who would .. or does

[washwildfowler]

Not at all , I was just using it as a example that's all Nothing Else ..

 

IM mearly pointing out that out of all the views the topic has had only 19 replies have been made 2 which are of my own now a 3rd ..

 

All I'm trying to do is find out what other fowlers have to do to be a member of there club .if any ? Like work party's. or would they be prepared to do work party's ..

 

Like I that's all nothing else .. if you've taken it to heart then that's your problem that mine..

Not at all , I was just using it as a example that's all Nothing Else ..

 

IM mearly pointing out that out of all the views the topic has had only 19 replies have been made 2 which are of my own now a 3rd ..

 

All I'm trying to do is find out what other fowlers have to do to be a member of there club .if any ? Like work party's. or would they be prepared to do work party's ..

 

Like I that's all nothing else if you've taken it to heart then that's your problem that mine..

So just because someone hasn't replied, that makes them a "turn up and shoot, and nothing else" type of wildfowler.

I know of at least 5 PW members who I would class as live and die for their particular associations, who have chosen not to comment as of yet.

 

Just because someone has decided not to reply does not make them any less a committed wildfowler in all aspects (shooting and work parties) to their respective associations.

 

I try to arrange my work to allow for me to attend the work parties, but as the bulk of my work is done from the start of February until early December, (6-7 days a week) and with having a young family, sometimes this is just not possible.

Not at all , I was just using it as a example that's all Nothing Else ..

 

IM mearly pointing out that out of all the views the topic has had only 19 replies have been made 2 which are of my own now a 3rd ..

 

All I'm trying to do is find out what other fowlers have to do to be a member of there club .if any ? Like work party's. or would they be prepared to do work party's ..

 

that's all nothing else ..

Edited March 13, 2015 by washwildfowler

[nic]

Biggest problem I have ever had with work parties is clubs that give very little notice and expect people to be free because its a weekend and of course EVERYONE has weekends off!!!

 

once they gave notice it was great i could go... its better now that i am retired, but don't be surprised if I'm booked up for the next 3 -4 weeks

 

and i do enjoy them and do them and do other bits on my own during the week to help out

Edited March 13, 2015 by nic

[House Boat]

As a club Chairman with over 200 members I can asure you that less than 10% of members will turn up for a work party and as for running a club it will be left to two or three people to do everything who then get criticised for there efforts,just see how many members turn up to an AGM!! You young guys need to stand up if you want your sport to continue, of all the Chairmans / Secretaries I know they are all the wrong side of 50 and most are the wrong side 60. I have more committee members over 70 than under 40 so were does the future of your sport lie?

[fenboy]

As a club Chairman with over 200 members I can asure you that less than 10% of members will turn up for a work party and as for running a club it will be left to two or three people to do everything who then get criticised for there efforts,just see how many members turn up to an AGM!! You young guys need to stand up if you want your sport to continue, of all the Chairmans / Secretaries I know they are all the wrong side of 50 and most are the wrong side 60. I have more committee members over 70 than under 40 so were does the future of your sport lie?

 

I would agree , perhaps those over 70 have more time for such things if they are retired where as younger fowlers with jobs and families perhaps do not have as much free time to give.

On the other hand how many of those older committee members would be happy to stand down if some younger ones would take on more responsibility I would imagine there are a few who do it only because no one else will and they do not want to see their club going down the pan after so many years

 

But again it comes down to attracting new younger members into the sport , I know the clubs offer cheaper membership for juniors but what else do they do to get them into the sport ?

That's just a serious question , I do not know if clubs make any other effort or not , but I would like to know .

 

The purchase of day tickets for instance requires the person to be a BASC member , fine for someone who is already a member of a affiliated club or a BASC member , but what of all those who are not , who are members of the CA, NGO, CPSA etc .

 

They are not going to want to take out a BASC membership to try a day fowling nor is the shooter who has no insurance ( they should have) .

