Is BASC membership worth it?

[gixer1]

I was a member for a number of years and changed to SGA and have to say, so far they have been friendly, informative and easy to renew with…I have not needed their services yet however i was involved when someone needed BASC and they were most certainly no help in that situation.

Specifically Colin Sheddon at the time. And for that reason BASC lost my support.

It’s a shame we even need to be part of org’s and I certainly don’t feel if you are not you should have no say - field sports are not just for the people in org’s.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[bottletopbill]

If we do not unite we will loose the fight.

 

[MarkD123]

I was a member for a number of years and changed to SGA

Help me out here (for when it’s time for my BASC renewal), SGA?

 

[Trufflehunting]

I know it won't be a popular opinion on here, but fieldsports are facing more challenges than ever before, so I think we all have a responsibility to belong to at least one of the campaigning organisations.

I have also found the BASC legal helpline very helpful in the past, mainly because it is easier to get an answer from them than from my local police firearms department.

Hilux discount comes in handy as well.

I think it would be more responsible for All the organisations to join into one thus being more economic
All the duplication is a thorough waste of effort and money

 

[gixer1]

Help me out here (for when it’s time for my BASC renewal), SGA?

Scottish gamekeepers association. (I believe they do cover in other parts of the U.K. though.

 

[stevec]

I think it would be more responsible for All the organisations to join into one thus being more economic
All the duplication is a thorough waste of effort and money

I couldn't agree more. It is an easy case of divide and conquer for our opponents. It often seems we are too busy fighting each other to put together a strong argument.

I am a member of the BDS, BASC, Countryside Alliance and GWCT. This combined probably costs me more than my shooting each year, but I see it as an investment for the future and think I have a moral responsibility to be in at least one organisation (not sure which one though!)

Problem is how diverse our interests are. I know plenty of stalking and hunting people who don't like reared pheasant shooting and visa versa.

It would be interesting to know if there are as many organisations in other countries. I understand there is a lot of pressure for a ban on hunting with hounds and restrictions on shooting in France at the moment. Are their associations more united?

 

[sikamalc]

I think on the continent their hunting culture is in many cases different to ours. Normally its through the club president or local mayor. They seem to hold more sway than local councils at times. In Finland most of the Moose syndicates are run by a president of the club, who certainly seems to have more respect and standing with the locals.
Certainly in Belgium St Hubertus is much looked up too. Whether it carries much weight with the local or central government, I am not sure.
I assume France is much the same, with the local Mayor being the main contact, but stand to be corrected. I am sure Pine Marten (Lawrence) will let us know. And Bavarian Brit for Germany.

 

[Trufflehunting]

I couldn't agree more. It is an easy case of divide and conquer for our opponents. It often seems we are too busy fighting each other to put together a strong argument.

I am a member of the BDS, BASC, Countryside Alliance and GWCT. This combined probably costs me more than my shooting each year, but I see it as an investment for the future and think I have a moral responsibility to be in at least one organisation (not sure which one though!)

Problem is how diverse our interests are. I know plenty of stalking and hunting people who don't like reared pheasant shooting and visa versa.

It would be interesting to know if there are as many organisations in other countries. I understand there is a lot of pressure for a ban on hunting with hounds and restrictions on shooting in France at the moment. Are their associations more united?

I understand Golfers and surfers are part of the same organisation protecting hunting in france
Just for one minute consider what it would take for those groups in the UK to be linked with Hunting !!!!!

 

[Whitefront]

I believe that in many (most?) European countries it is a legal requirement to have hunting insurance. In France, a friend who lives there tells me, you not only need insurance, but also a hunting permit, revalidated each year, as well as a medical sign off each year. This is in addition to passing your hunting exam in the first place. I think he told me it costs him about 200 euros a year before he even pulls a trigger.

 

[sikamalc]

Belgium is a 10 year hunting licence. Holland the exam and test costs about 2000e, and Germany its a 9 month test I believe with a considerable fee involved.
In all of the EU countries I have hunted in you need public liability insurance once you have a firearm. If visiting from the UK, they require proof of Level 1. Whether European countries have their insurance through an organisation such as BASC, NGO or SACS, I dont really know. However to own a sporting weapon and use it is this country, you are not required by law to be insured. Which I have always maintained is something that astounds me why the UK government have not insisted on this before issuing a SGC or FAC.

If you are a commercial stalker running a business, none of the organisations cover you adequately for commercial stalking, and therefore one has to look to the commercial insurance sector. That's why I insure with Clivertons. This covers all my guides, and clients. Plus my vehicle is also insured to carry paying passengers for my business.

 

[timbrayford]

In all fairness not everyone can afford to belong to several organisations. I am sure there are a number of people on here who have young families and mortgages, and a further £60 or £80 is a lot to them.
Its an individual choice which organisation someone belongs too. They all offer insurance of some sort, and not everyone is in line to fork out 30k plus for a new 4x4, so this may also be irrelevant. The vast majority I think would appreciate an organisation that fights tooth and nail for us. I have yet to see one myself.

The ball is in your court as they say, what do you propose to call your new organisation?

 

[sikamalc]

I will let someone else come up with that one.
I have enough to do running my business and at my time in life I can do without any more problems. I'm all for a quiet life, if possible.

 

[Mike L]

I'm all for a quiet life, if possible.

If you find it let me know where, I am looking too!!

 

[JTO]

On major issues would it not be better for the organisations to join force and fight for us. lead ban ten year licence and health checks..

But that would mean a lot of redundancies. These organizations all have people looking after their own salaries.

 

[MarkD123]

But that would mean a lot of redundancies. These organizations all have people looking after their own salaries.

A bit like Government and the various political parties.
All self serving with it dressed up as hollow promises for the ‘average joe’.

 

[baguio]

But that would mean a lot of redundancies. These organizations all have people looking after their own salaries.

Is that statement based on knowledge or simply bad mouthing people from behind a screen?

 

[JTO]

A bit like Government and the various political parties.
All self serving with it dressed up as hollow promises for the ‘average joe’.

And trade unions.
it used to be said: "If you want to get ahead, get a hat"

 

[JTO]

Is that statement based on knowledge or simply bad mouthing people from behind a screen?

One of the rules of management; Protect your own position.

 

[baguio]

One of the rules of management; Protect your own position.

And all the employees of the organisation are managers now are they?

 

[JTO]

And all the employees of the organisation are managers now are they?

At some level, yes!