Gralloching & Inspection Class

Leading on perfectly from the PDS1 or DSC1 Deer Stalking Certificate, this online Gralloching & Inspection masterclass delivered through County Deer Stalking’s e-learning platform; ‘The Hunting Academy’ is ideal for those hunters that wish to learn how to handle and process their own shot deer carcasses. It is also perfect for those enrolled on, or about to take their DSC2 or PDS2 deer stalking qualifications.

Start your learning experience here:

This clearly delivered, affordable course, takes you step by step through the process of Gralloching & Inspecting a deer carcass, in order to deem it suitable for the human food chain.

The process of Gralloching which effectively means ‘gutting’ or ‘disemboweling’ can at first appear complex, we shine a light on the process and demonstrate the best, most simple way to go about it.

Identifying disease, locating and examining lymph nodes, can also be daunting. In the following course, we show you exactly what you should be looking for, where to locate each lymph node, what they should look like and what to do if you suspect a notifiable disease.

Many recreational stalkers are familiar with the challenges involved in hunting and ‘grassing’ a deer but stop there and are oblivious to the steps that are taken by the stalker to prepare and verify the animal’s suitability for the table. During a series of short, easy to follow classes, we provide you with a masterclass that you can refer to again and again.

The Course includes:

• The Shot
• Follow Up
• Pre- Inspection
• External Examination
• Gralloching
• Internal Examination & Inspection of the Lymph Nodes

What’s more, you have the added confidence that the instruction that you receive is from the very best. This Gralloching & Inspection Masterclass has been produced by County Deer stalking a long-established provider of Deer Stalker Courses and ‘Approved Witnesses’ in Deer Management Qualifications’ and is presented by trained hunter and industry professional Ben Heath of the ‘Deer Box’, who supply hundreds of deer each year to the UK market, as well as a string of Michelin Star Restaurants.

If you want to learn from the very best and get your technique down to a fine art, then this is the best way to do it.

Whether you are a PDS1 or DSC1 candidate and want to take the next step in processing what you have shot, or if you are a PDS2 or DSC2 candidate wishing to learn how to locate and inspect a shot carcass before seeking out an ‘Approved Witness’, this is the perfect course for you.

Click on the following link to enrol on the course today for just: £35-00.
deer-gralloching--inspection-masterclass

How to Apply for a Firearm Certificate in the UK

Firearms Licensing - We explain how to make an application for a firearms Certificate. 

If you need advice how to get a Firearm Licence in the UK, then the following is designed as a guide to making a Firearms application for the purpose of hunting and stalking deer.

For those new to shooting, or for those only familiar with Shotgun Certificates, the process of obtaining a Firearm Certificate can at first appear confusing.

The fundamental thing to understand when applying for a firearm Licence is that the Police are not obliged to issue you with a certificate, and will not do so, unless you are of good character, have no mental health issues and have provided them with sufficient evidence and good reason to possess one. Even upon having been issued with a certificate, unlike a shotgun certificate, the police may still seek to apply conditions on the holder of the licence restricting the manner in which a firearm may be used.

Unlike Firearms, holders of Shotgun certificates, are entitled - subject to using the gun safely and in line with UK legislation, to purchase a number of shotguns. They are also entitled to use the shotgun safely on any land on which they have permission to shoot. Firearm Certificates are often quite different and the legislation restricting the use of a firearm is considerably more complex. Just because an individual has been granted an FAC does not mean that they can obtain any number of rifles, neither does it necessarily mean that they can use the rifle on their desired area of land, or indeed for their desired quarry, the individual can only do so provided the certificate specifically entitles them to do so under the ‘conditions’ of use.

The ‘Conditions’ section of a Firearm Certificate specifies exactly what the holder of the certificate can and cannot do. The certificate also specify’s clearly what calibre of weapon the holder of the certificate can purchase. It is important therefore to get it right from the start, so that your FAC is fit for the purpose you require it for. More on that in a bit.

