Introduction, dont be kind tell me the truth!

[vanbadlands3]

Evening all,
Im a Novice from Devon, looking to enter the world of deer stalking and deer management.
My background: I was shooting from a youngish age, shotguns, rifles, compound bows ( if that counts) at the moment i do not have a FAC but my understanding is that you can do the DSC1 course without one with BDS.
Im in a job currently which involves firearms a lot ( not obvious) But looking for a change to something I'm passionate about. Is getting full time work in this field gold dust or can it be achieved?
Anyway im competent with .556, which makes my job more obvious but loved a .308 i had when i was younger so i think id look into getting that first off.
be honest with me and dont feel the need to let me down gently!
thank you for reading my ramblings, and hope this suffices as an introduction

 

[bullet chucker]

Welcome to the site. You can do the dsc1 course with any provider you choose and an FAC is not required. A rifle can be provided, if you give them plenty of notice at time of booking (there will be a charge) As to getting into the FIELD' be prepared to travel to where the opportunities may be, for what you want to do. 308 is a fine choice for all species of UK deer.

BC.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Advice ? Yeh don’t turn something you love doing into a job.
Get a job that pays actual money and use it to go deer stalking

 

[Happy stalker]

Advice ? Yeh don’t turn something you love doing into a job.
Get a job that pays actual money and use it to go deer stalking

Absolutely been there done that, happier now not my full time job anymore.

 

[Happy stalker]

Evening all,
Im a Novice from Devon, looking to enter the world of deer stalking and deer management.
My background: I was shooting from a youngish age, shotguns, rifles, compound bows ( if that counts) at the moment i do not have a FAC but my understanding is that you can do the DSC1 course without one with BDS.
Im in a job currently which involves firearms a lot ( not obvious) But looking for a change to something I'm passionate about. Is getting full time work in this field gold dust or can it be achieved?
Anyway im competent with .556, which makes my job more obvious but loved a .308 i had when i was younger so i think id look into getting that first off.
be honest with me and dont feel the need to let me down gently!
thank you for reading my ramblings, and hope this suffices as an introduction

Welcome to the SD enjoy your journey but be prepared for disappointment good luck

 

[Chris Richardson]

There is no requirement for dsc 1 to get an fac , book a couple of paid stalks with a decent guide , paid stalks are good reason to get an fac

 

[Tim.243]

Evening all,
Im a Novice from Devon, looking to enter the world of deer stalking and deer management.
My background: I was shooting from a youngish age, shotguns, rifles, compound bows ( if that counts) at the moment i do not have a FAC but my understanding is that you can do the DSC1 course without one with BDS.
Im in a job currently which involves firearms a lot ( not obvious) But looking for a change to something I'm passionate about. Is getting full time work in this field gold dust or can it be achieved?
Anyway im competent with .556, which makes my job more obvious but loved a .308 i had when i was younger so i think id look into getting that first off.
be honest with me and dont feel the need to let me down gently!
thank you for reading my ramblings, and hope this suffices as an introduction

Get some time (a lot) under your belt in small game rabbits rats as they will teach you a lot more with the frequency you can go out compared to booking stalking. A good example is learner drivers out with Mum/Dad/Friend gaining time behind the wheel (makes things smother) compared to waiting for the driving instructor to turn up. Just like booking a stalk it is cheaper also limited in time.
Take a shot at a deer and miss it might be the only chance you get, miss a rabbit/rat then like busses the next one will be along.


I started on that farm shooting foxes for them then the muntjac/fallow turned up 3 years later, IMHO people (you did ask) people want to bypass the free "ish" experience out there.
Good luck

 

[HonestJohn]

Advice ? Yeh don’t turn something you love doing into a job.
Get a job that pays actual money and use it to go deer stalking

Truest words spoken here. I did it and ruined stalking for a while. I know a couple rfd’s a d guides who virtually don’t spend much time stalking themselves anymore.
I did it with golf, lived and loved it, then tried to do it professionally, and haven’t picked up a club since.

 

[vanbadlands3]

Thanks everyone for your input!
Really appreciate your honesty and yes it does worry me the fact I’ll see it more as a job if I do work in the field. But I feel it’s something I need to do at this moment in my life.
Other then paid stalks and other hunting, is there a set way to get into this line of work or is it all about who you know etc.

 

[grandad of the woods]

Welcome to the site m8

 

[Tim.243]

Thanks everyone for your input!
Really appreciate your honesty and yes it does worry me the fact I’ll see it more as a job if I do work in the field. But I feel it’s something I need to do at this moment in my life.
Other then paid stalks and other hunting, is there a set way to get into this line of work or is it all about who you know etc.

