DSC1 Do i need it ?

[308tikka]

I would recommend doing it. It forces you to learn about deer, identification and seasons if nothing else. You can learn all of that and the notifiable diseases by yourself, and then just do the test.

I would strongly recommend any new stalker to buy a copy of the British Deer Society field guide for £15

Deer Management Books Archives - The British Deer Society

Deer Management Books

bds.org.uk

 

[NullMac]

Need? Life is going to be a lot easier if you do unless you have your own land to shoot over or are planning on paid stalks.

Getting a lease or entry into a syndicate will be much easier with Level 1, but maybe you have your own network.

Personally I would say you do need it as you get a good dump of the basic knowledge speeding up learning curve.

 

[bottletopbill]

Yes it would be nice if every new shooter had a mentor as I was by two great guys from Deal (in case they are reading this) As we all know we need more shooters and younger.
I have also done the same to a shooter who only shot clays and 22lr club targets he now as a 6.5 open ticket.
I know some have been stitched up in the past by there newbies.
I have been shown how to gralloch by two of the best in Kent/Sussex Both start with a S on this site both done this for free. THANKS

If we do not mentor how numbers will de crease over the years. Due to ages and no new shooters getting there tickets
I Would mentor again give others a chance

you can study on DSC training and can be tested on all the deer species great for DSC1

 

[Stalker62]

Do you need DSCI?

Chap.

That is just the first step on a long, long, journey of discovery and development, into the world of deer stalking and firearms.

It is a journey on which you will never, ever, arrive at your destination.


This from a couple of years ago:-

I have just spent two hours being interviewed (in person) by a chap from the Food Standards Agency.

It was his second visit to the larder I use. He interviewed the owner of the larder and inspected the larder (and owner) last month.

He has been "stalking' me for weeks (I have been away) and finally caught up with me today.

He wanted copies of all my certificates (DSCI, DSCII, DMQ, HAD, BDS). He also wanted to see the Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) or Risk Assessment in old money - document and the Deer Management Health & Safety Document.

He inspected my kit. He inspected my truck. He re-inspected the larder.
He gave me a Viva Voce, that brought back terrible memories of my finals.

At the conclusion of which, he gave me a report and a rating.

All because we supply deer (in the fur) to a Game Dealer (now Approved Game Handling Establishment - AGHE).

It is not as simple as one might think; if you wanted to go down that route.

His parting words are that they (FSA) are updating their Wild Game Guide (2015) and expanding their remit.


You are about to embark on an endless journey of discovery, and learning - the DSCI is not a bad 'first step'.

Taken in the right spirit, it is not just 'badge collecting' ...


it is an apprenticeship and you will love every moment of it.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Jh1986]

Yes it would be nice if every new shooter had a mentor as I was by two great guys from Deal (in case they are reading this) As we all know we need more shooters and younger.
I have also done the same to a shooter who only shot clays and 22lr club targets he now as a 6.5 open ticket.
I know some have been stitched up in the past by there newbies.
I have been shown how to gralloch by two of the best in Kent/Sussex Both start with a S on this site both done this for free. THANKS

If we do not mentor how numbers will de crease over the years. Due to ages and no new shooters getting there tickets
I Would mentor again give others a chance

you can study on DSC training and can be tested on all the deer species great for DSC1

Exactly. Lots of shooters will say how new blood is needed to keep the sport alive, but it seems for every 1 shooter willing to help, there's at least a dozen who see newcomers as a threat to their permissions.

I've approached landowners and shooters alike. 1 land owner was sympathetic but already had someone with permission. Likewise, only 1 shooter has offered some paid high seat time. Most are immediately dismissive.

That then only leaves paid stalks and paid zeroing/practice, creating an immediate barrier to entry.

 

[Stalker62]

... there's at least a dozen who see newcomers as a threat to their permissions.

I wonder why that might be?

 

[VSS]

if you read guidance to police around the granting of larger calibre rifles such as those used for deer control it does actually mention training or past experience .

This discriminates against younger applicants. For anyone under the age at which they can use an "estate" rifle, it is not possible for them to legally gain experience in the field with any S1 firearms other than by owning them themselves on their own FAC.

 

[bottletopbill]

Pity local land owners do not let some shooters practice on there land using a 100m or more FOR some target shooting for there DSC1.
and to gain some practice for a licence application.
Yes i know all the legal issues but if a firearm holder as a open ticket and wants to show some one.

Only a idea as that way the owner as full control who goes onto the land no back stabbing

All we need is about 120m with a safe back drop .

