NGO Becomes An Approved DMQ Assessment Centre

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The National Gamekeepers' Organisation has become an Approved DMQ (Deer Management Qualifications) Assessment Centre and is now able to offer a complete package of in-house deer management training to DSC1 and DSC2 standards for both NGO members and non-members alike.

The DMQ accreditation consolidates the expertise of the NGO Deer Branch as a one-stop-shop for the provision of deer-related training in England and Wales. For details of all courses and training please visit www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/events or call the NGO on 01833 660869.

Candidates working towards Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC) qualifications with the NGO Deer Branch will also be able to take unique advantage of the NGO's well-established Food Standards Agency Certified Game Meat Hygiene Course by being competent both with venison and small game on completion of their studies.

The NGO Deer Branch offers other deer-based training including its popular Dogs for Deer and Carcass Handling Courses.

Stalking industry experts believe the NGO Deer Branch has more members actively engaged in deer management than any other organisation in the UK. NGO stalker members account for more than 50 per cent of the entire deer cull carried out in England and Wales.

David Wiggins, Deer Branch Chairman of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation said: "It is a tremendous achievement for the NGO to have received DMQ accreditation and now to be able to run its own in-house DSC1 and DSC2 training. It's been an ambition of ours since the NGO Deer Branch was set up in 2009 to reflect the huge number of NGO members involved in deer conservation and culling. And now we've done it."

He added: "DMQ's accreditation dovetails well with our expertise and perfectly complements our other deer-related courses. We look forward to being able to play our part in developing and maintaining deer management standards. I'd also like to thank the British Deer Society for kindly assessing the NGO courses up to this point."

The Deer Branch of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation, which aims to help improve deer welfare and management in the British countryside, is a special interest group within the NGO membership. Any NGO member interested in deer can join the NGO Deer Branch at no additional cost.

The NGO Deer Branch is sponsored by Browning, which is its official Rifle Partner, as well as Rovince UK and Carl Zeiss Ltd.

Notes to Editors

The Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC) is a progressive system of deer management qualifications relevant both to professional and recreational deer managers and stalkers. There are currently two DSCs:

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation Deer Branch represents professional and recreational stalkers in England and Wales, as well as gamekeepers who control deer as part of their day-to-day work in wildlife conservation and habitat management.