But do BASC offer a days cover option ? again I am not sure if they do or not , but if they do not then they should as it will help promote the sport to new people of all ages.

 

But it remains a fact that unless we get new people entering the sport the situation of old committees and falling memberships is going to remain .

[Guest stevo]

I go three times a week and lamp three to four times a week.

Edited March 14, 2015 by stevo

[Big Mat]

As a club Chairman with over 200 members I can asure you that less than 10% of members will turn up for a work party and as for running a club it will be left to two or three people to do everything who then get criticised for there efforts,just see how many members turn up to an AGM!! You young guys need to stand up if you want your sport to continue, of all the Chairmans / Secretaries I know they are all the wrong side of 50 and most are the wrong side 60. I have more committee members over 70 than under 40 so were does the future of your sport lie?

 

I'll sit on your committee if you speed my application up

 

Have you tried getting any younger members onto the committee? Another local club chairman discussed it with me but i've never been in a position to take it any further!

[Pothunter]

IM mearly pointing out that out of all the views the topic has had only 19 replies have been made 2 which are of my own now a 3rd ..

 

that's all nothing else ..

Probably most of the views are from people like me, drawn in to read by the enigmatic title of the thread; but don't reply because we're not wildfowlers.

Edited March 14, 2015 by Pothunter

[loriusgarrulus]

Some of the views on the thread will be people like me who don't belong to a club and don't go Wildfowling. I still like to read about it though.

[motty]

 

I'll sit on your committee if you speed my application up

 

Have you tried getting any younger members onto the committee? Another local club chairman discussed it with me but i've never been in a position to take it any further!

Could you not make the FWA AGM, Mat?

[House Boat]

I would agree , perhaps those over 70 have more time for such things if they are retired where as younger fowlers with jobs and families perhaps do not have as much free time to give.

On the other hand how many of those older committee members would be happy to stand down if some younger ones would take on more responsibility I would imagine there are a few who do it only because no one else will and they do not want to see their club going down the pan after so many years

 

But again it comes down to attracting new younger members into the sport , I know the clubs offer cheaper membership for juniors but what else do they do to get them into the sport ?

That's just a serious question , I do not know if clubs make any other effort or not , but I would like to know .

 

The purchase of day tickets for instance requires the person to be a BASC member , fine for someone who is already a member of a affiliated club or a BASC member , but what of all those who are not , who are members of the CA, NGO, CPSA etc .

 

They are not going to want to take out a BASC membership to try a day fowling nor is the shooter who has no insurance ( they should have) .

But do BASC offer a days cover option ? again I am not sure if they do or not , but if they do not then they should as it will help promote the sport to new people of all ages.

 

But it remains a fact that unless we get new people entering the sport the situation of old committees and falling memberships is going to remain .

Fenboy there's an awful lot of "they and them" in your post but not one "I or me" you will find that any Chairman would welcome any younger member onto committee, would any of the 70 year olds who have probably been on the committee for 40 / 50 years (which means they were young men when they started) give up there place for a youngerman? Not untill the younger man has proved his worth as they are passionate about there clubs.

 

Young member, it is every member responsibility to promote your sport if you want it to survive. Personaly I think youngsters is the wrong approach I watch youngster join my club only to leave in there late teens, I think it would be far more productive targeting men 30 / 40 who already shoot.

 

As far as the BASC thing you will find that most club leases require anybody shooting to be a member

[fenboy]

With regards the BASC I know it is required what I am saying is for the purpose of day tickets there should be a day permit for BASC available , this make it more attractive price to try wildfowling for a flight or two , does such a thing exist as I said in my original post I am not sure if there is and if not there should be .

 

20 - 30 year olds are youngsters when you get my age I can hand on heart say in the couple of years I have been wildfowling I have only met two or three under the age of 30

 

I personally took a young lad out this season who had contacted me and asked if I would , he marvelled at how great it was , the sights and the sounds and I never heard from him again !

