Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
It is what it is you won’t hurry them up, the more you crave them the slower they go so in all honesty you’re better off just being patientBut don’t forget fees have increased to provide better service
Getting started from scratch
- Thread starter ackers1
- Start date
as mentioned get the FAC application in now - I waited until I had enough experience and qualification for them to think I was serious about it
Since then it's been a year waiting for them to process the application during which time I've done a lot more
the worst that can happen is they suddenly turn up next week and say "you need to go away and do DSC1" in which case you dont lose anything and dont have to apply again they hold your application - realistically in most regions you are looking at minimum 4 months until they process new applications
8x57
Distinguished Member
If you are serious my plan of attack would be-
1. Get hold of and read - THE COMPLETE DEER STALKER, From Field to Larder by Larry Fowles. Alternatively PRACTICAL DEER MANAGEMENT by Charles Smith-Jones, better still read both. Both are excellent books and neither is expensive.
2. Continue to book paid stalks and maintain a record of your stalks.
3. As far as I can see you haven't mentioned your shooting experience or existing skill levels (gun handling/safety). If these are limited consider joining a suitable rifle club or range with a view to developing/improving skills. Not all clubs are suitable for your needs so membership needs to be considered carefully.
4. Seriously consider membership of one of the shooting organisations. One of the main benefits of membership besides representation, support and advise is insurance. The British Deer Society is a deer charity and not a shooting organisation though a significant number of the membership are deer stalkers and shooters.
5. Consider doing DSC1 but I wouldn't rush into it, I personally think it's better to gain some experience first rather than to look at it as a starter course.
8x57
Distinguished Member
A fair bit more than slightly!
That’s the thing they’re answerable to nobody … hence why they can make stuff up about “ needing courses “ for fac
The bds field guide is excellent too
8x57
Distinguished Member
Absolutely Chris,
Stupid me I forgot about that one, and that's the one that I think is absolutely essential. I've got both the old edition and the newer edition that was update by Charles Smith-Jones. It was recommended to me by the chap that helped me get into stalking and probably the best bit of advise regarding stalking that I have ever been given.
Beauty of it is small enough to have in the motor with you too !
Thanks
I don't have much experience, I did shooting at school cadets decades ago and now just shot twice while on stalks and a few times at targets beforehand.
Would anyone be able to recommend any good rifle clubs or ranges in and around Fife/ Dundee?
Would BASC be the one to join for a shooting club?
8x57
Distinguished Member
Although BASC are affiliated to the NRA and are a Home Office approved club they do not have any ranges of their own and rely upon only occasionally running events such as range days or introduction to shooting courses on other organisations ranges. So I don't think membership would be particularly helpful in gaining much shooting experience.
I'm sure that there will be a couple of site members in the Fife/Dundee area who will be able to direct you to a local club or range. Alternatively make enquiries in your local gun shop or with the NRA.
I'm sure that there will be a couple of site members in the Fife/Dundee area who will be able to direct you to a local club or range. Alternatively make enquiries in your local gun shop or with the NRA.
Hi ackers1, I don't know if you have found a shooting club yet? Here is a list of Scottish clubs. Hope it helps: Scotland Clubs
mammoth200
Well-Known Member
I started stalking in Feb this year, I'll give you a bit of a run down on some of the things I've chosen to do. I wouldn't go as far as to say this is exactly what you should do, but perhaps it's a reasonable starting point.
I did a few stalks before considering anything else, but like you, I loved it, and was keen to keep going.
In rough order:
I've learned far more out in the field on stalks and being with a mentor than I did doing the PDS course. The course was great for supplemental knowledge and an idea of the basics, and I found it relatively easy due to the experience I'd already gained getting out and stalking, gralloching, etc.
I did a few stalks before considering anything else, but like you, I loved it, and was keen to keep going.
In rough order:
- I chose to join BASC, perhaps controversial, but there's others to choose from should you decide to.
- I opted to do the PDS1 course. It had benefits to me as the first half being online meant I was able to fit it in around usual life activities, and didn't need to take time out in order to do a longer course in person, though I perhaps would have preferred to do that, in hindsight. I had the added bonus that my stalking mentor is a PDS1/2 assessor, so I arranged a normal stalk, and we did the assessment. I imagine I was likely grilled more than usual for the assessment part, but he's a bloody good teacher.
- I applied for my FAC in August. The current projected wait time for application processing for my area (Suffolk & Norfolk) is supposedly 16 weeks. BASC's report which was published earlier this year states it's more likely to be 12 months. I do wonder where that increased cost of application goes...
- I've continued stalking throughout the year, around once a month at the moment. Every single stalk has been a learning experience.
I've learned far more out in the field on stalks and being with a mentor than I did doing the PDS course. The course was great for supplemental knowledge and an idea of the basics, and I found it relatively easy due to the experience I'd already gained getting out and stalking, gralloching, etc.
Scotty99
Well-Known Member
Collect evidence of completed paid for stalking and evidence of planned future stalks and apply for your FAC, active deer stalking is a very good reason to acquire a deer calibre firearm.
Join BASC so you can get access to their liability insurance cover this level of insurance cover is almost always a requirement from landowners before they will even entertain the idea of you shooting on their land.
Book your DSC1 course this will help with your FAC application, also you will learn a lot.
Try to locate in your area an experienced deer stalker to show you the ropes, they may even take you out on their permissions if you can persuade than you are not going to try to take it off them.
Gaining your own permissions and/or syndicate places may take some/a long time, so you may have to be prepared to pay for stalking for a while yet. There are some good threads on here on how to go about getting your own permissions if you do a search on the site.
Good luck on your journey.
Join BASC so you can get access to their liability insurance cover this level of insurance cover is almost always a requirement from landowners before they will even entertain the idea of you shooting on their land.
Book your DSC1 course this will help with your FAC application, also you will learn a lot.
Try to locate in your area an experienced deer stalker to show you the ropes, they may even take you out on their permissions if you can persuade than you are not going to try to take it off them.
Gaining your own permissions and/or syndicate places may take some/a long time, so you may have to be prepared to pay for stalking for a while yet. There are some good threads on here on how to go about getting your own permissions if you do a search on the site.
Good luck on your journey.
Thanks for this, I think this is wise advice.
Thank you, appreciate the advice.
I'm going for the PDS1 too. I have joined both BASC and BDS so far and am going to submit my FAC soon.
I've met a few really great experienced people nearby and am looking forward to learning more from then.
If you’re joining BASC look into their assessment only days for DSC 1. I think it only cost £140 or £160. Not sure what PDS1 cost.
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