Introduction, dont be kind tell me the truth!

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

Didnt even consider that honestly, but thats a very good shout. appreciate the advice.
 
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
Might go half naked on tik tok. might make a fiver!
 
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
Thanks for the insight, i was thinking of that kind of career trajectory and open going back into some form of education to make it work.
Question: What kind of timeframe are you looking at between your DSC1 to DSC2 from my limited understanding its quite a bit more advanced and probably should be taken on once i get a good amount of experience.
 
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.
The requirement in law says, 'Good reason'. You would like to stalk deer, to do so with a rifle it must be carried out in a legal and safe area. An invitation from another stalker land owner is one way. a Booked stalk is another. Permission from a land/farm owner is also accepted, All of the above require a written formal request to you if you are to prove 'Good reason' in an application for your FAC. The above are a guide to what is needed and not conclusive.

BC.
 
If you dont mind me asking but do you have an outdoors job as a your full time job? ( dont worry if you dont want to answer)
secondly what about it doing it full time got you down?
many thanks
I am now retired, I started way back in the early 80s on a highland sporting estate, then then involved in the forestry sector, things remarkably have changed and not for the good in my opinion, I now enjoy plodding along doing what I have to do.
There are still some good jobs out there, if you are serious about getting into deer management try and get work as a ghillie on a sporting estate, you will need to start at the bottom and work your way up by proving yourself to the right folk, good luck on your journey my friend.
 
I am now retired, I started way back in the early 80s on a highland sporting estate, then then involved in the forestry sector, things remarkably have changed and not for the good in my opinion, I now enjoy plodding along doing what I have to do.
There are still some good jobs out there, if you are serious about getting into deer management try and get work as a ghillie on a sporting estate, you will need to start at the bottom and work your way up by proving yourself to the right folk, good luck on your journey my friend.
I’ve heard about that in the forestry sector too from others, noted. Appreciate the time man 👍🏼
 
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.
Dying trade?
 
Thanks for the insight, i was thinking of that kind of career trajectory and open going back into some form of education to make it work.
Question: What kind of timeframe are you looking at between your DSC1 to DSC2 from my limited understanding its quite a bit more advanced and probably should be taken on once i get a good amount of experience.
You can do it straight away but it's advisable to get a few successful stalks under you belt first
 
All I can say is welcome and good luck.

I think the bulk of us are in jobs we never "planned" to be in and those jobs we think we want to do dont pay the bills (unless you are lucky). The only person who can make the choice is you and theres lots of good advice thats already been given. If you want a career in the shooting industry go for it and hope it works out 👍
 
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