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Pity local land owners do not let some shooters practice on there land using a 100m or more FOR some target shooting for there DSC1.
and to gain some practice for a licence application.
Yes i know all the legal issues but if a firearm holder as a open ticket and wants to show some one.

Only a idea as that way the owner as full control who goes onto the land no back stabbing

All we need is about 120m with a safe back drop .

The landowner has control period, that's why they don't usually like people going on their land, letting off hundreds of rounds.

If you want to target shoot, go to a range. Just make sure your conditions are for target shooting first though and vice versa

 

[Foxyboy43]

Pity local land owners do not let some shooters practice on there land using a 100m or more FOR some target shooting for there DSC1.
and to gain some practice for a licence application.
Yes i know all the legal issues but if a firearm holder as a open ticket and wants to show some one.

Only a idea as that way the owner as full control who goes onto the land no back stabbing

All we need is about 120m with a safe back drop .

Interesting and timely point. Only today I was talking to a lad who recently did his DSC1 and has shot a few deer already and he expressed interest in finding out how his girlie big jessie’s 243 performed beyond his chosen 100 yds zero. Before anyone gets on their very tall equine beastie - fields in NI are very small so his zero is probably fine in most circumstances. A lecture discussion of course followed in which I explained in the first hour the finer points of point blank and absolute point blank (wot?) and the trajectory of said calibre. Suffice to say I am taking him to my club next week to let him try out to 300 yards. That should be fun as my 6.5x55SE and .308 will be offered……
Anyone interested in a .243????

 

[bottletopbill]

Correct as i shoot at a club it is on my licence for target shooting.
But taking some one out for rough shooting and learning the safe spots were to shoot and when not to shoot also firing a rifle .
what club as a 300 yard range and my club only as a 100yd so cant take my 243 live on M25 (3) border

Good shooting with steve (4)

 

[Morkai]

Dont most, if not all FACs say for zeroing and practice which will cover you for a range anyway.

 

[Jh1986]

I just think that without the DSC1, it's like the teenage job market (employers wanting 2 years experience for an entry level position).

 

[Bowland blades]

This discriminates against younger applicants. For anyone under the age at which they can use an "estate" rifle, it is not possible for them to legally gain experience in the field with any S1 firearms other than by owning them themselves on their own FAC.

I think that we might be putting 2+2 and making 8 here TBF . My daughter gained an FAC at 14 years old . Few FEOs would have an issue with kids , especially as they are too young to buy thier own ammo . Of course we can manage that
She did also have experience of firearms , you dont have to actually shoot them strangely enough to have experience and shotgun is taken as experience

 

[Foxyboy43]

Dont most, if not all FACs say for zeroing and practice which will cover you for a range anyway.

Usually “may also be zeroed on those (approved/suitable) lands and registered club ranges where the use of xxxxx is approved” or words to that effect.

 

[Morkai]

Usually “may also be zeroed on those (approved/suitable) lands and registered club ranges where the use of xxxxx is approved” or words to that effect.

Yeah, mine says zeroing practice on ranges or land I have permission on.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Yeah, mine says zeroing practice on ranges or land I have permission on.

Aye - one of my clubs has a 50m range where the first firing point is approved for deer rifle zeroing - but only with a moderator.

 

[bottletopbill]

When I applied to the Met for a firearms licence my fao stated that holding a shotgun licence is no experience as i had HELD one since i was 18yrs old and now was in my late fifties.
Was told i had to have a mentor .

 

[Covert]

Held a FAC for over 40 years , studied Deer Management at college, worked as a FC Ranger/ Stalker, managed deer for many years but have not done DSC1/2.
Only stalk recreationally now, realised that someone who has DSC certification is in a much stronger position to me regarding acquiring stalking.
Planning to do DSC this year.
Have no problem in doing it , not arrogant or conceited enough to think I know it all.
knowledge is power

 

[Bowland blades]

When I applied to the Met for a firearms licence my fao stated that holding a shotgun licence is no experience as i had HELD one since i was 18yrs old and now was in my late fifties.
Was told i had to have a mentor .

They can decide on that and as we know the Law and licensing is differently applied/interpreted in different counties. I was never asked to have a mentor nor to have level 1 but we all know others in other counties who have to . Some counties have territorial restrictions , some need to only shoot police inspected and some counties dont even inspect land and deem it safe or unsafe ( last thing i agree with ) how can land ever be safe or unsafe anyhow ? Its the dambed shot taken or not taken every time