Dsc1 & 2

[willie_gunn]

I’m more worried about the classroom and paper exam last time in a exam probably 46 years ago city & guilds

Speak to the provider and the instructors beforehand.

Believe me, your situation is far from unique. Even the very mention of the word "test" can turn otherwise confident people weak at the knees!

However the instructors are well used to helping those who perhaps haven't stepped into a classroom since school, or who might suffer from nerves, dyslexia or similar.

 

[villaman]

All replies have been very helpful thank you
I must say this forum is one of the best if not the best , specially with the knowledge one can gain from others on here . Just a shame some of the airgun forums aren’t like this !!

 

[grimstone]

All replies have been very helpful thank you
I must say this forum is one of the best if not the best , specially with the knowledge one can gain from others on here . Just a shame some of the airgun forums aren’t like this !!

I did my DSC 1 more out of interest than anything else. It was definitely worth my time and money, really enjoyed it. I wasn't looking forward to the exam etc but the run up to it was very relaxed and learnt plenty so was really put at ease by the time we got to the exam.

If you're interested in stalking or deer ecology and can spare the time and money then GO FOR IT! you won't regret it. Met some good lads on the course and learnt as much from them as from the instructor.

Good luck!

 

[spurs14]

I was in the same boat as you , not having sat an exam for 40 years , did mind through basc , great instructor and cracking bunch of lads on course , I enjoyed it and learnt alot , I failed the deer I d part but retook it 3 weeks later and passed ( just that segment ) best thing I did was getting the actual manual to read through and not a usb on a computer ,

 

[Devon Stalker]

 

[VSS]

I’m more worried about the classroom and paper exam last time in a exam probably 46 years ago city & guilds

Don't worry about the paper exams. They're multi-choice, and very simple.
The safety walk is just common sense.
The only two bits you need to worry about are the deer ID and the shooting test.

 

[villaman]

Don't worry about the paper exams. They're multi-choice, and very simple.
The safety walk is just common sense.
The only two bits you need to worry about are the deer ID and the shooting test.

Shooting test shouldn’t be to much of a worry
, as I do a lot of practicing from 50 - 300 yards with 223
Famous last words

 

[VSS]

Shooting test shouldn’t be to much of a worry
, as I do a lot of practicing from 50 - 300 yards with 223
Famous last words

It is noticeable that the candidates who spend the first two days of the course making comments like that are the ones who ultimately fail the shooting test on the third day.
I should keep quite about your shooting skills until afterwards, if I were you! Pride before a fall, and all that....

 

[Pete6.5]

I would still do dsc1 and 2 but it wouldn't surprise me if the national trust used it as a excuse to turn you away. If you are serious about squirrel control I would do the course on squirrel control/trapping. With the grant for squirrel control available at the moment there are jobs available but it's mainly trapping not shooting.

 

[Pete6.5]

Also with the ws3 grant available it involves surveying which someone like the NT will require to be done so I would learn how to do that as well.
No one likes to hear all this we just want to get a yes and then get out there and enjoy shooting.

 

[Mortis1975]

I recently did the DSC1 and LANTRA with BDS. I've done a couple of guided stalks but wanted to get some more grounding. I was amazed how many people on the course had years of experience, also some requiring the course for work.
Personally I struggled reading from the book so spent most of my time using the BDS deer data, it takes you the the exam questions and gives you the answers with nice pictures.
Also a great bit of networking and looking at the different approaches that other stalkers use. Added bonus was it's a few days away from the office.

 

[villaman]

I would still do dsc1 and 2 but it wouldn't surprise me if the national trust used it as an excuse to turn you away. If you are serious about squirrel control I would do the course on squirrel control/trapping. With the grant for squirrel control available at the moment there are jobs available but it's mainly trapping not shooting.

Yes have done the course on squirrel control

 

[cookingfat]

Shooting test shouldn’t be to much of a worry
, as I do a lot of practicing from 50 - 300 yards with 223
Famous last words

You would think so.
I did my FC shooting tests with two very good mates who shoot a lot and are AW's
Pressure of a test just gets to some people sometimes
Both failed the shooting test!

 

[Tikka 260]

It is noticeable that the candidates who spend the first two days of the course making comments like that are the ones who ultimately fail the shooting test on the third day.
I should keep quite about your shooting skills until afterwards, if I were you! Pride before a fall, and all that....

