Training Courses

Deer Management Qualifications are recognised by many private and government organisations as setting the standard for deer stalking qualifications across Great Britain, ensuring hunters are safety aware, competent and comply with food safety standards.

Anyone who gains DSC 1 accreditation, is classed as a "Trained Hunter" and is legally entitled to provide venison for human consumption, directly or indirectly in limited quantities.

Both DSC 1 and DSC 2 are voluntary qualifications and, as yet, are not a legal requirement for holding a Firearms Certificate or authorisation to take deer with firearms.

Our main training centre for DSC1 courses is Barry Shooting centre, Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. The range is range cleared for firearms up to .50 calibre. Facilities include an on site shop, prep room, conference room, firearms storage and 8 lane indoor 200 meter range with targets set at 50, 75,100,150 and 200 meters.

We can also provide mobile training. If you have a suitable venue and a minimum of six candidates, we can come to you.

There are two options available to attain DSC 1 accreditation:

1. Law relating to deer and firearms, deer biology, identification,             characteristics, behaviour, disease, firearms and hunting safety.
2. Food hygiene, game meat hygiene and carcass supply.
3. Walked safety test. Deer targets will be positioned in various scenarios. Candidates have to identify the safe and unsafe targets and explain their choice. Candidates will also be questioned on safety practices during the walk.
4. Shooting test, which is split into:

Candidates do not have to attend the full course and can elect for Assessment only. We advise candidates, including those, who are experienced to study using learning materials that are current and
include any recent changes to UK or European, firearms and / or meat regulations. There is a wide range of good learning materials available for DSC1 including on line learning, hard copy manuals and CD/DVD material.

It is also recommended that all candidates practice shooting from different positions and distances.

Course Results and resits

Once the assessments are complete, the papers are returned to DMQ headquarters, where they are marked twice to ensure consistency. The length of time between completing the assessment and notification of results can range from 6 to 8 weeks.

Candidates are notified by post. Any candidate that has not  been awarded a certificate will be made aware of which module they need to resit. Candidates do not have to retake the whole assessment, only the module that was not completed.

Accommodation / Firearms hire and Storage

Accommodation is available close to the venue. We can supply a list of hotels and B&B's that are within walking distance. Secure rifle storage is available at £2:50 per rifle.

If you do not hold a Firearms Certificate or own a deer legal calibre, we are able to provide suitable weapons and ammunition. Rifles may be hired and any ammunition used is charged per round.

Where as the DSC Level 1 provides the theory of stalking,  DSC Level 2 is the practical application of everything learned through DSC 1. Unless candidates already have experience of stalking deer and feel competent gralloching and inspecting carcasses, we would suggest candidates do not register for DSC 2  immediately after receiving their DSC 1 Certificate. We always advise candidates to gain some experience through accompanying an experienced stalker, or paid stalks.

Once you have registered and have your portfolio, you are ready to begin. To complete the portfolio the onus is on you to provide sufficient evidence that you have reached the necessary standard  to be awarded the DSC 2 Certificate.

This requires you to demonstrate that you have stalked, humanely shot, prepared and inspected deer ready for storage or transportation in a manner that meets the required standards to complete 3 Individual Cull Records (ICR's), on separate occasions whist accompanied by an Accredited Witness (AW).

Candidates do not have to use the same AW for each stalk, but every AW is required to ask the candidate a series of questions to prove competency. These questions and the answers given will be recorded in the portfolio and form part of the assessment.

Once all of the ICR's have been completed and checked, your portfolio is ready for submission to an assessment centre. It will then be assessed and the candidate will receive a telephone call, where an assessor will ask a few relevant questions. If the assessor is satisfied with the portfolio it is then sent to an independent third party who will check that the evidence is:-

Authentic - it has been produced by you without help

Current - it must have been produced in the three years prior to portfolio submission

Sufficient - there is enough evidence to cover all of the elements of the Certificate

Relevant - your evidence must match the quality requirements of the Certificate

You cannot 'fail' the Level Two you must simply continue gaining experience, knowledge and skills until you can demonstrate that you have reached the required standard.

•  If you have your own stalking area. One of our AW's can attend by prior arrangement when you wish to stalk.
• Candidates may book individual dates to visit our stalking grounds and be accompanied by an AW.
• DSC 2 Package. We have access to ground and large parks, where there are high numbers of deer. This enables us to offer 2 or 3 day packages where the candidate is very likely to complete 3 ICR's quickly.

This one day course is designed to help stalkers either, gain practical "hands on" experience or help prepare candidates prior to registering for DSC Level 2.

1. Any deer legal calibre
2. only double sticks allowed
3. DMQ Roe target at 100 meters
4. All shots must be within the kill zone.

Here's the winner from a previous range day.

One that didn't win, even though it was the best 3 shot group of the day.  (rule 4)

And the winner is (The smug looking one in the middle!!)