A wider range of deer-related courses will soon be on offer at Baronscourt Estate, thanks to the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
BASC members are already eligible to apply to take part in an exclusive deer stalking scheme at Baronscourt and the Estate has been hosting BASC run DSC1 courses for over 20 years. New courses due to launch shortly include an Intermediate Deer Course (IDC) and a Carcass and Butchery (C&B) Course.
The Intermediate Deer Course, which has been designed to sit in between the DSC 1 and DSC 2 awards, is aimed at people who want to gain more experience before completing their DSC 2 portfolio.
As part of the IDC course, students will undertake two accompanied stalks on the estate under the supervision of an experienced stalker. Further details of both courses including costs, can be found on the BASC website here: https://0ld.basc.org.uk/events/intermediate-deer-course-baronscourt-newtownstewart/ and here: https://0ld.basc.org.uk/events/carcass-butchery-course-baronscourt-estate-newtownstewart/
BASC members who have signed up for the DSC 1 course at Baronscourt also have the option of attending a BASC NI Gun Club range day prior to attending the course.
In addition, all students on DSC 1 courses at Baronscourt now have the option of accompanying an experienced deer stalker at some point during the four day course. This will allow students to increase their knowledge of firearm safety and basic stalking techniques, as demonstrated in the field by one of the Estate’s experienced stalkers.
DSC 1 Students will also be taken on a tour of Baronscourt Estate, where they will be able to view the topography of the Estate, deer runs, high seats and the larder facilities. Subject to availability, the Estate’s luxury 4 star self-catering accommodation may also be viewed, and will be available at a discounted rate exclusively for BASC members.
BASC NI director Tommy Mayne said: “BASC has an excellent working relationship with Baronscourt Estate and I am delighted that we have been able to consolidate that relationship by offering a wider range of training courses that will help increase standards.
“In addition to our new courses, using the Estate’s approved witnesses, BASC members will also have the option of completing their DSC 2 portfolio via the BASC members-only Baronscourt deer stalking scheme.
“As far as deer courses are concerned, Baronscourt Estate now offers the complete package for BASC members and the Estate looks set to become the deer centre of excellence in Northern Ireland.”
Lord Hamilton, of Baronscourt Estate, said: “Baronscourt Estate welcomes these positive and proactive new courses that BASC is launching. It is a great opportunity for those interested in deer stalking to have a good blend of both the theory as well as the practical to gain the necessary experience and confidence. Baronscourt Estate looks forward to working with BASC and its members in delivering these new courses.”
Oliver McCullough, BASC Council member and chair of the BASC Northern Ireland Committee, said: “I am delighted that the BASC NI team is working closely with Baronscourt Estate to offer these new courses. We value the excellent working relationship that exists between BASC and the Estate and I would urge anyone who is interested in completing their DSC 2 portfolio, to make contact with the Estate’s approved witnesses via the Estate Office.”
ENDS