicates/leases require at least DSC1? I've held a lease on a piece of private forestry in Fife for some 20yrs and since day one DSC1, has been a requirement.

That's really interesting and you're local to me too and it's what I've heard quite a few times too that DSC1 is seen as a must to get in to the world.

 

[ackers1]

PDS is mostly on line remote learning is it not? Can be taken at any time, but I think there is still a face to face safety and shooting test to do.

Yes PDS1 is all online followed by face to face assessment I think but I've seen quite a few DSC1 being online and then assessment days too.

PDS1 seems to work out slightly dearer too.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

This sounds ideal but would it be realistically possible?

Absolutely 100% it’s possible

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Every acre I’ve ever had which at 1 point was well over 10,000 acres, has never needed a price of paper!

It’s all been - “can you do the job yes or no”

Answer- “YES”

Reply - “crack on!”

 

[Chris Richardson]

Every acre I’ve ever had which at 1 point was well over 10,000 acres, has never needed a price of paper!

It’s all been - “can you do the job yes or no”

Answer- “YES”

Reply - “crack on!”

Same here

 

[Chris Richardson]

This sounds ideal but would it be realistically possible?

Keep an eye on the classified section some bargains to be had , just last week I picked up a meopta 3-12 x50 for £120 I’ve bought a Schmidt 8 x 56 on the past for not a lot more

 

[Chris Richardson]

That's really interesting and you're local to me too and it's what I've heard quite a few times too that DSC1 is seen as a must to get in to the world.

We are our own worst enemy

 

[Cris]

We are our own worst enemy

There was a time I would have agreed, but not today. There people starting out in deer stalking with little or no background or experience that need a starting point. DSC or PDS 1 are just that. No you don’t need them but good grounding. Money making, well it’s time spent by someone to deliver the services IF you want it and it’s a choice people make. You may be lucky and find a mentor who can teach you / show you, but few and far between for someone coming in with no connections.

 

[finnbear270]

Always with the negative waves baby, A new starter is in a new world, not the old, qualifications are needed in todays world ..... the days of jumping in a hurricane or spitfire with just 8 or 10 hours under your belt & going off to war are gone.

 

[bbell]

Hi all,

I'm new to the site and to stalking. I'm located in Fife at the moment but moving soon to Dundee.

I want to get into recreational stalking fully. I've been out for 3 guided stalks so far and absolutely loved it. I've got a few more booked in too. I've paid quite different prices for similar stalking.

Trying to take in everything from all the discussions and vast amount of information on here is confusing at times.

I wanted to ask experienced people on here about planning the pathway forward.

I want to get DSC1/PDS1 and FAC, and eventually some stalking permissions / join a syndicate. Do i join BASC or BDS or both? What order to do things in?

Grateful in advance for advice and guidance.

Since you’ve had booked stalks with future ones coming up I would recommend applying for your FAC now. I applied last year and am sitting at 11 months and waiting. Depending on your police force it could take awhile. Apply now and you’ll have plenty of time to get more experience and dsc 1 done.

 

[Chris Richardson]

The OP has already said he’s been out stalking so more experience than most who attend such courses as you yourself said , you don’t need them

 

[sy247]

This sounds ideal but would it be realistically possible?

Yes, it's exactly what I use.

 

[ackers1]

Since you’ve had booked stalks with future ones coming up I would recommend applying for your FAC now. I applied last year and am sitting at 11 months and waiting. Depending on your police force it could take awhile. Apply now and you’ll have plenty of time to get more experience and dsc 1 done.

Gosh that's a long wait! I better get mine in now then.

 

[sy247]

It's about how long my grant took back in 2010. I hear some initial grants are taking 2 years now.

 

[ackers1]

That's a crazy length of time!

It's about how long my grant took back in 2010. I hear some initial grants are taking 2 years now.

 

[sy247]

That's a crazy length of time!

Anyone would think they don't want people to have a FAC!

 

[Chris Richardson]

That's a crazy length of time!

But don’t forget fees have increased to provide better service