Getting started from scratch

[ackers1]

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.

Thanks, what's made me lean towards PDS1 is the large game component

 

[Heym SR20]

I have helped a number of people into stalking. Don’t be in any great rush, just take your time. Do some paid stalks, or go out with friends etc etc. Build experience and expertise.

I know plenty who thoroughly enjoy stalking, but for them stalking is a very good couple of days a year.

I am the same with fishing. I love hill loch fishing for trout, chalkstream fishing for trout and Salmon fishing. But for me I like a day every now and then - perhaps a couple of days a year tops.

Stalking, especially taking your own ground, and having your own firearms is a big responsibility, especially when that nagging need to go and shoot deer because you have to, rather because you want to. Don’t be in any rush to ho and spend lots of hard earned on cash on FAC, cabinets, rifles rtc etc etc. instead spend it it on going stalking.

Do buy decent boots and a good pair of binoculars though.

I was a paragliding instructor 25 odd years ago. We had endless numbers of people coming in doing the training, buying a wing and getting all enthusiastic, only a year later would be back wanting to sell their wing and kit etc etc because they were bored of paragliding and the work involved sitting around on days when the paragliding gods didn’t come out to play - and they were now on the next thing - diving, motorsport, kite surfing or golf.

Such individuals are loved by the retailers of kit.

 

[ackers1]

I have helped a number of people into stalking. Don’t be in any great rush, just take your time. Do some paid stalks, or go out with friends etc etc. Build experience and expertise.

I know plenty who thoroughly enjoy stalking, but for them stalking is a very good couple of days a year.

I am the same with fishing. I love hill loch fishing for trout, chalkstream fishing for trout and Salmon fishing. But for me I like a day every now and then - perhaps a couple of days a year tops.

Stalking, especially taking your own ground, and having your own firearms is a big responsibility, especially when that nagging need to go and shoot deer because you have to, rather because you want to. Don’t be in any rush to ho and spend lots of hard earned on cash on FAC, cabinets, rifles rtc etc etc. instead spend it it on going stalking.

Do buy decent boots and a good pair of binoculars though.

I was a paragliding instructor 25 odd years ago. We had endless numbers of people coming in doing the training, buying a wing and getting all enthusiastic, only a year later would be back wanting to sell their wing and kit etc etc because they were bored of paragliding and the work involved sitting around on days when the paragliding gods didn’t come out to play - and they were now on the next thing - diving, motorsport, kite surfing or golf.

Such individuals are loved by the retailers of kit.

Thank you that's wise advice, maybe I'm trying to go a bit fast, I'm going to have to start researching the best boots and binoculars for me based on this.

 

[Heym SR20]

Thank you that's wise advice, maybe I'm trying to go a bit fast, I'm going to have to start researching the best boots and binoculars for me based on this.

And learn to stalk and find deer. You don’t need any kit to do this. Just go out for a walk and start training your eye to see deer and other wildlife. You don’t need to walk, just sit quietly and see what appears.

Far far too many just dive in and focus on lots of kit. If you can learn to see and find deer with the naked eye and work out how to get close to wild animals and birds without spooking them you have developed life long skills that will never leave you.