Did the old BDS Deer Management Course - no grand title in the old days - back in 1984 with Dieter Dent at Stockbridge. Course presenters were A list - Richard Prior, Fred Courtier, Peter Baillie etc. Think BDS have now reintroduced the scheme under a LANTRA tie-in?
Took NSCC just as it changed to the DSC/DMQ Pt1 with the knowledgable Andrew Yool at Auchtyre over three weekends. Again blessed with incredible presenters - including the very much missed Jimmy Oswald. I believe Andrew is no longer running the courses though.
Completed Part 2 with John Allan of Aberlour. He now runs brief revision courses and assessment/ test weekends for DMQ1. Working on talking him round to offerring complete courses. He also does DMQ 2 assessment stalks - all up by us in Moray. If interested PM me and I'll pass on contact detail. * see note at bottom.
I took my first course something like 10 years before I actually got round to stalking. However, found the Deer Quest CD very helpful - afterthe event!. The issued manual is good, but it makes a big difference getting out and seeing things in context.
Taking the test seems to divide candidates in two. A lot of 'old sweats' find it very hard to do 'paperwork' stuff and get quite wound up, but are calm taking the shooting test. Others breeze the paper tests and then get the jitters on the shooting!
Argument rages about whether or not such qualifications are the thin end of the wedge etc. But they are incredibly useful in demonstrating good reason, intent and competancy to FAC enquiry officers. A good deal of stalking these days has level 1 as mandatory - a cross over from the insurance front/ H & S. But not least, anything that aids treating the quarry with respect and doing the job right is a move in the right direction.
Just typed this out and then this last bit struck me - so please can a Mod check happy with what I've put. If I have breached any rules, apologies -
I must declare that John Allan is a personal friend and that I also do part-time work for him - both as ghillie and helping out on running said courses, so there is a link there.