quickest way to get DSC2?

[widows son]

Hi folks,

I've just discovered that I probably need to get DSC2 fairly swiftly in the new year.

What is the quickest way to do it from a standing start (no dsc1)?

Does anyone run packages with the Dsc2 witnessed stalks included?

There is sone urgency here.

Simple solution go out stalking, all the rubbish written about you need this and that is just that rubbish, youve already done the theory, that the level one if your doubting your knowledge ,what you require is deer on the ground when your there ,that doesn't mean you go out two days before your out with a AW and shoot them, what it means is you go out check what is on the ground at various times ,Making sure you know where why when and how .

The spending a fortune bit is mental especially in Scotland if it is costing you to go out with an AW in Scotland you need some new friends .

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Correct.

Evidence gathered before registration does not count as part of the Level 2. However in the forward page on a candidates portfolio it does ask about previous experience and the amount of deer taken.

However a candidate must take 3 deer in the presence of an Approved Witness within a period of 3 years. Level 2 portfolio is now on version 6 I believe.

That's not entirely correct Malc.
Evidence gathered before registration can be used, but it then reduces the 3 year period from registration accordingly.
My last candidate, is in fact a classic case of this. He was awaiting funding towards his DSC 2 registration fee.
We downloaded the forms from the DMQ website and actually managed to complete all 3 stalks in one morning!
He then registered for DSC 2 once funds became available and all evidence was submitted without problem.
His portfolio has now been through the assessment stage and is off to the Internal Verifier.
The 3 year period is a moveable feast!
MS

 

[Mungo]

mungo sounds like you need to do abit of work on the gralloch side, have you got the best practice quidence? you will need to know the lymph nodes and show how to find them and then see if anything is not right. the guide is a great help in all aspects but this does need following up with real experience so practice is the key to be familiar and you find your own methods ,I took a variation from people that suited me, atb wayne

Being self deprecatory for comic effect. I'm a professional biologist and I'm married to a vet. I have a fairly good idea where all the bits are and how to tell if all is not well...

 

[mereside]

Thanks very much for the input folks - really appreciated.

I know there is a lot to learn, and I have no illusions about my inadequacies. Having spoken to a few people, the largest gap in my current awareness is the level of detail with regard to carcasse inspection. My current level is not much beyond 'is it covered in stinking green? Are there wriggly things in evidence? Are there any prurulent lumps larger than a golf ball?' It seems this isn't wuite enough...

Being self deprecatory for comic effect. I'm a professional biologist and I'm married to a vet. I have a fairly good idea where all the bits are and how to tell if all is not well...

I am confused now as i was offering help, crack on and register for level 2

 

[Moray Outfitting]

Hello guys.

WG etc - no offence taken, the site is about a learning/ sharing knowledge etc. and where its polite debate and it helps resolve issues then great. And to be clear that includes yours truly being corrected if off beam!

I've posed the question to John here to verify and will revert if he comes up with anything different. At present the assertion that ICR evidence can be gathered before actual DSC2 registration derives from -

1. Edition 6 June 2010 Level 2 Candidate Portfolio Page 4 'Evidence' ' The rules of evidence are -

Authentic - it has been produced by you without help
Current - it must have been produced in the three years prior to portfolio submission *
Sufficient - there is enough evidence to cover all of the elements of the Certificate.
Relevant - your evidence must match the quality requirements of the Certificate. It is your
responsibility to ensure that any evidence supplied is relevant and matches the
PCs. If in doubt as to the relevance of any additional evidence, contact your
Assessor/ Assessment Centre for advice.'

* Bold and underline mine.

2. Would have to check, but believe I have seen three ICRs submitted on this basis within the last 18 months. All went through in the 'normal way'.

Taking the Portfolio document itself as Prima Facie and with the standard interpretation of anything that is not specifically prohibited is allowed, the bold wording above seems fairly clear. Had the intent been to make registration the sole active date, an alternative wording would have been easy to formulate. The Portfolio I quote from was issued in June 2013 ( date of Registration of the candidate concerned ). Any contradiction with guidance notes etc issued separately is concerning, but my opinion would be that the actual Portfolio Document - the repository of the 'Evidence' central to the Assessment holds primacy - at least until advised differently by the relevant authority.

 

[willie_gunn]

Many thanks.

I did see that extracted text, but only in the context of the Assessor's role in the AW handbook, so hadn't related it directly to the question of pre-registration evidence. Taken to its logical conclusion it would mean that you could register for your DSC2 on 1st January 2014 and submit the portfolio for assessment on 2nd January 2014 (or as soon as the portfolio arrived). If the evidence is valid, then of course why not?

I've also raised the question directly with DMQ and will be interested to see how they respond, as it's clear from this thread that the matter is open to individual interpretation.

willie_gunn

 

[sikamalc]

Then I stand corrected. But seems an unusual way to go about it and is news to me.

 

[Mungo]

Then I stand corrected. But seems an unusual way to go about it and is news to me.

Presumably if the aim is to ensure that a specific standard has been attained, then it shouldn't matter how and when that standard was reached (provided there is certainty that it is current)?

 

[willie_gunn]

A brief update.

The initial response I've received is that a portfolio is only issued to a DSC2 registered person. It follows that, as evidence has to be recorded in the portfolio, no witnessed activity can be recorded unless a portfolio exists in which to so do.

willie_gunn

 

[palmer_mike]

But you can download the forms from the portfolio and add them when you register?

 

[roestalker]

It didn't Glyn. Jon has got it wrong! MS and Moray both have it correct.
Baguio

MS, Baguio and others I do apologise, I hold my hands up here, you are correct the evidence for DSC2 an be gathered before DSC1 is awarded. Fill it in on the DMQ downloads, dated and they can be added to the portfolio once DSC1 has been completed followed by DSC2 registration. In go the printed download sheets and there it is.

