wildfowler.250 Posted January 1, 2013 Report Share Posted January 1, 2013 How much do the courses cost? I would only do my level 1 so I could do the level 2 for renting land but the costs is the main thing that puts me off,(always find something else to spend my monies on ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Just under £300 or cheaper if you just do the exam. But it's a good course to do you will enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 I shouldn't recommend you do either under those circumstances, its about the journey not the destination. For one thing the destination often changes intentionally while your traveling the route. Exam only for level 1 and portfolio only for level 2, do you fancy your chances? If not think carefully about what I say. Too much stalking is in the wrong hands today, papers or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted January 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Cheers for the replies guys. I think id pass them no bother but I only wish to do it for renting FC land. I'm sure it would be quite fun though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 The DSC1 course is well worth doing, I did my own home study, cant remember what it cost in total with registration etc but remember at the time the four day course wasnt very much more and you will have more peace of mind. The DSC2 is about £100 and you have three years to collect your data on three stalks. Some think the courses are a waste of time, sure you will not walk away with the certificate and be an experienced stalker but it does teach you some very valuable information that is important. Many of the 'experienced stalkers' on my test day struggled with the rifle test, which isnt really that demanding just basic accuracy. And as for the deer indentification, well the arguements between these mentioned 'experienced stalker' were still raging when I got into my truck to go home. Is it worth it, well at the moment I manage nearly 200acres of the beautiful Wye valley for Natural England in my spare time looking after the Fallow deer, no interuptions,just the odd report and annual cull figures plus I get the venison for my troubles. Without the DMQ's I could not have got this, so I guess you can say its the best money I have spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Cheers for the replies guys. I think id pass them no bother but I only wish to do it for renting FC land. I'm sure it would be quite fun though Bet you wouldn't without some serious revision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 3, 2013 Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 Tell, you what things change on best practice. DSC1 should be a pass for experienced stalkers as you don't need 100% in all areas, I remember getting the Scottish Red stag season wrong ( I had never visited Scotland for stags and my dyslexia makes it hard to recall numbers). Level 2 is an assessment as such you cannot fail but you can be asked to gain more evidence- ITS NOT JUST THREE WITNESSED KILLS. The phone questioning I got after submitting my portfolio was intense 1. Name and describe the location of the lymphatic system as it passes through the deer 2. describe in great detail how to approach and finish a wounded beast without using the rifle " with more than an odd twist thrown in". The DSC1 shooting test is interesting about half the candidates would fail if it were just one go after the zero target. without wishing to sound big headed I was the only one out of about 20 who passed all targets inc the zero test first go only two didn't have their own rifle! though there was a ripping wind at the time giving 4" of drift between the peaks on the 100yds zero aiming my first shot at 3 o,clock it landed just within the line at 9 ! People blame nerves but when push comes to shove its just the shooting std you see all the time that's low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Cheers for the replies guys! After starting this thread I decided I'll do the level 1,(hopefully in the summer) and eventually the level 2! I might be tempted to study a wee bit Alex, seeing as im forking out a few hundred quid to sit the thing Ps the self study thing is using the booklet to learn the questions? What's the other option? I slightly longer course with tuition? And then ontop of that there's a shooting test and also a safety assessment? Thanks! Edited January 3, 2013 by wildfowler.250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 3, 2013 Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 Cheers for the replies guys! After starting this thread I decided I'll do the level 1,(hopefully in the summer) and eventually the level 2! I might be tempted to study a wee bit Alex, seeing as im forking out a few hundred quid to sit the thing Ps the self study thing is using the booklet to learn the questions? What's the other option? I slightly longer course with tuition? And then ontop of that there's a shooting test and also a safety assessment? Thanks! You Cheers for the replies guys! After starting this thread I decided I'll do the level 1,(hopefully in the summer) and eventually the level 2! I might be tempted to study a wee bit Alex, seeing as im forking out a few hundred quid to sit the thing Ps the self study thing is using the booklet to learn the questions? What's the other option? I slightly longer course with tuition? And then ontop of that there's a shooting test and also a safety assessment? Thanks! The course is worthwhile IF THE INSTUCTION IS GOOD. learning