Aligning FAC Application to Stalking Training Plan

[Alantoo]

Is your main interest stalking and learning about deer, or acquiring a rifle?

It sounds from your post like stalking. You can do that without having to own a rifle as you have discovered.

The programme I would suggest is:-

1. Spend a few sessions at a range like Corinium where you can have an introduction to, and instruction to fire, a centre fire rifle. The BASC courses I am sure are good, but you can book a number of sessions at a range like Corinium immediately rather than wait until the next BASC course is held.

2. Go stalking as and when you can/can afford, you will learn much about deer and rifles from a professional guide.

If you find you prefer the shooting element then join a rifle club.

If you decide you prefer the stalking then carry on booking stalks, and maybe do the DSC1 which is a good foundation.

Having used a few estate and club/range rifles you will then have a reasonable idea of what rifle you want, if you still want or need to own one.

Alan

 

[VSS]

Hi Everyone

Having recently got my first taste of stalking I'm trying to build myself a training programme to become a competant stalker by leveraging the BASC courses and hopefully a little help from the local stalking community here in Bedfordshire. In particular I'm trying to figure out at what stage to start my FAC application. I'm currently a shotgun licence holder but I've not held a FAC before.

Below is a list of the steps that I plan to take and I'd really appreciate some feedback if this looks like a sensible approach and something the FCO is likely to support:

1. Complete BASC Firearms Awareness Course for Rifle
2. Complete BASC Pre DSC1 Course to pick up some more rifle shooting experience
3. Book my DSC1 course for late summer to give me time to work through my theory and get my rifle shooting to DSC1 Standard
4. Submit my FAC application and offer a mentor who will assist me with building my shooting and stalking skills
5. If FAC application is successful purchase a rifle and continue to hone my skills with my mentor and on the range
6. Complete DSC1
7. Request that mentor restrictions are lifted so I can stalk with any Outfitter

To be transparent I don't have any permissions at this point and my plan is to utilise paid for stalking and progress to a syndicate membership as I build my skills and experience.

Any feedback on my plan would be really appreciated as I want to ensure that I'm heading in the right direction and not wasting time or money on a flawed plan.

If the consensus is that this is potentially a credible plan I was planning to write a few article for the forum on my progress to hopefully help some other novices that are possibly in the same position as me.

Thanks Rookyshot

Why make things so complicated?
Just apply for your FAC for a start. You say you've had a taste of stalking, so presumably you went out with someone? Just ask them for another invite and there's your good reason.
DSC is good to do, but it's not a requirement. Neither should you give your FLO any encouragement to apply a mentoring condition.

 

[rookyshot]

Its all about Stalking not rifle ownership, and in the short term I'll be using an estate Rifle. My drive to own a Rifle is so I can improve my shooting on the range between stalks and build confidence for when I'm out in the field.

 

[An Taín Hunting Outfitter]

Dont you take any heed. Every Stalker on here is just about rifle ownership as it is about stalking. Getting the rifle that suits you and the ammo which suits your rifle is what makes it so much fun! Tweaking wee things as you go along.

Dont you feel like you have to justify yourself to anyone on here because they wouldnt justify themselves to you.

You just do what makes you happy and dont take any comment here personally.

 

[paul o']

We all started with feck all but a wonting to do this sport , so crack on enjoy the ride if you get the correct training and are in the mind set not to fall into bad habits its game on . You are going to make the odd cock up buts that's life , but above all be safe think before you jump, just think on if the "what if chap" is sitting on your shoulder telling you its ????? as he is quite often correct if your ever unsure then Don't ? , never let another shooter say yeh just pull the trigger its all good your the driver !, its the details and your skills that will take you on your journey small things to add but use them and your have a grand time of it all .

 

[rookyshot]

We all started with feck all but a wonting to do this sport , so crack on enjoy the ride if you get the correct training and are in the mind set not to fall into bad habits its game on . You are going to make the odd cock up buts that's life , but above all be safe think before you jump, just think on if the "what if chap" is sitting on your shoulder telling you its ????? as he is quite often correct if your ever unsure then Don't ? , never let another shooter say yeh just pull the trigger its all good your the driver !, its the details and your skills that will take you on your journey small things to add but use them and your have a grand time of it all .

Thanks for the encouragement Paul o' and great thoughts on safe decision making, I love the way that any hunting makes you see your surroundings in soooo much more detail and this was really emphasised on my first trip out.

 

[Tim1]

I have to say that you're over-thinking this. Just book a stalk as 'good reason' and get your application in. Simple as that.

Above all else do not offer any concessions such as the mentoring you mention over and above what is required in the HO Guidelines. If they try to impose any unreasonable conditions, get a well considered and written letter into your force's Professional Standards Department (or whatever they call it now).

Kind regards,

Tim