FAQ
DSC2 FAQ
| How do I register ? | 
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| You must have completed DSC1 before you can register for DSC2 You can then contact an Assessment Centre for a registration form. We recommend that all candidates for DSC2 should consider gaining experience and confidence before they register. Registrations last for 3 years, beyond that time you will have to re-register at extra cost. | |
| What does it cost ? |
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| This depends in part on which Assessment Centre you register with - the centres will advise. The DMQ element of any registration fees is the same for all Centres and covers only administration costs. Depending on your circumstances you may have to pay for stalking, witness fees, or both. Any such fees are paid to the provider, there is no DMQ charge. It is up to you to find out what different people charge and decide what suits you. | |
| Where can I do it ? |
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| You can do your culls anywhere in the UK where you can arrange stalking and the presence of a witness. You will of course have to comply with the relevant legislation over calibres and seasons. | |
| How long does it take ? |
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| It is possible to do the 3 culls in a day. However, it is more usual for candidates to do their culls over a period of time, say over one culling season. You have up to 3 years from the date of registration to the final submission of your portfolio. Assessment and verification can take up to 14 weeks from when you submit your portfolio (and may take even longer if, for example, there is evidence missing). | |
| Where can I get training and guidance? |
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| Look at the letter and the CD sent to the candidate with the Portfolio.
There are also a number of training documents available. Candidates
should follow the Deer Stalking Code of Practice (issued jointly by
BDS and BASC). There is also now Best Practice Guidance available
for Scotland and Best Practice Guides for England and Wales. Some Assessment Centres have made arrangements for candidates to gain experience under the guidance of a professional stalker. There are other organisations who will help you gain experience for DSC2 if that is what you need. Some advertise in the shooting press. |
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| What are the standards ? |
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| DSC2 is aligned with the National Occupational Standards. | |
| Do I need my own FAC and rifle ? |
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| No. A candidate may borrow a rifle to do their culls provided the rifle is borrowed from the owner or occupier of the ground being stalked, and the FAC holder accompanies the candidate. The candidate must be over 17 years of age, unless they are over 14 and hold an FAC in which case the conditions thereon must be complied with. | |
| What experience do I need ? |
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| DSC2 requires candidates to demonstrate competence and knowledge. Even experienced stalkers may wish to consider obtaining some guidance before attempting DSC2. | |
| Why am I asked questions ? |
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| During a stalk it is likely that Candidates will be asked
numerous questions. When observing a candidate witnesses are expected
to ask questions to test underpinning knowledge. Some elements of
the assessment MUST be seen to be done satisfactorily regardless of
any questions asked. These are clearly identified in the individual
cull records. For other elements such as 2.6 wounded deer, where the
candidate has hopefully not been seen performing particular PC, a
relevant question(s) should be asked and the answer recorded in the
portfolio. You may also be phoned up by your Assessor or the Internal Verifier. They have to check the evidence in the portfolio and thiis may involve speaking to candidates and witnesses. |
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| Do I need to keep records ? |
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| Candidates need to keep records of the deer they have
shot, and they would be wise to keep a note of each stalk recorded
in the portfolio. Witnesses are also expected to keep a record of each stalk witnessed and must be able to describe them when they are contacted by an Assessor or Internal Verifier (IV). |
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| Can deer shot out of season count for DSC2 ? |
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| In Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage may
authorise out of season shooting where serious damage is being caused
by deer. Only the person(s) named on the authorisation may actually
shoot deer out of season on the land stated. It is perfectly acceptable
for a candidate who is authorised by SNH to shoot a deer out of season
as one of the culls for DSC2. There is a provision in Section 26 of
the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 whereby occupiers of agricultural land
or enclosed woodland, or their employees, may also shoot deer out
of season in these circumstances without authority from SNH. SNH
are now interpreting this provision to include sporting tenants as
occupiers. Witnesses need to be aware of this change, as it may be
acceptable for a candidate who is a sporting tenant to shoot a deer
out of season for DSC2, if serious damage is being caused. In either
case this must be written up in the portfolio, with a copy of any SNH authorisation. Starting from 1/10/07, in England and Wales changes to legislation may allow out of season shooting under licence. A copy of the relevant licence would have do be submitted as evidence if deer shot out of season were to be submitted as evidence for DSC2. In all cases, actions must be within the law. |
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| Do deer shot from a high seat count ? |
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| Yes, for Element 2 (Cull Deer) of the portfolio. The
candidate will have to stalk to within range of a deer on another
occasion for Element 1. However, candidates may not be left on their own up a high seat. The candidate must be accompanied throughout the stalk, and also during the gralloch and transportation. Assessors may (provided evidence is supplied) permit an exception where it is not possible for both candidate and witness to sit in the seat together. If permitted by the Assessor, the witness may sit at the base of the seat, both parties having agreed the most likely scenario for shooting and able to remain in voice contact. The witness must be in a position to intervene if a safety issue arises. |
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| Can a witness leave a candidate to stalk into a deer ? |
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| No. The candidate must be accompanied throughout the stalk, and also during the gralloch and transportation. The witness must remain in direct line of sight to the candidate and in voice contact, both parties having agreed the most likely scenario for shooting. The witness must be in a position to intervene if a safety issue arises. | |
| Must candidates wear gloves during the gralloch ? |
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| Candidates must demonstrate hygienic practices, and avoid cross contamination while dealing with deer. This can be done by wearing clean gloves, by washing, or by the use of e.g. “probe wipes” to de-contaminate knives etc. |
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