Night Shooting Course

The LANTRA accredited Night Shooting Course delivers certificated training to professional and recreational pest control operatives, fox shooters, deer managers and all those involved in the control of vermin, fox and deer at night.

The course represents an industry-wide collaboration between the National Gamekeepers Organisation, members of the British Pest Control Association - 360 Wildlife Control, Wildlife Management Experts - WildTrackPro, Thermal Drone Technology specialists - BH Wildlife Consultancy, Deer Management Training Providers - Jelen PWS and County Deer Stalking, who have joined forces with night vision and thermal imaging equipment specialists, including industry leaders - HIKMICRO, DNT Optics, Tom's Targets and Swarovski Optik to create a consolidated Night Shooting Course that delivers the most advanced training in the use of thermal and night vision equipment.

Providing crucial guidance on the law surrounding night shooting and best practice training in the necessary skills and knowledge to implement safe, effective and humane control measures in both urban and rural environments, along with recognised third-party accreditation from LANTRA, this online, assessed LANTRA Award, provides the very latest and most up-to-date certificated training to all those who shoot at night.

Modules include:

Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: The Origins of Night Shooting
Module 3: Types of Imaging Systems
Module 4: Maintenance of Technology
Module 5: Considerations When Buying Night Shooting Technology
Module 6: Legislation & The Law
Module 7: Safety Considerations
Module 8: Effects of Weather
Module 9: Use In Wildlife Management
Module 10: Night Shooting Considerations in Urban Environments
Module 11: Censuses
Module 12: Species Recognition & Considerations
Module 13: Night Shooting Best Practice
Module 14: Zeroing a Digital Scope
Final Exam

The Night Shooting Course is available via the Shooting & Hunting Academy. Just follow this link to find out more and enrol on the course: Night Shooting Course

PDS2 Deer Stalking Certificate

The Proficient Deer Stalker Level 2 (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, that is 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 key 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 Stalker Level 2 Syllabus

PDS2 Taught Element

The initial taught element includes the following:

Module 1. Advanced Firearms

Module 2. Deer Identification

Module 3. Deer Ecology

Module 4. Land Assessmen

Uptake is via a series of multiple choice exams. In total the candidate must complete 70 questions and achieve a pass mark of 80% before continuing to the practical skills assessment. 

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 PDS1 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 logbook to their chosen AV for completion of the portfolio once the performance criteria have successfully been achieved.

The Logbook is then sent to CDS 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 enrol on the Proficient Deer Stalker Level 2 by following this link: proficient-deer-stalker-certificate-level-2

Deer Management

The term Deer Management refers to the practice of controlling a population of deer on a given area of land, usually through culling, so that it meets the objectives of the landowner or land manager.

The objective of a deer management plan should be sympathetic to the requirements of the landowner or manager and therefore the management strategy may differ according to the required outcome.

At County Deer Stalking we have decades of experience assisting landowners achieve their deer management objectives, whilst also maximising the financial returns that can be made from deer. Call us on 0203 981 0159 / 07789 747709 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss how we can help.

Whilst objectives may differ, the usual purpose of a deer management plan, is to reduce the negative impact of deer damage, something that may involve the stripping of tree bark and browsing of plants, shrubs and crops that may have detrimental repercussions on the abundance of plant life, the wildlife populations or livestock that depend on them and/or the financial returns made from such.

Considerations when compiling a deer management plan might be as follow:

1. To reduce deer damage
2. To maximise returns from venison
3. To maximise sporting returns
4. To conserve a sustainable population

Effective deer management will usually require that the deer manager carry out a selective cull of deer to first achieve the desired number of animals on the ground, given the grounds reasonable carrying capacity.

The second objective is to then manage the population sustainably at a level where the deer can reach their optimum condition, without having a detrimental impact on the grounds carrying capacity.

Like many things, it is a balance. Here at County Deer Stalking we offer deer management solutions for all six of the UK’s deer species and wild boar throughout the UK.

Decades of experience helping landowners achieve their objectives has taught us to put the landowner first. We have worked with farmers, foresters and land managers who want to keep deer numbers at manageable levels, whilst also generating a valuable income.

