Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
The original deer management qualification.
Evolved.
The UK’s only 100% Online DSC1 Theory
DSC1 Expert Led
Experience more from the UK’s leading deer stalking qualification, approved by Lantra
Learn from our experts in the classroom for a 4-day intensive theory course including assessment
Join the other 30,000 deer stalkers who have completed their DSC1 with BASC
Upon completion, you’ll receive your DMQ Accredited DSC1 certificate
DSC1 Online theory
The UK’s only 100% online DSC1 Theory
Learn at your own pace with Lantra approved training and choose your own assessment date
Receive a £50 Bushwear voucher awarded on completion of the course – only available with BASC DSC1 Online
Upon completion, you’ll receive your DMQ Accredited DSC1 certificate
DSC1 Practical
(assessment only)
Take DSC1 into your own hands
Qualify with the UK’s leading shooting organisation.
Join the other 30,000 deer stalkers who have completed their DSC1 with BASC
Upon completion, you’ll receive your DMQ Accredited DSC1 certificate
DSC1 Online theory
The UK’s only 100% online DSC1 Theory
Learn at your own pace with Lantra approved training and choose your own assessment date
Receive a £50 Bushwear voucher awarded on completion of the course – only available with BASC DSC1 Online
Upon completion, you’ll receive your DMQ Accredited DSC1 certificate
DSC1 Expert Led
Experience more from the UK’s leading deer stalking qualification, approved by Lantra
Learn from our experts in the classroom for a 4-day intensive theory course including assessment
Join the other 30,000 deer stalkers who have completed their DSC1 with BASC
Upon completion, you’ll receive your DMQ Accredited DSC1 certificate
DSC1 Practical (assessment only)
Take DSC1 into your own hands
Qualify with the UK’s leading shooting organisation.
Join the other 30,000 deer stalkers who have completed their DSC1 with BASC
Upon completion, you’ll receive your DMQ Accredited DSC1 certificate
With your BASC DSC1, you can:
Stalk with BASC
Your DSC1 qualification gives you access the BASC Stalking Schemes running across the UK.
Join the community
You’re joining a community of over 30,000 deer stalkers who have already completed their DSC1.
Find stalking opportunities
Find local stalking syndicates, management groups or find a permission with the backing of DSC1.
Shoot with confidence
Take your learning into the field with the reassurance that you’ve studied with the UK’s leading deer stalking training provider.
Develop your learning
Find your next steps in deer stalking, through standalone best practice days, or working your way towards DSC2 qualification.
Frequently asked questions
Designed to support those taking their first steps into deer stalking, BASC’s DSC1 helps you build the knowledge needed to become a safe, competent and responsible deer manager.
On successful completion of the Lantra approved training, you’ll gain the industry recognised, DMQ accredited DSC1 qualification.
If you already have some experience handling and shooting a firearm, along with a basic understanding of deer, stalking and their management, the DSC1 Online Theory course could be a great fit for you. You should be able to consistently hit a four-inch target at 100 metres and shoot lying down, kneeling, and off sticks for the shooting element of the assessments.
If you are looking to build your confidence and pick up some new practical skills before attempting your DSC1 practical assessments, our pre-DSC1 course may be a great first step.
BASC offers three different pathways to achieve your DSC1 qualification. You can choose between our:
- course, with a single-day practical assessment, to learn at your own pace.
- Expert-led DSC1 – a four-day classroom-based course with both theory and practical assessments on the final day.
- Assessment only – for those candidates already familiar with the course content and wish to go straight to the assessments.
We’ve created these so you can find the right DSC1 pathway for you.
The DSC1 Online Theory course is designed to fit around your lifestyle, so there’s no fixed study schedule. You can learn at your own pace, in your own time, whether that’s a few hours a week or more focused study over a shorter period.
With 12 months’ access to the online platform, you have the flexibility to work through the seven modules when it suits you, on mobile or desktop, at home or on the move.
Once you’ve completed the theory element, you’ll progress to the practical stage, which includes an in-person shooting and safety assessment. You can choose an assessment date that works for you.
Our BASC experts are always on hand to help you. If you need some support with either the technical side of things or the subject matter, contact our training and education team via email training.dept@basc.org.uk
When you enrol on the course, you will also receive free, digital access to the DSC1 manual which contains all the information you need for your assessments.
The DSC1 assessments are broken down into theory and practical. The theory assessments are hosted within the online platform and you can take them whenever you’re ready. If you are unsuccessful on the first attempt, you will be provided with another opportunity, but we strongly recommend you go back through the learning modules before attempting so you are prepared.
If you are unsuccessful in your practical assessment, you will have the opportunity to take a re-test, but this will have to be done at a later date and booked separately. If you have any concerns, contact our training and education team via email training.dept@basc.org.uk
Unfortunately, no. If you have attended an in-person DSC1, you will need to complete all assessments and re-sits in the same format. The opposite is also true. If you have enrolled on the online DSC1, you will need to take all your theory assessments online, except for your practical shooting and safety assessments.
No, you do not.
On the day of your practical assessment you will have the option to shoot with a BASC-provided rifle.
Our DSC1 online training has received recognition from Lantra and means you’re investing in training that meets nationally recognised standards for safety, competence and professional practice. Lantra is one of the UK’s leading awarding bodies for land‑based and industrial skills, so their accreditation is a clear signal that your course has been independently checked, audited, and approved.
For you, this means credible certification and up‑to‑date industry guidance.
In short, you don’t.
However, as a member, you have access to BASC experts and our exclusive stalking schemes. You will also be covered when out stalking and target shooting by our sector-leading insurance policy. Discover the wider benefits of BASC membership here.
