Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2
Awarding Body: Deer Management Qualifications
Delivered by Orion Wildlife Training
Take your deer management capability to the next professional level with the Deer Stalking Certificate Level 2 (DSC2)—the industry-recognised, work-based qualification that evidences your competence in real-world deer management.
The DSC2 is the practical progression from DSC1, designed to assess your ability to plan, execute, and document deer management activities to best-practice standards. Delivered and supported by experienced professionals, Orion Wildlife Training ensures you receive structured guidance, clear assessment criteria, and robust mentoring throughout your portfolio completion.
What is DSC2?
Awarded under the Deer Management Qualifications framework, DSC2 is an evidence based qualification that demonstrates competence across the full deer management cycle in the field. Unlike classroom-based courses, DSC2 assesses performance in live stalking situations under the observation of an Approved Witness.
This qualification is widely regarded as the benchmark for professional and responsible deer management in the UK.
What You’ll Demonstrate
Candidates must provide evidence of competence in:
Safe rifle handling and shot placement in live situations
Humane dispatch and follow-up procedures
Inspection of deer carcasses for human consumption
Hygienic gralloching and larder practices
Accurate record-keeping
Compliance with legislation and best-practice guidance
You will compile a structured portfolio evidencing breadth of experience and professional standards.
Who Is DSC2 For?
Stalkers progressing from DSC1
Those seeking recognition for professional deer management competence
Individuals applying for certain leases, syndicates, or employment roles
Anyone wishing to evidence best practice under UK deer management standards
If you are serious about ethical, sustainable deer management, DSC2 is the qualification that sets you apart.
Why Train with Orion Wildlife Training?
With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality wildlife and land-based training, Orion Wildlife Training provides:
Clear guidance through the DMQ process
Access to Assessor support
A supportive, no-nonsense approach focused on competence
Our aim is not simply certification—it is ensuring you operate to the highest standards of safety, welfare, and environmental stewardship.
The Professional Standard in Deer Management
Achieving DSC2 demonstrates that you are capable of managing deer responsibly, legally, and humanely in a variety of field conditions. It is a practical, evidence-based qualification respected across the UK deer management sector.
If you are ready to demonstrate your field competence and advance your credentials, enrol with Orion Wildlife Training and take the next step in your deer management career.
Prerequisites for the DSC2
To achieve the DSC2, a candidate must provide sufficient evidence demonstrating the necessary standard of competence to be awarded the Certificate. It is recommended that candidates obtain sufficient practical experience under the guidance of a competent person before registering for DSC2.
To register for DSC2 you are required to hold a DSC1 qualification, being issued on or after 2006 Blue Certificate or 2021 Green Certificate, if you do not have one of these please contact us.
What happens once you register
The DSC 2 is assessed based on evidence that the candidate collects. The key document for recording this evidence is the DSC2 electronic portfolio which you are given access to via email on registration. Along with this, the email will include guidance notes which candidates should read thoroughly before proceeding any further. An assessor will already have been allocated at this stage. Once registered, candidates have three years to complete their evidence gathering.
Once a candidate has registered, they will be able to access a list of all approved witnesses in the resources area of their e-portfolio account. It is imperative that the witness chosen is DMQ-approved. The Approved Witness is someone who would be present when a deer was killed and the carcass inspected and prepared, and who has already been sponsored by DMQ as a suitably knowledgeable person who understands the standard required. They will know what an assessor’s role is and will already hold a DMQ DSC2 award.
The cost of the DSC2 registration does not include the cost of any witnessed stalks. This is to be agreed upon and negotiated directly between a candidate and an approved witness.
During the assessment phase an Assessor will usually telephone a candidate and Approved Witness and question them over aspects of the evidence. If an Assessor is satisfied that the evidence is of a required standard for the award to be given, they will notify an Internal Verifier with a recommendation that an award is given. The Internal Verifier primarily checks to ensure that an Assessor has done as required. When the e-portfolio has passed Internal Verification, a submission is made by the Assessment Centre to Deer Management Qualifications for a Certificate to be produced and sent to the candidate.
The cost of DSC2 registration is £180.00 Upon registration a DSC2 e-Portfolio login and password will be sent to record evidence in, on the next working day.