ABOUT THE COURSE
Whether you’re new to deer stalking or already an experienced Deer Manager, the DSC1 provides a comprehensive guide to deer stalking techniques and management. The DSC1 is the foundation of deer skills development.
To be awarded the DSC1 certificate you must demonstrate knowledge and skills to successfully pass formal assessments in the following areas:
- Deer biology and ecology - the life and reproductive cycles, habitat requirements and behaviour of the six species of wild deer.
- The law - the legal basis for the use of firearms and the culling of wild deer.
- Stalking techniques and taking the shot – a theoretical knowledge of the basis of stalking techniques, points of aim and the reaction of the deer to shot placement.
- Deer identification - an ability to identify the six species of deer normally found in the wild in the UK, being able to distinguish between the male and female of each species in both summer and winter coat.
- Safety- an ability to safely handle firearms and other tools and equipment in a simulated stalking environment. This includes the use of knives and extraction equipment where appropriate.
- Shooting – an ability to shoot accurately and consistently in a simulated stalking environment.
- Large Game – knowledge of the inspection of carcasses and the legal requirements.
DSC1 Three Day Course
Delivery method: Face-to-face
DSC1 courses are run by the Society over three days at several locations throughout the UK.
The course comprises two days of professional classroom instruction including a series of lectures, videos and discussion and a day at the range testing your field safety and shooting.
There are five assessments to be undertaken, resulting in a DSC1 Certificate for those who achieve the pass grade.
The three-day DSC1 training course costs £340.00. This includes all assessments, a comprehensive 327-page training manual and DMQ registration.
DSC1 Online Course
Delivery method: Online learning followed by face-to-face assessment
In this course you will learn all the necessary DSC1 course materials over several weeks using our online training education platform. You will then attend an in-person Assessment Day at one of our existing training venues that are available throughout the UK.
There are five assessments to be undertaken, resulting in a DSC1 Certificate for those who achieve the pass grade.
The DSC1 Online with Assessment Day costs £340.00. Expert support over email as well as a live online Q&A session with the BDS training team are included.
DSC1 Assessment Only
Delivery method: Face-to-face
Deer Management Qualifications (DMQ) recognise that people with considerable prior knowledge and experience may not feel the need to attend a full training course and may only wish to take the DSC1 assessments.
The British Deer Society has a limited number of assessment only places available on each DSC1 course.
Assessment only attendees will be asked to attend for the specific assessment period ONLY and no tuition will be given.
However, you may benefit from refreshing your knowledge by purchasing a BDS Training Manual and/or by using our revision online course Ultimate Deer Data training.
Retaking an Assessment
If you have already registered with Deer Management Qualifications and need to retake one or more of the DSC1 assessments to complete your DSC1 qualification, these can be taken by attending the relevant assessment period on any of our scheduled DSC1 courses.
Each assessment costs £25.00 to retake. All assessments must be taken within a three year period from first registration for the award.
Game Meat Qualification
Candidates who gained their DSC1 award before 2006 can upgrade their Deer Stalking Certificate 1 to include Large Game – knowledge of the inspection of carcasses and the legal requirements by attending and passing this assessment.
The cost is £40.00 which includes a new updated DSC1 Certificate.
Read what previous candidates have said about our DSC1 course
Prepare for DCS1 with Ultmate Deer Data
Ultimate Deer Data online training, available only from the British Deer Society, is an interactive training package enabling you to acquire and test your knowledge in preparation for taking the Deer Stalking Certificate 1.
The interactive quizzes and deer identification quizzes can be used time and time again allowing you to build up a depth of knowledge and the thorough understanding needed to pass the DSC1 formal assessments.
Whilst UDD is primarily aimed at people wanting to achieve DSC1, due to the significant volume of and quality of its content, it is of equal value as an important educational resource to anyone worldwide needing to gain knowledge of British deer and their related management.
UDD online costs £20.00 for 60 days, which can be renewed if more time is required.
