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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.
The '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
How to Start Deer Stalking.
If you’d like to get into deer stalking a great place to start is by taking the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) via the ‘Shooting & Hunting Academy. Follow this link to find out more and get started: Proficient Deer Stalking Course - PDS1
To find out more about UK Deer Stalking Qualifications and the PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate contact: 020 3981 0159 or email:
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Large Game Meat Hygiene Course
Game Meat Hygiene Course for deer stalkers who require 'Trained Hunter Status'. UK Legislation requires that; ‘Persons who hunt wild game with a view to placing it on the market for human consumption, must have sufficient knowledge of the pathology of wild game, and of the production and handling of wild game and wild game meat after hunting, to undertake an initial examination of wild game on the spot’.
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How to Shoot Driven Boar
Exclusively available through County Deer Stalking’s Hunting Academy, this superb Masterclass delivered by one of the world’s finest driven Boar shots, UK CEO of Blaser Group and highly acclaimed driven boar shooter - Frederic Hanner, delivers an in depth and insightful look at shooting driven Boar on the continent that is perfect for those traveling abroad to shoot driven boar.
Enrol Today: driven-boar-shooting-masterclass
For most hunters in the UK, shooting driven boar in Europe is highly aspirational, however, learning to appreciate the different customs and practices can at first appear bewildering. Notwithstanding, for those accustomed to shooting stationary deer in the UK, the art of shooting ground game on the move with a rifle can be completely alien.
Available only through the Hunting Academy, and delivered through a series of classes, Frederic acts as your own personal mentor, and through his own frank, no nonsense delivery, reveals an insightful look at elements such as, what to expect, which animals to shoot, where to place your shot, how much lead to give, along with advice on calibres, rifles, optics and much more.
Having beaten on Boar shoots in Germany since the age of 10 years old, at a time when numbers of wild Boar in the country were booming and having held a German hunting license since the age of 16yrs, it would also be fair to say that Frederic Hanner has grown up with a rifle in his hands.
Indeed, there is not much that Frederic doesn’t know about Boar shooting. Today, as winner of the highly acclaimed ‘Wild Boar Fever Academy’ and as a major contributor to the show, Frederic is one of the finest Driven Boar shots in the world.
There’s also not much he doesn’t know about rifles. Frederic’s first career step was with world leaders J.P. Sauer & Sohn between 2016-2019, before he was entrusted in 2019 as CEO of Blaser Group UK, one of the most highly renowned and prestigious roles in the world of shooting.
Classes covered by Frederic during this fabulous Masterclass include:
Class 1: Introduction
- Managing the population
- Expectations for the hunt
- Agriculture & Hunting Traditions
- Understanding different hunting cultures
- Hunting Seasons
Class 2: Hunting terminology & Safety
- Boar Hunting terminology
- Safety and rules of the hunt
Class 3: Shooting lanes & behaviour
- Identifying the shoot lanes and Hunting behaviour
Class 4: Shooting Equipment
- Calibres
- Rifles & Optics
Class 5: Shooting techniques & shot placement
- Shot placemen
- Shooting techniques
- Practise
Hunting trips to shoot Boar are not cheap, so for anyone planning a trip to Europe to shoot driven Boar, investing a few pounds learning how to behave and shoot better is an absolute no-brainer, will make sure that you are able to get the very best from your trip and that you get invited back time and time again.
With his unrivalled background in shooting and lead role in the shooting industry, we believe that there is no one better placed than Frederic to deliver this wonderful masterclass in driven Boar shooting.
Simply follow this link to enrol on the course now: driven-boar-shooting-masterclass
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Venison Cooking Masterclass
In essence, hunting is about selectively harvesting a sustainable food source from its natural environment. For deer stalkers the harvest comes in the form of venison, a wonderful, wild, free- range, healthy meat that is lower in calories than any other red meat, high in Iron, Riboflavin, B6 & B12 and high in Niacin, which helps prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.
The class utilises some of the most common cuts of venison, such as the Saddle, Shank, Tenderloin and Shoulder. The recipes are also easy to follow and rely on ingredients that are readily available.
This fabulous Masterclass delivered by one of the UK’s most brilliant, young Chef’s and produced by County Deer Stalking, is an opportunity to transform your cooking.
Why present tired bland venison dishes? Learn to cook like a pro’, ‘wow’ your friends and family and rediscover the taste of venison.
During this wonderful masterclass Chef Chaniotis shows you how to cook and present the following six dishes.
- Venison Fillet Tartare
- Venison Casserole
- Venison Shank
- Venison Cutlets
- Venison Rolled Boneless Saddle
- Braised Venison Shoulder - Chou Farci
Click on the following link to enrol today for just £35-00: michelin-star-venison- cooking-masterclass
