BASC at the Fair

The British Association for Shooting & Conservation has had a long relationship with the National Countrysports Fair.  The BASC Northern Ireland Director, Tommy Mayne and his team members are very much looking forward to attending the National Countrysports Fair in Moira on 25th & 26th May.  BASC staff will be on hand to give advice and guidance on a range of topics including firearms and wildlife legislation, firearms licensing, land management, conservation and BASC courses.  He added "The Association offers its congratulations to the organisers of The National Countrysports Fair, which is an excellent showcase for country sports.  BASC Northern Ireland welcomes this opportunity to meet with the Province's shooting community and those travelling from further afield. The BASC village will be even bigger and better than last year, with its own mini arena programme and demonstrations.  I want to particularly thank all BASC trade members involved in the National Countrysports Fair for their continued support." BASC members and visitors to the Fair will see a wide range of trade stands including:  JA Larmour & Sons, Outdoor Experience, Pigeon Decoys, Beechview Kennels, Dog Transport Boxes, Smyth's Country Sports, Strangford Agencies, Bar King, AA Monteith & Son, Outdoor & Country Sports, Pawlines and ', the BASC gundog sponsor.   The Joint Council of Strangford Lough Wildfowlers will provide information and a display on wildfowling.  BASC NI staff will provide information on the BASC Green Shoots programme alongside, John Woolsey, barn owl officer with the Ulster Wildlife Trust who will be on the BASC stand. John will be highlighting the decline in the barn owl population and how people can help with the conservation efforts for this iconic species. Representatives from a number of volunteer red squirrel groups in NI will also be on the BASC stand to provide an insight into red squirrel conservation BASC Shotgun Coaches aim to set new record    Once again BASC's shotgun coaches will be hoping to introduce new people to a sport that is becoming increasingly popular in Northern Ireland. Our accredited coaches are hoping to break their record set last year for the highest number of novice lessons ever carried out at the fair.  A coaching lesson will cost £20 however any person aged under 21 years, who joins BASC at the fair, will receive a voucher for a free coaching lesson.  Vouchers must be used during the two day event and this offer is only available to persons aged at least 18 years who have not yet reached 21 years. Lessons will usually last for around 40 minutes; shotguns and cartridges will be provided, as will eye and ear protection. Coaches will cover eye dominance, stance, safety, gun fit and techniques for breaking the target.    BASC coaches can also cater for the experienced shooter, so please feel free to have a go using your own shotgun and you never know, you may even pick up a few tips to help you improve your scores. BASC Gundogs A new BASC-sponsored North-South challenge will see a three-man retriever team from the North of Ireland take on a team from the South of Ireland.  The teams will compete for the North-South Challenge Shield.  There will also be a BASC sponsored scurry event at the fair.  The BASC sponsored gundog events at the Fair will also be sponsored by Chudleys.   The annual BASC NI gundog event at Larchfield Estate, scheduled to take place at the end of March was cancelled, due to the heavy snow that covered many parts of NI. This will now take place on Sunday 26th May at the National Countrysports Fair.   Competitors will be able to enter as a three man team or as an individual.  There will be cash prizes plus bags of Chudleys dog food and rosettes for the following:  Overall Top Dog - a dog transport box kindly sponsored by Gilbert Irvine of dogtransportbox.com     1st placed team - £120 donated by Brian Lyons of Beechview Kennels, www.beechviewkennelruns.com    1st placed individual - £50 donated by Martin Ryan of BarKing Waterproof Dog Beds, www.barkingdogbeds.com      BASC member's highest scoring dog - £100 donated by the National Countrysports Fair, www.gamefairireland.com   Any BASC trade member who would like to join BASC at the 2013 National Countrysports Fair should contact the BASC Northern Ireland Office on 028 9260 5050.

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