Regarding the BASC days,
Oldest boy was keen a mustard to go to one in North Ayrshire, we very seldom get the opportunity to attend something as local as this (as stated & I agree with russuian sniper and pilgrim mich) as most of the days/courses aren't West Coast based and involve a fair bit of travelling to attend.
Anyway, the estate and the wildfowling club were putting on the Young Shots Day to include Airgun training, decoying, gun dog demo's etc and it all looked good. My son (9) even started reading up on bits and bobs in anticipation and my long suffering wife bought him a new smock/trousers set so he was chuffed to bits.
Fast forward a week before the much anticipated day and it's cancelled due to only 3 young shot applicants.??
Big let down and wee man was gutted.
I was amazed at the lack of support considering the catchment area local to the estate (Renfrewshire, North/South Ayrshire) and the relatively active shooting community.
It was 20 quid which I felt was a worthwhile investment for the next generation but maybe some folk felt this was too much, I'm not sure?
Bearing in mind the organisers were willing to give up their free time to pass on training & educate the shooters of the future it seemed a fair deal to me.
BASC refunded and sent through a free Clay coaching lesson to be used at any Game Fairs they will be at which cheered him up a bit but I'm not sure what the answer is to improve attendance or how to get more young ones on these types of days.
Maybe better exposure of events outwith the BASC magazine & in other shooting publications would help draw attendance? Lower the costs? Higher frequency of emails and updates from country specific HQ's????
Who knows, difficult to call. It seems like a great opportunity missed to introduce potential new comers or further develop the youngsters skills in field craft & now wonder if these types of days will still be considered again by the estate/clubs involved in the future?
No info = No support = No Days?
Rb