sandersj89 Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 I am thinking about getting a .243 for fox and deer and just emailed my FEO for his thoughts not expecting a reply until the new year but he has just called me back, less than 5 mins after sending the mail. (So if you have a question for your FEO now might be the time to contact them when it is nice and quiet). He was very helpful and said it would not be a problem for me to get the .243 but with a couple of conditions. If I want it for fox I can have it straight away but it will say only fox on my ticket. If I want it for both deer and fox then he again is fine though I would need a mentor for 6 months or complete the DSC1. If just fox he would do a quick home visit to do the paper work and get the revised ticket within 3 weeks. Likewise if I go the mentor route he would issue the revised ticket quickly. The DSC route would take a little longer but I am in no huge rush. So, firstly hats off to Sussex Police Firearms for such a quick response to my question and secondly what would your preferred approach be, mentor or DSC? Thanks Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 I didn't vote because I'm in the same situation. I've chosen the mentor route to get my 6.5x55, but that's only because it's cheaper and easier. When my ticket is de-restricted so I can shoot on my own I'll probably do the DSC anyway. I've been told it's well worth the money and time as you learn a great deal from it, so if you have the means I'd say take the DSC. The only downside I can see is it's a fairly short session of cramming in the required knowledge. When it comes to actual stalking maybe a mentor could give you more detail and real life experience? My favourite part of my stalking trip to Devon was helping to track a Deer that my mentor had shot just at last light. It was a Hummel and ran for 250 yards before falling, and we had to find it in the dark. In my opinion, no exam will ever give you that experience. If you can, take both the DSC and the mentoring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneEye Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 The DSC is fine for people who can't find someone to mentor them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 I voted for the mentoring option, as I learnt that way when I was younger. Acting as a shadow to a proficient, patient and knowledgeable Shot served me well. I was able to absorb a heck of a lot of information over a prolonged period (rather than an intensive course), not just about deer stalking and management, but many other aspects of shooting and fieldcraft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 I Also voted for the mentor route - as others have said, you can not learn all you need from books and exams. the only why you will really learn is by being out there amongst it and a good mentor will give you invaluble experiance. i am currently acting as a mentor for a friend, albeit for a foxing rifle but he is enjoying it and is getting some real hands on experiance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 i am currently acting as a mentor for a friend, albeit for a foxing rifle but he is enjoying it and is getting some real hands on experiance. sorry could not help it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead-eye Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 sorry if i sound stupid but what is a DSC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleabag Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 sorry if i sound stupid but what is a DSC? http://www.deerland.co.uk/html/training.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted December 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 I am leaning towards doing both. I like the idea of the DSC as that will set out the rules as the letter of the law stands and not just down to one persons interpretation. But I also like the mentor route as that gives hands on practical application from some one who has tips and tricks to pass on. Also butchery if it is not covered on the course. Seems odd though as I thought they would cover that. Looks like another member of PW is going to join me doing the DSC at a place in Soctland where you get the chance to do a real stalk at the end of the course, and as he has a .223 he does not have to wait for his new rifle, lucky so and so! How hard are the multi guess exams??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 How hard are the multi guess exams??? http://www.dmq.org.uk/downloads/DSC1%20Wri...uestions%20.pdf http://www.dmq.org.uk/downloads/DSC1%20Mea...20Questions.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 I am thinking about getting a .243 for fox and deer and just emailed my FEO for his thoughts not expecting a reply until the new year but he has just called me back, less than 5 mins after sending the mail. (So if you have a question for your FEO now might be the time to contact them when it is nice and quiet). He was very helpful and said it would not be a problem for me to get the .243 but with a couple of conditions. If I want it for fox I can have it straight away but it will say only fox on my ticket. If I want it for both deer and fox then he again is fine though I would need a mentor for 6 months or complete the DSC1. If just fox he would do a quick home visit to do the paper work and get the revised ticket within 3 weeks. Likewise if I go the mentor route he would issue the revised ticket quickly. The DSC route would take a little longer but I am in no huge rush. So, firstly hats off to Sussex Police Firearms for such a quick response to my question and secondly what would your preferred approach be, mentor or DSC? Thanks Jerry Didnt know you had to have a DSC1 to have a 243 for fox and deer how long has this been law.... Sound's a bit like blackmail to me you can have( but only type of thing) i thought you only had to show a reason why you wanted one.. Not knocking the DSC1 by the way anything that learns us about shooting im all for, no chance of me doing it though as im not interested in shooting deer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 Why Should any of you agree to these conditions which seem to be another ploy by chief constables to put another obstacle in the path of legal gun ownership. They just seem to be making up new rules as they go along. Can any legal type shown where in law there is a requirement for these conditions being imposed ?? Before the dsc came along the usual question was "Are you a member of the British Deer Society". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 deer must need a different back stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted December 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 How hard are the multi guess exams??? http://www.dmq.org.uk/downloads/DSC1%20Wri...uestions%20.pdf http://www.dmq.org.uk/downloads/DSC1%20Mea...20Questions.pdf Thanks Mark Have saved them, a quick flick though and I can spot some of the answers but I need to do the reading! