Large Game Meat Food Hygiene Course

Certificated course that complies with FSA guidelines that enable candidates to become trained hunters and place large game meat on the market for human consumption.

A Few More Words About the Large Game Meat Hygiene Course

Legislation requires that; ‘Persons who hunt wild game with a view to placing it on the market for human consumption, must have sufficient knowledge of the pathology of wild game, and of the production and handling of wild game and wild game meat after hunting, to undertake an initial examination of wild game on the spot’.
This expertly delivered, certificated, Large Game Meat Hygiene Course is designed to do just that and complies with FSA guidelines that enable candidates that have also completed the Proficient Deer Stalker Course (PDS1), to become trained hunters and place large game meat on the market for human consumption.
Compiled to the satisfaction of current FSA requirements, this online, e-learning course in Large Game Meat Hygiene enables PDS1 candidates to complete an essential and detailed course at a time and place that suits them.
The syllabus is delivered through a series of modules and classes and is assessed through a multiple-choice examination. The course content includes.

  • The normal anatomy, physiology, and behaviour of wild game.
  • Abnormal behaviour and pathological changes in wild game due to diseases, environmental contamination or other factors which may affect human health after consumption.
  • The hygiene rules and proper techniques for the handling, transportation, evisceration, etc. of wild game animals after killing.
  • Legislation and administrative provisions on the animal and public health and hygiene conditions governing the placing on the market of wild game.

To comply with legislative guidance that trained persons placing wild game meat on the market for human consumption should be able to identify abnormal behaviour in deer, it is a requirement that persons undertaking this course should have completed the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1’ qualification.

In order to comply with new FSA guidance, as of 01st May 2024, to attain ‘Trained Hunter status’ it is also a requirement that candidates that have completed the PDS1 and Large Game meat Hygiene Course online, should undertake a physical inspection of a deer carcass.

The practical inspection may be completed in a number of ways. 
1. By demonstrating your ability to inspect a shot carcass to an ‘Approved Verifier’.       
2. By the inspection of a shot deer during the completion of a PDS2 witnessed stalk. 
3. By uploading video footage of your inspection of a shot deer. 

To undertake the ‘Large Game Meat Hygiene’ course, simply enrol on the PDS1 and you will be invited to complete the theory element of the LGMH course upon completion of the PDS1. 

Course Contents

Meet the instructor

Peter S Jones

Peter S Jones BA (Hons) is a well known face in the industry, life-long environmentalist and highly experienced professional deer manager, who has dedicated himself to the betterment of deer and large game through their careful management and selection.

Peter has been stalking & hunting deer and other large game throughout the UK, Europe and Africa for the last 25 years. He holds PDS1 & PDS2 and DSC1 & DSC2. He is an 'Approved Witness' for the 'British Deer Society' in Deer Management Qualifications, 'Approved Verifier' for the PDS1, Chairman & Founder of the exclusive Capreolus Club and Chief Instructor at County Deer Stalking - an Approved LANTRA & UKRS training provider.

In addition to many years spent providing expert tuition and guidance to hunting clients, Peter has also been responsible for delivering training and weapon familiarisation programs to Zoos, Enclosures and Wildlife Parks. Prior to this, Peter also served for 10 years as a Metropolitan Police Detective in the MPS Crime Squads & CID.

During his career, Peter was awarded a ‘Commendation for Bravery & Professionalism’, for his handling of an armed incident, before retiring from the force with an ‘Exemplary Service Certificate’. Peter's training and service in the Police and his in-depth knowledge of firearms legislation and the law surrounding firearm ownership, gives him a unique skill set that is of huge benefit to academy candidates and those taking their PDS1 Certificate.