Register of competent deer stalkers - results?

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Lots of replies that have nothing to do with the original question .
But it looks like no one has had any offer of land to stalk over via this BASC scheme for BASC members.

If you were holding out for ground or access to, I think your going to be disappointed unfortunately

 

[Plitts]

If you were holding out for ground or access to, I think your going to be disappointed unfortunately

Alas I think you are correct! Fortunately I have my own places to go, but it feels like many have been duped into this register in the hope of access to land, but instead are being asked to mentor people whom are random strangers with little info or background given.

 

[willie_gunn]

Coincidentally I received an email on 29th July asking for someone on the register to help with control of muntjac in Oxfordshire.

It wasn’t something I was interested in, but hopefully an opportunity for someone in the area.

 

[dully1963]

BASC been killing british shooting since 1981

 

[Subsistence]

So it seems that it's not good for getting access to land, nor is it good for finding a mentor. Somewhat of a pointless register then.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

So it seems that it's not good for getting access to land, nor is it good for finding a mentor. Somewhat of a pointless register then.

I could have told you that from the minute it was announced

 

[trickie]

I got the impression that this was a starter for 10. BASC looking to add control (meaning income) in the future.

 

[8x57]

Amazingly it seems all competent deer stalkers are members of basc? Filling in then form without a membership number is not allowed…..

That's because it is a scheme run for the benefit of BASC members, the NGO operate a similar list of member competent stalkers for any enquiries that they receive from landowners. Neither organisation is going to maintain a list of competent stalkers who aren't actually members of their own organisations.

Also I think some are mixing up or confusing the two entirely different BASC lists that they operate, namely the "Competent Stalker Scheme" and the "Mentor" scheme.

 

[willie_gunn]

I posted above about the offer that was put out last month via the register for muntjac control in Oxfordshire.

How is that not a means of getting access to land for staking?

It seems no evidence will be sufficient for those simply wanting to moan yet again about BASC!

 

[geoshot]

I readily registered for the scheme, not really expecting much from so doing, but I was kinda hoping for at least a shred of something - also a sense of wanting to do my bit or to give something back played a part in my decision to register
However, so far I've had not a single email pertaining to realistic "deer management" or "stalking opportunities" anywhere near me
Anything/everything has been far too far away and/or otherwise restrictive - more like job opportunities than anything of interest to even a keen hobby or non-professional stalker.
I have actually had a couple emails relating to mentoring, but again, they were so specific or restrictive that the requests hardly seemed serious

In short, it seems to be yet another good idea done badly
BASC isn't alone in that though, it's all too common these days - I just wish my reservations about the scheme had proven to be unfounded
Call me disappointed but not surprised

 

[JockStalk]

Chap I stalked with the other day commented when I asked him about this.

I understand the comment to include my good self in its broader meaning.

“that’ll be an affa wee list laddie”

 

[takbok]

A year on from this post and scheme....has anyone actually been put in contact with a land owner and got any deer stalking via BASC?

I've had one email about a local stalking opportunity but not had a reply to my reponse. (I don't realistically need or have time for any more stalking though).

I've helped a couple of people by taking them out and showing them the ropes, then getting them to shoot a deer.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Not everyone is going to get an opportunity from the register and it has helped some where things match up - it is what it is. As part of the registering process, deer stalkers were asked if they would be willing to mentor a new deer stalker, and the majority said yes. Here is case study from BASC's membership magazine Shooting and Conservation on the mentoring side of things:

With a little help…

An experienced mentor can help novice stalkers progress after their DSC1 course and finding the right person is something BASC can help with.

basc.org.uk

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC been killing british shooting since 1981

BASC protects and promotes shooting, as did WAGBI before it. Perhaps time to support the fight by joining BASC:

Join

As a member of BASC you not only get all the help and support, you are also helping support our continued fight for sustainable shooting.

basc.org.uk

 

[Happy stalker]

BASC protects and promotes shooting, as did WAGBI before it. Perhaps time to support the fight by joining BASC:

Absolutely, was a member back in the WAGBI days and I am proud to say still a member

 

[shortshot]

Too date this initiative is something of a deceit. Billed as a possible opportunity to provide more access to deer management through government schemes but used by BASC to enhance mentoring opportunities for members .
Not exactly “their finest hour.”

 

[Tim.243]

BASC protects and promotes shooting, as did WAGBI before it. Perhaps time to support the fight by joining BASC:

Join

As a member of BASC you not only get all the help and support, you are also helping support our continued fight for sustainable shooting.

basc.org.uk

If you compare learning to drive with wanting to take up stalking the time difference is miles apart, most people are keen to learn to drive at a young age and these days there are more hoops to jump through with driving than ever before.
Having a person who started at a young age would be in a better position to be taken out and develop on their "learnt skills" compared to one which has not. What I don't understand is why people dismiss starting at grass roots and just want to shoot deer ? when I read those type of posts and asked them without getting a reply or "I am not interested in shooting rabbit/foxes" I just pass them by.

 

[timbrayford]

If you compare learning to drive with wanting to take up stalking the time difference is miles apart, most people are keen to learn to drive at a young age and these days there are more hoops to jump through with driving than ever before.
Having a person who started at a young age would be in a better position to be taken out and develop on their "learnt skills" compared to one which has not. What I don't understand is why people dismiss starting at grass roots and just want to shoot deer ? when I read those type of posts and asked them without getting a reply or "I am not interested in shooting rabbit/foxes" I just pass them by.

I stalked and shot my first rabbit when I was 15, 40 years later I stalked and shot my first deer!

 

[Tim.243]

I stalked and shot my first rabbit when I was 15, 40 years later I stalked and shot my first deer!

And leant to drive? Me 17
Shot my first rat at 12.

 

[8x57]

Too date this initiative is something of a deceit. Billed as a possible opportunity to provide more access to deer management through government schemes but used by BASC to enhance mentoring opportunities for members .
Not exactly “their finest hour.”

I am in full agreement with you when you said "Billed as a possible opportunity to provide more access to deer management", though I'm not so sure about the government scheme bit.
I think however you may be like so many others be linking and confusing the purpose of the two separate schemes but there again my understanding may be slightly different.

In my view the competent stalker list is simply copying the system that the NGO had put in place for its stalking members some time earlier.

I was slightly sceptical about the BASC mentoring scheme until I heard Martin Edwards explain it at a deer evening and I then took the view that it might work however it relies entirely upon the good will of experienced stalking members.
When I read the article explained in the next edition of the BASC magazine it was word for word what Martin had said the previous week, crikey that guy has memorised his script well.