I'm fairly new to stalking and looking to gain as much experience as I can but that doesn't have to mean time "behind a rifle"
I've completed my DSC1 and undertaken the BDS Training Scheme at Swinley forest. I was also lucky enough to receive the Forestry commission training grant and recently passed the Advanced Deer Management course at Jelen PWS. However, I would not describe myself as an experienced stalker by any stretch. I want to work towards my DSC 2 but I think I'm a fair way off the required level of knowledge.
Although I've shot a few deer down south and in Scotland I don't feel I have the experience I need in the areas surrounding the actual shot. By that I mean things like animal selection, gralloching and the carcass handling process. The actual culling of deer isn't the driving factor for me at the moment. While I can go on paid stalks etc I really just want lots more hands on experience outside of shooting but under the supervision of someone more experienced. I feel like I don't actually need to shoot deer myself to gain a lot of experience if that makes sense?
Long term while I wouldn't pass on the opportunity to carry a rifle etc but it's really not the focus right now. I'm more interested in shadowing someone in order to learn. The long term aim is to become part of a deer management group or similar and I want to make sure I have as much knowledge as I can get. Equally, I absolutely love being in the outdoors so just the chance to tag along or help with estate tasks is enough for me at the moment. When I completed my Advanced Deer management I did email the course provider a couple of times to find out about follow up opportunities but never heard back. I also emailed the BASC stand by me scheme and did get one response but that hasn't come to anything as of yet. It just seems to be quite hard to find people to learn from hence the post! I guess so many people are wary of new faces trying to muscle in or steal their grounds, it almost feels like if you're really genuine those bad experiences folk have had mean it's a closed door.
I'm based in Winchester but happy to travel within reason. I work for myself and so do have a degree of flexibility mid week etc. Although I'm about to be crazy with work for the next 5 weeks I've got some big gaps over the winter and then into spring 26. I'm very motivated to put the work in to move myself and my skill set forward. I don't know if there is anyone in the Hampshire area who would consider having me along?
Many thanks
I've completed my DSC1 and undertaken the BDS Training Scheme at Swinley forest. I was also lucky enough to receive the Forestry commission training grant and recently passed the Advanced Deer Management course at Jelen PWS. However, I would not describe myself as an experienced stalker by any stretch. I want to work towards my DSC 2 but I think I'm a fair way off the required level of knowledge.
Although I've shot a few deer down south and in Scotland I don't feel I have the experience I need in the areas surrounding the actual shot. By that I mean things like animal selection, gralloching and the carcass handling process. The actual culling of deer isn't the driving factor for me at the moment. While I can go on paid stalks etc I really just want lots more hands on experience outside of shooting but under the supervision of someone more experienced. I feel like I don't actually need to shoot deer myself to gain a lot of experience if that makes sense?
Long term while I wouldn't pass on the opportunity to carry a rifle etc but it's really not the focus right now. I'm more interested in shadowing someone in order to learn. The long term aim is to become part of a deer management group or similar and I want to make sure I have as much knowledge as I can get. Equally, I absolutely love being in the outdoors so just the chance to tag along or help with estate tasks is enough for me at the moment. When I completed my Advanced Deer management I did email the course provider a couple of times to find out about follow up opportunities but never heard back. I also emailed the BASC stand by me scheme and did get one response but that hasn't come to anything as of yet. It just seems to be quite hard to find people to learn from hence the post! I guess so many people are wary of new faces trying to muscle in or steal their grounds, it almost feels like if you're really genuine those bad experiences folk have had mean it's a closed door.
I'm based in Winchester but happy to travel within reason. I work for myself and so do have a degree of flexibility mid week etc. Although I'm about to be crazy with work for the next 5 weeks I've got some big gaps over the winter and then into spring 26. I'm very motivated to put the work in to move myself and my skill set forward. I don't know if there is anyone in the Hampshire area who would consider having me along?
Many thanks