Apologies again for any misinformation.


Best regards to all.


Jon.

 

[User00001]

I have deleted my posts on this subject.

I am confident that I am correct in my understanding of procedures but the whole thing is turning into Billy Smarts Circus. One of the main reasons that the 'Incredible Witness' thing was discontinued was because many did not understand the admin side of things and it seems like some AW's are slipping the same way which is embarrassing for all concerned.

Candidates should be reminded that DSC2 is 'Candidate led' and if they are in any doubt about whether or not their AW knows what he is talking about they should check directly with DMQ.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

A brief update.

The initial response I've received is that a portfolio is only issued to a DSC2 registered person. It follows that, as evidence has to be recorded in the portfolio, no witnessed activity can be recorded unless a portfolio exists in which to so do.

willie_gunn

Incorrect Willie. Forms can be downloaded and used prior to registration and receipt of portfolio. These can then be stuck into the portfolio.
http://www.dmq.org.uk/downloads/Edition 6 ICR.pdf
As I already stated, my last candidate completed all 3 stalks PRIOR to registration! Although slightly unconventional, this is perfectly acceptable.
He also completed all 3 stalks in one very busy morning!
MS

 

[Moray Outfitting]

Grief guys!

Jon - no worries on this end; as you will have guessed , You have guided me on many issues - whilst I remain dubious about the alleged purchase of a burger at Kelso - its a team effort.

Glyn - 'Candidate Led' is the key phrase and sums the whole up very well and as you ( and the portfolios ) say - IF IN DOUBT TALK TO ASSESSOR? ASSESSMENT CENTRE. Discourse on SD is just that, I would never commend anyone to read SD as gospel! In terms of muddles or inconsistencies, there are few human endeavours where these aren't present. The system is good - can be better - but pretty good. There's a long human chain involved - that can lead to issues in terms on said inconsistencies, but also ensures audit, verification and double check.

A whole industry makes a healthy living debating interpretation of very carefully phrased and drafted legislation - even the clearest sentences acquire a life all their own at the hands of the legal profession. That's life.

DSC2 operates in a world where such things happen. The depth and range of people involved is fundamentally a strength, its also humanly unavoidable that individuals will read a line of text and interpret it in different ways. The system of AW briefings and ongoing development is a reasonable attempt to level out some of those kinks. Ultimately portfolios will pass through a series of checks and balances and I know for certain that DMQ monitors, assesses and learns from portfolios as an ongoing matter.

Realistically we are discussing a minutae within the whole system.

 

[willie_gunn]

Incorrect Willie. Forms can be downloaded and used prior to registration and receipt of portfolio. These can then be stuck into the portfolio.
http://www.dmq.org.uk/downloads/Edition 6 ICR.pdf
As I already stated, my last candidate completed all 3 stalks PRIOR to registration! Although slightly unconventional, this is perfectly acceptable.
He also completed all 3 stalks in one very busy morning!
MS

MS

I am not looking to be proven correct or incorrect.

I am only stating the information I received from the DMQ representative who I raised the question with. Any AW should seek guidance from his sponsoring Assessor, not from an Internet forum.

I am sure the matter will be raised next time the Quality Assurance Group meets.

willie_gunn

 

[Monkey Spanker]

I've also raised the question directly with DMQ and will be interested to see how they respond, as it's clear from this thread that the matter is open to individual interpretation.
willie_gunn

Willie, it is not open to individual interpretation! It is in black and white.
Current - it must have been produced in the three years prior to portfolio submission *

A brief update.

The initial response I've received is that a portfolio is only issued to a DSC2 registered person. It follows that, as evidence has to be recorded in the portfolio, no witnessed activity can be recorded unless a portfolio exists in which to so do.
willie_gunn

That in green is true. That in red, I believe is your interpretation which is not the case.
The original post asked for a quick solution to solve a problem which is what my posts relate to - nothing more.
Regards,
MS

 

[willie_gunn]

MS

The text in my reply was exactly as I received it in response to my query.

willie_gunn

 

[243varmint]

Now I'm a little confused.
The highlighted part saying " 3 years prior to portfolio submission". Surely that is different than 3 years prior to registration.
you don't get your portfolio before you resistor so how can you fill your portfolio out?

im not an AW just someone who has registered for level 2 and in the process of gathering supporting evidence before I've even started any witnessed stalks.

Cheers

Jon

 

[Naseby]

Now I'm a little confused.
The highlighted part saying " 3 years prior to portfolio submission". Surely that is different than 3 years prior to registration.
you don't get your portfolio before you resistor so how can you fill your portfolio out?

im not an AW just someone who has registered for level 2 and in the process of gathering supporting evidence before I've even started any witnessed stalks.

Cheers

Jon

Jon I think I'm in the same position as you. I've just registered and received my DSC2 portfolio. I've deliberately left the three year section blank for the moment as I don't know how many deer I will have shot "in the last three years" when I come to submit my portfolio.
By the way what evidence are you now gathering?
I am continuing to stalk as usual, but have 4 witnessed stalks booked for next March which I'm hoping might result in 1 or maybe 2 IRCs
In addition I'm attending the Advanced Deer Management Course with Jelen and currently completing Home Study assignments. Are you doing similar?

cheers

Naseby

 

[baguio]

Now I'm a little confused.
The highlighted part saying " 3 years prior to portfolio submission". Surely that is different than 3 years prior to registration.
you don't get your portfolio before you resistor so how can you fill your portfolio out?

im not an AW just someone who has registered for level 2 and in the process of gathering supporting evidence before I've even started any witnessed stalks.

Cheers

Jon

Read post #22 Jon
Baguio