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Something for everyone at National Shooting Show
Sunshine, smiles and a weekend full of shooting and conservation – BASC shines at the National Shooting Show in Harrogate.
Clear blue skies and warm spring sunshine welcomed visitors to the National Shooting Show on 10–11 May at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate.
BASC was present across the show, providing information, demonstrations and activities for visitors with an interest in shooting and conservation.
Members received complimentary admission on both days. Staff and volunteers were on hand to answer questions, run demonstrations and support a range of displays covering different aspects of country sports and land management.
On stand and in the field at the National Shooting Show
The main BASC stand, located in the covered halls, showcased membership services, expert firearms advice and the ever-popular GAIM virtual reality shooting simulator. Both members and non-members explored a wide array of specialist displays at the BASC village.
Highlights included:
- Complimentary tea, coffee and water for members
- Deer head measurement services
- Informative displays on deer management, wildfowling and game shooting
- Free health checks from the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust
- Live demonstrations on carcass extraction and examination
Engaging the next generation
The Kids’ Conservation Area proved a major draw for families, with youngsters getting hands-on with activities like bird box building and even pigeon plucking – all under the careful supervision of BASC staff and volunteers. The sessions offered an educational yet fun introduction to conservation for children.
Tastes of the wild
The BASC Hunter’s Kitchen featured top chefs including Lionel Strub, Nick Lister and Simon Whitehead who wowed audiences with game cooking demonstrations. From sausage making to full game preparation, the demonstrations offered visitors a chance to watch expert techniques in action and sample a range of delicious wild dishes.
Just opposite, Game and Flames kept the aromas flowing with sizzling venison kebabs and a variety of game-based snacks, reinforcing the message of sustainable wild food.
Instruction and engagement
The BASC Clay Line attracted people of all ages queuing for introductory shotgun lessons. For many, it was their first experience with a shotgun – and hopefully the first step on a longer journey into the world of country sports.
BASC’s head of training and education Peter Marshall said: “The shotgun coaching line proved to be a standout success at this year’s National Shooting Show, delivering an exceptional weekend of instruction and engagement.
“Across Saturday and Sunday, our team provided 111 full lessons and 48 shooting experiences.”
BASC members got complimentary entry to the National Shooting Show, and also receive admission to all three days of The Game Fair at Ragley Hall, 25-27 July. If you’re not already a member, join here today.
The National Shooting Show in pictures
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Mike Montgomery
Mike Montgomery has been a journalist for more than 40 years, the last 15 with BASC where he is a communications executive and deputy editor of Shooting and Conservation magazine. He enjoys deer stalking and beating.
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