Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1)
The Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) is a Deer Management Certificate (DMC), that has nationally recognised, third party 'Accreditation' from the UK's largest land-based awarding bodies LANTRA and UK Rural Skills.
LANTRA is regulated by Ofqual, a non-ministerial UK Government Department, responsible for regulating qualifications, assessments and exams.
The course, which consists of two elements, a theory element and a practical assessment, is nationally recognised and delivers 'trained hunter' status, a term used to recognise deer stalkers that have received sufficient training that entitles them to enter deer into the food chain for human consumption.
The initial theory element of the course is delivered by the 'Shooting & Hunting Academy', a 'UK Registered Learning Provider' and established e-learning platform, that provides certificated training to candidates involved in shooting, hunting and the management of wildlife.
To receive LANTRA Certification, upon completion of the theory element of the course, candidates are also required to complete a practical assessment. This is carried out by an 'Approved Verfier' in their area.
Approved Verfiers (AV) are found in all areas of the UK and are available to assess candidates marksmanship and safety. AV's are highly experienced deer managers, that have been registered with the 'Shooting & Hunting Academy', as capable of assessing candidates practical skills.
Delivering a unique level of practical and theory-based training online, the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate and Large Game Meat Hygiene Certificate, are perfect for beginners and more experienced deer managers who wish to develop their skills and become proficient, trained hunters.
The PDS1 Certificate is also recognised as a significant first step in demonstrating competence to police firearms licensing departments, involved in the issuing of a firearm certificates, or variations to existing certificates to shoot deer.
The popular 'Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1' (PDS1) is Delivered by the 'Shooting & Hunting Academy' a UK Registered Learning provider and LANTRA & UKRS 'Approved' training provider.
The theory element of the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 & Large Game Meat Hygiene Course, costs £395-00 inc vat.
To enrol and get started on the PDS1 Certificate simply follow this link: shootingandhuntingacademy
Or if you have any questions please just give us a call on: 0203 981 0159 or email
PDS1 Online Deer Stalker Training
The PDS1 Certificate is perfect for the beginner and an ideal way to make a start in the exciting world of Deer Stalking. Every year, hundreds of candidates take the PDS1 as a means of becoming competent, trained deer managers.
The online theory element of the course is delivered by Peter S Jones.
Peter is an 'Approved' LANTRA and UK Rural Skills trainer, trusted industry expert and well-known face in the industry. With over 30 years experience hunting deer and large game in the UK, Europe and Africa, and as a former Metropolitan Police Detective, with extensive experience of firearms and firearms legislation, Peter is uniquely placed to deliver the syllabus of this leading, nationally recognised deer stalking course.
START NOW - Simply follow this link to get started on your PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate: deer-stalking-course
The Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 Syllabus Includes
Course contents
Module 1: Understanding the need to manage deer
Module 2: Firearms safety, rifle components & optics set-up
Module 3: Where to place your bullet & variants of shot placement
Module 4: Zeroing, Point Blank Range & Windage
Module 5: Marksmanship – How to place a well-aimed shot
Module 6: After the shot, shot reaction & following blood trails
Module 7: Carcass Extraction, handling & inspection
Module 8: Deer Species & Identification
Module 9: UK Legislation England & Wales & Scotland
Module 10: Buying your equipment and getting out deer stalking
Where to go from here?
Final Exam
Large Game Meat Hygiene Syllabus Includes
Module 1: Hygiene rules and proper techniques for the handling, evisceration, extraction, and transportation of wild game animals after killing.
Module 2: Identifying Normal & Abnormal anatomy, physiology and behaviour of wild game
Module 3: Pathological changes in wild game due to disease, environmental contamination and other factors
Module 4: Legislation and administrative provisions on animal and public health, and hygiene conditions governing the placing of wild game on the market
Final Exam
Capreolus Club - The PDS1 Certificate is also recognised as the entry level standard for membership of the Capreolus Club. A club specifically designed for deer stalkers.
This friendly and exciting club provides a safe and supportive way to progress in the world of deer stalking and offers a host of opportunities and benefits to both beginners and experienced stalkers alike.
To find out more about the many benefits of joining the Capreolus Club, please follow this link: membership-benefits
Other Proficient Deer Stalker Training Courses
Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2 (PDS2)
The PDS2 is a deer-stalking-qualification that is designed to follow on from the foundation skills achieved during the PDS1.
The level 2 course consists of two elements, a taught element delivered via the ‘UK Shooting & Hunting Academy’, and an infield practical demonstration of skill, observed by a PDS Approved Verifier.
The initial taught element elevates the candidate’s knowledge in key areas, that include subjects such as, an advanced understanding of firearms and optics, ageing and assessing the condition of deer, how to assess the suitability of land for stalking, how to carry out risk assessments, record keeping and deer management plans.
The practical assessment covers four further areas that include, the preparation and safe handling of equipment, competence at stalking and dispatching deer humanely and safely, the ability to be able to inspect and gralloch deer and hygienically handle shot deer in line with food standards agency guidelines.
Through both taught modules and classes and through a practical demonstration of skill, the PDS2 sets the gold standard in UK deer stalking and is ideal for those who may wish to take on a deer stalking lease, apply for an open style firearms certificate, or simply for those that wish to advance their knowledge to new heights.
The PDS Level 2 is available to all PDS1 candidates by simply enrolling via the 'Shooting & Hunting Academy'.
Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2 Syllabus
PDS2 Taught Element
The initial taught element is designed to elevate the candidate’s knowledge in key areas, that include the following:
Module 1. Advanced Firearms
Module 2. Deer Identification
Module 3. Deer Ecology
Module 4. Land Assessment
Uptake is assessed via an exam at the end of each module, followed by a final exam.
PDS2 Practical Assessment
The practical assessment requires that the candidate demonstrate on two occasions, their infield proficiency, to the satisfaction of an Approved Verifier, in four key areas that include:
Element 1. Prepare and safely handle suitable equipment ammunition and firearms.
Element 2. Stalk and dispatch a deer safely and successfully.
Element 3. Inspect and gralloch a shot deer.
Element 4. The ability to hygienically extract, transport and store a shot deer in line with FSA guidelines as set out in the Hunting Academy Large Game Meat Hygiene Course.
How it Works
Candidates that have completed the Proficient Deer Stalker certificate level 1 will be invited to achieve the Level 2.
Candidates enrol and complete the taught element of the PDS2 online via the ‘Shooting & Hunting Academy’ in a similar format as the PDS1.
Having successfully completed the taught element and upon successfully passing the exams, candidates are invited to download and print off a PDS2 Logbook via the Shooting & Hunting Academy.
Candidates then approach an ‘Approved Verifier’ and hand their portfolio to their chosen AV for completion of the portfolio, once the performance criteria have successfully been achieved.
The portfolio is then sent to head office by the candidate for internal verification and issuing of the certificate.
If you have completed the Proficient Deer Stalker Certificate Level 1, you may sign up to the Proficient Deer Stalker Level 2, by simply enrolling via the Shooting & Hunting Acadaemy: shootingandhuntingacademy
For more information about the PDS1 or PDS2 certificate, please contact head office on: 0203 981 0159 or email:
