What can I shoot?
There are six different deer species in the UK that can be shot but only during their open season.
Bowland
The Bowland stalking scheme is open to all BASC members who hold their DSC1. Based on a large game shoot predominantly populated with sika and roe deer, it offers accompanied stalking with a guide. The ground is a mix of farmland and wooded areas, with some spectacular views across the River Ribble.
The scheme is open to all BASC members who hold the Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (DSC1). The scheme is designed to provide practical experience for DSC1 holders to progress on to DSC2.
What you need to know
Stalking procedures
All stalking is accompanied by a stalking guide.
The scheme offers the chance to gain more experience under expert supervision, and for those working towards DSC 2, it offers the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for assessment. An accompanied stalk may be made up of a foot stalk, high seat, or a combination of the two. The stalking fee of £100 must be pre-paid to the shoot.
All scheme participants will be briefed by the stalking guides before heading out on to the ground with a detailed safety briefing.
Before stalkers are taken out by the stalking guide, they will be required to demonstrate that their rifle is zeroed by putting three shots into a 100mm diameter circle at 100 metres. Subsequent bookings made will not require a shooting test, but participants must ensure their rifles are zeroed. Hearing protection is required for the range session.
Stalkers should ensure that their rifle is zeroed before coming on the scheme as those who cannot achieve the 100mm group will not be permitted to stalk live quarry.
Rifles and ammunition
Stalkers may use their own rifle providing that they hold a valid firearm certificate for that specific firearm which must be of .243 calibre or above. The firearm (and any moderator used) must also be “conditioned” on their firearm certificate for deerstalking.
Stalkers using their own rifle and ammunition must prepare and zero their rifle prior to arrival at the estate. Any member stalking on the estate for the first time, will automatically be required to zero their rifle on the estate’s approved range, under the supervision of the head gamekeeper/stalking guide. In addition, if the stalking guide desires, stalkers may be asked at any time, to zero their rifles on the estate’s approved range – failure to comply with such a request may result in the cancellation of the outing and no refund of fees will be due. Stalkers may be granted access to the estate’s approved shooting range however this will be dependent upon the “conditions” listed on the stalker’s firearm certificate and the availability of estate staff.
Fees
The cost will be £100 per stalk with additional fee if successful. All financial arrangements are made directly with the shoot and gamekeeper/guide. As a guide, a sika hind is £100 and a spiker starts at £150. All deer carcasses shot as a result of this scheme will remain the property of the Shoot. Carcasses may be purchased by the stalker at £2.40 per kg.
An outing is four hours. Your first outing will always start as a pm session as this allows time to be spent on the range to undertake the initial safety briefing and to check zero of your rifles.
Cancellation policy
Please note carefully before making a booking:
Full payment must be made at the time of booking. The relevant application and email confirming the booking will be sent out once payment has been received. Please note that cancellation of a booking less than two weeks before start of permit will incur a charge of 100% of the permit fee.
BASC and the shoot reserves the right to cancel any booking at any time, at which point a full refund of the outing fee will be made. BASC or the shoot will not be liable for any other costs incurred by the member in booking the outing.
Insurance
It would be prudent to consider an insurance policy to cover cancellations due to unforeseen eventualities. Members should ensure that the ‘holiday element’ is covered by separate insurance cover and should inform any potential insurer that the ‘shooting element’ is covered under BASC membership.
General conditions
A permit authorises the holder to shoot specified deer over the estate on a certain date. Stalking will be by agreement with BASC and at times convenient to the estate. The permit will only be valid for the date booked but can be rearranged if necessary due to external factors.
The permit holder will be required to:
a) Give notice as detailed within the cancellation policy.
b) Be accompanied by, and act under the direction of the stalking guide.
c) Use a moderated rifle of a calibre not less than .243 inches and soft or hollow-nosed bullets with a published muzzle energy of not less than 1,700 foot pounds.
d) Fire on request, a group of sighting shots, at a range and accuracy to the satisfaction of the supervising stalker or other authorised person.
e) Produce, for inspection on request by the stalking guide or other authorised person, a valid Firearms Certificate and proof of current membership of BASC (which gives third party insurance cover with an indemnity limit of £10,000,000 legal liability).
f) Indemnify BASC against any loss, injury or damage.
g) Note that shooting from any moving vehicle or by artificial light is prohibited.
h) Note that if a deer is wounded, stalking will stop until it has been despatched or otherwise accounted for.
i) Carcass weight and other measurements of interest will be recorded officially. The permit holder can take the carcass if desired at the agreed price of £2.40 per kg.
j) Note that while all arrangements for a satisfactory outing will be made in good faith, BASC can give no guarantees that deer will be encountered and/or shot.
k) Note that BASC reserve the right to suspend or withdraw a permit at any time and its decision in any matters arising from the granting of a permit will be final.
l) Note that BASC reserves the right to vary these conditions and charges without notice.
m) This stalking opportunity is solely for the benefit of BASC members and permits may not be bought or resold for any commercial purpose or for financial gain. BASC reserves the right to cancel or withdraw without recompense any permit which the Deer Management team believes may have breached this condition.
n) Always comply with best practice guidance.
Vehicles
The stalking area is relatively flat with good access from public roads. Vehicles are only permitted within the stalking area with prior authorisation of the stalking guides. The lease does not allow participants to use quad bikes or similar all-terrain vehicles and they should not be brought to the scheme.
Dogs
Participants who wish to bring dogs with them must seek prior permission from the stalking guide. The stalking guides will have access to a deer dog if required.
For further information please contact:
BASC North Tel: 01244 573040
Email: north@basc.org.uk
The British Association for Shooting & Conservation
Suite 36
Manor Court
Sailsbury Hall
Ribchester
PR3 3XR
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