Deer Stalking Level 1 - Scotland

[Shambling Shaman]

I'm hoping to get on a Deer stalking course next year (March) one of the objectives is deer identification, now I'm ok with most ID's but thought I would ask if any one has any tips or advice.

Thanks

[widu13]

Get the Jelen DSC1 DVD- it was worth every penny of the £22 IMHO. When we did the DSC I was spieling off the IDs whilst others struggled.

[Silverback 1]

Hi,
When you say, "One of the objectives is deer identification" can i assume that you are also an FAC holder as DSC Level 1 is not only about deer ID, you will study and do a written and visual identification exam at the end.The modules cover:-

1-BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
2-THE LAW
3-STALKING AND TAKING THE SHOT
4-DEER IDENTIFICATION
5-SAFE HANDLING OF FIREARMS
6-SHOOTING ACCURATELY AND CONSISTENTLY
7-LARGE GAME MEAT HYGEINE AND HANDLING

If you should need anymore information about the course itself, go to basc.org or British deer Society,hope this helps.

[Shambling Shaman]

Hi,
When you say, "One of the objectives is deer identification" can i assume that you are also an FAC holder as DSC Level 1 is not only about deer ID, you will study and do a written and visual identification exam at the end.The modules cover:-

1-BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
2-THE LAW
3-STALKING AND TAKING THE SHOT
4-DEER IDENTIFICATION
5-SAFE HANDLING OF FIREARMS
6-SHOOTING ACCURATELY AND CONSISTENTLY
7-LARGE GAME MEAT HYGEINE AND HANDLING

If you should need anymore information about the course itself, go to basc.org or British deer Society,hope this helps.

Yep got all that, it was more of a "If you have any ID tips" acronym's etc., I'm doing it parrot fashion (off a DVD Widu 13 good tip thanks) just now. But any study aids would be helpful. I shore I will learn it on the course but a wee bit of pre-study cant hurt..

[Buckshot]

I agree about the DVD
Helped me hugely, very useful for species not not your area
I had the one with all the questions in it too (don't know if it's the same one)
There's a bank of 300 questions of which 50 are picked to be used in the exam itself
To start with it takes a couple of hours to go through all 300, but very soon I was rattling through them all in sub 45 mins and getting maybe one or two wrong. Infact in the exam I managed to all 50 questions right.
At least that's how it worked when I did mine a while ago

Mark

[Shambling Shaman]

Jelen DSC1 DVD, that the one I've got. I'm looking through it each night picking up some good info

[WoodMan]

Look at the slide, is it a small deer or a large deer? Now you've narrowed it down to three instead of six. What was your first impression? Its usually correct. Now that you've narrowed it down to one in three and got a first impression in your mind, confirm it by identifiying the features. Has it got a visible tail? Has it got a white metatarsal gland? Has it got two white spots on its upper lip? Has it got black marks in its ears?

On a good DSC1 course you will be taught all of this stuff anyway.

Good luck with it.
Glyn.

[Shambling Shaman]

Look at the slide, is it a small deer or a large deer? Now you've narrowed it down to three instead of six. What was your first impression? Its usually correct. Now that you've narrowed it down to one in three and got a first impression in your mind, confirm it by identifiying the features. Has it got a visible tail? Has it got a white metatarsal gland? Has it got two white spots on its upper lip? Has it got black marks in its ears?

On a good DSC1 course you will be taught all of this stuff anyway.

Good luck with it.
Glyn.

Thanks that's top analogical thinking, I can use that

[Shambling Shaman]

I'm hoping to get on a Deer stalking course next year (March)

Ok did not want to count my chickens,,, Did the course in March and passed all ok

Then needed to apply for my licences

Had the officer here today, he was happy and hopes to have my licences in the post by next week.

All being well I should start getting some stalking experience this season.

[Silverback 1]

Congratultions and well done that man,a great relief to pass and now the fun begins.
I know how you feel,passed my level 1 in 2000 and my level 2 in 2006
In spite of the 'qualifications' i am still seeing more deer from the back end rather than broadside or nose on
What rifles/cal have you got on your FAC?
Will you be using factory ammo or rolling your own?

[santaman2000]

Now I'm really grateful. All I have to do is walk into the courthouse or the sporting goods section of Walmart and pay for my license over the counter.

[Silverback 1]

Now I'm really grateful. All I have to do is walk into the courthouse or the sporting goods section of Walmart and pay for my license over the counter.

Do you require a lodger?

[widu13]

Jelen DSC1 DVD, that the one I've got. I'm looking through it each night picking up some good info

Use that and you'll pass no problem. It's what I used and I scored highly.

[Shambling Shaman]

Congratultions and well done that man,a great relief to pass and now the fun begins.
I know how you feel,passed my level 1 in 2000 and my level 2 in 2006
In spite of the 'qualifications' i am still seeing more deer from the back end rather than broadside or nose on
What rifles/cal have you got on your FAC?
Will you be using factory ammo or rolling your own?

As an ex RAF weapons tech, I did um 'n' are over it but went for 25-06 in the end.

Once the paper work hits the floor I have a shotgun ready for collection

[Silverback 1]

went for 25-06 in the end.

Great choice, i have 3 rifles, including a Remington 700 VSSF in 25-06 cal (1st choice everytime)..........a 120 grn bullet @ 3100 or a 100 grn pill @ 3300 will do everything you need and then some.
Are you reloading ammo or have plans to do so?