Spot on comment VSS, at my DSC 1 course and again at the Deer Management course the only people to fail the shooting test were the "Old Hands" with a lifetime of experience and the Newbie Rambo types. No respect at all for the quarry!

 

[Scribbler]

I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has completed DSC1 and thought it a waste of time and money. A few people failed when I did mine. I think the course/test has changed a bit since, but I’m glad I did it. Same for Level 2.

 

[Puds]

I did my DSC1 for a variety of reasons; I enjoy learning & gaining new skills, the big estate I control the deer on required me to have it as part of their management grants stuff, and most importantly, the Forestry Training Scheme paid for it all.

I’ve just embarked on my DSC2, for similar reasons to above, especially with regards to the LGMH qualifications as I plan to process and supply venison products in future once we get the estate larder fitted (and I got a grant again).

 

[sikamalc]

So they are a money making scheme at the moment

What makes anyone think that DSC Level 1 and 2 are money making courses?

I get the impression that many think DMQ is one vast office with hundreds of staff running around. It isn't and never has been. It does not make money, the whole affair runs on a shoe string.
Frankly it is up to each individual as to whether or not they take the courses. No one forces anyone to do so. But looking forward to the near future, it would not surprise me to see Level 1 and 2 made compulsory. In many respects it already is. Most European countries have much more stringent courses applied before you are allowed to hunt/stalk, and at much higher prices too.

The only courses in the UK that to me are NOT worth spending money on are these PDS one's that seem to have suddenly cropped up riding on the back of Level 1 and 2. These start at around £500 for a day or two, unlike Level 1 which is usually around £300 for 3 days, and is to me much more indepth. Anyone wanting a FC lease must have DSC 1 and 2. And dare I say it at times run by people with limited knowledge and experience, from what I have seen at times.

So its up to the individual to make their minds up. But if you are interested and keen to take up deer stalking, I would personally suggest you take your DSC Level 1, through either BDS, BASC or NGO.

 

[Cris]

What makes anyone think that DSC Level 1 and 2 are money making courses?

I get the impression that many think DMQ is one vast office with hundreds of staff running around. It isn't and never has been. It does not make money, the whole affair runs on a shoe string.
Frankly it is up to each individual as to whether or not they take the courses. No one forces anyone to do so. But looking forward to the near future, it would not surprise me to see Level 1 and 2 made compulsory. In many respects it already is. Most European countries have much more stringent courses applied before you are allowed to hunt/stalk, and at much higher prices too.

The only courses in the UK that to me are NOT worth spending money on are these PDS one's that seem to have suddenly cropped up riding on the back of Level 1 and 2. These start at around £500 for a day or two, unlike Level 1 which is usually around £300 for 3 days, and is to me much more indepth. Anyone wanting a FC lease must have DSC 1 and 2. And dare I say it at times run by people with limited knowledge and experience, from what I have seen at times.

So its up to the individual to make their minds up. But if you are interested and keen to take up deer stalking, I would personally suggest you take your DSC Level 1, through either BDS, BASC or NGO.

Correct me if I am wrong, but are the PDS courses LANTRA approved and the DSC not. Or has that changed? Either way both would be a good foundation for someone new to take. For me the PDS came along after I did the DSC 1 & 2 plus some other courses.

 

[sikamalc]

I believe so. However the quality of the DSC courses are far more indepth, compared to those run by other courses, which is supported by the FC. Also the DSC courses are run by approved organisations such as BDS, BASC and NGO, they also have qualified Assessors running them.
PDS courses seem to be run by anyone, and some who claim to be proficient at running such courses. I know of one instance where 3 candidates were charged £500 each for ONE DAY, and one produced his certificate to me that claimed he had achieved and approximate 75% pass

The client had learnt nothing, and if you have PDS one you cannot then go onto to take DSC 2. Frankly from what Iv'e seen of it, its just riding on the back of DSC.

 

[Cris]

You would be right, as per the web site, you can take a one day intensive course for £450 + vat. Enough training for the complete new starter? Well I wouldn't think so. The normal course is about £400 in vat and an on line afair plus some field work over more time guess. However they do seem to have got it LANTRA aproved.