An FAC costs £88-00 and once granted by an issuing Police Force lasts for five years after which an application may be made for a renewal. During the duration of the certificate you may seek variations to the conditions and/or to purchase further weapons, none the less it is best to get it right from the outset.

The following is designed as a guide to obtaining a Firearm Certificate in the UK for the purpose of hunting and stalking deer.

1. Ensure that you can convince the police and your local Firearms Enquiries Officer (FEO) that you know what you are doing and are taking the matter seriously. The best way of doing this is to take a course. There are a number of providers however, at County Deer Stalking we offer the LANTRA & UK Rural Skills Approved 'Proficient Deer Stalker level 1' training course (PDS1), which offers a unique level of practical training for those who wish to develop their skills and become proficient deer stalkers. The PDS1 course is designed to enable candidates to progress in becoming accomplished, trained hunters, whilst also being a crucial first step in obtaining a Firearm Certificate. For more information on the PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate follow this link: proficient-stalker or contact the office on: 0203 981 0159 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make a reservation. 
2. Next, get some experience, go out with an experienced professional stalker and get a few deer under your belt, there is no substitute for time spent in the field, what’s more you can ask your guide for a reference, which is another crucial piece of information to provide to your local constabulary to show them that you know what you are doing. At County Deer Stalking we are also able to assist with deer stalking outings over thousands of acres of land in the south east of England. All outings are carried out by highly professional experienced guides who are able to get you in to good habits.  
3. The Police in the UK are issued by the Home Office with guidelines for the issuing of Firearm Certificates, one of the fundamental requirements of the guidelines are that the Police must be assured that you need the weapon and have somewhere to use it. This is often referred to as having ‘Land Approval’. For this you will need a nominated area of land on which you have written permission to shoot, the land must also be frequented by deer and be suitable for your chosen calibre. For many, this is somewhat of a ‘Catch 22’. You are unlikely to get permission from a farmer or land-owner to shoot deer unless you have a rifle to do it with, and you cant get the rifle until you have the permission! A good means of solving this is to join a deer stalking syndicate or deer stalking club. Club’s like the ‘Capreolus Club’ are perfect at solving this obstacle and also provide a safe, suitable and fun environment in which you can progress in the exciting world of deer stalking. For information about the Capreolus Club please follow this link: capreolusclub
   
4. Once you have done your course, got some experience and joined a club/or obtained land permission, it’s time to put in your application and get an approved Gun Cabinet. Cabinets should be fitted securely at your home address to a load bearing wall and be out of sight. Unlike shotguns, rifles and ammunition must be stored separately in different lockable compartments or in a separate approved cabinet. 
5. Depending on where you live and your issuing Police Force, Firearm Applications can take either a few weeks or a few months. Either way, when you put in your application, make sure that you have dotted the ‘i’s’ and crossed the ‘t’s’. Nothing slows up the issuing of an FAC more than a poor, incorrect or incomplete application. 
6. You will need four passport size photos’ of yourself, provide the details of two people who have known you for at least 2 years and are prepared to act for you as a referee, and will also need to give the police permission to approach your GP. 
7. Finally, you will need to specify what calibre you require. For more information on calibres for deer stalking, heaps of information may be found here on our Rifle Calibres page, which is devoted to choosing the right calibre: rifle-calibres

 At ‘County Deer Stalking’ and the ‘Capreolus Club’ we pride ourselves on assisting people with their firearm applications. Our club chairman Peter Jones is himself a former police officer with 10 year’s experience in the Metropolitan Police, he is also an ‘Approved Witness’ for deer management qualifications and experienced firearms instructor. If you would like assistance, then why not contact the office to find out more on: 0203 981 0159 / 0208 239 7311 or email Peter direct: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Zoo Firearms Training

CDS Firearms Training, offers the UK's only LANTRA Approved training course in ‘Best practice guidance for use of firearms in Zoos & Wildlife Parks’.

