Training with Deer Tracking Services
Training with Deer Tracking Services
Training Days

Tracking is teamwork. We specialise in developing your dog/handler team to enable you to track wounded deer to the highest standards. Our bespoke training is tailored to meet the needs of your team, right through from entry-level to following up tracks in excess of 24 hours old over challenging terrain. We consider animal welfare to be paramount in the process of deer stalking, and wish to ensure that you can be successful and as efficient as possible in finding a wounded animal and being able to perform a safe and humane dispatch. In essence if your hound shows an aptitude for tracking we can train you both to follow anything from a 'hot track', to one that which has aged 24 hours or more.
In addition and to compliment our training days we now also of a Certificate of Competence, starting of with our 'Bronze' award. This award is designed specifically for deer-stalkers who have their own dog (all breeds welcome) and wish to enhance their skill-set to demonstrate that both dog, and handler have achieved a level of competence which reflects their ability and confidence in tracking a wounded deer within an acceptable time-frame of the shot.
The purpose of the award is to demonstrate that the dog to which the certificate applies is fit for purpose. Aside from obvious practical benefits, the award may be beneficial to the stalker when applying for a syndicate place, lease or deer management position.
In addition and to compliment our training days we now also of a Certificate of Competence, starting of with our 'Bronze' award. This award is designed specifically for deer-stalkers who have their own dog (all breeds welcome) and wish to enhance their skill-set to demonstrate that both dog, and handler have achieved a level of competence which reflects their ability and confidence in tracking a wounded deer within an acceptable time-frame of the shot.
The purpose of the award is to demonstrate that the dog to which the certificate applies is fit for purpose. Aside from obvious practical benefits, the award may be beneficial to the stalker when applying for a syndicate place, lease or deer management position.
We offer our own induction training days held on the Suffolk/Essex border, designed to give the individual an insight into blood tracking and give them the confidence to take things further. These days are fun, informal but educational, and generally working in a small group of up to four people.
Introduction Training Day Course.
This session provides individuals and their canine companions with a comprehensive initiation into training dogs for tracking wounded deer. If you do not already have a dog, one of ours will be made available to you. This course or one of our previous older formats must be completed before you proceed with any of our other training days . This comprehensive introductory session aims to equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to begin training your dog to track wounded deer. On this course, you will be part of a small group, with a maximum of three participants. The desired result being that both you and your dog will become motivated and inspired to progress further with your training, and maybe even choose to join us for a regular training programme. To get a clearer schedule of available days please go to our events & booking page prior to booking: https://bookwhen.com/deertrackingservices £175.00 (Free for Forestry England Staff). |
Continuous Development Group Training Day
Our continuous development training days are designed for small groups of up to 4 handler/dog teams and offer ongoing improvement of your training and tracking abilities. Participation in these sessions requires prior completion of our Introduction Training Day to ensure a foundational understanding of the training processes. On this day, you will be part of a small group and the day includes the activity of working together to lay more advanced and complex tracks for fellow participants. The benefits of group training days are that you gain valuable insights and practical experience by training and learning with other participants in an environment conducive to enhancing your tracking capabilities. Additionally, participants have the option to progress towards our bronze or silver certification tests, should they wish to pursue them. It is essential to note that as ever the primary consideration during these sessions is to avoid any exhaustion for your dog, whether physical or mental. Depending on everyone’s personal requirements you would expect to complete one or two tracks throughout the day. To get a clearer schedule of available days please go to our events and booking page prior to booking: https://bookwhen.com/deertrackingservices If you cannot find a suitable date please contact us to see if we can arrange something for you. £119.00 (Free for Forestry England Staff). |
Continuous Development Training Day 1:1
Our individual sessions follow a format similar to our small group training days but are tailored to a one-to-one basis. Participation in these sessions requires prior completion of our Introduction Training Day to ensure a foundational understanding of the training processes. These sessions are conducted with a professional yet enjoyable and informal approach. As a participant, you and your dog will engage in personalised training with one of our skilled trainers. It is essential to note that as ever the primary consideration during these sessions is to avoid any exhaustion for your dog, whether physical or mental. Typically, the agenda involves completing two tracking sessions, and there may be additional focus on other aspects of tracking or preparation for tests depending on your requirements. Please note that most of our training days are in the Thetford Forest area. However we are now able to offer some 1:1 days during the week and these will be based in North Essex, which may be relevant especially if you are planning to book accommodation. Please feel free to enquire if you wish to book a day at this location. To get a clearer schedule of available days please go to our events and booking page prior to booking: https://bookwhen.com/deertrackingservices If you cannot find a suitable date please contact us to see if we can arrange something for you. £149.00 |
Overnight Tracking and Follow-up Day
