DSC2 Questions

[kieran222]

I have finally decided to do the DSC2 as I got a forestry grant but have a few questions.

Reading the documentation it says that head shots aren't recommended (not unusual) but later says that if a head shot is taken then the node inspection will factor this in. Has anyone done their DSC2 and taken a head shot? Was there any issues. I don't need advice on head shooting and it's ethics, just an answer to the question asked.

Also, how do people dispose of the gralloch? I assume that it isn't buried as per the guidelines.

 

[Muntybuck5803]

If you shoot it in the head you will not be required to inspect the sub maxillary and retro pharyngeal nodes, but will be required to show 2 of either the bronchial, portal, gastric or mediastinal. Mesenteric will always be inspected.

If you shoot in the chest as is preferable, you will be required to show at least the retro pharyngeal, sub maxillary and mesenteric nodes.

I would caveat the above slightly and state you will still be required to demonstrate you have an awareness and understanding of where to find the nodes, although they may be damaged to the point they are not necessarily going to be easy to find due to shot damage.

 

[lochty]

As above. Shoot in the chest. Gralloch, what do you usually do? If it's in an area frequented by people, remove it. Otherwise, up to you as long as it's hygienic.

 

[David Barker]

If your asking questions your not ready.

 

[sikamalc]

Much of the above. But your assessor should ask questions regarding wounded deer scenarios, and notifiable disease actions, and also larders if you are not in an appropriate Approved witnesses larder.
Your stalk on the deer will be recorded by the Approved Witness who will then send the whole ICR with a summary of what happened on the stalk to your Assessor. You should supply the Assessors name and Email address to the Approved Witness when you arrive for the stalk.

 

[McKenzie]

If your asking questions your not ready.

Perhaps, but he’s trying to get ready which should be helped rather than hindered.

 

[old 30-06]

David Barker, That is rather harsh. We are all experts now, but there was a time when we were not. Questions are the usual way to obtain knowledge to progress. Better to ask than to blindly blunder, surely ?

 

[sikamalc]

I should add that there is no specific way to gralloch your deer. As long as it is clean and tidy and presentable for the food chain. Suspended in a wood, or take it back to the larder, if its near enough and your Approved Witness has one............many do not, and if not they would need to make a note of this on the ICR.

You are most welcome to PM me with your mobile number, and I can go through what you will be expected to do with you, and answer any questions you may have.

 

[Dunwaters]

Not a head shot, but when I did my DSC2 under the old 3 deer regime one of the animals was neck shot.
During the phone conversation with the assessor I was asked why I hadn’t conformed with best practice and used a chest shot.
My response was that a chest shot was not an option under the circumstances, which triggered a couple more questions as to why not.
Ultimately it was not a problem, but I wasn’t expecting to be questioned in detail about my reasons for placing the shot where I did.

 

[NullMac]

As per post above I don't think there are absolutes other than the deer is presented to the food chain hygienically. If you take a head shot I would expect you to be asked why. As always if there is good reason then that will be fine. It is a lower percentage shot in most situations anyway so we all need to be able to justify why a higher probability shot was passed up. It's not a blanket no. Just like there is not one way to gralloch despite what you see/hear on t'internet.

As to gralloch handling, well you do what is appropriate for your situation. If you are up in the mountains and away from a water course then you would just leave it somewhere out of sight. If you are next to a dog walking area then everything in a bag and off back to the larder. And everything in between.

 

[terrier1]

You will be under enough pressure as it is without taking a head shot.

 

[kieran222]

If your asking questions your not ready.

Really,

 

[David Barker]

Perhaps, but he’s trying to get ready which should be helped rather than hindered.

Sorry i was going to write more then the door went and i lost track. As an Assessor i feel that now we are down to one stalk we should be ready. Regards the section on head shots it is frowned up for a reason and i have witnessed some worrying shots in my time i would personally advise against head or high neck shooting.

 

[NullMac]

As an Assessor i feel that now we are down to one stalk we should be ready.

I have never really understood this 3 stalks vs one. You had to do them all right, no? Or are you saying your candidates didn't have to be ready and meet the standard on all three?

I didn't have to pass my Maths three times for the examiner to believe I knew it well enough. Either you can do it or not. It is an assessment of basic level competence not a demonstration of expertise.

Passing DSC2 on Munties in Bedfordshire does not make you an expert stalker in the high Cairngorms despite what some people believe. As an aside, these people would get on a bit better if they demonstrated some self-awareness and humility.

 

[David Barker]

I have never really understood this 3 stalks vs one. You had to do them all right, no? Or are you saying your candidates didn't have to be ready and meet the standard on all three?

I didn't have to pass my Maths three times for the examiner to believe I knew it well enough. Either you can do it or not. It is an assessment of basic level competence not a demonstration of expertise.

Passing DSC2 on Munties in Bedfordshire does not make you an expert stalker in the high Cairngorms despite what some people believe. As an aside, these people would get on a bit better if they demonstrated some self-awareness and humility.

I agree i think one stalk is more than enough and i don't care if its CWD on flat parks or half way up a Munro. The skills are set out and don't seem to mention different scenarios. Many did not do three stalks and many wrote them in the pub for mates. Some Guides over looked mistakes knowing the guest would be back for the next two stalks with cash. My advice is be ready to sit the Basic competence assessment and you will do fine. Avoid difficult shots while under the watchful eye of the Assessor you might just feck up with nerves.

 

[Shootgun]

I head shot a fallow when i did my DSC2 as it was in the standing crop, no questions asked.

 

[Mike L]

I have just completed mine, I have spend my career in a dangerous job underwater, the only time I have felt nervous in 30 years (including my wedding) was whilst the AW was watching me

 

[deerstalker.308]

When I did mine I passed up a couple of head shots at muntjac (not my preferred shot at the best of times and certainly not with the pressure of being observed added on) my AW made a slightly pointed remark about me not having taken the shot, almost expecting a justification, I know his intention was good as he wanted me to get my deer on the deck so it could all be done and dusted, but at the time it felt slightly odd.
You are in the driving seat, you take the shot you’re happy taking.

As Malc said there is no right or wrong way with gralloch, what works in the setting you’re in and confronted with the carcass you have to hand will dictate everything.
One of my 3 deer (a small muntjac) suffered a massive load of damage beyond my control, lots of greenery and mess, I still did the best I could, and made a clean job of it, explaining best practice about cutting out and removing bits etc, the witnesses are humans and provided you demonstrate you know what you’re doing you will be fine, they can see through a novice very quickly.

 

[baguio]

many wrote them in the pub for mates.

Not saying it hasn't happened but is their any evidence of this happening and if so, are there any legal repercussions for both the AW and the candidate, considering that DSC2 opens doors for syndicates on FC and the Trusts?

 

[Dunwaters]

I agree i think one stalk is more than enough and i don't care if its CWD on flat parks or half way up a Munro. The skills are set out and don't seem to mention different scenarios. Many did not do three stalks and many wrote them in the pub for mates. Some Guides over looked mistakes knowing the guest would be back for the next two stalks with cash. My advice is be ready to sit the Basic competence assessment and you will do fine. Avoid difficult shots while under the watchful eye of the Assessor you might just feck up with nerves.

One stalk may be enough, but from memory there are 28 performance requirements in different categories.
It can be a bit of a challenge to get through them all in one outing.