Did the same BDS course in Elveden as NeilG and Glyn1. Thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot.
willie_gunn
willie_gunn
How Many Stalkers Hold the Advanced Deer Management Qualification?
- Thread starter Krabryn
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Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Bonnie, out of interest, how many deer have you 'live captured' since your course? Was it a worthwhile investment?
MS
cookingfat
Well-Known Member
did mine with BDS 2011,
not sure about the live capture bit...! is it part of the Jelen course?
not sure about the live capture bit...! is it part of the Jelen course?
I did the BDS one a few years ago when it was five days. It was, as expected, an excellent course clearly aimed at professional or semi professional stalkers. The lectures were very good and those giving them have a high level of industry credibility. The admin was good and the course notes were very comprehensive. It was definetly an advanced course and a good degree prior knowledge was assumed and required. The subjects covered were, in my opinion, relevant. Other subjects probably should have been covered but where do you stop? I suspect that it has been very hard for the senior instructors to cut this course back to three days and I'm not sure that it was a good idea particularly if it has been done to match a competitor; I think the course was established, strong and valid enough to stand alone and if candidate numbers began to fall for whatever reason then reduce the number of courses not the duration and content but that is just my opinion. The shooting test was very good and testing. My only critisisum of the course that I went on was that, as it is part of the DDM training, about half to a third of the candidates were Soldiers. Sadly, I found that they didn't interact well with the civilian candidates and basically sat at the back just going through the motions, I don't think any of them took the shooting test. I felt that they themselves missed out by not interacting but this was only my personal opinion. The venue (Elveden) was adequate and the estate visit was very interesting.
The Jelen three day course was also very good, possibly aimed more at the very keen amateur stalker. The pre course 'homework' assignments are a very good idea and get the candidates thinking before they arrive. The venue (Jelen HQ Stockbridge) was excellent and the teaching atmosphere was relaxed and professional. The content of the course was, again, relevant and well delivered. The course notes are also very good. The shooting test took more of a competitive theme and was challenging but fun. The estate visit was very interesting.
My general thoughts on both these courses are as follows:
- If anyone thinks that they are going to get a job in the deer industry off the back of one of these courses then they are very much mistaken, I feel they are about gaining knowledge and personal interest for the amateur stalkers and about continued professional development for those in employment.
- As with any course, the interaction and craic with the other candidates is very important. The networking element is important. In both cases the instructors made time for personal experiences and anecdotes to be shared whilst still keeping the course on track.
- Both courses spend alot of time on management planning which is good but, back in the real world, very few estates actually have a management plan or, if they do, they don't adhere to it. It is very disheartening for Stalkers to commit a massive amount of time and energy to producing a masterpiece of a plan just for it to sit on the shelf in an overworked junior agents office. Don't know the answer to this one? Maybe thats just life.
- I have no opinion on whether these courses represent good value for money or not; each of us values our cash differently but I would say that £100 a day is not excessive for any sort of training really.
- Course numbers were about right on both courses.
- I still see many Stalkers who consider themselves 'Advanced' but have poor knowledge of entertaining guests, trophy prep, capeing, high seat placement, marketing etc. These are the practical advanced skills that generally come with experience but can also be taught.
In sumary I think both these courses are very valid and it is up to the individual to decide which to do. I may read this back later and have more to add but I have to go now.
I'm thinking of doing one or other next year and in the process of finding out more about them.
I just wanted to note that this is an extremely well written and thoughtful post and wanted to thank you.
On a minor point, but relevant to me, I note that the BDS course is midweek (preferable to me personally) whereas the Jelen course runs across a weekend. There may be exceptions to this but that's what I noted. Again thanks.
The live capture is not just for deer and the answer is 1 as part of a team to remove some Reds stags from an estate which had been sold. Getting the variation from west Merica police for the darting rifle has been the problem "as I have no need for it" But I have now got a local wildlife rescue centre that need use of my skill and with a local vet they are supporting my new variation application. In todays world any form of training is an investment, as I'm re-skilling at the of 48 over the last 3yrs I have completed an HNC in wildlife & countryside management, CS 30 & 31 ONC level 2 hedge laying course, NPTC course in pest control including gassing, plus the last 2 courses with Jelen deer services.
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Good for you mate!
You are never too old to learn. I hope all your efforts are rewarded with some good work opportunities.MS
EMcC
Well-Known Member
Thats part of the course. It is absolutely necessary to have good boundaries - to keep your deer in and predators out
At the Greenwoods centre, Iron bridge, Telford.
Has come in very handy, Very nicely layed hedge done for some deer staking
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Didn't know Sparsholt did the Deer Managers Course? I thought there were only 2 providers of the Lantra award course?
MS
At the Greenwoods centre, Iron bridge, Telford.
Has come in very handy, Very nicely layed hedge done for some deer staking
I fancy giving it a go, nice Midland hedges around the borders!
Didn't know Sparsholt did the Deer Managers Course? I thought there were only 2 providers of the Lantra award course?
MS
Sparsholt is the venue not the provider i think. Did mine there.
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Ahhh, so that would have been a BDS course hosted by Sparsholt then?
Gotcha!
MS
Gotcha!
MS
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Maybe you wouldn't - but maybe you would shoot the right ones! You may even shoot less. Effective deer management isn't about shooting as many deer as you can!
If you had done the course, you might already know that.
MS
RICK O SHEA
Well-Known Member
On the same course as glyn and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing with great company instructors and lectures
Nice to meet you glyn
tusker
Well-Known Member
Maybe you wouldn't - but maybe you would shoot the right ones! You may even shoot less. Effective deer management isn't about shooting as many deer as you can!
If you had done the course, you might already know that.
MS
Point taken M.S. but all my stalking is hobby stalking or guest so I only shoot what I,m told. I can see it has its place if you are learning about Deer management or running a busness and I wasnt having a pop at folks who do the coarses.
Tusker
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