Deer Stalking Level 1 - Scotland

[British Red]

Theres no obligation to pass a DSC over here santaman - nor do we require a game hunting licence, nor are there quotas or "tags" for any prey species

Learning to identify, kill cleanly and butcher well is....considered sensible, but it carries no "mandatory" attachment.

 

[santaman2000]

Theres no obligation to pass a DSC over here santaman - nor do we require a game hunting licence, nor are there quotas or "tags" for any prey species

Learning to identify, kill cleanly and butcher well is....considered sensible, but it carries no "mandatory" attachment.

I'm being a little misleading as to the requirements here. While I have no obligation to pass any course, that's not universally true. Generally, most states do require anyone born after 1978 to take a "Hunter's Safety Course" before purchasing a license. Even so it's only a weekend seminar on gun safety. As a practical matter the hunting seasons, bag limits, etc. are just wildlife management tools (some seasons such as those set on migratory game, Canada Geese and doves, are set according to international treaty) License fees are basicly a tax to defray the cost of the wildlife agencies (which have law enforcement authority) and conservation efforts.

 

[Silverback 1]

Theres no obligation to pass a DSC over here santaman

Not entirely accurate.

As far as i am aware, if shooting on Forestry Commision ground it is their policy that the hunter has obtained at least DSC Level 1 and accompanied by a Ranger.

If hunting alone it is mandatory to hold DSC Level 2 Certificate.

 

[widu13]

Yes but that is an organisational requirement not a legal one.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[Silverback 1]

Yes but that is an organisational requirement not a legal one

Didn't use the 'legal' word in my post,neither did Red.

 

[British Red]

Not entirely accurate.

As far as i am aware, if shooting on Forestry Commision ground it is their policy that the hunter has obtained at least DSC Level 1 and accompanied by a Ranger.

If hunting alone it is mandatory to hold DSC Level 2 Certificate.

Sure, but there is no "obligation" to hold a DSC to hunt deer, or to hunt on FC land. I'm sure all sorts of landowners and organisations have all sorts of rules about what you should and shouldn't have - from insurance onwards - but you aren't obliged to hunt on that land. On your own land, with a suitable ticket, you are good to go since they repealed the game licence years ago.

 

[Silverback 1]

Sure, but there is no "obligation" to hold a DSC to hunt deer, or to hunt on FC land.

I think there is.
Under Forest Enterprise regulations/obligations whatever terminology etc. anyone who runs a sporting lease on FC land MUST me a DSC Level 2 holder and any named people on that lease must be Level 1 registered and "working towards" their Level 2 qualification.

 

[British Red]

Perhaps I wasn't clear?

Point one "You aren't obliged to hold a DSC to hunt deer" (by the law)

Point two "There are lots of places to hunt deer that are not FC land" (indeed the vast majority of land is not FC)

Lots of people hunt deer without being DSC qualified - not that its a bad thing to study, its an excellent thing to do, but there is no obligation to pass in order to hunt deer (unless you are hunting on someone elses land and they make it a requirement)

 

[Silverback 1]

Perhaps I wasn't clear?

Point one "You aren't obliged to hold a DSC to hunt deer" (by the law)

Point two "There are lots of places to hunt deer that are not FC land" (indeed the vast majority of land is not FC)

Point one..........agreed

Point two..........agreed

In your post #26 did you not say that there was "No obligation to hold a DSC Certificate to hunt deer on FC land?" This is in fact incorrect.

 

[British Red]

Not quite,

I said there was no obligation to hold a DSC or to hunt on FC land (i.e. there are plenty of other places to hunt)

 

[Silverback 1]

Not quite,

I said there was no obligation to hold a DSC or to hunt on FC land (i.e. there are plenty of other places to hunt)

I have already agreed with the 2 points in the preceeding posts.

But do you agree that there is an obligation to hold a DSC to hunt deer on FC land?

 

[British Red]

I have no idea Silverback - but if you tell me it is so, I have no reason to doubt you . I hadn't heard of it before - but then I have never hunted on FC land - so why would I have?

I haven't been in any way trying to pick a fight - my point is only that there is no obligation to have a DSC to hunt deer in the UK - there may be certain obligations imposed by some landowners for them to grant permission but its perfectly possible (and indeed comon) to legally hunt deer without one. I hope we agree there

 

[Silverback 1]

I haven't been in any way trying to pick a fight - my point is only that there is no obligation to have a DSC to hunt deer in the UK - there may be certain obligations imposed by some landowners for them to grant permission but its perfectly possible (and indeed comon) to legally hunt deer without one. I hope we agree there

We certainly do Red providing the land is private property and the shooting rights/permission (preferably written) has been granted by the landowner and/or the person who owns or rents the shooting rights from said landowner.

Things have evolved over the last few years as far as the Forestry commision is concerned and what started off as a good idea (DSC 1&2) has become a bit of a money spinner for the relevant organisations;BASC, BDS etc. and unfortunately not everyone is in the favourable position (me included) to be able to stalk deer on private land, and consequently the demand to set up syndicates and stalk deer on FC land is massive and expensive and the FC in their wisdom have imposed these obligations/restrictions for whatever reasons, and if Joe Public wishes to pursue his lifelong passions on FC land it is a no brainer that we must spend our hard earned to get these little bits of paper.

I have greatly enjoyed our debate (not fight, i'm too old and knackered for all that) and i'm sure we have provided much entertainment for a few forum members as well as ourselves

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I did the DSC1 as a requirement to stalk on the estate that I work on so that I can sign the declaration for selling/supplying venison to the dealer.

Thought I should point that out

 

[British Red]

I think its a great idea regardless SS - do you now need it for game handling for sale? Or can you do the game handling certificate separately?

Its all rather moot in Lincolnshire really - if your dog runs away here you can watch it for three days. The backstop is Yorkshire

 

[Silverback 1]

I did the DSC1 as a requirement to stalk on the estate that I work on so that I can sign the declaration for selling/supplying venison to the dealer.

Thought I should point that out

Where were you when i needed you,and you started all this!!!

 

[Silverback 1]

do you now need it for game handling for sale? Or can you do the game handling certificate separately?

Large game and meat hygiene/handling became incorporated into the DSC Level 1 certificate in 2005, it was not initially part of the criteria to pass the exam.

It is not a separate certificate, but the stalker has to ensure that the carcass is supplied to approved game handling establishments.

 

[British Red]

Ah there you see - I have learned something! Never been into selling meat

 

[santaman2000]

Sure, but there is no "obligation" to hold a DSC to hunt deer, or to hunt on FC land. I'm sure all sorts of landowners and organisations have all sorts of rules about what you should and shouldn't have - from insurance onwards - but you aren't obliged to hunt on that land. On your own land, with a suitable ticket, you are good to go since they repealed the game licence years ago.

There's no requirement for a license to hunt on your own land here either BUT, it must be YOUR land; a friend's private land doesn't count. At lest not if uyou're hunting non-migratory species. There is still a requirement for the proper stamps (duck stamp, erc.) for migratory species.

Likewise there is no requirement (in most states) for a license to take non-game species such as feral pigs. There is no license requirement (in most Southern states) for a fishing license if fishing from the shore (or a permanent structure attached to the shore such as a pier or bridge) with live bait in the county of your residence.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Where were you when i needed you,and you started all this!!!

I'm soooo sorry have quit literally been away with the fairies this week...