the answers by wrote will work but you will get so much more if you take the course. I can fully recommend the BDS courses as the instructors are not there to sell you anything and they are well selected for their knowledge of deer. Generally you will learn far more than is required just to pass the test. The ID test can catch out a few who do test only if they don't have good knowledge of deer they might never have stalked, I have never yet stalked muntjac or CWD yet they are in the test non the less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted January 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2013 Cheers kent! Never thought about it as 'getting more from it' by doing the course. I've always done my exams from pure memory so figured I could do it that way. But seeing as this is also a hobby, your method seems better Many thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 How many people as a percentage of stalkers have or will shoot all 6 deer species? I have never even seen a Muntjac let alone shot one. Am I a better stalker of red and roe now I know about the breeding physiology of Muntjac and can identify one?........ I can identify a Thompson Gazelle but it doesn't make me a African Game Guide Its not a journey, its a certificate Passing it no more gives you the authority to call yourself "Trained Hunter" than playing Call of Duty 7 nights a week gives you the title of "US Marine"! Don't get me wrong you may learn a lot, but if you struggle to pass Level 1 just by reading the book then there is a problem. There are plenty of ways to learn about your hobby without the badge, unfortunately the badge in question is being diluted to the point where if you can pass it with 2 days revision and 10 shots on paper then you may as well lump it in with a PADI open water course that you can just about buy online. Do the L1 course, but treat it as it should be treated. to use an analogy ...its the highway code and driving license. But if you are just entering into driving the car you still have a lot to learn. you become a driver by driving on the road, not behind a desk If you are taking the test as a stalker with numerous years under your belt you may learn something, you may not but it is unlikely to make you a better stalker. L2 is the equivalent of the advanced driving test. someone will watch you doing your "3 point turn and hill start and where you position the vehicle between the white lines whilst driving" will you shoot more deer as a result..? only if having the badge means you can now lease land previously unavailable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 actually level 1 was developed to set you on the path and give you the theory, it was not initially intended as the end of the journey. level 2 to prove you took in that which was taught at level 1. like all quals it proves nothing more than you met the minimum criteria to pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboro shot Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 (edited) id say use the jelen on line revision/tests for a few months leading upto the course youll be supprised even if youve stalked before you wont know all that is included in the dsc1 some people still fail even if they consider themselves "stalkers" even the shooting test is not as easy as some may think remember your under exam conditions youll be suprised how many good shots mess it up and once you start panicing forget about it if you do fail the good thing is you only have to resit that part. on the course i did one guy failed the id test witch can be a bit of a pain as some pics in the real world you wouldnt take the shot till they were in a better position so youd know wheather its a doe/buck etc i found remembering the seasons the hardest part but as time goes on you start to remember thats why i choose to use the on line training i thought id only shoot the odd munty but gone on to shoot all apart from sika but im sure that will come i suppose the dsc2 can be done over 3 years but some have completed in a day or 2 using witch can work out fairly cheap if you find some cheap park culling or similar Edited January 5, 2013 by pboro shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ging125 Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have just booked myself onto the BDS DSC1 course, any recommendations on literature to help with study? Havent got the manual as yet so not sure of its contents and if they are comprehensive enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 the manual has all the questions etc in and all you need, what really helped me was the Jelen online tutorial because you can do dummy tests and it marks them for you you know when you have learned enough which is when you consistently pass. There was a huge difference in our group between those who had done the work before and those who turned up and expected to just learn on the course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 How many people as a percentage of stalkers have or will shoot all 6 deer species? Well, I'm stuck on the CWD, never even seen one in the Wild, so if anyone has a few and would like to help an old boy get the full set then I would be most grateful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 you're not missing out on much Dekers probably the most boring deer to stalk, I'd never seen one till I stalked one on a paid day yet live 20 miles from the main release site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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