[Shambling Shaman]

Great choice, i have 3 rifles, including a Remington 700 VSSF in 25-06 cal (1st choice everytime)..........a 120 grn bullet @ 3100 or a 100 grn pill @ 3300 will do everything you need and then some.
Are you reloading ammo or have plans to do so?

Not yet but am working on setting up my man cave

Looking at the Remington SPS ST? but need to shop around.

[Silverback 1]

Looking at the Remington SPS ST? but need to shop around.

Window shopping is part of the fun before the big purchase......you won't go wrong with a Remmy in any flavour, loads of scope for add ons and customisation if you fancy but not necessary, should shoot an inch out of the box at 100 and less with reloads, let us know how you get on.
.

[Shambling Shaman]

let us know how you get on.

I will do just that

[santaman2000]

Do you require a lodger?

LOL. In the current economy I could certainly use one. Actually the licensing gets better as Florida has what's called a "Gold Sportsman's License." It is valid for one year and entitles the purchacer to all small game, large game, freshwater fishing, and salt water fishing as well as covering all state stamps (duck, wildlife management area, archery, general gun, primitive firearms, etc.) But wait! that's not all! As an active or retired military member and Florida resident, my cost is only $20!

[santaman2000]

Window shopping is part of the fun before the big purchase......you won't go wrong with a Remmy in any flavour, loads of scope for add ons and customisation if you fancy but not necessary, should shoot an inch out of the box at 100 and less with reloads, let us know how you get on.
.

I have 3 Remingtons (1 model 74 rifle in 30-06; an old model 11-48 shotgun in 12 gauge, and a model 870 in 12 gauge) They're all excellent guns but they're also all at least 10 years old. I understand Remington has changed ownership since then and heve heard that the quality control isn't what it used to be (I cain't personally confirm this)

FWIW I've been very happy with the quality of CZ products and they're certainly a good value at the price.

[British Red]

Theres no obligation to pass a DSC over here santaman - nor do we require a game hunting licence, nor are there quotas or "tags" for any prey species

Learning to identify, kill cleanly and butcher well is....considered sensible, but it carries no "mandatory" attachment.

[santaman2000]

Theres no obligation to pass a DSC over here santaman - nor do we require a game hunting licence, nor are there quotas or "tags" for any prey species

Learning to identify, kill cleanly and butcher well is....considered sensible, but it carries no "mandatory" attachment.

I'm being a little misleading as to the requirements here. While I have no obligation to pass any course, that's not universally true. Generally, most states do require anyone born after 1978 to take a "Hunter's Safety Course" before purchasing a license. Even so it's only a weekend seminar on gun safety. As a practical matter the hunting seasons, bag limits, etc. are just wildlife management tools (some seasons such as those set on migratory game, Canada Geese and doves, are set according to international treaty) License fees are basicly a tax to defray the cost of the wildlife agencies (which have law enforcement authority) and conservation efforts.

[Silverback 1]

Theres no obligation to pass a DSC over here santaman

Not entirely accurate.

As far as i am aware, if shooting on Forestry Commision ground it is their policy that the hunter has obtained at least DSC Level 1 and accompanied by a Ranger.

If hunting alone it is mandatory to hold DSC Level 2 Certificate.

[widu13]

Yes but that is an organisational requirement not a legal one.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Silverback 1]

Yes but that is an organisational requirement not a legal one

Didn't use the 'legal' word in my post,neither did Red.

[British Red]

Not entirely accurate.

As far as i am aware, if shooting on Forestry Commision ground it is their policy that the hunter has obtained at least DSC Level 1 and accompanied by a Ranger.

If hunting alone it is mandatory to hold DSC Level 2 Certificate.

Sure, but there is no "obligation" to hold a DSC to hunt deer, or to hunt on FC land. I'm sure all sorts of landowners and organisations have all sorts of rules about what you should and shouldn't have - from insurance onwards - but you aren't obliged to hunt on that land. On your own land, with a suitable ticket, you are good to go since they repealed the game licence years ago.

[Silverback 1]

Sure, but there is no "obligation" to hold a DSC to hunt deer, or to hunt on FC land.

I think there is.
Under Forest Enterprise regulations/obligations whatever terminology etc. anyone who runs a sporting lease on FC land MUST me a DSC Level 2 holder and any named people on that lease must be Level 1 registered and "working towards" their Level 2 qualification.

[British Red]

Perhaps I wasn't clear?

Point one "You aren't obliged to hold a DSC to hunt deer" (by the law)

Point two "There are lots of places to hunt deer that are not FC land" (indeed the vast majority of land is not FC)

Lots of people hunt deer without being DSC qualified - not that its a bad thing to study, its an excellent thing to do, but there is no obligation to pass in order to hunt deer (unless you are hunting on someone elses land and they make it a requirement)

[Silverback 1]

Perhaps I wasn't clear?

Point one "You aren't obliged to hold a DSC to hunt deer" (by the law)

Point two "There are lots of places to hunt deer that are not FC land" (indeed the vast majority of land is not FC)

Point one..........agreed

Point two..........agreed

In your post #26 did you not say that there was "No obligation to hold a DSC Certificate to hunt deer on FC land?" This is in fact incorrect.

[British Red]

Not quite,

I said there was no obligation to hold a DSC or to hunt on FC land (i.e. there are plenty of other places to hunt)