 

Yes we all as individuals can promote the sport , I have certaily told as many people who will listen have great it is and how I wished I had started years ago but I cannot physically drag people down there .

[Big Mat]

Could you not make the FWA AGM, Mat?

Stuck at work yet again.

[Konnie]

With regards the BASC I know it is required what I am saying is for the purpose of day tickets there should be a day permit for BASC available , this make it more attractive price to try wildfowling for a flight or two , does such a thing exist as I said in my original post I am not sure if there is and if not there should be .

 

20 - 30 year olds are youngsters when you get my age I can hand on heart say in the couple of years I have been wildfowling I have only met two or three under the age of 30

 

I personally took a young lad out this season who had contacted me and asked if I would , he marvelled at how great it was , the sights and the sounds and I never heard from him again !

 

Yes we all as individuals can promote the sport , I have certaily told as many people who will listen have great it is and how I wished I had started years ago but I cannot physically drag people down there .

I agree and have been in touch with, BASC. regarding this as to the possibility of adding 5-10 to day ticket price to give people the chance to try fowling,as young new members now I would say be between 20-30 yrs old juniors just don't seem to exist.

[Big Mat]

Could you not make the FWA AGM, Mat?

I was planning on it but I'm stuck at work

[fenboy]

I agree and have been in touch with, BASC. regarding this as to the possibility of adding 5-10 to day ticket price to give people the chance to try fowling,as young new members now I would say be between 20-30 yrs old juniors just don't seem to exist.

 

Thats exactly my thoughts Konnie , a day ticket should be available that includes insurance for the time it runs , then anyone who wants to try the sport can simply buy one ticket and shoot , not a ticket to shoot and a years insurance.

[anser2]

In theory its sounds very good to make day tickets available to people wanting to try wildfowling for the first time , but there dangers as i found out this winter. I acted as a guide to a auction winner who won a days shooting on the foreshore. The guy had several years experiance wildfowling on inland marshes ,but it was his first visit to the foreshore. At morning flight about 50 brent came over us , but fortunetly we were only 40 yards apart and I shouted "BRENT" as they came towards us. He later told me it was a good job I had done so as he was about to shoot at them. Later when we were doing a tide flight I sat beside him and put my gun aside. I was amazed when he asked what the big black and white ducks ( shielduck ) were swimming in our decoys and were they shootable. It could so easily ended in tears for both him and the club who's lease covered the National Nature Reserve we were on.

 

As least new club members have the advantage of tuition from their club before being let lose on the marsh.

[motty]

In theory its sounds very good to make day tickets available to people wanting to try wildfowling for the first time , but there dangers as i found out this winter. I acted as a guide to a auction winner who won a days shooting on the foreshore. The guy had several years experiance wildfowling on inland marshes ,but it was his first visit to the foreshore. At morning flight about 50 brent came over us , but fortunetly we were only 40 yards apart and I shouted "BRENT" as they came towards us. He later told me it was a good job I had done so as he was about to shoot at them. Later when we were doing a tide flight I sat beside him and put my gun aside. I was amazed when he asked what the big black and white ducks ( shielduck ) were swimming in our decoys and were they shootable. It could so easily ended in tears for both him and the club who's lease covered the National Nature Reserve we were on.

 

As least new club members have the advantage of tuition from their club before being let lose on the marsh.

I don't agree that this is a danger. I would expect that anyone who was to shoot the marsh, would have swatted up on their bird id a little. A guide should/could call each shot for the guest, anyway.

[muncher]

I haven't done a work party for a few seasons but then again I joined a committee just to help out and put something back I have now got 4 jobs and go to wash joint council meetings . I would like to so more but there is a limit on my Time ,my wife said to me today ,you need to be careful taking on these jobs for the club ,you might find you start to resent you club and not enjoy you fowling as much.

