Where to start with deer stalking qualifications
Qualifications and training are hotly discussed topics at the moment, especially in the deer stalking sector. With growing pressure from governments and police for stalkers to demonstrate their skills and competence, the deer training sphere is rife with discussion, debate and new opportunities for those looking to upskill.
Deer Management Qualifications (DMQ) has been developing qualifications for stalkers for 25 years, with a wealth of knowledge and behind-the-scenes expertise that ensures anyone holding a DMQ qualification has met a clear, consistent standard for the course they sat.
So where do you start when looking to get qualified?
The Deer Stalking Certificate 1 (DSC1) — building the foundations
For those starting out on their stalking adventures, the Deer Stalking Certificate 1 — better known as the DSC1 — is the obvious place to look. It is the industry standard for a basic deer stalking qualification, and where I always recommend newcomers start.
On the DSC1 you will learn:
- How to identify each of our six UK deer species, along with their habitats, behaviours and ecology
- The legislation around deer and firearms
- Rifle safety and shooting
- Game meat hygiene
- Disease identification
- …and a great deal more
Knowledge is then tested through multiple choice exams, a visual identification exam, a shooting test and a safety test.
I like to think of the DSC1 as the foundations — everything a new stalker needs to get out into the field and start building real, practical experience.
Where to take your DSC1
It has never been easier to get yourself trained. Face-to-face DSC1 courses are delivered regularly across the UK by:
- BASC
- The British Deer Society (BDS)
- The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO)
- The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA)
- Sparsholt College
- Orion Wildlife Training
If you prefer a more digital approach, both BASC and the BDS now offer online DSC1 training, allowing candidates to learn at their own pace and in their own environment. BASC has even offered a £50 BushWear voucher to stalkers booking their online course, so it has never been more accessible — or more rewarding — to begin your deer stalking training.
The Deer Stalking Certificate 2 (DSC2) — proving your skills
Once enough real-world experience has been gained, many stalkers turn their attention to the DSC2. This is a qualification based around demonstrating skill and knowledge in the field, so it isn’t a traditional course you attend and then collect a certificate from. Instead, once you’ve registered, you have three years to demonstrate your competence.
This is achieved by stalking, shooting and preparing one deer to enter the food chain — all whilst being observed by a DMQ-approved witness. They will want to see that you are safe, ethical and selective in your shooting, and you’ll need to demonstrate that you can hygienically gralloch a deer, inspect its various lymph nodes and remove the head and legs, ready for the carcass to enter the food chain.
It sounds far simpler on paper than it is in the field. There’s little room for error, and your witness will be looking for a confident, flawless performance. As such, the DSC2 is held in high regard as the leading “advanced” deer stalking qualification in the UK.
Specialist courses
There are also dedicated courses covering wild boar, night shooting, the advanced Deer Management Certificate (DMC) and the Humane Animal Dispatch Award (HAD), but those specialist qualifications are a topic for another day.
The drive for training in deer management
The drive for training across every element of deer management is particularly strong within our sector. The high number of qualified stalkers holding DMQ qualifications is testament to an enviable reputation for self-regulation, which DMQ continues to champion over and above mandatory qualifications.
That said, the Scottish Government has proposed introducing a minimum level of competence for anyone stalking deer in Scotland, and a similar approach is under consideration south of the border. For some years, many police forces have also sought evidence of competence to safeguard public safety — particularly where newcomers are applying for their first firearm certificate.
Why training matters: safety and welfare
So why is so much emphasis being placed on training in recent years? When we ask that question, the answers tend to fall into two categories:
- Safety — teaching someone how to safely handle a firearm, and assessing them on it, offers peace of mind to those with concerns about firearms being used in the countryside.
- Welfare — stalkers who have been trained to identify their quarry species, who understand the seasons, and who have been taught and assessed to shoot accurately, are far less likely to wound deer or orphan dependent young.
The opportunities a qualification can open up
Beyond upskilling yourself or ticking a box for the authorities, why else might you consider getting qualified? There are a thousand reasons — each one personal to the stalker.
You’ll often find that proving yourself through training opens doors. Many syndicates and landowners look more favourably on stalkers who hold a recognised qualification (back to that peace of mind on safety and welfare), which can lead to greater access to ground and more on-the-job experience.
Both BASC and the BDS have developed mentoring initiatives that build on these qualifications, pairing newcomers with experienced stalkers for tuition, shared experience and time on the ground.
The Deer Stalking Certificates also open doors when it comes to your venison. If you are looking to supply major game dealers, the DSC2 is the way to go — providing you with the essential legal requirement of “Trained Hunter” status.
In summary
Whether you’re a newcomer building your first set of skills, or an experienced stalker looking to demonstrate competence and unlock new opportunities, the DMQ family of qualifications offers a clear path forward. For more information, visit the DMQ website — there’s plenty more to discuss than I can fit into a single article.
