Pre Proficient Deer Stalker Level 2 (Pre PDS2) Training

For those who have completed Proficient Deer Stalker Level 1 (PDS1) and want to develop further before moving into PDS2, this course provides a valuable and practical next step. It is designed to help candidates refine their field skills, understand what is expected at the next level, and build confidence before formal assessment.

Delivered as a one-day, field-based course, Pre PDS2 Training gives participants the opportunity to work under natural conditions and focus on the practical standards required for progression. For many candidates, it is the point at which general competence begins to become more consistent, more disciplined and more closely aligned with what will be expected during the PDS2 process.

Why This Course Matters

Moving from PDS1 to PDS2 is not simply a matter of more experience. It requires a clearer understanding of what good evidence looks like, what standards are being assessed and how field practice must stand up to scrutiny.

That is where this training has real value. It helps candidates bridge the gap between introductory qualification and higher-level assessment by focusing on the areas that usually matter most: judgement in the field, practical stalking, carcass handling, record-keeping and readiness for assessment.

For candidates who want to approach PDS2 seriously, this course provides a more informed and realistic preparation.

Course Structure

The course is built around practical field experience rather than classroom theory. It is intended to give candidates direct exposure to the type of situations, expectations and decision-making that sit behind the PDS2 assessment process.

Training is delivered under natural conditions and focuses on the practical application of deer stalking and management skills, with guidance from qualified instructors and Approved Verifiers. This gives participants the opportunity not only to improve their technique, but to understand how that technique is viewed through the lens of formal assessment.

Understanding PDS2

A key part of the course is helping candidates understand what PDS2 actually involves. That includes a clear explanation of the purpose of the qualification, the assessment process and the standard expected of those progressing to this level.

For many candidates, this is especially useful because it removes uncertainty. Rather than guessing what may be required, participants gain a more direct understanding of the process and can begin to measure their own readiness more honestly.

Logbook Guidance

The PDS2 Logbook is an important part of progression, and this course provides guidance on how to approach it properly. Participants are shown how to complete it accurately, what kind of evidence matters and what Approved Verifiers are likely to be looking for when reviewing entries.

This is an area where otherwise capable candidates can weaken their own position through incomplete or poorly kept records. Good guidance at this stage helps build better habits and makes later progression much smoother.

Practical Stalking Experience

The field element of the course is where the training becomes most valuable. Participants are given the opportunity to work through realistic stalking scenarios involving species such as roe, fallow, sika or muntjac, depending on availability and conditions.

This practical component helps candidates sharpen the field skills that matter most, including observation, approach, judgement and carcass handling. Attention is also given to gralloching, deer inspection and the practical standards expected when dealing with deer after the shot.

The purpose is not simply to give experience for its own sake, but to improve the quality and consistency of that experience so that it better reflects the level required for progression.

Interaction with Approved Verifiers

One of the strengths of this course is the opportunity to engage directly with Approved Verifiers. This gives candidates a more useful perspective on how their performance, logbook entries and overall readiness are likely to be judged.

Being able to ask questions, discuss likely scenarios and understand what matters from an assessor’s point of view gives the course a level of practical relevance that is difficult to replicate through informal experience alone.

Flexible and Candidate-Focused

Not all candidates arrive at this stage with the same strengths or the same uncertainties. For that reason, the course is flexible enough to focus more closely on the areas where improvement is needed most.

Whether the issue lies in stalking technique, carcass handling, confidence in field situations or understanding the assessment process, the training can be directed towards the areas that will make the greatest difference. That makes it a particularly useful bridge between qualification stages, rather than a rigid one-size-fits-all exercise.

Who This Course Is For

This course is intended for those who have already completed PDS1 and now want to prepare more effectively for PDS2. It is especially useful for candidates who want to assess their current level honestly, strengthen weaker areas and improve their confidence before committing to the next stage.

It is well suited to those who:

have completed PDS1 and want a practical progression route
need more field-based experience before moving into PDS2
want clearer guidance on logbook standards and assessment expectations
would benefit from input from qualified instructors and Approved Verifiers
want to improve consistency in stalking, carcass handling and field judgement

Why Work with Wildscape Deer Management

At Wildscape Deer Management, we value training that is grounded in real field standards. Pre PDS2 works well because it does not pretend progression happens automatically. It gives candidates the chance to test themselves honestly, improve where needed and move forward with a more credible level of preparation.

For those who want to take deer stalking seriously and progress properly, this course provides a practical and disciplined step in that direction.

Enrolment and Availability

Pre PDS2 Training is available throughout the year, allowing candidates to choose a time that suits their development and progression plans.

To take the next step in your deer stalking journey, please visit:
Pre Proficient Deer Stalker Level 2 (Pre PDS2) Training

Your cart is empty

Your cart

Estimated total