Finding a witness
An accredited witness is a stalker briefed and approved to witness the cull a DSC2 candidate must demonstrate, and to sign the Individual Cull Record. Since June 2010 only a briefed and trained accredited witness may witness them. Witnessing is arranged as part of a DSC2 booking, on the continent or in the United Kingdom.
What the witness does
The witness is with you for the whole process: the stalk, the shot, the gralloch, the carcase inspection and the delivery to the larder. During the day they will ask you questions to test your deer and safety knowledge, and those questions and your answers form part of the portfolio alongside the cull records.
They are assessing, not guiding. If you cannot take a safe shot because the animal is on a skyline with no backstop behind it, the right answer is not to shoot — and declining that shot adds a point rather than costing one.
How it is arranged
In the Netherlands the shooting arrangements for DSC2 are made through Adrian van Well, both on the continent and in the UK, including on his own estate in Scotland. The cost depends on the number and species of animals to be culled and the type of lodging required, which is why there is no single figure on the fees page.
There were 8 accredited witnesses (as at 2012-04-17) accredited witnesses resident in the Netherlands when that figure was last published. It has not been re-checked since, so treat it as history rather than as the number available to you this season — ask, and you will be told what is actually available for your dates.
Choosing your ground
- The animal must be one of the six UK deer species. Roe in Denmark or the Netherlands, red or sika in Scotland, fallow almost anywhere.
- The stalk must be on foot. A high seat will not evidence the stalking criteria, whatever else it shows.
- You need a larder at the end of it. Carcase inspection and hygienic preparation for the game dealer are assessed, not assumed.
- A suitable animal in a day is likely on the open hill and far from certain in woodland. Plan for more than one outing.
Common questions
How do I find an accredited witness?
Witnessing is arranged for you as part of a DSC2 booking, on the continent or in the United Kingdom. You may also approach an accredited witness directly if you already stalk with one.
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