Welcome to the BASC podcast (The British Association for Shooting and Conservation). Each episode includes the latest news, views and content relating to the shooting world. With expert analysis of shooting-related affairs to first-class interviews, the BASC podcast is a one-shop stop for information and advice.
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EP 74: Let's Learn Moor - Discovering the uplands
What happens on a moor, who looks after it and why are thousands of schoolchildren brought here every year? Tom Evans heads to the Yorkshire Moors for Let's Learn Moor, a unique day where classrooms are swapped for hands-on experiences. Meeting gamekeepers, mountain rescuers, gun dog trainers, dry stone wallers and conservationists, Tom discovers how one day outdoors is helping inspire the next…
Tom looks ahead to this year's event at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire (24–26 July), exploring what's new, why The Game Fair continues to thrive nearly 70 years after it first began and what visitors can expect across this three-day celebration of the countryside. Joining us is James Gower, CEO of The Game Fair, who takes us behind the scenes, revealing what it takes to keep the show evolving while…
What really happens once the shooting season comes to an end? In this episode we explore the work, planning and countryside management that continues long after the final day in the field. Guests include BASC's deputy director of shooting and operations, Terry Behan and Paul Childerley from Childerley Sporting, who discuss the realities of the off-season, from habitat conservation and shoot…
Recorded at The Stalking Show, this episode features BASC’s chief executive, Ian Bell, discussing DEFRA’s England Deer Impact Policy Statement. While there is broad support for improving deer management, Ian raises concerns about potential barriers, particularly around proposed mandatory training. We also explore the future of deer management, including BASC’s new flexible DSC1 online course…
EP 70: Competitive clay shooting - Inside the sport
What does it take to go from good...to Olympic champion? In this episode of the BASC Podcast, we explore the world of competitive clay shooting, from grassroots participation to the Olympic stage. Nathan Hales relives his gold medal winning performance at Paris 2024 and the focus required to deliver under pressure. Leading down-the-line shooter Sarah Milroy shares how she found the sport and what…
For shoots nationwide, the end of the season marks the start of some of the most crucial planning. This episode explores the journey of wild game from the field to the table and the decisions that need to be made now to ensure a smooth season ahead. We explore the practical considerations of where your game will go, how it’s processed and the infrastructure, compliance and forward planning needed…
This episode is your end of season reset. We’re talking gun care, why it matters, what’s often overlooked and how a bit of attention now can protect your shotgun or rifle for years to come. Whether your gun’s been out every weekend or sitting quietly in the cabinet, proper maintenance makes all the difference when next season rolls around. Our guests include... BASCs south east regional officer,…
EP 67: Wildlife and Rural Crime - Policing the countryside
In this episode we explore the reality of crime in the countryside, from poaching and hare coursing to the theft of agricultural vehicles and machinery. We hear directly from the people dealing with these offences day in day out and find out how policing is adapting to meet the challenge. Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK’s National Wildlife Crime Unit, explains how modern poaching…
Step behind the scenes of a shoot day as we explore the world of beating. Beating is far more than simply walking through cover, it’s a finely tuned system where people and dogs work together to try to flush the birds towards the guns, all rooted in generations of countryside knowledge. In this episode, Tom joins the beating line to experience that rhythm firsthand. From early-morning preparation…
EP 65: Optics Explained - Cutting Through the Glass
In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the fast-moving world of optics, from binoculars and rifle scopes to thermal spotters, night-vision and drone technology. Whether you’re shooting, stalking, or surveying wildlife, understanding what those numbers, magnifications and features actually mean can make all the difference. Joining us are three guests who bring their own expert perspectives:…