BASC members will have a chance to complete a Deer Stalking Certificate 1 Course (DSC1) in Northern Ireland over the Bank Holiday weekend in August.
The BASC NI team will run the event at the Baronscourt Estate, Newtonstewart, County Tyrone, from 25th – 28th August.
The main part of the four day course will be delivered by Chris Brooks, a former BASC deer officer. Chris is also a BASC approved trainer and Deer Management Qualification (DMQ) assessor, with many years of experience managing all six species of deer found in the UK. Firearms and wildlife law presentations will be delivered by BASC NI director Tommy Mayne.
Tommy Mayne said: “This entry level course is designed to provide an insight into deer ecology, habitat, management and legislation. The course also teaches the safe handling of deer calibre rifles and includes a safety assessment and a shooting assessment. For the first time on this course, students will also have the opportunity to go out with one of the Estate’s experienced deer stalkers at some point over 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.”
Oliver McCullough, a member of BASC Council and chairman of BASC’s Northern Ireland committee, said: “Baronscourt Estate is a fantastic setting for this well-established course and students will not only be able to see first-hand the excellent on-site facilities, they will also be able to view the topography of the Estate and meet with the Estate’s experienced deer stalking guides.
“Baronscourt Estate is also home to the BASC deer stalking scheme which is exclusively for BASC members and the only scheme of its kind in Northern Ireland. The Estate looks set to become the deer centre of excellence in Northern Ireland.”
Tommy Mayne added: “We are delighted to welcome McCloy’s Guns and Country Attire, Toome, as our course sponsor and look forward to meeting with Donal and his team on the course where students will have the opportunity to view some of the quality equipment that McCloy’s have to offer.”
Places cost £290, which includes the Deer Management Qualification manual and the assessment fees.
For further information and to book, click here.
ENDS