I must state a former vested interest in the BDS. I was a member of the Management C'ttee in the late 80s until the charity was incorporated and then a Trustee/Director until 2004. I remain a Life Member. The Society is an animal welfare CHARITY with 3 (briefly summarised) aims; Research, (Public) Education and Training. The welfare bit allows them to look at the venison market as a better price for venison tends to higher welfare standards (of shooting, game handling and presentation, and stalker welfare). As a charity they are not allowed to give members a benefit but can promote discounts from commercial sponsors, trade members and to sell insurance. Publication "Deer" an essentially quarterly journal which is an interesting mixture of science, advice and news. The King retained his patronage of the Society expressly upon his accession; he has been a consistent quiet supporter, and actor, for the welfare of deer.
I have been a Life Member of WAGBI/BASC since about 1969 and have not resigned it on the principle it is better to be on the inside of the tent p***ing out than to be ......... I have found them at times commercially acquisitive over Training and do not believe that they always serve their members' interests to the best of their ability. They are strong on firearms help to members and insurance. When I was a BDS Branch Chairman in the 1990s I was told I had more expertise on my Branch Committee than BASC's Deer Committee enjoyed between them. Publication "Shooting and Conservation" similar to "Deer but with very little science and much more advertising.
In similar vein I have been a long term supporter of the GWCT since the late 1970s; they make the research bullets for others to fire in a great many areas. From mountain and moorland management, through the woodlands and lowlands and to the streams and rivers through our countryside. Again they are a Charity but their science is generally unimpeachable being rigorously protocoled, carefully conducted, carefully written, and usually peer reviewed unlike some of the "conservation lobby" organisations. Publicaton(s) - Annual Review plus numerous scientific papers.
I am a member of the NGO which I joined when it was first formed, again partially for the insurance. They were formed in part because of problems with the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust when it was largely administered by BASC. Again they are strong on insurance, firearms advice (including foreign travel and law), and in disseminating information on diseases, on how to deal with the public and "antis", and the law on trapping/snaring and General Licences. Publication "Keeping the Balance" which is strong on applied science and advice.
I am a Countryside Alliance member of recent standing only ( a few years) and do regard their publications well. They are a membership organisation with political lobbying as one of their main
raison d'être; they take this seriously, and unlike BASC, acknowledge the role of other organisations in making the bullets they fire.
The OP is a long term member of SD and must have read much about the different organisations over the years; I do not know if you were ever a deer hunter with hounds
@tarponhead, I know that was an issue that caused many organisations grief, including the BDS. It also highlighted the hypocrisy of the LACS on deer welfare.
If I could only afford membership of one organisation it would remain as BDS for my stalking interests.
