Ever felt that deer stalking qualifications were inaccessible due to time constraints or location? You're not alone. This eye-opening conversation with Peter Jones—founder of County Deer Stalking, the Capriolus Club, and creator of the revolutionary PDS certification system—reveals how field sports education is evolving to meet modern needs.

After ten years in the Metropolitan Police specializing in firearms legislation, Peter established businesses that bridge the gap between urban professionals and countryside pursuits. His innovative approach recognizes a fundamental challenge: many city dwellers love field sports but lack the rural connections traditionally needed to participate. Through County Deer Stalking and the Capriolus Club, he's created pathways for these enthusiasts to access quality stalking experiences while building a community around what's typically a solitary pursuit.

The conversation centers on the Proficient Deer Stalker (PDS) qualification system—a Lantra-approved alternative to traditional certifications that leverages e-learning technology. While respecting the long-established DSC route, Peter explains how PDS allows busy professionals to study at their own pace rather than committing to multi-day residential courses. The newly launched PDS-2 requires demonstrating competence twice in the field, striking what he considers an ideal balance between thoroughness and accessibility.

Perhaps most fascinating is the shifting motivation behind hunting participation. Peter notes a significant increase in people seeking to harvest their own sustainable wild meat as an ethical alternative to intensively farmed options. This trend completes a meaningful circle: urbanites reconnecting with food sources, learning essential skills, and bringing clean protein directly to their family tables.

Whether you're a seasoned stalker or curious about getting started, this discussion offers valuable insights into how education in field sports is adapting to contemporary lifestyles while maintaining rigorous standards and sustainability principles. Search "PDS-1" online to learn more about this qualification pathway.

He's created a new deerstalking qualification called the PDS1 and PDS2 very similar to the DSC1 and DSC2. His course is approved by Lantra https://www.lantra.co.uk/

Link to the sites discussed in the pod cast
https://www.countydeerstalking.co.uk/go-stalking
https://www.capreolusclub.co.uk/

The quote you will hear in the podcast is by  Martin Luther King, Jr., “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” 

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