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Peter, how did you get started in this industry?
Hi Carolyn, thanks for having me. I grew up on a farm where I used an airguns to manage local pigeon and rabbit populations. After earning my degree, I served as a detective in the Metropolitan Police for ten years before transitioning to full-time deer management. Today, I run the County Deer Stalking, Capreolus Club and the Shooting & Hunting Academy, which provides an e-learning platform for accredited training.
Can you tell us more about the Shooting & Hunting Academy?
Certainly. Our academy is an online learning platform delivering accredited courses designed for wildlife managers, pest control professionals, deer managers, and others in related fields. Our platform offers flexible, high-quality training accessible whenever and wherever suits the learner best.
Which courses are especially relevant to BPCA members?
While we started with a focus on deer management, including courses like Proficient Deer Stalker Level 1 PDS1 and Level 2 PDS2, Highland Deer Stalking,etc... we’ve expanded our offerings to better serve BPCA members. Courses such as the Airgun Proficiency Course APC, Night Shooting Course NSC, and Grey Squirrel Management Course are now available, with more in development. These courses are practical and designed to meet the needs of BPCA professionals.
The Night Shooting Course was developed in collaboration with several organisations. Why is that collaboration important?
Collaboration has been key. We partnered with 3:60 Wildlife Control, the National Gamekeepers Organisation, County Deer Stalking, and industry leaders in thermal and night vision equipment like Hitmicro, DNT Optics, and Roskian Swan. This collective expertise helped us create a comprehensive and unique night shooting course. Since many BPCA members conduct night shooting, it’s critical they receive proper training before undertaking such activities.
How do members sign up for courses, and how long do they typically take?
Signing up is straightforward. Members can visit shootingandhuntingacademy.co.uk, register, and select their preferred course. Some courses, like the Air Gun Proficiency Course, include online theory plus an in-person practical assessment conducted by accredited verifiers across the UK. Others, such as the Night Shooting Course, are fully online with video lessons and multiple-choice exams. Our flexible formats allow learners to progress at their own pace.
All our courses carry LANTRA accreditation, the UK’s largest land-based awarding body, ensuring high standards and official recognition.
Scotland is moving toward mandatory qualifications for deer stalkers. How do you see this evolving in England and Wales?
Scotland is expected to make qualifications like the PDS1 mandatory, and we anticipate similar developments in England and Wales in the future. While mandatory training can feel challenging at first, it’s an exciting step towards professionalising the sector. We’re proud to offer accessible, accredited courses that support this progression and help raise industry standards.
What about continuing professional development (CPD) recognition for BPCA members?
Our courses are recognised by the BPCA for CPD points, enabling members to continuously improve their skills and maintain professional standards conveniently through our academy. We also offer a 15% discount for Airgun Proficiency Course and Night Shooting Course for BPCA members.
Thanks for your insights, Peter. We appreciate your time.
