DSC1 and DSC2

[T.A.S Nitro]

Does having DSC1 And DSC2 make you a better stalker? Is it necessary?
I put it to you that as a stalker with almost 30 years experience I learned my trade by experience from stalkers that have passed on knowledge.

 

[norma 308]

wont knock dsc 1or 2 but in my humble opinion and personal experience having an experienced stalker show you the ropes step by step has been invaluble for me and made a good mate doing it ....bit like an apprenticeship really . hope i can do the same

 

[User00004]

You can be the best stalker going, but if the Deer don't show, they don't show. Will it increase your knowledge? With out a shadow of a doubt. You will never know everything, but you can allways learn more and by doing one or both, you will. Is it the future, I very much suspect so.

TJ

 

[jcampbellsmith]

.... Will it increase your knowledge? With out a shadow of a doubt. You will never know everything, but you can always learn more and by doing one or both, you will. Is it the future, I very much suspect so.TJ

TJ. I agree. Clearly my Dad thought the same thing when he did his DSC1/2 in his late 70's after nearly 60 years of stalking. Regards JCS

 

[biker1]

I passed my dsc1 last weekend, i dident have to take it because i already have a rifle and to be honest i really worried about being in a classroom having to learn again at my age. But the weekend went really well, i met lots of like minded guys and some like me were old farts but we got though the course and im glad i took the time to do it. I have been very lucky that a couple of guys from this site have taken me out, and i have learnt quite alot from them. So will the dsc1 make me a better stalker maybe not, but its increased my hunger for learning

 

[big cat]

I passed my dsc1 last weekend, i dident have to take it because i already have a rifle and to be honest i really worried about being in a classroom having to learn again at my age. But the weekend went really well, i met lots of like minded guys and some like me were old farts but we got though the course and im glad i took the time to do it. I have been very lucky that a couple of guys from this site have taken me out, and i have learnt quite alot from them. So will the dsc1 make me a better stalker maybe not, but its increased my hunger for learning

hope you don't mean me by that remark

 

[biker1]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo mate

 

[sparko]

I would say that a combination of the two Is the Ideal situation, I started with dsc1, started stalking, dsc2...The time spent with an experienced stalker / AW (You know who you are) was/ Is Invaluable...No classroom talk can show you how to track a bloodtrail In the woods, In fading light!...Getting out and doing It armed with the training helps things fall into place...IMO

 

[Cooter]

I did my meat hygiene course first, as I was passing on a lot of bunnies from the pest control and thought I had better make sure I was not doing anything wrong.

I was always doing some deer control but only as part of the pest control functions, but as I got asked to do more deer control I thought I should complete my DSC1. It's always nice to have some sort of written recognition for your achievements.
I read all I could, watch the same DVD on deer a hundred or so times, then passed the course without any problems.

It was only after passing the DSC1 that I started to learn what I was doing, lets say it opened a few doors.


Always wanting to improve myself I decided on taking my DSC2.

Considering I have been controlling rabbits and other pests since I was a small boy I thought I knew a little.

On my first ICR weekend away stalking I learnt about elements I had never even considered and the actual stalking was only a small part of what we did.

The experience of a good stalker is invaluable, but the classroom also has its part, just go in with an open mind on both.

 

[willie_gunn]

Does having DSC1 And DSC2 make you a better stalker? Is it necessary?
I put it to you that as a stalker with almost 30 years experience I learned my trade by experience from stalkers that have passed on knowledge.

IMHO the courses are not designed to make you a better stalker, they are designed to increase your knowledge. There is, of course, no substitute for "hands-on" experience, but the courses seek to ensure you have an awareness of deer, deer welfare and deer management, as well as understanding the requirements for putting deer into the human food chain.

If you set your expectations accordingly, you will enjoy the course.

willie_gunn

 

[MrBarnDoor]

Hi Nitro, I was of the same opinion as you. Why the need for the DSC and what to do about getting one.... The sad fact is that landowners/managers such as the Forestry Commission etc see this as a health and safety issue, it's a bit of paper which shows that you have passed a test. Many people have been stalking for years and are undoubtedly better stalkers than many of those who have just passed the test - lets face it - you can pass a test without ever actually going into a forest and seeing a live deer!

I did the test this year because I was invited to join a syndicate where the certificate was a requirement - no choice for me then!

I went to Dave Stretton at Castle Donnington - great guy - but I didn't do the 3 day residential course, I only did the one day test, and passed with flying colours (phew!)

Beforehand, I simply swotted the DSC questions and answers where, tobe fair, I did learn things. <ADVERTISING REMOVED - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO TRADE MEMBER IF YOU WISH TO ADVERTISE YOUR SITE>

Cheers, Steve

 

[stav]

when i did my dsc 1, i knew nothing about deer as such and wanted too learn before the cousre started,so i swotted up(only thought there where 3 species in uk), in a class of 10 i got the 2nd highest pass,but also on a mock id test someone with 30yr stalking under his belt(so he said) only got 6 out of 20 correct. like someone said go with an open minded if you have years of experience as you will learn some thing, and for people like me i was very eye opening. i now out in the field and lovging it but glad i did the course 1st or might have been afew limping deer around.lol stav

 

[wood]

I've done it and even as I'm around loads of people that stalk I got a lot out of it. Mine was done with the BDS. I did only 2 days not the full 4 days. A lot of places ask for it now. I would get it done before you have too. It's something I think that's going to become a must. Along with DSC2.

 

[Wills]

I only did level one and am doing level 2 so that I can show on paper that I should know what I am doing with respect of rifle or the food chain in case I was asked to provide supporting evidence for insurance purposes or reassurance. Will it make me a more effective stalker..i doubt it. Stalking rabbits with an air rifle will be more effective. It will never surpass experience, however may provide a framework in which experience may operate, such as legislative constraints.

Wills