What do shooting orgs do for members? Do they represent value for money?

[HallyButt]

There is a constant stream of comment around how shooting orgs don’t act in the best interests of members, that they just pander to government and are just self serving, self interested ‘jobs for the chaps’ and a perennial stream of ‘jollies’ at members expense with contempt for those who they allude to protecting amongst an ass covering culture with no accountability.

I see how this has come about, failure to stand up for shooting, failure to represent an alternative angle to the use of lead despite promising otherwise, failure to deliver a combined front despite spending huge amounts of members money on ‘aim to sustain’ or similar along with various ‘investments’ (handouts) to their mates for numerous hobby businesses that have failed. Along with highlighting problems but failing to make any attempt to solve them

Despite this, we should try to acknowledge how they enrich and ease the sporting interests of members, so this thread is a place where achievements can be recognised by members (not the orgs themselves)

I look forward to hearing of positive experiences people have benefitted from and whether they represent value for money now that their much lauded insurance is available for free elsewhere.

 

[Mike L]

waiting on the BASC bashers.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Can I start by saying that there isn’t a constant stream of comment saying any of the things you’ve listed .

There are a hand full of site members who don’t like one or the other organisations but the majority support or are indifferent

Just saying

 

[HallyButt]

waiting on the BASC bashers.

Loads of those threads, this is to illustrate the good and value all shootings orgs deliver to the shooting community…

 

[gixer1]

I do not feel I get much for the money - I stay a member for the insurance (which would likely also be a complete ball ache if I ever needed to actually use it!)

Someone very close to me needed help from BASC about 12 years ago (3 of my family members were all members), I attended the calls/meetings and their dismissive unhelpful manner ensured I will never be a member, their more recent antics relating to lead have just cemented that view point.

I am an SGA member and I have contacted them about getting representation for themselves on here (by far the largest forum platform for shooting in the U.K.) and they seem to have no interest - that unfortunately speaks volumes about how interested they likely are in the membership, which is a shame as I believe the SGA do a lot of good and when I read their press releases and information they seem to have a lot of good points.

I am a member of the STS - although that’s more just for the target shooting side - again, I see the generic publications but have yet to see anything other than that.

I try to fill in all the consultations and opinion polls and have contacted my MP on a few occasions so feel I do put in effort and don’t just sit back and let everyone else take the task on before the usual comments of “have you ever bothered doing anything”….


I have never seen a fieldsports demonstration nearby so have not attended any - they are always in London it seems and the SNP up here and the morons that follow them are no friend to shooting so I doubt to see much up here.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[opticron1]

I have a membership with the GWCT and receive a daily News flash from them which is quite useful, I know they're not a purely shooting organisation, but have a greater emphasis on Conservation and science/research based work. Still a member of BASC for good or bad, sometimes have decent offers and some interesting information - I would always suggest to folk that if they don't like an organisation or the way it/they are run to put themselves forward for a committee position and see how things are and if they can change it from the inside.

 

[finnbear270]

Changing from the inside, I know a friend of mine tried it, got nowhere with it.

 

[Camdig]

Am a member of SGA and SACS, the SGA certainly has tried to stop hunting bans and lobbied the Scottish government on the use of working dogs, traps and snares having worked in the industry I will always support them.
I am a member of SACS through a Syndicate pheasant shoot, their communication with members isn't a patch on the SGA but their insurance is slightly cheaper.
IMO if the organisations don't offer insurance and a quarterly news letter on the up to date happenings and how to fight it not submit to it then they need to reflect on their purpose.
Can't comment on the others.

 

[Pedro]

I think mostly it's insurance, a sticker or two, maybe a lanyard with their moniker on it or something and that's it as far a individual members go. I can't comment on the effectiveness of the insurance though, thankfully not having had to use it. Maybe a list of things such as cars where you can get a discount if you buy new too.

Many criticise BASC for their actions and it has to be said that in recent years, they have taken lines that many of their members don't agree with. But in more recent times they do seem to be endeavouring to have a voice heard for good. However I think you have to be realistic about the influence of any organisation that represents a very small percentage of the whole population to government. And they have to pick their battles. Especially with the current government who are hell bent on implementing policies despite what anyone thinks. In comparison, the percentage of pensioners in society far outweighs shooters, maybe to the extent that pensioners would have a significant effect on the outcomes of elections. Yet the government have no compunction about not supporting them, because they are not "workers".

 

[finnbear270]

"Workers", read train drivers?

 

[sillbeam]

BASC quarterly magazine's crossword is very annoying as it's not shooting related !
I've been a member for around 40 years through habit I suppose.
Their spineless attitude towards the lead ban makes me wonder if I should try elsewhere because it's mainly the insurance I'm after.

 

[gixer1]

I just wish the organisations would align and not compete - it really does seem more like a business than an org for good.

 

[T.eddie]

Things like this

C

Thread 'BASC Fighting Fund helps member win appeal against Kent Police'

May 22, 2024

A BASC member has won an appeal against the revocation of his firearm and shotgun certificates by Kent Police thanks to support from BASC’s Fighting Fund.

The judgment marks a further success for BASC's Fighting Fund, which in March 2024 helped a BASC member win an appeal against the revocation of his certificate by Cheshire Constabulary.

Click the link below for more information on the Kent case

BASC Fighting Fund helps member win costs against Kent Police

A BASC member has won costs against Kent Police, thanks to financial support from BASC's Fighting Fund.

basc.org.uk

• Conor O'Gorman
• Replies: 55
• Forum: Legal Issues

• 
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[timbrayford]

waiting on the BASC bashers.

Just to oblige you, John Swift, Mark Avery, Wild Justice, anti lead shot campaign, BASC honorary life member!

 

[timbrayford]

Actually I joined the NGO to get a discount on the WB course, you get comprehensive shooting insurance, membership fees are competitive and refreshingly you don't have an arrogant bunch of middle class do gooders at the top of the organisation dictating to the membership what their opinion is!

 

[Mike L]

Like moths to a flame

 

[finnbear270]

Come back Stanley, a fine example of organisations willing to amalgamate for the betterment of all.
By 1950, WAGBI had grown into five affiliated organisations; Southport & District Wildfowlers’ Association (1887), Blakeney and District Wildfowlers’ Association (1927), Morecambe Bay Wildfowlers’ Association (1929), Frodsham and District Wildfowlers’ Club (1938) and the Tay Valley Wildfowlers’ Association (1949).

 

[artschool]

i am not bothered about the lead ban because i think it’s a very hard argument to win but i do think that giving in to a massive increase in FAC fees without any benefits is ridiculous as we all know the system could be easily improved/streamlined.

 

[jall55]

During Covid - when we were not even BASC members - BASC were simply superb
They came out - helped with risk assessments - have put on trial steel day with us - have attended our fund raisers and thank you end of season beaters suppers - One of the local chaps is even coming beating next week

They awarded our keeper a long service award which put a smile on his face after a year of absolute personal hell for him

Many have issues with BASC with the lead issue which i understand - but many that bash did not stand up to be counted during the consultations and sadly probably never will !

 

[timbrayford]

i am not bothered about the lead ban because i think it’s a very hard argument to win but i do think that giving in to a massive increase in FAC fees without any benefits is ridiculous as we all know the system could be easily improved/streamlined.

Why would the public sector take any notice of any representative organisation that when instructed to jump it meekly asks how high?