BASC Scotland

17/10/2026

🦌 Deer management & venison in spotlight at SNP Conference

BASC held an event at SNP Conference in Aberdeen, joined by ADMG and Scottish Venison to discuss the importance of deer management by our members.

Jim Fairlie SNP sponsored the event, where we discussed the important work of deer managers, venison, infrastructure, Scottish Government incentive schemes and the work BASC will be doing to encourage the next generation of deer managers.

The three organisations worked extensively during the passage of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, and continue to do so on work around the upcoming national deer and venison plans.

Conference attendees were able to sample some fantastic wild venison, which reinforced the message about Scottish, local and wild.

Thank you to the Minister for attending and for speaking up for Scottish venison.

15/10/2026

🦌 Talking Stalking Evening in Angus!
24th November 2026 - Panmure Hotel, Edzell, Angus

Following the success of previous events in the spring, BASC Scotland is holding a Talking Stalking evening in Angus this November bringing together deer stalkers, deer managers and others from the sector to share knowledge, experience and best practice.

This evening will provide an opportunity to:
✔️ Learn from experienced professionals
✔️ Discuss best practice
✔️ Hear about new legislation and guidance, including the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act
✔️ Connect with others involved in deer management
✔️ Discover the latest kit from our trade exhibitors

We are delighted that Louise Farmer, Wildlife Management Best Practice Officer at NatureScot will be joining us. Louise oversees the development of a variety of best practice guides. Prior to this, Louise worked for BASC as a Regional Officer and has a decade of lecturing and assessing experience in game and deer management as well as animal welfare. Louise is a keen stalker and is passionate about promoting standards and education within the deer management sector.

BASC Scotland representatives will be on hand to provide advice and updates.

Tickets cost £20 for members and £30 for non-members and include a one-course dinner. Upon receipt of your application form, payment options will be sent to you. Your place on the day will not be confirmed until we have received full payment and you have received an attendee information pack.

Join us on:
📍24th November 2026 - Panmure Hotel, Edzell

Sign up here: https://survey.typeform.com/to/zq3zosPN

14/10/2026

"It is vital that we pull together as a sector with less than three weeks to go.”

Defra has rejected our request for more time to respond to its call for evidence on gamebird rearing, release and shooting in England, leaving participants fewer than three weeks to make their voices heard.

Ten minutes. One email. Send yours now.

More here: https://basc.org.uk/basc-request-to-extend-game-shooting-review-rejected/

Defra has rejected BASC's request for more time to respond to its call for evidence on gamebird rearing, release and shooting in England.

13/10/2026

📣 Call for views on outdoor access

For many years, BASC has supported a review into outdoor access in Scotland.

Many BASC members have expressed concerns around outdoor access conflicts, in relation to deer & game management, wildfowling and other land management practices.

In February 2027, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code will be 22 years old. The Rural Affairs Committee is undertaking a short inquiry to understand how well Scotland's outdoor access system is working and consider whether changes are needed to ensure that it is fit for the future.

We are glad the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs Committee is looking into outdoor access through their Call for Views.

BASC will be responding in full, and members will be kindly asked to feed into our survey which will shape our response. Details will be sent to members in due course.

📢 In the meantime, we encourage you to respond to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs' Committee call for views: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/335/outdoor-access/

05/10/2026

🐿️It's Red Squirrel Awareness Week and here's how you can get involved!

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels are calling on people all over Scotland to get outside, explore nature and be on the lookout for tufted ears and bushy tails for the seventh annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey.

Report your sightings of both red and grey squirrels between the 5th and 11th October to provide a snapshot of the situation on the ground.

https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/

01/10/2026

📢This is a one-day course which will provide the novice or less experienced air r***e shot with a sturdy foundation of knowledge. Safety, law and technique will be dealt with in the classroom before candidates move on to the range for practical instruction covering shooting positions and air r***e technique.

There will be plenty of time on the range for shooting both spring and pre-charged air r***es. You do not need to have your own air r***e; BASC air r***es will be available. You may of course bring your own air r***e; if you do, please also bring your current FAC if it is a FAC rated air r***e.

Course length
1 day

Cost
£127 for BASC Members

If you are non member please contact the Training & Education department on 01244 573018 for more information.

Course requirements
None

Cancellation policy - please see BASC website.

01/10/2026

📢 Pheasant season is here!

The 1st of October marks the start of the pheasant season – a date eagerly anticipated by shoots, gamekeepers, beaters, pickers-up and countless others across Scotland, even though many will not venture out till later in the month.

From the early morning preparations to the final drive of the day, pheasant shooting is about far more than a day in the field. It supports rural jobs, local businesses and communities, while gamekeepers and shoots carry out vital conservation work throughout the year.

Today, we celebrate the people, traditions and landscapes that make Scottish game shooting such an important part of rural life.

Here’s to a safe, successful and enjoyable season.