Aligning FAC Application to Stalking Training Plan

[rookyshot]

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

 

[woodmaster]

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

If you have good reason to posses a firearm (which deer stalking qualifies ) then just apply. Don't get caught up in all this pandering to non home office approved rules imposed by flo''s. You have sg ticket, already understand gun safety etc. Just apply,spend your money on stalking and you'll learn the rest as you go. Dsc1 would give you very useful knowledge and perhaps majestic you feel more confident in taking the right shot znd dealing with the beast after.

 

[Eddie P]

Your plan should read as follows:
1:Read the home office guide to the firearms acts
2: Book a stalk for around 6 months time (get it confirmed in writing)
3: Apply for your FAC
4: Get your mentor to help you refine your shooting with your gun while waiting for your first stalk with your rifle. (informal arrangement, don't discuss with the police as unnecessary)
5: Do DSC 1 when you fancy it, or feel the extra knowledge will help you.

1&2 are interchangeable.

 

[jimbo1984]

Your plan should read as follows:
1:Read the home office guide to the firearms acts
2: Book a stalk for around 6 months time (get it confirmed in writing)
3: Apply for your FAC
4: Get your mentor to help you refine your shooting with your gun while waiting for your first stalk with your rifle. (informal arrangement, don't discuss with the police as unnecessary)
5: Do DSC 1 when you fancy it, or feel the extra knowledge will help you.

1&2 are interchangeable.

+1

 

[Hunter 53]

Join a target rifle shooting club in the short term you can use club rifles to hone your skills and in the long term it will help you keep your eye in. Also it will give you another reason to hold a rifle

 

[Erik Hamburger]

Good plan, but in the wrong order, as after submitting your FAC application you may have to wait 6 months or so before you get it.

Start a record/spreadsheet listing ALL your rifle/shotgun/hunting/range/training experiences.
Book a few guided stalk with professionals. Get proof of the booking/receipts
Apply for your FAC asking for a deer-legal caliber (.243W will be looked at favorably by the Police, .50BMG not so much ) and a Moderator, submit your 'shooting CV' and include evidence of booked stalks and of booked courses. (Rifle awareness, pre-DSC1, DSC1, anything)
If and when you have done a course send the Certificate by RECORDED DELIVERY to your Force asking them to add the evidence to your file. You will still be waiting.
With a bit of luck, after some 6-8 month, you have done several guided stalks, several courses passed, the Police finally comes round to making an appointment to interview you at home (Have a rifle/gun safe ready installed) and everything will come together.
Good luck!

 

[Rasputin]

People need to stop jumping through imaginary hoops out of desperation to get their fav all the government is going to do is use that as ammunition to make it even more difficult to obtain them.

If if you have good reason then that should be that.

 

[paul o']

+1
And rifle trigger time is a must so join a rifle club , yes i know its paper targets but practice ,practice , practice and gun awareness on paper will pay off 100% when you do have a live deer in your scope !
good luck welcome to a wonderful sport.

Good plan, but in the wrong order, as after submitting your FAC application you may have to wait 6 months or so before you get it.

Start a record/spreadsheet listing ALL your rifle/shotgun/hunting/range/training experiences.
Book a few guided stalk with professionals. Get proof of the booking/receipts
Apply for your FAC asking for a deer-legal caliber (.243W will be looked at favorably by the Police, .50BMG not so much ) and a Moderator, submit your 'shooting CV' and include evidence of booked stalks and of booked courses. (Rifle awareness, pre-DSC1, DSC1, anything)
If and when you have done a course send the Certificate by RECORDED DELIVERY to your Force asking them to add the evidence to your file. You will still be waiting.
With a bit of luck, after some 6-8 month, you have done several guided stalks, several courses passed, the Police finally comes round to making an appointment to interview you at home (Have a rifle/gun safe ready installed) and everything will come together.
Good luck!

 

[bowji john]

You've probably gathered by now that we are an independent bunch that don't jump through other people's (Gov) hoops for no good reason

Keep it simple

Join a club (the advice you will get from others that have gone through this process will be invaluable)

Put your FAC application in based on that sound advice

Book a stalk or two; go hunting

Enjoy

Don't buy a rifle till you've tried loads as, if you are anything like me, the first 1 or 2 will be the wrong ones and you end up with a gun cupboard full of expensive firearms that are not suitable for what you've ended up wanting to do

 

[25 Sharps]

Join a target rifle shooting club in the short term you can use club rifles to hone your skills and in the long term it will help you keep your eye in. Also it will give you another reason to hold a rifle

this would be my suggestion, and we're at Bisley once a month Hunter - Home I joined 3 years ago and it been invaluable in terms of improving my shooting technique generally, plus we have a good laugh taking the mick out of each other

 

[Whitebeard]

I will also say join a club, do your probationary period, get full membership, apply for FAC, then purchase desired calibre rifles. When you have already satisfied "Good Reason" by being a member of a club and possess a suitable rifle, it is very difficult for any licensing department to refuse you a quarry shooting condition when you present further good reason by way of paid for stalks or permission to shoot on land for instance.

Ian.

 

[potshotpat]

People need to stop jumping through imaginary hoops out of desperation to get their fav all the government is going to do is use that as ammunition to make it even more difficult to obtain them.

If if you have good reason then that should be that.

Spot on

 

[rookyshot]

Huge thanks to everyone for their contribution to this thread which is a massive help to me and hopefully others trying to navigate this process. I think I'd under estimated the power of a rifle club membership and thats definitely something I'm going to investigate. Sounds like I need to get my case together and get that FAC application going based on some of the estimates of time to process.

I'll keep the forum posted on my progress and hopefully I can help some of the other novices out there.

 

[HDShark]

If you think your plan is the way to do it, then do it that way. Its one thing saying the police are making people jump through hoops, but it is still them making the decision at the end of the day, and ultimately they do it in the name of safety, and that can only be a good thing. Just because someone inexperienced can go out and apply for a fullbore rifle just because they have satisfied good reason, doesn't necessarily mean they should.

Personally I think your plan sounds about spot on. You Are aware you are an inexperienced rifle shot, and seems like you want to learn.

 

[Noah]

" 7. Request that mentor restrictions are lifted so I can stalk with any Outfitter "
There should be no mentoring condition on your FAC in the first place, resist any attempt for them to put this on.

 

[potshotpat]

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

Just asking but why give yourself 7 more questions to answer, that if you don't answer, could lead you to be knocked back. Fill in the forms as requested, there hard enough as it is and don't paint yourself into a corner

 

[An Taín Hunting Outfitter]

Please would someone take this man under their wing for a few stalks to get him going. His heart is in the right place and he has a good head on his shoulders. Im sure this man would try and pull a red out if you gave him the opportunity!

 

[rookyshot]

That's great coaching potshotpat, I was just trying to build an application that would demonstrate my commitment to building my knowledge in a safe and structured way. But as you say why build in further complications if it's not requested. The reality is that I'm going to be getting some coaching so can achieve this without formality.

 

[rookyshot]

A local Stalker is going to give me some help but I don't want to be too much of a burden on him so I'd welcome any addition help. Maybe you could drop me a PM your in my area.

 

[jimbo1984]

Pm sent