level 2

[stone]

Big Lad,



However this Level 2 business to me is a bloody minefield, with inconsistency reigning supreme at times. It also makes my blood boil when folk talk about CW's not having the experience, when in many many cases they have far more years and experience than some AW's.



I also see no problem with a series of photos to back your Level 2 up, as long as its you and not just a pair of hands, which Jingzy pointed out and has a very fair point. Taking 3 deer and achieving Level 2 does not make you a stalker in my book, I feel it should be at least 3 different species in three different environments, that to me would make a bit more sense.

All the best to you,

Sikamalc

Malc
this is a tricky situation but the solution is always easier than the answer
i agree that inconsistencey seems to rule in a systems that does not allow that
i do believe things are now changing but how quickly is another answer
but your comments on 3 different deer species
in my mind , another mine field to say the least
but to hav common knowledge on all 6 might be a better alternative
as you well know
anyone that regularly just stalk fallow, roe and muntjac will never hav a clue when it comes to sika or open hill reds
okay maybe i might just be being a bit over the top
but like you say it may make more sense
just unfortunately there are many that hav and will only ever hav Roe or Reds as stalking in scotland
and others south of the borders that may only hav just one species
these should not be chastised because of that
L2 is an competency award, to prove you are competent to put venison into the foods chain regardless the species

unfortunately in this country they want proof of that, even if you hav only ever shot 3 deer
good thing or bad i hav no idea but if you can do it right, then you can do it regardless of the amount of deer shot
but to class your self as a stalker after just a few deer , then that is a whole different matter in my eyes
but like you i do make my mind up in a short time if the person i am out with does actually hav any idea at all regardless of their qualifacation
times are changing for L2, hopefully for the better from my understanding
i suppose we will just hav to watch and see
ATB

 

[sikamalc]

Richard,

If you read my post I said 3 different species in 3 different environments. That means to me Reds on the open hill, Sika in woodland and possibly Roe/Munty in woodland, farmland habitat. Or Possibly Chinks on open fields?

Having common knowledge of all 6 species is one thing, and much of that should have been covered in Level 1. However if you are implying that folk should stalk all 6 species for their Level 2, thats never going to happen in my opinion. There are many professional stalkers that have never taken all 6 species, let alone novice.

Taking three species would give better field knowledge, however I AM NOT advocating this as there seems to be enough confusion with Level 2 at times.

Best

Sikamalc

 

[biglad]

Thanks for all your replys lads will keep you posted on my progress on my level 2 Cheers Neil..

 

[stone]

Malc
there may be a bit of confusion in what i posted
i was just putting in another angle to what you posted as we aseem to agree on most points of it
L2 is not that big a deal and i suppose we should not really add to the scaremongering of defication towards it
after all all it is just a competence award
Neil
gaining evidence towards your L2 is not anything to be worried about, if you are capable of knowing your quarry and despatching of it in a suitable manner what ever the circumstances, then are able to higenically prepare, to present to the game dealer fit for human consumption
then you hav very little to worry about

 

[KevinF]

I for one have been out with Vets, Meat Inspectors like yourself, Bricklayers, Joiners, Surgeons Ive learned from them all ,everyone I take out has some sort of information to pass on after all in my book every day is a school day, long may that continue .

WS - Kudos for that. Hope we can stalk together sometime. My attitude also.

KevinF. BASC AW31.

 

[willie_gunn]

Taking three species would give better field knowledge, however I AM NOT advocating this as there seems to be enough confusion with Level 2 at times.

Malc/Stone

I understand, and really sympathise with, the sentiments expressed about stalking 3 different species, but I feel it has about as much chance of success as the "should stalk 50 deer" argument.

Let me give an example, and I'm really not trying to be argumentative or controversial in this, honest.

I'm fortunate in that I've been able to stalk four species to date - roe, muntjac and fallow down South and red up North. The reds were stalked on an estate in Scotland where I happened to be the CW for one of the stalks by the estate stalker who was pursuing his DSC2. He's shot more deer than I'm likely to see in a lifetime but only has red on his ground. Sika and roe are further down the glen, but what difference would stalking them make, given that he is putting more deer into the larder in a week than I do in a year? Also, IMHO, stalking reds on the open hill is far more difficult than stalking roe or muntjac in woodland. So who's the better stalker? Me for stalking four species or him for shooting lots of difficult deer?

The answer of course, is that it's nothing to do with who is the better stalker.

To quote DMQ on this "DSC2 is a practically based qualification which enables candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and competence in legally, safely and humanely culling deer and dealing with carcasses hygienically." You don't have to be the most knowledgable stalker in the world, or be able to have stalked lots of deer or all six species, you just have to be able to cull deer safely and humanely and put them into the food chain hygienically. To my mind, that's exactly as it should be.

Just IMHO if course

willie_gunn

 

[Bandit Country]

You don't have to be the most knowledgable stalker in the world, or be able to have stalked lots of deer or all six species, you just have to be able to cull deer safely and humanely and put them into the food chain hygienically. To my mind, that's exactly as it should be. willie_gunn

and me.

 

[newkid]

Quote you certificates and years of experience - you have probably seen more changes in hygeine regs than the rest of us.

 

[newkid]

sorry - hygiene.