How many stalks to achieve three completed ICR's for the DSC2?

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i finished my level 2 in cheshire last week, took 9 outings with two different witnesses but got there in the end thanks to some great short notice witnessing from mike dickinson at calton moor range for the last two:thumb:
 
sikamalc said:
in my opinion applying and taking Level 2 with out a FA cert or in the process of applying for it is odd :-| not against the rules, but odd in my opinion, as this means you must have gained all your stalking experience borrowing an estate rifle everytime !
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Agreed, doubtless it does seem odd, from your perspective.

But for some amateur recreational stalkers who have to pay for their outings, in single figures per year, and are always accompanied by their guide, there is little incentive to own their own deer rifle.

If they stalk far from their home, there are also issues of security etc. which inhibit bringing their own rifle.

Both concerns apply to me, and using estate rifles has been no hardship, quite the opposite, and has given me the chance to use several different makes and calibres, where I otherwise would not have had the opportunity.

Perhaps I have been fortunate, but IME the estate rifles have been in superb condition and precisely zeroed. As a club target shooter I have the opportunity to use many different rifles, and have no difficulty in adapting to a new one.

None of my target rifles are suitable for stalking, except maybe my Marlin 336 in 30-30, which would be an esoteric choice for a first deer rifle. The LE No 4 Mk 2 would also be eccentric (though I have been encouraged to apply, by one of my guides, who thought it would be fun)

Buying a dedicated deer rifle will cost me the best part of £1000, which I would rather put towards paid outings, maybe even DSC2 registration and witnessing, when I am ready.

Kind regards Malcolm,

Jonathan
 
forces lads having a go stalking are quite decent to take out, they mostly don't have a fac but will get one at some point
 
I would hope that any AW applies and adheres to the rules laid down by DMQ. If they do not they risk being struck off all assesment centres across the UK.

As for people using estate rifles, I have no issue with it what so ever. But if you are taking up deer stalking as a serious hobby it makes sense to get your own rifle eventually.

Jonathon, there is nothing wrong with a No4 Mk2 Lee Enfield to stalk with. I also have one, which was still in the grease when I recieved it as a gift from an american friend. And I have used it on odd occassions in the UK and Africa.
 
I'd like to see one used on pigs. It would be one of those moments where a good shot would teach a lesson to the fancy pants with posing gear :british:
 
sikamalc said:
Jonathon, there is nothing wrong with a No4 Mk2 Lee Enfield to stalk with. I also have one, which was still in the grease when I recieved it as a gift from an american friend. And I have used it on odd occassions in the UK and Africa.
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Oh dear, that is now two votes for my LE, from serious people...

I originally bought it so my Dad could have a go with the rifle he learned with, and with which did his national service.

Mine was one of the last ever made, the "Irish Contract". Exported to the USA, returned still wrapped up and coated in cosmoline.

Its only ever shot cast lead at 25 metres. Perhaps its time to stretch it.

Maybe 2013 is the year to apply for my deer rifles.
 
finished mine about 9 week ago just waiting on it to come through the door:lol: It took me 9 stalks to get mine , got a buck on first day of buck season, it was my first outing, then went on first of july for stags or bucks,went up argyl all we seen were hinds and some doe's on the other days that i went,was going mental at the amount of times that went up, finally got two stags when the rut was on .took a day off work and went on a friday got one then so went back on sunday and got another one,felt i would never get it done, but thanks again to my AW for all the time he put in with me with all the travelling and stalking :thumb:
 
I had a nightmare with mine.
First stalk with AW no.1 went like a dream. Quickly found a roe doe, stalked in and shot it. Completed ICR1
Second stalk with AW no.1 went much the same and completed ICR2.
For ICR3 I had AW No.2 who was also a BDS assessor. Stalked our arses off on four occasions with either wrong sex, no show, no backstop. Saw plenty of deer and had some great stalks but no result. Final stalk in howling gale and torrential rain in a sitka plantation culminated in me missing a roebuck at very close range having clipped the tree it was standing behind. AW No.2 said I'd demonstrated to him that I was very capable of stalking and part signed off ICR3. He then took me to a deerpark he managed where I was to shoot a cull animal as part of the management plan. Even though we had to stalk up to a perimeter fence in order for me to take the shot and complete ICR3(having already achieved the stalking element on a previous occasion) the Assessor and internal veryfier discounted the whole of ICR3 because I missed the first deer and I shot a park deer which "was not in the spirit of DSC2". Some months later after several more stalks I shot a roebuck and completed ICR4!!!
 
I did mine in 2 days , I shot 4 fallow on the 1st day only to be told that only 2 animals can be assessed in any one day.

2nd day I shot 3 Reds..........

Why dont people do their homework and go where you have the best chance of getting the required animals in the shortest timescale?
 
I did mine in Northamptonshire spread over two days. Deer all over the place so finding willing volunteers wasn't a difficulty. Mixture of terrain, cover, towers etc for for the AW to test me on. Shot 2 munters and a pair of cracking Fallow bucks. Missed another buck and did a stalk on a monster Fallow that would have been great to have shot, but wasn't needed. Morning and afternoon sessions done on separate pieces of land so all the conditions of DSC2 could be satisfied.

Came away feeling very much that I had been properly assessed. There was no 'fudging' anywhere but nor was there any 'well we have to do this just to tick the box' nonsense either.

Chris
 
My witness and I thought it very harsh. Bizarrely if I'd been doing a simulated stalk on an out of season roe doe and had said "bang" and then went on to shoot a deer from a highseat that would have no doubt been acceptable. I don't understand the logic behind their decison but I felt it would take longer to fight than to do a fourth ICR and my witness was more than willing to help me on that score so a big thanks to him:-D
 
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