From what I have read, most of the "deer managers" have full time flexible jobs, or have retired early so don't require the wages to run a house mortgage etc
This shows up when they quote to the nearest .1% of cull figures and M/F ratio
To shoot a lot of deer you need a lot of deer

What would it say on your Stalking job CV
Keen
Limited experience
Willing to learn
Again good luck.

 

[Stalker62]

...be honest with me and don't (sic) feel the need to let me down gently!

You are a world away from becoming a 'Deer Manager'.

If you have had enough of the Military, there are easier ways of earning a living.

If you are resolute, then begin your journey. You can do plenty of preparation whilst still employed by HMG.

DSCI is not a terrible place to start. A bit of classroom, a bit of practical, and (perhaps more importantly) the ability to network.

Caveat.

Do not throw away your career on the alter of fantasy.

 

[Chris Richardson]

If you’re ever in Yorkshire give me a shout I can get you some time on deer

 

[NickJ]

Over simplifying it you have two main choices to work full time in deer management:

In England - working as a Forestry England Wildlife Ranger - do your DSC1,2 and the DMC or, ideally a course like one of these: Game and Wildlife Management Archives

In Scotland - as above for DMQ quals then work as a seasonal ghillie (see jobs section on here like: Vacancy: - Seasonal Ghillie, Braemore, Caithness) then look for roles as an understalker on private estates/with NGO to get your training. Otherwise above similar college route for Forestry & Land Scotland WR roles.

All will give you the experience and training you need if you then wanted to set up on your own as a contractor etc

 

[HonestJohn]

Funeral director is my advice, always high demand, good pay and a sense of helping people.

Seen a few SF veterans go this route to give back something.

I’d consider it if I was starting over.

That or famous cat influencer on YouTube

 

[Tim.243]

Funeral director is my advice, always high demand, good pay and a sense of helping people.

Seen a few SF veterans go this route to give back something.

I’d consider it if I was starting over.

That or famous cat influencer on YouTube

He could try dabbling in Stock refurbishment

 

[Cottis]

Truest words spoken here. I did it and ruined stalking for a while. I know a couple rfd’s a d guides who virtually don’t spend much time stalking themselves anymore.
I did it with golf, lived and loved it, then tried to do it professionally, and haven’t picked up a club since.

I didn't realise you played a good level of golf. Have you literally not hit a ball since? That is amazing. I know very few people who got to a skilled level and then just left it alone forever. Like a clucking addict, most cannot help themselves and return eventually.

I took it up too late (15) but got to scratch but i never quite had the love for competitive golf even though I was too late to the party to really have a bash at pro golf. I am 5yrs away from 50 and sometimes think I should jack in my other interests and really knuckle down and practice properly and see if I could play senior pro golf but if I am honest, the hunger is just not there. I just play these days. Not been on a range for the thick end of 10yrs. Body is too worn out to be beating balls.

I often think about giving up because I get so frustrated at the length of time it takes and dodging around snails on the course but I just love being outdoors and hitting balls. It is such a hard game and so rewarding to play well but as you know, there is a huge amount of disappointment and frustration to it as well.

I have certainly never considered shooting or management around guns as something I would want to do. That is definitely my selfish me time and I would never sully that by trying to incorporate in to my life professionally.

 

[Husky]

Funeral director is my advice, always high demand, good pay and a sense of helping people.

Seen a few SF veterans go this route to give back something.

I’d consider it if I was starting over.

That or famous cat influencer on YouTube

My other half has been working in the Funeral Industry since she was 17, starting as a funeral operative then a funeral director, senior funeral director and for the past thirty years an embalmer.
She says the job has all gone to f##k and would not recommend it to anyone.

 

[vanbadlands3]

Welcome to the site. You can do the dsc1 course with any provider you choose and an FAC is not required. A rifle can be provided, if you give them plenty of notice at time of booking (there will be a charge) As to getting into the FIELD' be prepared to travel to where the opportunities may be, for what you want to do. 308 is a fine choice for all species of UK deer.

BC.

Thanks for the welcome, on the application form it does have that option about not having a rifle.
saying that FAC takes a long time due to being part of a club for "x" amount of time, is that the same with deer stalking? still needing to be part of a rifle club, i have denbury near me but pretty sure its only small bore.

 

[vanbadlands3]

From what I have read, most of the "deer managers" have full time flexible jobs, or have retired early so don't require the wages to run a house mortgage etc
This shows up when they quote to the nearest .1% of cull figures and M/F ratio
To shoot a lot of deer you need a lot of deer

What would it say on your Stalking job CV
Keen
Limited experience
Willing to learn
Again good luck.

yeah youre right getting into it my CV wouldnt be the most impressive to say the least. ive potentially got some contacts to get amongst the trade to get some proper experience.
I was gonna supplement deer stalking with tree surgery/ranger if i can. ive got some good time to get some good courses for both.