Gralloching and Inspection Masterclass

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A few more words about the Gralloching & Inspection
Masterclass

Leading on perfectly from the PDS1 or DSC1 Certificate, this Masterclass in the Gralloching & Inspection of deer is beyond useful.
It is an essential resource targeted directly at deer stalkers that wish to handle their own shot carcasses and take their knowledge to the next level.
It is also an affordable easy to follow guide to inspecting a carcass for those candidates wishing to take their PDS2 or DSC2.

This clearly delivered course, takes you step by step through the process of Gralloching & Inspecting a deer carcass in order to deem it fit and suitable for the human food chain.

The process of Gralloching which effectively means ‘gutting’ or ‘disemboweling’ can at first appear complex, we shine a light on the process and demonstrate the best, most simple way to go about it. Identifying disease, locating and examining lymph nodes, can also be daunting. In the following course, we show you exactly what you should be looking for, where to locate each lymph node, what they should look like and what to do if you suspect a notifiable disease.
Many recreational stalkers are familiar with the challenges involved in hunting and ‘grassing’ a deer but stop there and are oblivious to the steps that are taken by the stalker to prepare and verify the animal’s suitability for the table. During a series of short, easy to follow classes, we provide you with a masterclass that you can refer to again and again.

The Course includes:
 - The Shot
 - Follow Up
 - Pre- Inspection
 - External Examination
 - Gralloching
 - Internal Examination
 - Inspection of the Lymph Nodes

What’s more, you have the added confidence that the instruction that you receive is from the very best. This Gralloching & Inspection Masterclass has been produced by County Deer Stalking, a long- established provider of Deer Stalking training. The Masterclass is presented by trained hunter and industry professional Ben Heath of the Deer Box, who supply hundreds of deer each year to the UK market, as well as a string of Michelin Star Restaurants.
 Meet the Instructor

Whether you are a PDS1 or DSC1 candidate and want to take the next step in processing what you have shot, or if you wish to learn how to locate and inspect a shot carcass before taking the PDS2 or DSC2 this is the perfect training for you.

Course contents

Meet the instructor

Ben Heath

Ben Heath has been involved in country pursuits since the age of 7 when he first started going fishing and beating on pheasant shoots with his father. His first experiences deer stalking was at the age of 16 and the flame for this pursuit has never blown out. Bens passion for the outdoors led him to direct his education in the agricultural sector and he Graduated from the Royal Agricultural College with a BSc Hons (first class) in Agriculture and Land Management.

Shortly after receiving his degree, a business opportunity took him away from the agricultural sector but Ben’s passion for deer stalking continued albeit on a recreational level.

“I have always had a love for food and remember harvesting my first Roe Doe, it was a fantastic stalk really challenging and I managed to close the distance to 15 yards before taking the shot. I was so chuffed and wanted to reap the benefits of the hunt, so bought the carcass off the stalking guide and took it home with me. I had never butchered a deer before... I found my way around the carcass and did an OK job, but the satisfaction was immense, especially in the months to come when we ate the harvest. There was something extremely satisfying rewarding about the whole experience”

In recent years, Ben's passion has gone considerably further and has taken him from recreational to professional stalker, harvesting deer over 15,000 acres. His passion for butchery also didn’t dwindle. Having to drive 30 mins to the game dealer, Ben often found that in the time to drive there and back, he could butcher the deer and so he learnt more about food safety and registered as a food business, butchering his deer and selling them locally. This started the next learning phase and when the opportunity arose to work more in the venison industry Ben seized it.

Working alongside Mike Robinson, Ben took over the venison operations for ‘Robinson Wild Foods’ and in conjunction with Mike set up DeerBox.co.uk which opened its online doors on August 1st 2020. In the short time ‘DeerBox’ has been trading, not only has it increased its market share supplying top quality restaurants; but it has quickly established itself as one of the leading and most specialised online venison retailers, supplying customers nationwide.


Have a question to Ben? Or maybe would like to order some of the best Venison? Don't hesitate to contact DeerBox!

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Ben's passion for food, coupled with being fortunate enough to learn from the top chefs that he supplies, further drives him. His mission is to increase customer awareness of game, especially venison and inspire his customers, so that they will be encouraged to eat game more regularly, incorporating it into their weekly meal planning. Increasing food standards in the stalking industry is also a passion for Ben as is improving stalkers understanding of lead free ammunition, carcass handling and lardering.

We have an amazing opportunity here in the UK, as game meat is so underutilised...it is super healthy and flavoursome, without being too rich. The environmental benefits from eating this sustainable protein is unmatched by any other protein. We are on the verge of something REALLY BIG...with the potential for game meat to become not only accessible but enjoyed by the masses…watch this space…” 

Ben is a true “field to plate” professional, who appreciates not just the pursuit and harvest, but the importance of delivering this high-quality product into the food chain.

Course reviews

Exactly what I have been looking for! An affordable, easy to follow guide to inspecting a carcass before I take my DSC2
P. Green
Having just completed my PDS1 this was absolutely spot on and just what I needed to understand the next step involved in dealing with my shot deer.
N. Jones
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