At County Deer Stalking we offer:

1. Top prices for deer stalking leases
2. A professional deer management service
3. Deer impact assessment
4. Deer management plan
5. Culling
6. Clear record keeping

If you need deer managed on your land, we have the answers you are looking for. Contact us now to discuss 0203 981 0159 or to speak directly with our Director Peter Jones 07789 747709 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To learn more about how to obtain a deer management qualification follow this link: deer-stalking-qualifications

Deer Stalking Qualifications

Deer Stalking Qualifications (DSQ) promotes UK deer welfare and ensures high standards amongst those involved in deer management in England & Wales and Scotland.

Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1).

Delivered via the UK Shooting & Hunting Academy.The Deer Stalking Qualification PDS1 Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 is a deer management qualification that represents the DSQ foundation course, and is suitable for beginners who wish to become qualified trained hunters. 

The PDS1 consists of two elements, a theory element delivered online via the 'Shooting & Hunting Academy' and a practcial shooting and safety assessment that is carried out in the field. 

The PDS1 course is externally 'Accredited' by the the UK's leading, land-based awarding bodies LANTRA & UK Rural Skills. LANTRA is a recognised awarding body that is regulated by the British Standards Institute and Ofqual.

Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2 (PDS2)

The PDS2 follows on from the foundation skills achieved during the PDS1.

The Level 2 course consists of two elements, a taught element delivered online via the Shooting & Hunting Academy and a practical demonstration of skill that is assessed by an 'Approved Verfier' in the field.

Both the The PDS1 & PDS2 Deer Stalking Certificates are recognised by the Forestry Commission and Forestry England. In Scotland the PDS1 & PDS2 Certificates are recognised by NatureScot and may be used for registration on the 'fit & competent register'. 

The Proficient Deer Stalker Course widely referred to as the PDS1, is available online and comes with a 'Large Game Meat Hygiene Course' that complies with Food Standard Agency (FSA) guidelines and delivers 'Trained Hunter' status. 

The Deer Stalking Certificate is also perfect for those that have been advised by the police to complete a course prior to the granting of a firearms certificate to shoot deer.

The theory element is delivered conveniently via an online, e-learning platform - the UK Shooting & Hunting Academy which imparts information through a series of modules and classes. Uptake of the course is assessed via a series of multiple-choice examinations.

The practical element of the course, which requires that candidates demonstrate that they can handle a rifle safely and shoot consistently and accurately, is then assessed in the field by a ‘PDS1 Approved Verifier’ (AV). Verifiers are located throughout the UK. 

If you'd like to apply to become an 'Approved Verifier (AV) for the PDS1 follow this link: pds1-approved-verifier-course

The PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate provides the perfect introduction to deer stalking and is a sensible first step for beginners looking to learn how to hunt deer.  It is also ideal for experienced shots wishing to seek a variation to their current Firearm Certificate to shoot deer, and perfect for those hunters travelling from abroad, who wish to learn more about UK deer hunting.   

The DSQ Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 course syllabus is as follows:

Knowledge

Module 1: Why we shoot deer. The need for deer management in the UK
Module 2: Firearms safety & rifle components
Module 3: Where to place your bullet & variants of shot placement
Module 4: Zeroing and point-blank range
Module 5: Marksmanship
Module 6: After the shot
Module 7: Carcass extraction, handling & inspection
Module 8: Deer identification & ecology
Module 9: UK Legislation
Module 10. Deer Stalking in Scotland
Module 11 Understanding the unique nature of deer stalking in Scotland
Module 12: Buying your equipment and getting out deer stalking
Final Exam

PDS1 Practical Assessment

Element 1: Shooting – During a practical assessment the candidate can demonstrate that they can place a series of well-aimed shots.
Element 2: Safety – During a practical assessment the candidate can demonstrate that they can handle and shoot a rifle safely.

Large Game Meat Hygiene Course Syllabus

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

If you’d like to enrol on the deer stalking certificate online and become a trained hunter, simply follow this link to the UK Shooting & Hunting Academy

To find out more about UK Deer Stalking Qualifications and the PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate contact: 020 3981 0159 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To enrol on the online deer stalking certificate, simply follow this link to get started: deer-stalking-course

To learn more about UK Deer Management click here: deer-management