20,000 people have now been awarded the Deer Stalking Certificate 1 (DSC1) by Deer Management Qualifications (DMQ) – the major provider of awards in its field.
The DSC qualification assesses the competence of the stalker in a number of areas including deer biology and ecology, the law, stalking techniques and taking the shot, deer identification, safety, shooting and large game meat hygiene. In addition it delivers awareness and best practice in animal welfare.
Andrew Hoon, DMQ chief executive, said: “DMQ is immensely proud that so many people have come forward and sought assessment of their competence. We remain confident that many more people will undertake the DSC awards in the future.
“In recognition of this milestone of 20,000 successful candidates, DMQ will be making presentations of framed DSC1 certificates to several representative ambassadors who have recently gained the award.
“DSC1 gives you the basic knowledge – theoretical and practical – and the more advanced DSC2 is based on in-field assessment.”
The presentations will take place in all four UK countries:
• Northern Ireland on Tuesday 3rd June at Stormont at the All Party Group on Country Sports meeting, hosted by The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC NI).
• Scotland on Friday 4th July at The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair at Scone, hosted by GWCT.
• England on Friday 18th July at The CLA Game Fair at Blenheim, hosted by The British Deer Society.
• Wales on Tuesday 22nd July at the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells, hosted by BASC Wales.
ENDS