Countryside Alliance News

Dates available for Dunnyboe Target Club DCS Level 1 course

Written by Gary McCartney | 31 January 2023
With deer having no natural predators, the UK deer population is believed to be at its highest for 1,000 years and with an increasing population and range of wild deer throughout Ireland, deer management has never been more important.
 
Deer are estimated to cause more than £8.8 million of damage annually to forest and agricultural crops in the UK. Not only are there financial consequences with unmanaged deer populations, but habitat loss is another major impact.
 
It is therefore essential that the population is managed.
 
In line with the Guidance on Northern Ireland Firearms Controls, anyone interested in taking up the challenge of managing the deer population should complete an appropriate course as part of the process to obtain a deer calibre rifle.
 
Countryside Alliance Ireland have been informed that  a DSC1 course will be held on the 21st – 23rd April 2023 to help people fulfil this requirement.
 
The instructor, Jamie Stewart, has over 25 years’ experience in stalking throughout the UK. The location for the course will be Dunnyboe Target Club near Plumbridge Co. Tyrone
 
Once candidates pass DSC Level 1 and they have developed sufficient experience, there is the opportunity to progress to DSC Level 2 where candidates can be assessed on their stalking and carcass handling skills.
 
This course is independent of Countryside Alliance Ireland and all enquiries and bookings should be directed to Jimmy Donaghy.