We are the UK's leading provider of firearms training to zookeepers and zoo managers. Our course complies with UK legislation and BIAZA guidelines for the use of firearms in zoos and wildlife parks, and is designed to comply with new DEFRA guidlines on 'Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain'.

We are an established 'Approved LANTRA Training Provider' with an extensive police background, decades of experience dealing with dangerous animals and over ten years experience delivering zoo firearms training.

“The CDS Firearms Training course for Zoos was professional both in terms of content and delivery” - Chessington World of Adventures 

“The content ensured that our zoo was up to date with UK legislation and BIAZA guidelines, I would strongly recommend this course to other zoos and wildlife parks” - J.Merrington Zoo Manager  

The UK's No1 Firearms Training Course for Zoos and wildlife parks, is now delieverd simply and effectively throughout the UK, via an easy to access, online, e-learning platform that is accessible via the following link: firearms-training-for-zoos-and-wildlife-enclosures

Above: Lowland Gorilla 'Harambe' was tragically shot dead when a 3 year old boy fell into the enclosure

Regrettably, there are many incidents of people climbing into dangerous animal enclosures and of dangerous animal escapes, many of which have resulted in serious injury and even death.

CDS Firearms Training for Zoos & Wildlife Parks - is the UK’s leading, go-to firearms course for zookeepers and zoo managers, and is designed to empower zookeepers with the skills required to deal with these types of emergencies, and zoo managers with the knowhow to select the correct weapons and implement the correct procedures, to ensure compliance with BIAZA and UK regulations concerning the use of firearms in zoos. 

Coming from an extensive Police background and with over a decade of experience delivering firearms training to zoos & wildlife parks, CDS lead instructor Peter S Jones has spent his career dealing with emergency situations and dangerous animals. Through the huntingacademy, he delivers a comprehensive, high quality, certificated zookeeper course via a convenient online platform that is available to zoos and wildlife parks throughout the UK.

The course offers affordable, easy access and an invaluable insight into subjects such as the appropriate choice of weapons, firearm licensing, how to liaise with the emergency services, how to approach dangerous animals and the relationship between shot placement and shot reaction, along with and a whole wealth of additional expertise that is delivered by an existing trusted provider of zookeeper training.

And that’s not all! - Zoos & Wildlife Parks that employ this fabulous means of training their staff, are also afforded a 1 hr free telephone consultation with our CDS lead instructor, to help ensure that they have in place all of the procedures and equipment that is required to deal with emergencies concerning dangerous animals. For those that want ongoing practical training CDS is also available to assist. 

The Zoo Firearms Course includes the following modules:

Module 1: Introduction

Module 2: Firearm safety and understanding the component parts

Module 3: Selecting the right weapons & optics

Module 4: Choosing the right calibre & ammunition

Module 5: Marksmanship & Shooting positions

Module 6: Shot placement & shot reaction

Module 7: Contact & Cover and Reactionary gap

Module 8: Following up on shot animals

Module 9: Important procedural guidance

Final Exam

Too many zoos and wildlife parks are woefully ill equipped and ill prepared to deal with emergencies concerning dangerous animals. Enrol today, and get your zoo back on track, by taking the UK’s premier firearms course for zoos & wildlife parks. 

Follow this link to Enrol today: firearms-training-for-zoos-and-wildlife-enclosures

The course enables zoos and wildlife parks with dangerous category 1 animals to meet current DEFRA guidelines and UK legislation relating to firearms and zoos.  The aim of the course is to ensure that managers have the correct procedures in place and that staff are professionally trained, competent and armed with firearms that are fit for purpose. 

If you would like a consultation for your Zoo or Wildlife Park anywhere in the UK, or would simply like to find out more about CDS Firearms Training for Zoos, then please contact our training course co-ordinator Peter S Jones on: Tel: 020 3981 0159 / 07789 747709 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To read more about incidents when zoo enclosures have been breached follow this link: cds-firearms-training-for-zoos

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County Deer Stalking Magazine Team