Qualifications

The Deer Initiative and the Deer Commission for Scotland have endorsed the Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC) as the industry standard for those involved in the culling of wild deer. The DSC utilises the Government endorsed occupational standards produced by LANTRA and incorporated in the Wildlife Management Vocational Qualifications.

W.D.M. Qualifications, which trades as Deer Management Qualifications, is the Awarding Body for the DSC. The DSC progressive system of qualifications is applicable to both professional and recreational deer stalkers. The DSC has been available since 1998 and as at May 2004 approximately 7000 deer stalkers have completed the DSC Level 1 and over 2500 have registered for the Level 2. To be awarded the DSC Level 1, the stalker must demonstrate knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Deer biology and ecology
• The law
• Stalking techniques and taking the shot
• Deer identification
• Safety
• Shooting

Changes to Food Hygiene Regulations January 2006

From January 1st 2006, new legislation is implemented which will make it illegal for stalkers to sell deer carcasses to Game Handling Establishments unless they have been trained so that they can recognise any abnormal behaviour or symptoms which may indicate that the meat is not fit for human consumption.

The DSC has been audited against the new requirements on behalf of the FSA. As a result holders of the DSC at both levels 1 and 2 must absorb some new material, make a declaration, and receive a replacement DSC 1 certificate. You will receive instructions from DMQ about how to obtain a new DSC 1 certificate, if you do not you should contact the Assessment Centre which issued the original certificate

To achieve a pass at Level Two candidates must have demonstrated an ability to stalk and humanely despatch deer and prepare them for storage. They will have demonstrated a successful performance in the humane culling of at least three deer on separate occasions.

Details of the requirements can be obtained from any DMQ approved Assesment Centre. Follow the link below to find details of approved Assessment Centres.

Assessment Centres