[Konnie]

In theory its sounds very good to make day tickets available to people wanting to try wildfowling for the first time , but there dangers as i found out this winter. I acted as a guide to a auction winner who won a days shooting on the foreshore. The guy had several years experiance wildfowling on inland marshes ,but it was his first visit to the foreshore. At morning flight about 50 brent came over us , but fortunetly we were only 40 yards apart and I shouted "BRENT" as they came towards us. He later told me it was a good job I had done so as he was about to shoot at them. Later when we were doing a tide flight I sat beside him and put my gun aside. I was amazed when he asked what the big black and white ducks ( shielduck ) were swimming in our decoys and were they shootable. It could so easily ended in tears for both him and the club who's lease covered the National Nature Reserve we were on.

 

As least new club members have the advantage of tuition from their club before being let lose on the marsh.

I know what you mean but BASC insurance does not include species ID as part of membership so that's not part of the question. It's about making it more available to people wanting to try, I know of game shooter, pickers up beaters who shoot and are BASC members who could not ID ducks. Is it not the rule of if you don't know what it is don't pull the trigger.

 

My point is BASC insurance for a go at wildfowling can be from 4-6+ times the cost of the chance to get on the marsh. BASC should address this as if it is taken up by a guest they gain a member everyone wins OR the other way fowling looses.

I don't agree that this is a danger. I would expect that anyone who was to shoot the marsh, would have swatted up on their bird id a little. A guide should/could call each shot for the guest, anyway.

+1 as my post suggests.

[anser2]

My point is that opening up wildfowling for anyone who wishes to try is ok , but a club has to have a check that the visitor is not going to put their shooting at risk. Insurance is beside the point if their actions lose the clubs grounds. Yes they should have at least a working knowlege of what they are shooting at ,but in the real world there is a high risk that this is not so.

[fenboy]

I think you are missing the point I am trying to make anser2.

 

Lets put it like this , my imaginary friend , lets call him Fred , says to me "fenboy , I would love to have a day fowling " so me having known Fred for a while says to him of course Fred , I will take you out but its going to cost you £70 to join BASC , £7.50 for a day ticket and perhaps £5 for a WHT stamp.

 

I dare say old Fred thinks after realising its going to cost him over £80 for a few hours on the marsh "actually I think I may give it a miss " .

 

Now if when Fred wanted to go out I could have got him a day pass from BASC for lets say £5 a cost of under £20 would be a whole lot more attractive to someone just wanting to try the sport.

 

I am not suggesting that people can just get a ticket and go of shooting anything that flys , but currently even if they are escorted by a knowledgeable club member if they are not already in BASC it costs them a fortune .

 

For everyone that can try it at the cheaper price the club can perhaps gain a new member and BASC a new full member too , surely like that everyone wins ?

[Grandalf]

Surely if you take a non member out as a 'guest' then they are covered on the BASC insurance for the one day provided the club is an affiliated member.

This is the way it works on game shoots and I'm pretty sure it is the same for wildfowling clubs.

If you make the guest pay then he ceases to be a guest.

[motty]

Surely if you take a non member out as a 'guest' then they are covered on the BASC insurance for the one day provided the club is an affiliated member.

This is the way it works on game shoots and I'm pretty sure it is the same for wildfowling clubs.

If you make the guest pay then he ceases to be a guest.

Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case.

[Grandalf]

I have asked David of BASC to give his comments.

Ben

[David BASC]

Dear All,

 

All BASC affiliated clubs and syndicates benefit from guest insurance at no extra cost.

 

What this means is that if the club want to invite a guest to shoot with them, then provided this is an official guest, as sanctioned by the club committee, and that guests name is entered into a log with the club confirming the date(s) they guest shoots with the club, then that guest is covered under the BASC insurance when they are shooting with the club / syndicate.

 

The specific wording in the policy is 'official and occasional guests' there is no specific limit to how many times a guest can come along in any one season, but of course its not there to allow 'free' BASC membership to someone who is a regular shooter with the club, but of course its flexible enough for a guest to have say 2-3 outings per season

 

David