Recreational Stalking in Forestry and Land Scotland/Tilhill

[Dan Newcombe]

No they don't, one of them needs to have dsc1.

bloody hell - so it is, I’d have sworn one had to be level 2. I stand corrected.

 

[slider]

There are very few FLS Recreational Deer Stalking Permissions (aka leases) left and FLS as no plans to offer any new ones. Almost everything is now either in house rangers or contact culling.

Private forest management companies such as Tilhill and Fountains do offer leases but they are not easy to come by. Best way is to try to get a place in an existing syndicate

 

[NullMac]

Leases in Scotland are largely filled from people who live 5-8 hours away and don't want locals in the syndicate

Yes, then don't shoot their deer but are always looking across the wire at mine. They don't spend enough time on the ground to know what's what. Also waste of time as they never shoot enough deer.

 

[TH4]

bloody hell - so it is, I’d have sworn one had to be level 2. I stand corrected.

I know wierd isn't it. You would think it would be dsc2

 

[David Barker]

As a note - you can get F&C with just DSC1 but you need to be referred by 2 people and at least one has to have DSC2

You can also contact Nature . Scot and ask one of them to accompany you if you have no one to sign it off.

 

[Dr.Dolittle]

Some are advertised. Others are acquired by being on good terms with the local forestry manager. Both routes in are equally valid, but the second is more likely to be successful, and cost a lot less. (Or may even result in you being paid for your efforts ).

Couldn't agree more regarding being on good terms with the Forestry Managers. Luckily for me it's the career my brother chose to pursue in Scotland

 

[25 Sharps]

The only way to get a foot in the door regarding forestry companies is through the forestry mangers I’ve been registered with several of them for ten years and nothing has ever been offered.
Seek out the forestry managers as this is the way forward to acquire a leas.

How is it the way forward if you’ve been registered for 10 years and never been offered anything?

 

[Rake Aboot]

I’d rather shoot rabbits than jump through all the(invented) hoops then pay the incredible prices for a lease.

Just to carry out pest control.

I understand plenty do but many have to make it a job to recoup costs, which is even madder.

 

[NickJ]

bloody hell - so it is, I’d have sworn one had to be level 2. I stand corrected.

That's because there is one NS WO who verbally tells people it's L2...

 

[NickJ]

No they don't, one of them needs to have dsc1.

Aye, and I go further, surely anyone who is shooting out of season should have done L2

 

[TH4]

Aye, and I go further, surely anyone who is shooting out of season should have done L2

Why? There are lots of very good stalkers out there without any DSC qualifications and lots of stalkers with DSC1 and 2 that produce unacceptable carcases.

 

[Stevie/P]

How is it the way forward if you’ve been registered for 10 years and never been offered anything?

Simple I don’t know any forestry managers so relying on being offered a lease via admin staff after registering of interest with said company’s has been a none starter.
I believe unless you know the decision makers personally you really struggle to get a lease.

 

[NickJ]

Why? There are lots of very good stalkers out there without any DSC qualifications and lots of stalkers with DSC1 and 2 that produce unacceptable carcases.

I don't disagree. However, in Scotland (where we are talking about as relevant to F&C) I find there are indeed lots of very good stalkers, including a number of professionals who are very good cullers of deer but sometimes their knowledge of the law and best practice could be improved by attending a L1 course

 

[TH4]

I don't disagree. However, in Scotland (where we are talking about as relevant to F&C) I find there are indeed lots of very good stalkers, including a number of professionals who are very good cullers of deer but sometimes their knowledge of the law and best practice could be improved by attending a L1 course

Thing is quite a few of them have the knowledge but just ignore it.

 

[devon deer stalker]

How is it the way forward if you’ve been registered for 10 years and never been offered anything?

The FC aren't keen on recreational stalkers, they want the job done. He will be waiting another 10 years, @supersport take a look at the Dave Hooton video thread I posted, it's very enlightening

 

[25 Sharps]

The FC aren't keen on recreational stalkers, they want the job done. He will be waiting another 10 years, @supersport take a look at the Dave Hooton video thread I posted, it's very enlightening

That was kind of my point , it clearly isn’t working

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Why? There are lots of very good stalkers out there without any DSC qualifications....

Maybe this was true last century, but isn't true today here in Scotland. My father had been stalking for 60 years before he got his DSC 1 and DSC 2.
Regards
JCS

 

[TH4]

And how does that change the fact that a lot of good stalkers do not have any qualifications? Your father isn't the only stalker in Scotland. I personally know at least 10 stalkers in Scotland that have no qualifications and produce quality carcases.

 

[devon deer stalker]

That was kind of my point , it clearly isn’t working

I know, your point wasn't wasted on me

 

[User00040]

And how does that change the fact that a lot of good stalkers do not have any qualifications? Your father isn't the only stalker in Scotland. I personally know at least 10 stalkers in Scotland that have no qualifications and produce quality carcases.

If they were to turn up looking for a stalker/keeper/ranger/contractor job with no tickets, they would be shown the door.