Whether you are a complete novice, experienced deer stalker, vermin controller or big game hunter, CDS Firearms Training offers professional firearms training at arguably the finest training facilities in the UK, on an exclusive estate just one hour from London. This first-class facility provides training in a beautiful woodland environment just one hour from London.
‘One to one’ range time with one of our professional instructors is charged at £100 + VAT per hour and can be booked with 48 hours’ notice seven days a week.
* Shoot at ranges from 50 -300 yards
* Learn advanced marksmanship techniques for accurate shot placement.
* Accurately check and zero rifles using our specialist equipment
* Extensive specialist tool kit to fine tune your rifle/scope setup. Learn advanced techniques for accurate shot placement
* Interactive, life size, steel and paper deer targets.
No FAC, no problem. We have a selection of quality rifles all fitted with the latest Swarovski optics and are able to offer training with a variety of calibers including; .17HMR, .22 Hornet, .243 Winchester, .275 Rigby, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and for dangerous game hunters a .416 Rigby.
NEW for 2023
New for 2023 'CDS Firearms Training' has developed the unique 'PDS Woodland Stalker' training course. This challenging course is designed for deer stalkers of all abilities to test their marksmanship over a series of targets presented along a pre-determined woodland course. Stalkers walk the one mile course with one of our qualified instructors taking shots at a series of interactive steel discs and life size steel deer targets, at a variety of ranges and positions designed to replicate real life hunting scenarios.
When hunting in the wild, the chances are, that you will encounter animals at a variety of distances and be required to shoot from a variety of positions. Unlike traditional shooting ranges, the unique ‘PDS Woodland Stalker Course’ provides attendees the un-paralleled opportunity to walk a meandering picturesque woodland trail, taking shots at strategically placed life size steel targets at a host of different ranges from 45 yards to 200 yards, all from a variety of shooting positions designed to replicate real life hunting scenarios.
The 1/2 day course includes
- Tuition on accurate shot placement
- Break for tea/coffee and soft drinks
- 20 reactive steel gongs from 3 - 12 inches and life size deer targets out to 200 yards
- Shoot in a variety of positions including standing with stick, prone, kneeling, freehand and high seat
- Duration is approximately 3-4 hours
- Professional tuition and assistance offered throughout.
The training session is designed to seriously test your marksmanship, observation skills, safety, distance judgemen, holdover technique, knowledge of ballistics/wind, shooting at angles and accurate shooting at longer ranges. The aim of the longer target distances featured in the course are designed to test the deer stalkers ability to despatch deer out to 200 yards, should they be required to despatch an animal at distance.
No Firearms Certificate, no problem, there is opportunity to use a selection of quality rifles in a variety of calibres ranging from .243, .275 Rigby, .308 and 30-06 all fitted with the latest top Swarovski optics.
Bespoke Options:
There are three levels which make shooting the course varied, interesting and challenging for shooters of all abilities.
Beginner: Suitable for novices or those new to rifle shooting. No time restrictions, lots of tuition and easy shooting positions.
Intermediate: Suitable for deer stalkers who have some practical experience and want to improve their skill set. Training on how to zero and setup a rifle, generous time restrictions on some targets, training on allowing for wind and bullet drop and more.
Advanced: Suitable for deer stalkers with more experience who want to test/hone their abilities. Tight time restrictions, challenging shooting positions and assessment of distance judgement & ballistics knowledge.
As required, the format can be tailored to create a bespoke training session to meet your needs. Exciting variants include shooting ‘freehand’ or just standing with sticks. For a slightly different challenge and for those who want to ‘go back to basics’ why not try shooting the course with open sights? The choice is yours.
The duration of the pre-course training and shooting the course is approximately 3-4 hours. Prices start at £245-00 + VAT for individual bookings. We can also accommodate corporate and group bookings of up to 6 rifles. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the course. To book a session on this unique facility contact us on: 0203 981 0159 or email:
Other training delivered at the Crawley facility includes ‘Proficient Deer Stalker’ (PDS) Levels one and Level 2 modules, ‘PDS Land Assessment’ and our ‘Zoo/wildlife Park Training’.
To book time at the range, rifle/scope setup, firearms training or to book a session on our ‘Woodland Stalker Challenge’ call 0203 981 0159 or email
CDS Firearms Instructor
You'll be in good hands..
Peter S Jones is our senior firearm's instructor and one of the UK's most familiar faces in deer stalking. There are few who are more eligible for the role.
Peter is an approved trainer for leading land-based awarding bodies LANTRA and UK Rural Skills. He is also a former Metropolitan Police Detective with 10 years service in the MPS Crime Squads & CID where he specialised in firearms legislation and was awarded a 'Commendation for Bravery & Professionalism' for his handling of an armed incident, before retiring from the Police with an 'Exemplary Service Certificate'.
Peter has been shooting and hunting big game throughout the UK, Europe and Africa for the last 25 years. In addition to offering expert tuition to our clients, Peter is also responsible for the training and weapon familiarisation programs we deliver to Zoo’s and Wildlife Parks throughout the UK. Peter has qualifications PDS1+2, DSC1+2 and is a BDS DMQ ‘Approved Witness’ and Approved Verifier in Deer Stalking Qualifications.
For more detail about our independent courses please follow the links below.
