BASC Isle of Arran Questions

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Django

Django

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I am heading to Isle of Arran for Hinds week 2 in November, and have a few (varied) questions if anyone with previous experience can help?

- how much ammo do people normally take with them? I know this is obviously dependent on how much you shoot, but as a general rule what is sensible to take onto the island?

- do people carry their lunch / tea, coffee out with them on their beat, or is it easy enough to head back to parked vehicles / somewhere for lunch?

- any hints and tips to make the week successful / enjoyable ?

Thanks
 
20 rounds will almost certainly be more than enough even with the shooting test. But take 40 in case you fail the test for say a scope issue and expend rounds sorting this out. Make sure it is factory copper not home loads as this will be checked.

Get out early and stay out till late so take something to eat and drink, you will also have to carry a bit of mandatory safety kit they will give you.

Enjoy!
 
As above, 20 should be more that sufficient; you will need a minimal of 6 for the shooting test (grouping of 3, 2 off sticks and one for the 200m gong) and I tend to stalk with a magazine of 5 with a spare loaded mag in a pocket. I have had a mare once and had to repeat the shooting test so a spare box of factory ammo for the shooting test is a sensible arrangement. People have found scope knocked, etc.

There is no point charging around your beat as you just push animals out into other beats. However, getting in and out of your beats takes time and can add to the disturbance so I always take what I need for lunch in the car with a selection of snacks, energy bars/drinks in my pack. On some beats where you need to stalk into a far area, I use a Vorn, in others, I can get all I need to take (inc emergency kit, clothing, etc) into a small pack. I always take too much! Some beats are better than others for getting back to the car, on others you can be out for most of the day.

Advice is to get out to where you intend to stalk/observe just before shootable light (you can be too early and I have watched animals drift back into the woods before there was enough light to shoot) and to stay out until it’s no longer safe to shoot - I have taken frequently at last light as animals emerge from the woods but you need to be in the right place at the right time. You effectively only have 8 morning/afternoon slots over the week (stand-fast Week 1 and 5 stags this year) so I make the most of being out on the beat and spend a lot of time watching areas, working out where best to be at first/last light.

Most newbies make the mistake of charging around the whole beat blighting it with their scent. Listen to Bob, think carefully about the wind and use the terrain to get into areas which are hidden from easy view of the access roads. Stalk steadily and carefully and you should get results - it’s a great opportunity and experience.
 
Bob, a fount of knowledge, I remember one year my allotted partner had to leave for the mainland in a hurry, I went out with Bob the next morning & on packing up for the am, walking with the sun directly behind us, we got within patting distance of a Stag quietly browsing the edge of a track.
 
Thank you all for the brilliant answers!

I am planning to make the most of it so will try and carry lunch with me and save the worry of having to head back etc… and be out as long as possible, but going steady and not charging around
 
Django said:
Haven’t found out yet. Are there any maps of the beats available that I can have a look at before heading up there?
Click to expand...
You should know - all of the beats were announced some time ago! Check your spam folder for 22nd August for an email from James at the BASC. That email will have the new beats maps attached.
 
wytonpjs said:
You should know - all of the beats were announced some time ago! Check your spam folder for 22nd August for an email from James at the BASC. That email will have the new beats maps attached.
Click to expand...
I have just checked and can’t see it in my junk. Strange. Ive had other emails since, payment etc… I will drop him an email tomorrow and ask
 
jb7x57 said:
When I went the shooting test was 3 shots in a target has that changed now
Click to expand...
Yes, as per my post #7 above: 3 from any position (due to COVID you no longer sit in the hut) into a 4” circle at 100m (most do prone off bipod), 2 off sticks at 100m into the standard DSC1 target chest area followed by ringing a gong at 200m if you want to shoot at that distance during the week.
 
wytonpjs said:
Yes, as per my post #7 above: 3 from any position (due to COVID you no longer sit in the hut) into a 4” circle at 100m (most do prone off bipod), 2 off sticks at 100m into the standard DSC1 target chest area followed by ringing a gong at 200m if you want to shoot at that distance during the week.
Click to expand...

BASC ask you to shoot a steel gong with copper bullets... :cuckoo:
 
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