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarms Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 A Chief Constable can impose any condition he feels necessary in the grant of an FAC. BASC will agree with this in my experience of them! ETA: I chose Mentor which was the route I took to get into Deer Stalking, but I think I would do DSC as well. Then you are technically more qualified than the FLO with regards to any future stalking questions. It is also necessary for some syndicates and Forestry land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 You have to place considerations for everyone on this one. Personally the DSC route allows people freedom of choice if they don't have access to a mentor and stalking. There are many people who pay totally for there deer stalking, and don't even have land to shoot only when they pay. If you opt for a menotr route across the board the shop is merely closing tighter for people to get into it. I will say though the police are using unwritten rules on this one which I believe BASC are fighting quite regularly for members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v-max Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I find it strange that for fox FEO will grant straight away but for deer you need mentor or DMQ1.Whats the diffrence in muttling a fox as to a deer both are unexceptable but do happen.When was it conpulsary to have DMQ1 to shoot deer as long as you have permission from land owner or sporting rights holder should be enough.I am for the MENTOR way as i am doing so with a friend & done so for others & my brother as i have 10-11yrs experiance as an x-keeper & had another guy saying he couldent call the roe a month ago they only call in the rut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 DSC 1, as you have said you may do it later anyway, why not do it first and then you can can go on your own if you want to. I did mine and got a 6.5 on first app, no mentor required, and it was a very good and useful course, I learnt loads BUT... It is only theory, going out with and experienced and good stalker (not all experienced ones ar any good of course) will be far more benifical for the practical side. I am not getting into the all the 'legal' discussions, they have been had hundreds of time before on here and most other shooting forums, and nothing new is ever added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted December 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I am pretty certain I am going down the DSC route first but with a mentor as well. Not going to mention the metor to the FEO as if I do the DSC he wont put the mentor condition on my ticket. So DSC to get a cleaner ticket but mentor to get some first hand knowledge under my belt. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Wildfowler Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I am thinking about getting a .243 for fox and deer and just emailed my FEO for his thoughts not expecting a reply until the new year but he has just called me back, less than 5 mins after sending the mail. (So if you have a question for your FEO now might be the time to contact them when it is nice and quiet). He was very helpful and said it would not be a problem for me to get the .243 but with a couple of conditions. If I want it for fox I can have it straight away but it will say only fox on my ticket. If I want it for both deer and fox then he again is fine though I would need a mentor for 6 months or complete the DSC1. If just fox he would do a quick home visit to do the paper work and get the revised ticket within 3 weeks. Likewise if I go the mentor route he would issue the revised ticket quickly. The DSC route would take a little longer but I am in no huge rush. So, firstly hats off to Sussex Police Firearms for such a quick response to my question and secondly what would your preferred approach be, mentor or DSC? I would not go for either as when applying for fac you only need have good reason Dont let them start giving conditions if they can't stick to the rules lay down for them ,, then stand your ground and fight them do'nt be scared of them as the law is on your side check the Fire arms law Guidence to the police 2002 no were in there doe's it mention Mentors or doing DSC 1 THERE IS A LINK FOR THAT SITE SOME WHERE ON THIS FORUM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 So, firstly hats off to Sussex Police Firearms for such a quick response to my question and secondly what would your preferred approach be, mentor or DSC? Neither, I don`t see why you should have to, they didn`t want you to have a mentor or a FSC(Fox Stalking Cert.) if it was for just foxing ? I never needed to get one and that was just 7-8 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted December 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I agree with what some of you guys are saying and I am sure if I wanted to kick up a fuss I could get the ticket with some work but: 1. I have never shot a deer in my life, never even seen one shot in real life. Therfore I want to go out best equiped to do so, so therefore I am happy to spend a little money to get a professional instruction, that has the added advantage of opening up more shooting should I want it as many places ask for DSC now it seems. 2. DSC is not everything, so an "informal" mentor that the police have no idea about will be able to pass on lots of tips and tricks that are not in the DSC1. 3. I am more than happy that they will allow me a .243 for just fox with no conditions. I know I am safe and other people who have shot with me have confirmed that, some of them very very experianced shooters. In fact some have commeneted I am too cautious but in my book I dont agree and have left shots others would take. 4. I have a very good relationship with my FEO over 10 years. He has been able to help me out in the past and I would like that relationship to remain good. So, even though the law states I dont have to have either I want to educate myself as best I can before I look through a scope at a deer, my way of showing respect for the quarry. Just the same all those years ago when I got my first shotgun, I got lessons and practised on clays before I went out and bagged my first rabbit. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Wildfowler Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-p...pdf?view=Binary Link for you I understand your prodicument but don't acsept conditions if they get away with with you thenit's going to appen to others and that means another obstical in getting a FAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I would be very wary of people telling you what to tell your FEO Jerry, you know him better than anyone on here, and it is you who will have the ongoing relationship with him, not them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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