BASC announced as official partner of The Stalking Show

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC has agreed a new partnership with The Stalking Show, a key national event for deer management, gamekeeping and the stalking community.

The three-year agreement builds on BASC’s long support for The Stalking Show and confirms the association as its official partner. The move underlines a shared aim to promote responsible deer management across the UK.

BASC will work closely with the organisers to deliver a series of educational and engagement initiatives, including live demonstrations and seminars. These will feature interactive displays highlighting best practice in deer management, habitat conservation and firearm safety.

More details here:

BASC joins forces with The Stalking Show as official partner

BASC has agreed a new three-year partnership with The Stalking Show, being held at Staffordshire County Showground on 11-12 April 2026.

basc.org.uk

 

[8x57]

Smart move by BASC latching on to a winning formula.

A bit of a shame that it wasn't a joint partnership with the NGO and the BDS also.

 

[Mickeydredd]

A bit of a shame that it wasn't a joint partnership with the NGO and the BDS also.

BASC most be a more pro-active organisation.

 

[Whitefront]

BASC most be a more pro-active organisation.

Indeed. And BASC was there at there at the very first Stalking Show, helping to promote it.

 

[danielsonson]

I have noticed increased energy around rifle as opposed to smooth bore in my region. Hopefully might bleed into gamefair also.

 

[ashray]

that will be the death of the stalking show then.

 

[20-250]

@ashray that's the best post I've seen for ages.

 

[purdeydog]

Disappointed with this news. Would much rather a more rooted organisation had a partnership with the show. BASC have there own agenda and self interests.

 

[Bowland blades]

A backward step for this great show IMHO

 

[cookingfat]

BASC has agreed a new partnership with The Stalking Show, a key national event for deer management, gamekeeping and the stalking community.

The three-year agreement builds on BASC’s long support for The Stalking Show and confirms the association as its official partner. The move underlines a shared aim to promote responsible deer management across the UK.

BASC will work closely with the organisers to deliver a series of educational and engagement initiatives, including live demonstrations and seminars. These will feature interactive displays highlighting best practice in deer management, habitat conservation and firearm safety.

More details here:

BASC joins forces with The Stalking Show as official partner

BASC has agreed a new three-year partnership with The Stalking Show, being held at Staffordshire County Showground on 11-12 April 2026.

basc.org.uk

I would imagine its got more to do with money than anything else!

NGO and BDS dont have the cash to slash around like the BASC and would have to justify it to there members.

 

[VSS]

BDS was official partner last year, and I'm disappointed that that partnership hasn't continued, for whatever reason. I think they had a good presence there last year, and as the only specifically deer related organisation it makes sense for them to be heavily involved.
I'm a BASC member too, but I don’t consider the Stalking Show to be prime BASC habitat.

 

[Nimrod1960]

BASC going to have to tread carefully on this one.
The BDS put in a big effort last year. Whilst not a professional fund raising machine like BASC (who need to be to support their overheads / lifestyle) the BDS are a worthy outfit who I hope have not been edged out.
If the show becomes BASC-ised it could really spoil it.

I hope they get the fact that the audience is a largely deer educated one and their stand/show offering doesn’t patronise.
Of course they will judge the success of their financial input by the new memberships gained.

Conor if you read this, please feed back that your input needs to be deer focussed and offer something that adds value, is not seen as an overt recruitment exercise.
The usual display of blown breach guns, photos of young shots days and air rifle safety leaflets wont cut it. I shall watch with interest, my membership may hinge on it.

this is not a pre curser to the hot tubs and candy floss and the show can keep itself niche and focussed. If it gets too big and too broad it will kill itself. But pushing for greater financial gain will be a tough thing to resist by the those who run/own the show.

Perhaps some input and reassurance from the show on this forum would be appreciated.

 

[Bowland blades]

BASC most be a more pro-active organisation.

When it comes to looking after themselves and their interests

 

[Mickeydredd]

I know I forgot the winking/smiling emojis, but does nobody have a sense of humour on here….?

 

[Miki]

BASC has agreed a new partnership with The Stalking Show, a key national event for deer management, gamekeeping and the stalking community.

The three-year agreement builds on BASC’s long support for The Stalking Show and confirms the association as its official partner.<snip>

How much are BASC paying for that privilege @Conor ?

 

[8x57]

BDS was official partner last year, and I'm disappointed that that partnership hasn't continued, for whatever reason. I think they had a good presence there last year, and as the only specifically deer related organisation it makes sense for them to be heavily involved.
I'm a BASC member too, but I don’t consider the Stalking Show to be prime BASC habitat.

Broadly in agreement with what you say, but have to disagree with regard to it not being prime BASC habitat.
My experience is that BASC is heavily involved with actual stalking and promoting stalking, possibly even more so than the BDS. Though the two often work in collaboration and have organised joint events where it has been hard to differentiate between the two.

I agree absolutely with what Nimrod wrote in his post.

"I hope they get the fact that the audience is a largely deer educated one and their stand/show offering doesn’t patronise.

Conor if you read this, please feed back that your input needs to be deer focussed and offer something that adds value, is not seen as an overt recruitment exercise.
The usual display of blown breach guns, photos of young shots days and air rifle safety leaflets wont cut it. "

 

[cookingfat]

BDS was official partner last year, and I'm disappointed that that partnership hasn't continued, for whatever reason. I think they had a good presence there last year, and as the only specifically deer related organisation it makes sense for them to be heavily involved.
I'm a BASC member too, but I don’t consider the Stalking Show to be prime BASC habitat.

yes agreed with this comment,

I am a member of all three organisations so no axe to grind supporting any but agree BDS would be a better partner again this year as they are a charity for the good of deer.

Its a pity BASC don't throw some of there money at helping deer welfare issues instead of wonting to be the top dog at the deer table.

@Conor O'Gorman if your reading this perhaps you could explain why BASC are so keen to be top dog in the deer world at this the best stalking show in the UK?

Best Tony

 

[timbrayford]

Broadly in agreement with what you say, but have to disagree with regard to it not being prime BASC habitat.
My experience is that BASC is heavily involved with actual stalking and promoting stalking, possibly even more so than the BDS. Though the two often work in collaboration and have organised joint events where it has been hard to differentiate between the two.

I agree absolutely with what Nimrod wrote in his post.

"I hope they get the fact that the audience is a largely deer educated one and their stand/show offering doesn’t patronise.

Conor if you read this, please feed back that your input needs to be deer focussed and offer something that adds value, is not seen as an overt recruitment exercise.
The usual display of blown breach guns, photos of young shots days and air rifle safety leaflets wont cut it. "

BDS is quite rightly orientated towards broader deer management and welfare, not just stalking.

 

[VSS]

BDS is quite rightly orientated towards broader deer management and welfare, not just stalking.

As is the Stalking Show I think, despite its name, and long may that continue.

 

[NickJ]

As I understand it the BDS will be, in 2026 the Stalking Show's Official Charity partner again and have the same (slightly tweaked and increased) presence at the show.

BASC is not a charity so it's a different partnership status.