Obviously we are a training provider, but making that clear in this opening line for avoidance of doubt. Equally there is a link to BASC.
I'd like to think I write here as a stalker, but acknowledge we often dont realise the influences upon what we say, do and think. Its for a reader to draw their own conclusion. Accept or not that my intention is to write in good faith what I feel.
Whilst it has just about avoided declining into a vitriolic bun fight, this thread as a whole makes for quite sad and tortuous reading. I've mentioned passion previously in posts and still believe that is a root of many things written, but what is appearing time after time, after time - crosses the line from passionate debate to apparent obsession - and not in a good way!
There have been a number of comments I can accept on here - pro and against; and accept them whether I agree fully or not. But outwith that there is a great tide of simply vitriol. One is left feeling its not so much about the topic ( whatever that may now be ) but deep rooted personal animosity. That may be founded in fact, personal dealings or whatever, but the ire thus created has grown to the extent that - it seems - the original cause is almost lost and the ire alone is self sustaining. Thats how it seems. 12 pages on and what has this thread resolved?
I know its an open forum and fully support the right for people to express views. But I feel this thread merely highlights how divided, and seemingly irreconcilably so, this community is. If the only answer is - as 6pointer has suggested ( not direct quote, but what I understood him to mean ) compulsory mandatory testing delivered by a government department - anything so long as BASC are out of it' then lets throw it all in now. Because if individuals are hell bent on that line, none of us will recognise 'stalking' in ten years time.
Yet the same thread throws up comments from Greymaster and Bogtrotter about the image we portray - and implicit in that the way that some people think about deer. Without wanting to sound pompous, I cannot thank them enough for the reminder that deer still mean something and we have a privilege and duty to uphold.
BASC cop for a lot because a. they are here, b. you can never please everyone and c. they have well and truly dropped clangers. So has most everyone else.
Its for them to speak, but seems to me that they are here in acknowledgement that SD can provide a useful reflection on the feelings of the stalking community. Got an issue? - then rather than a slanging match put forward cogent, constructive ideas and lets all move forward.