We examine the PDS1 and DSC1 Deer Stalking Certificate - Both the Proficient Deer Stalkers Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) and the The Deer Stalkers Certificate level 1 (DSC1) have been a huge success in the UK and for many Police forces, has been the unofficial requirement for individuals who wish to apply for a firearm certificate (FAC) with an entitlement to shoot deer.
In the UK these courses have been key to providing a professional feel to deer stalking and have been responsible for better informing and educating potential candidates about deer management.
At County Deer Stalking we are proud to be running the Proficient Deer Stalkers Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) course, a nationally recognised course that has been accredited by both the UK's two main land-based awarding bodies LANTRA and UK Rural Skills.
The course is available throughout the year either in-field Monday - Saturday or via the 'Uk Shooting & Hunting Academy' an online e-learning platform, that means that the course can be carried out at a time and place that suits the candidate.
Both infield and online versions of the course are excellent and have been hugely popular with countless candidates taking advantage of the ease with which the course can be booked, the easy to use, online e-learning platform, and the frequency of available dates.
Unlike the DSC1 the PDS1 also comes with a Large Game Meat Hygiene Course that complies with FSA guidlines. Follow this link for more: large-game-meat-hygiene
(Above: The popular PDS1 Certificate. If you'd like to complete your PDS1 Certificate then follow this link to find out more: proficient-stalker or call 020 3981 0159)
Leading on from the PDS1 Certificate is the popular PDS2 Certificate, which is designed for intermediate stalkers who are seeking to develop their fieldcraft and practical stalking skills in the field.
Completion of the PDS2 demonstrates dedicated, live stalking experience that can be obtained over 3 - 12 months of mentored stalking and is a superb way of gaining a substantial level of in-field experience.
For Candidates who have elected to go the DSC1 route, the DSC2 is the next step, however, unlike the DSC1 which is carried out in the classroom on specific dates throughout the year, this second level has not been so widely adopted. It seems that whilst there are obvious advantages to taking your DSC1 there are less advantages to taking the Deer Stalkers Certificate Level 2.
For many the motivation to take the DSC2 arises from a desire to stalk over or lease Forestry Commission land. (DSC2 being the requirement), or alternatively because the individual is a professional stalker and quite simply requires a level of experience that is superior to that of the clients that they are taking stalking.
As an 'Approved Witness' (AW) for deer management qualifications myself, I can see that for most recreational stalkers who have their own land to stalk over, the DSC2 can be an unnecessarily expensive and time consuming business.
In fact, it took me no fewer than ten outings with my chosen Approved Witness before I finally managed to complete the required three Culls or ICR's as they are reffred to. However as a professional guide I had a clear motivation to do it, for many others this is not the case.
Added to this, a recent change to the system has meant that applicants can no longer use an 'Industry Professional' to witness their stalks, but instead must use an 'Approved Witness'. Whilst this has improved the transparency and integrity of the process it has also meant that the process is often more costly.
So why take a course? Well as with most things, I suspect that the requirements and constraints on our sport are not going to reduce with time. Indeed, looking into the future it is highly likley that more and more constraints will be added to gaining an FAC. I can hear many people groaning as they read this however, the reality is bureaucracy in our sport is unlikley to reduce and so my advice is to get on and get qualified and make sure that the course you complete is accredited by an official awarding body.
It is in fact suprisingly easy. The huntingacademy not only provides the ability to complete your PDS1 online, it also offers easy access, convenient training at a time and place that suits you.
You can access and enrol on the the PDS1 Certificate today by simply following this link: deer-stalking-course
Failing that, by all means enjoy your stalking but beware the tide of increased legislation!
For more information about the PDS1 Certificate Level 1 or 2 follow this link: proficient-stalker
Or call: 0203 981 0159 to book yourself on the next available course.
