The St. Hubert Club training officer keeping a watchful eye on proceedings at a Club training day on the range.

The St Hubert Club founded deer stalker training in the UK in 1957. Since then the Club has continually updated its training programme so that today the Club still offers the most comprehensive theoretical and practical training scheme available in the Country.

Members who elect to subject themselves to the St. Hubert Club Stalker Training Programme progress through four distinct grades, each one carrying its own particular restrictions and privileges.

E - Entrant
D - Novice Stalker
C - Trainee Stalker
B - Qualified Stalker
A  - Instructor

An additional qualification that may be bestowed after careful examination on certain suitably qualified stalkers of considerable experience and ability is that of A - Instructor.

E - Entrant

All Club members, without exception, wishing to participate in the St. Hubert Club training programme start at the beginning as an Entrant.

They are expected to start attending Training Days and Club functions as soon as becoming a member, but are not be able to join the practical stalking scheme until qualifying for a Thetford Stalking Licence. This requires the entrant to place three shots in a four inch circle at one hundred metres on a Club training day (only one shot is allowed to break the line). At the same time the entrant will also shoot at deer targets using different firing positions, instruction being available for those not really confident with any of the positions. There are also a set of questions on roe deer to research and answer; 100% correct responses are required. In addition entrants are required to attend an Induction Session at Thetford going over Club policies and procedures before they are issued with their first licence

A 'Thetford Licence' is a licence granted by the Club on payment of an appropriate subscription, which entitles a Club member to stalk and shoot deer as specified on that licence on the Club's ground at Thetford in Norfolk. This licence is conditional and subject to the individual's grading within the Club.

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D - Novice

Having achieved the basic requirement to become a Novice (D grade), the member is now expected to attend at the Club's ground in Thetford to undergo his initial practical training.

This Training Programme is essentially a practical one. Novice (D grade) members are accompanied on every stalk by an experienced Instructor Stalker who gives whatever instruction is necessary and assess performance. His written assessment will provide evidence of the novice's performance and will in due course form part of his Training Portfolio. To be considered for upgrading the D stalker must have safely and successfully stalked, shot, gralloched and inspected at least four deer on four separate occasions, each to the satisfaction of the Instructor concerned. During this time it is expected that the novice will acquire a working knowledge of the Thetford beats by stalking them and by individual visits. This knowledge of the forest will be tested as part of the upgrading process. In addition the three written Knowledge Evidence sections (Practical / Legal / Carcase Inspection) must have been completed and been assessed by the Training Officer to a 100% correct standard. This is a high standard but candidates are expected to do whatever individual research is necessary to reach the standard required. Club training day lectures will provide some of the information required and novices are required to attend three of these in a two year period. In addition the supplied reading list will provide all the background information that is necessary. The upgrading will consist of a multiple choice examination, where 50 questions are selected from 300 with a pass mark of 80% and a shooting test. The latter will comprise a grouping test of three shots in a four inch circle at 100 metres and the identification and shooting, in the heart/lung area, of up to six deer targets. A 100% standard is required on the shooting test. A record of each shot taken at the upgrading will be kept. Unsuccessful attempts will be kept in the Training Portfolio along with the eventual pass. At this stage in their Club careers D Stalkers are required to gain a specific Wild Game Meat Hygiene Certificate in large game if they do not already have this qualification. This can be taken as a Level 2 Lantra qualification through the Club at cost price. In addition it is suggested that if D stalkers do not already hold DMQ 1 they should consider using the knowledge they have acquired during their training to gain this qualification.

Assuming all goes well the member should be able to look forward to upgrading to Trainee (C grade).

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C - Trainee

To proceed to upgrading to a fully qualified 'B' stalker the Trainee must have culled, gralloched and inspected a further six deer on separate occasions, each to the satisfaction of the Instructors / Co-ordinator. One of the deer must have been taken solo from a high seat. All stalks must be recorded on the standard weekend report so that shot placement, larder work etc. can be commented upon. These reports will be returned upon upgrading and should be placed in the Portfolio. A thorough knowledge of the Thetford beats is required and will be assessed. Attendance at a minimum of a further three training days, including the lectures, is required during this stage of the training. If the Trainee reached that level before the requirement for a Wild Game Meat Hygiene Certificate was introduced for upgrading from Novice he will be required to obtain it in during this stage of his training. The Knowledge Evidence must be completed to a 100% correct standard. In addition an essay, 500 words minimum, on a subject to be set by the Training Officer has to be completed to his satisfaction and placed in the Portfolio. The upgrading will consist of a shooting test and a simulated stalk. The grouping element of the test will be to place three shots in a four inch circle at 100 metres. The simulated stalk will require the identification and shooting, in the heart/ lung area, of up to six deer targets with the candidate being assessed for safe firearms handling and correct identification and explanation of targets not to be shot. A record of each shot taken at the upgrading will be kept. Unsuccessful attempts will be kept in the portfolio along with the eventual pass. A 100% standard is required. It is suggested that if the qualification is not already held Trainees should gain DMQ 2 during this stage of their Club careers. There are Accredited Witnesses and Assessors within the Club to facilitate this.

On successful completion, the member will be upgraded to Qualified Stalker (B grade)

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B - Qualified Stalker

Qualified Stalkers are encouraged to continue to attend Training Days and perhaps start to assist in running them. All Qualified Stalkers who may carry a rifle on the Club's FC leases are required to pass an annual monitoring test of shooting ability similar to that required of FC Rangers, the Training Days provide an opportunity for this to be done. Those who obtained qualification before the introduction of Wild Game Meat Hygiene Certificates are strongly encouraged to gain this formal qualification. In addition Qualified Stalkers who have not gained DMQ 1 or 2 are encouraged to take this up. If these qualifications are already held then apply to become an Accredited Witness and perhaps an Assessor to increase the opportunities available to Trainees and Novices. It would also be worthwhile to gain a Range Conducting Officer Certificate in order to fully assist in the Training Programme. In due course some of the Club's active Qualified Stalkers with proven skills and an ability to pass those on are invited to be become Instructors and so put something back into the Club. Many Instructors will be present at Training Days and they have their own newsletter and annual meeting to keep them involved in training developments.

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A - Instructor

This is an accolade of the highest order to which many aspire. It requires not only a very high degree of experience and ability on behalf of the individual concerned but also a willingness to give freely of his time for the good of others.

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A St. Hubert Club trainee undergoing the initial test of three shots in a four inch circle at 100 yards from a high seat, under the supervision of an Instructor.