Dsc1 course completed.

[chriswjx]

Well done!

Interesting read regarding the shooting test. I recently have done my DSC1, and there was someone else there resitting the shooting test, having failed once previously.

Prior to the test, they had been regaling us of the couple of bucks they'd already taken this season under the guidance of their spouse. I believe they are also a target shooter, and the keeper running the course did also take them out for a range day the week before (he took all of us out, especially if we were using his/estate rifle).

Interestingly, the shots she missed were the 70m off the sticks (was using one of those fancy tripod sticks with a full on clamp on the rifle!). Believe the shots were roughly 2-3" out at 2 o'clock and 7 o'clock. As stoker150 says, nothing like a bit of anxiety under test conditions.

Funnily, one of the others on the course, a very experienced shooter, bought themselves a .308 second hand just for stalking. However, they ended up using the estate rifle, because they didn't bring enough ammunition! (They were out with the keeper the night before to zero the rifle, and I guess, didn't keep track of how many were left!)

 

[sy247]

I’ve helped out on the butts at tests a few times, it never ceases to amaze me just how many people fail a very basic test of marksmanship.
The same people will often have regaled anyone prepared to listen with tales of legendary shots taken at outrageous distances and uncanny skills with every firearm, bow or catapult they’ve ever handled earlier in the day.

Yes that does tend to be the case. I usually keep very quiet about my previous experience in case I bugger it up!

 

[Dunwaters]

Yes that does tend to be the case. I usually keep very quiet about my previous experience in case I bugger it up!

Very wise, I got lucky and passed first up first time out.
Only then did I feel comfortable regaling the admiring hordes.

 

[mike243]

So on Thursday morning myself and my son set off to Great Cressingham to attend a DSC1 course ran by BASC. It was all a bit nerve wracking to be going back into a class room and sit an assessment!, but having read the course material and also having picked tips up from this forum we also purchased the ultimate data data from BDS, which together have helped us a huge amount.
everyone on the course was lovely, and with a broad spectrum of experience and reasons for doing the course, Thursday and Friday were all classroom based, and then on Saturday afternoon we went out to visit the range, as well as look at deer damage, judge distance and have a relaxed talk about safety aspects, this was incredibly reassuring everyone and gave us a time to understand how today (Sunday) was going to run.
so assessment day was on us!, we were joined by two new gentlemen, one who was resitting the general questions and the shooting, and one who had chosen not to do the course but come just for the assessment!. First up was dear recognition which I felt went very well as did everyone in the group, then onto the 50 general questions I think I did ok, maybe dropped some answers for bloody silly mistakes! and nervous!, then onto meat hygiene and probably the same as before but also a couple of questions on wild boar which caught me out.
we headed of to the range, and to do the safety stalk, we did our stalk to get that done while other members were shooting, the stalk went very well, with all questions answered fairly easily, we then headed down to the range to shoot, and that’s when all of a sudden the pressure grew!, 4 of the 10 of us had shot and all failed,1 person failed up at the range for shooting and safety at the same time!, so it eventually came round to me shooting!, I was using an estate rifle in .308 3 good zero rounds, then into the assessment, shot 1 good, shot 2 pulled it left out of the target area fail! So restart shot 1&2 good from prone at 100 meters , shot 3&4 good off sticks at 70 meters, then shots 5&6 head shot were all good so a . so only 4 of 10 candidates passed the shooting part of the assessment, luckly myself and son were 2 of them!. I must say I felt really sorry for a lady on the course who had not much shooting experienc, who on her 2nd attempt failed on the very last shot.
so to sum up the course, it’s definitely worth doing the course from the start, you pick up some very handy tips and snippets of knowledge and the instructors really try to put you at ease, as do the assessors, ( although they did call a miss for my son when it wasn’t!, but he was confident to question it and very quickly resolved the mix up ), so really enjoyed it now just the wait to see if we have passed the 50 & 40 questions!, thank you to everyone on the course as well as everyone who has given advice . Thank you.

congratulations passing the DSC1, I did mine just down the road in Watton, the thick end of 20 years ago, me and my pal did the full 4 day course, with the shooting tests in the underground range an the Kynamco works in Mildenhall, there were about 25 people most days with a few more turning up for the shooting tests and class room tests, it was a proper giggle with some great people, there was an Army Major or Colonel or some high rank, one of the local FEO guys, a few locals and a few geordie lads that came down for the week

 

[sy247]

Nice facility Kynamco

 

[mike243]

Nice facility Kynamco

its fantastic, I used to hire the range myself every now and again, seem to recall it wasnt a great deal of money, im not sure if they still hire it out to the public, after we had shot we would sit up on the balcony in reception with a mug of tea

 

[bottletopbill]

Well done this is why I say practice of shooting those rings passed my test at first go.
Was not a joy to see other's destroyed when they missed as we had been together for four days.

 

[25 Sharps]

Thanks, no not really necessary, but I think it’s worth while, it shows a commitment and an understanding towards deer management, as well as showing to people who don’t understand deer management that we are committed to providing the most ethical way of control and management, and treating it as a food source. It’s a little like having a first aid kit, but never doing a basic first-aid course!, Not necessary, but very helpful.

I am not against DSC1 but I’m not sure it shows any of the above!

It is purely a piece of paper that shows you can pass an exam on hygiene, deer recognition, relevant legislation and pass a simple shooting test under range conditions.

DSC1 doesn’t show anything ethically, and people who don’t understand deer management will not have a clue what DSC1 is.

DSC1 also doesn’t really teach you anything at all about deer management.

If you don’t believe me look at the amount of photo’s of a muntjac doe and a buck shot together or does that are clearly not in late stages of pregnancy - what people learn in the class room and put into practice

 

[bottletopbill]

As we all know hands on is ten times better training.
Completed my DSC1 now need to start my basic training with a mentor been out once with a great guy.
I learnt so much in a few hours with him hope to go out again if he will have me to learn more.

Us newbies need hands on mentors if you guys are willing.

 

[RM100]

Well done, interesting how so many had failed the shooting part though.
Now there is a pre DSC1 course just waiting to be set up.
As a comparison the German Jagdschein course takes 2-3 weeks intensive or 8 weekends in my case or one year with the old fashioned way there was intensive shooting practice every weekend so we were very well prepared for the shooting test module, I only saw one person fail.

I do wish there was some option in English.

 

[PEM406]

Congratulations on the DSC1 and nice write up . Definitely think it is worth doing. Did ours a couple of years back. Funny now to think how much time we spent looking at deer photos and now don’t even need to think about it (well maybe sometimes )