Candidates participating in our Overnight Tracking and Follow-up Day will experience a tailored track based on your specific requirements. The day before your scheduled training day, one or more members of our skilled team lays down a track, either blind or marked, covering a distance that varies between 500m to 1200m, or potentially more, depending on the expertise and requirements of the candidates and their dogs. Please note participation in these days requires prior completion of our Introduction Training Day and have progressed further by attending either of our Continuous Development Training Days to ensure a foundational understanding of the training processes in following up a long aged cold track. Upon arrival, you will have access to refreshments, and an informal discussion will be conducted to provide insights into the day's training agenda. Following this, you will embark on your designated track, followed by a debriefing session to analyse your performance. This program is particularly beneficial for those aiming to enhance their tracking abilities and progress towards our more advanced tests. The duration of these training days is generally shorter, given that only one track is pursued during the session. Please note that most of our training days are in the Thetford Forest area which may be relevant especially if you are planning to book accommodation. To get a clearer schedule of available days please go to our events and booking page prior to booking: https://bookwhen.com/deertrackingservices If you cannot find a suitable date please contact us to see if we can arrange something for you. £175.00 |
Group/Society intro to Deer Tracking Training Day
An introduction for your group into how to train themselves and their dogs to track wounded deer. Set outside in a wonderful forest environment, each candidate will discover the equipment required and the methods used to start training their dog. This is an ideal choice for Colleges, Organisations and larger groups. Maximum number of candidates is limited to 14 with one dog each. Please contact us for more details and availability. |
Competence Award - Bronze
This award is designed specifically for deer-stalkers who have their own dog (all breeds welcome) and wish to enhance their skill-set to demonstrate that both dog, and handler have achieved a level of competence which reflects their ability and confidence in tracking a wounded deer within an acceptable time-frame of the shot. The purpose of the award is to demonstrate that the dog to which the certificate applies is fit for purpose. Aside from obvious practical benefits, the award may be beneficial to the stalker when applying for a syndicate place, lease or deer management position. |
Competence Award - Silver
This award is to be considered a higher standard than our entry level Bronze Award (which must have been successfully completed beforehand). At Deer Tracking Services we take our training very seriously. To achieve the award, both handler and dog will need to have completed the necessary training and be able to demonstrate sound knowledge and practical skills. To maintain the integrity of our training, our assessors adhere to stringent guidelines and criteria whilst observing the candidate’s performance on the test day. With this in mind, we strongly advise that you attend a short course of training days with us, during which time we can assess your progress and give any recommendations for supplementary training if required. This award is designed specifically for deer-stalkers who have their own dog and wish to enhance their skill-set to demonstrate that both dog, and handler have achieved a high level of competence which reflects their ability and confidence in tracking a wounded deer outside the normal follow up time-frame of the shot and in an environment that would possibly replicate a real scenario. |
Prices start from £119.00 per person. Please contact us for more information or check our list of available training days on our Events & Booking page, or click on the button below to view and book.
PLEASE NOTE: If you cannot book your choice of day it maybe fully booked already, and cut off time is 7 days prior to any event. In addition to this should you have to cancel a training day we regret that booking fees cannot be refunded, but we will make sure to offer you a convenient alternative date.
PLEASE NOTE: If you cannot book your choice of day it maybe fully booked already, and cut off time is 7 days prior to any event. In addition to this should you have to cancel a training day we regret that booking fees cannot be refunded, but we will make sure to offer you a convenient alternative date.
Testimonials (Click here for more testimonials and reviews)
"We attended your excellent course on Saturday. I was impressed by the professional delivery and also by the courses - the second of which was well above what I was expecting my dog to cope with. As a tribute to the course - on Sunday morning I was out on roe and shot a nice buck. It was a clean hit but he ran a good 60yds through high cover to a tree belt. I was unable to find him. I went home and got the dog in a "nothing ventured nothing gained" frame of mind and took her to the ground. The cover is waist high and the ground "lumpy". I set her off in the general area of the shot site (the actual site I was unable to find nor any blood). She quickly picked up a trail but to my mind was going in the wrong direction. She followed the trail for 80yds into the tree belt - again away from where I thought the deer went. She refused to come to the call out of the trees and on investigation I found her sitting on a dead lung shot roe - clearly "trust your dog". On the strength of this display I have booked another day"
"I went stalking with Callie this morning, took a CWD buck at 145 using copper.
It Ran, 43 yards along the hedge, turned left and followed the wood for 30 ish yards, turned right into the wood, over a water filled ditch and disappeared from our view.
Set Callie up at the strike site and she followed it perfectly until a point we didn’t know where it went, followed a big arc round inside the wood for almost 50 yards and found it lying dead, she didn’t miss a beat."
It Ran, 43 yards along the hedge, turned left and followed the wood for 30 ish yards, turned right into the wood, over a water filled ditch and disappeared from our view.
Set Callie up at the strike site and she followed it perfectly until a point we didn’t know where it went, followed a big arc round inside the wood for almost 50 yards and found it lying dead, she didn’t miss a beat."
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