BDS Region - South West Scotland

After the formal aspects of the meeting have been concluded our guest speaker will be Robbie Kernahan from Scottish National Heritage. Robbie will be followed by the Best Cull Head and Photographic competition and there will then be an auction of sporting books and prints.

Attached please find the Agenda Notice and menu. Please return your completed forms to Glen who is collating members' responses. Dinner will be served at approx 6.30pm.

If you are unable to attend please let me know and I will offer your apologies en bloc.

Keith Snow

Tracking Day Provisionally 19th February 2012.
As I have now been formally asked to run another day please pencil the date in your diary. We will finalise the venue nearer the time. This will be a very much hands on with everyone expected to assist in laying trials as well as running their dogs. We will also aim to have at least two very cold trials of between 12 and 24 hours old. I intend to limit numbers to ensure everyone gets at least four trials. The only equipment required is a long lead. Do not be put off if you do not have one as you can borrow mine. Why February? Well there is nothing else planned and the midges should be in hibernation. That is the theory at least. No cost.

Reloading for Beginners to Advanced. 5th February 2012.
By popular request we have invited Laurie Holland to come back and give us an even longer presentation. This event is in the early stages of preparation but it is hoped we can offer a long morning session (10am to 2pm) which is completely hands on. The aim is that you will bring your own reloading equipment and work under the supervision of Laurie. Those who listened to Laurie at Ken Bridge Hotel will appreciate that he has a phenomenal level of knowledge on reloading and ballistics. There will be a small charge of £10 for this event. It is hoped to run this at the Barony College.

Diseases in Deer and Deer Dog Maintenance 13th March 2012 Ken Bridge Hotel 7.30pm
Professor Jimmy Simpson has very kindly agreed to give a presentation on abnormalities and diseases you are likely to find in deer. With more and more of us using dogs for stalking he will also speak on how to maintain your best friend as well as what to do when something goes seriously wrong miles from home. Professor Simpson is in charge of and runs the veterinary school based at the University of Edinburgh and has agreed to offer a pathological service to members of the branch.. If you cull a beast with something unexpected inside or even outside the University Veterinary School will identify the problem if you send a sample to them. The Prof will give further details during his presentation. Cost £2.50p.

Fifteen Feet Up and Off Sticks Parton 29th April 10am
Bored with shooting from the benchrests, then try this. Most of us use sticks and high seats. The Branch has five simulated high seats made at considerable expense by Andy Craig. We used the high seats on the Advanced Marksmanship course so I thought we could put them to use more than once a year. A day shooting from sticks, high seats and free standing. Purely practice, no competition and you can go at your pace so I will leave my stop watch at home. After a very short zero session we will put the zero targets away and bring on the black deer. Various ranges with the maximum distance 100 yards. You will need 50 rounds, sticks, and wear your normal stalking clothes, i.e. waterproofs. Due to the size of the deer targets I shall have to limit this to the first 16 (four details of four) who apply. Guests welcome but only with BDS member. Cost £10. Pre booking essential.

Advanced Marksmanship Day. Parton 27th May 2012 10am.
Without wishing to put anyone off, if you or your rifle cannot consistently shoot a 2" group at 100 yards this isn't for you. Based on the Advance Marksmanship qualifying shoot but with several twists and turns. You will need 40 rounds and everything you normally take stalking including gloves. Now that has you thinking. You will be shooting against the clock at various stages and from most recognised positions. Maximum range 200 yards. I will forward full details to each participant. Cost £10. Pre booking essential.

I am aware of four members who do not have access to the internet. If you would like a hard copy posted to you please call me and I will set the wheels in motion. Likewise if you are reading this anywhere other than your lap/desktop/iphone/netbook, etc, just send me your email address I will add you to the database.
Keith Snow
Secretary

2011 so far

Thus far 2011 has been a very successful year for the branch with every event being well attended and several members commenting on how well we are doing. The Committee decided late last year that a charge should be made for events and accordingly I have detailed the charges next to each event. I hope that there will be some events where there will be no charge. With the cost of fuel forever increasing it is totally unrealistic to expect guest speakers to travel without being compensated for their time and expense. Several of our guests speakers have travelled in excess of 100 miles to attend and one travelled over 300 miles.

The Dogs for Deer Day was a resounding success and our thanks go to Alan Rogers from Sweden for interrupting his holiday in the UK to spend the day with us. Also thanks to Emily and Tom at Cornharrow for the use of their facilities. A total of thirteen members attended and each ran two trails of varying length. Not one failure was noted. Even the Chairman's chocolate labrador excelled. The midges and weather put in a very strong performance but failed to spoil the day. I am awaiting Alan's notes and guidance booklet and, once received, I will circulate to those who attended.

It is intended to run a further day but this time just concentrating on working the dogs over four or five trails of varying lengths, i.e. 100 to 400 yards if there is sufficient interest from members.