UKDTR Mentoring Scheme

The mentoring scheme formalises relationships between new tracking teams and the UKDTR’s experienced handlers around the UK meaning that training and help can be delivered locally. Trainees and mentors will have contact between formal training days to better develop tracking skills. This approach will ultimately help new teams progress quicker.

The UKDTR mentoring scheme is aimed at those stalkers who wish to become a member of UKDTR and assist other stalkers by going on the call out register.

In 2022 we launched a mentoring scheme with the aim of increasing our number of trained tracking teams on our register.

Requirements

To become part of the scheme teams must:

  • Must hold an open FAC with a condition to shoot deer

  • Must be an active deer stalker

  • Preferably have a pup / young dog ready to start training

  • UKDTR are not breed specific and will accept any breed , x breed that can meet the required standards. (An older dog may be accepted in certain circumstances but this will be discussed prior to being accepted on to the scheme. )

  • If someone has a pup coming in the near future they may start the process ready for when the pup arrives

  • For those found suitable, they will be given a mentor who will guide them through training the dog and themselves on a one to one basis

  • If both parties are close by this may be in person or with phone calls about how training is going and advise with how to progress

  • Candidates will also be invited to UKDTR in house training days and where reasonable will be expected to attend these days

  • This may require traveling some distance to attend but will not be unreasonable 

This scheme is not for those who want to have a deer dog to take stalking only

  • The candidate will be need to be committed to put in the required time and effort into training

  • As a guide within 6 months a dog should be up to 3hr test standard and within 12 months the 20 hr test standard. This is a guide and some dogs may take longer

  • UKDTR will run tests in the spring and autumn and potential dog teams will be expected to attend the next available test if the mentor feels they are ready

  • Should the mentor feel that the candidate is not committed to putting in the required training time the candidate may be removed from the scheme. Prior to being removed the candidate will be passed to another mentor for there assessment. This scheme is aimed at the person who is serious about reaching the required standard to go on the call out register

  • For those stalkers who wish to reach the standard and become part of UKDTR this scheme will give you all the guidance and help required to reach that goal

  • This scheme is not for non stalkers or stalkers who are not committed to putting in the work to train there dog and themselves

  • The cost will be £150 ( non refundable ) payable on acceptance to the scheme and this will include 1 x 3 hr test and 1 x 20hr test and the Handler test. When entered on to the call out register a refund of £30 will be made. By paying for the scheme candidates agree to the conditions above.

Further information about our Volunteer Scheme

Prospective members should note that volunteering for the scheme is regarded as a recreational activity and that members should arrange their own insurance.  This can be done privately, but both BASC and BDS, NGO arrange suitable cover.

Dog Breeds

Pure bred dogs most likely to reach UKDTR standards

  • Labradors

  • Retrievers

  • All HPR breeds

  • All hounds

Other breeds and cross breeds will be accepted for testing and may track within the UKDTR volunteer scheme but UKDTR strongly advise against cross breeding and will not place advertisements for breeding or progeny from such dogs.

Our Volunteer Teams Will:

  • Be trained/tested to make sure they meet our standards

  • Maintain a confidential log of live tracks followed as part of their skills development

  • Be motivated by finding the animal to end suffering or to locate the carcass and will NOT accept money for helping to track lost animals (other than motoring costs) and will be professional and discreet at all times. Handlers failing to act in this way will be removed from the volunteer list

  • If available, operate on a call-out basis for individual wounded deer including animals injured as a result of deer vehicle collisions

  • If available, be present for organised deer movement days or team shoots

  • Only track where permission for access has been given

  • Not carry a firearm unless specifically requested to do so and only in legal circumstances

  • Not use the tracking opportunity as a means to gain stalking rights on that land

  • Arrange for their own insurance but cannot be held responsible for incidents which were not of their own making or while under direction from a third party.

The UKDTR will from time to time arrange tracking events for members aimed at skills development.