Discover where the Deer Management Certificate Level 3 (DMC3) fits within the UK deer management training pathway and how it compares to existing qualifications.
The answer is right at the very top. And because there’s been a lot of discussion, let’s clear up a few misconceptions.
Some have assumed that completing DSC2 or PDS2, plus the ‘Deer Management Course’ delivered by the British Deer Society (BDS) or an ‘Advanced Deer Management Course’, delivered by the Shooting & Hunting Academy is equivalent to a Deer Management Certificate Level 3. It’s not and here’s why:
Unit 1 – Academic Credits (Knowledge)
The DMC3 requires 15 credits.
Yes, you can build these from a mix of relevant qualifications, but here’s the reality:
BDS Deer Management Certificate = 3 credits
Advanced Deer Management Course = 6 credits
Together that’s 9 credits, meaning you’d still need more recognised learning to reach the full 15. These courses contribute, but they don’t complete the unit.
Unit 2 & 3 – Practical Requirements (Skill)
This is where the gap widens even further:
DSC2 = 1 demonstrated cull
PDS2 = 2 demonstrated culls
Deer Management Course = No culls
Advanced Deer Management Course = No culls
Deer Management Certificate Level 3 = 10 culls across multiple species, showcasing a significantly broader and deeper level of competence.
Unit 4 – Strategic Management (Strategy)
Candidates must produce a full Level 3 Deer Management Plan—a detailed assignment bringing together knowledge, fieldcraft, population strategy, and real-world management decisions.
In short, how does the DMC3 compare to existing UK deer management qualifications like PDS1 & PDS2 | DSC1 & DSC2, Deer Management Course & Advanced Deer Management Course? - Well, its head and shoulders above.
The DMC3 is more academically demanding, more practically rigorous, and more strategically advanced than any other deer management course in the UK.
It sets a new national benchmark, one that at County Deer Stalking we are proud to support.
With enrolments already underway, the next cohort is preparing to meet this new standard in UK Deer Management Training.
To find out more about the Deer Management Certificate Level 3 – DMC3 follow this link: Deer Management Certificate Level 3 DMC3
