We’ll have to agree to disagree Tim I’m afraid they’re money making schemes no more no less , why do you think game meat hygiene was dropped from level 1 ? 
DMC Level 3
- Thread starter Cranborne
- Start date
I'm not disputing the fact that they might be "money making schemes".We’ll have to agree to disagree Tim I’m afraid they’re money making schemes no more no less , why do you think game meat hygiene was dropped from level 1 ?
But your comment that "they are all the same people" was incorrect.
DSC1 & 2 are overseen by DMQ, whereas the "level 3" that is the topic of this thread has been created by Peter Jones and County Deerstalking.
I believe it is LANTRA accredited, but I'm not absolutely certain about that.
Dan Newcombe
Well-Known Member
It more that a level 3 is being proposed, not particularly who is doing it.
With regard to level 1 - what actual practical skills do people learn from doing it other than learning seasons by rote that you wouldn’t learn from google and proving that a significant number of people are incapable of shooting at an even half way acceptable level. There is also the fact that when some people are running the course they basically tell the participants the answer to the theory test as you go along. My wife did hers and she was livid at the level of assistance given and came away thinking it was a total farce.
I think maybe you haven't grasped what's going on here? It's not that a level 3 is being proposed. It's that someone has created a new course and qualification, called it "level 3", and promoted it as the most advanced deer stalking qualification available.
It may well be. Who knows?
I accept that DMQ, who oversee the popular DSC1 & 2 courses, isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but there is at least a degree of accountability as it's made up of representatives from a number of different organisations. The same cannot be said for the level 3 course that is the topic of this thread and is largely the fruit of one man's ego.
That's a rather silly remark.
That is true. Most stalkers, even the "experienced" ones, cannot shoot as well as they think they can.
The fact that people do fail that simple shooting test shows that the test does have value.
That is a reflection on the course provider, not the course itself. I'm sorry to hear that your wife had a poor experience, but it's not like that for everyone.
Personally I think that the DSC1 is an excellent course, and with the addition of the LGMH element (sadly no longer included as standard), I believe it provides all of the basic background knowledge required to become a safe, well-informed and responsible stalker. All that the candidate has to add to that is time in the field.
Experience gained in the field + DSC1 covers all bases, imo. No further levels required.
Stevie/P
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with this I did the level 1 course many years ago it was presented by David Stratton of Donington Deer Management I didn’t need to do it as I had private stalking but I’m very glad I attended the course it was well presented and a very enjoyable experience meeting other like minded people and I can honestly say a pass was by your own merit as David was very strict and absolutely nothing given away everything was by the book which I believe he was instrumental in writing the questions and presenting the DSC level one course.
I too had the pleasure of his instruction sessions, was the tame biscuit eating hind resident when you were there?
Stevie/P
Well-Known Member
Yes indeed and not let’s forget the excellent home cooked meals provided by David’s wife
Yes indeed and not let’s forget the excellent home cooked meals provided by David’s wife
No, you haven't.fixed it for you Tim
Experience in the field won't teach you a fraction of what's in the DSC1 course.
You've only got to look at the number of ignorant posts on here from supposedly experienced (in the field) stalkers, on subjects such as legislation, to know that.
Whether educated in the field or the classroom, there are some people who will never learn.
There’s not much we can do about them.
quite right I agree I just think the dsc system has a lot to answer for with the instant expert brigade , for instance theres a lady all over instagram at the moment , shot her first deer a year ago done dsc 1 and two and is now putting herself out there as a stalking guide ....advising on kit etc really ?
Of course she could have shot 500+ deer in that year, which would make her significantly more experienced than many of the "I've been doing it for years and don't need any bits of paper" brigade.
Well I don't know who it is, so I can't really say, but don't overlook the fact that a young person getting into stalking now can gain a large amount of experience extremely quickly due to the sheer volume of deer and the number of opportunities in the industry that simply didn't exist before. Coupled with the fact that youngsters attending courses or other training opportunities will simply soak up knowledge like a sponge where a middleaged old fart will still be trying to work out how to sign in for the day.she hasnt doesnt stop her dishing out the benefit of her " experience " though
So, while I agree with you that "the blind leading the blind" can be a real problem, you must also remember that "there's none so blind as those that will not see", and by that I mean those who think they know it all by virtue of years of experience. Experience that might in fact consist largely of bad habits and uncorrected errors.
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