Windage Software

Steve has posted this program to aid you in learning what effect wind will have on your bullets. DOWNLOAD PROGRAM DOC FILE

RCO Training - March 2008

Six HBRA members have volunteered to take the RCO course. The training course consists of a number of standard lectures and a series of assessments.

These include written and oral tests, and practical assessments. Candidates will be tested over two days, day one is theory with day two putting the first days theory into practice on a range. We wish our six volunteers the very best and thank them for putting themselves forward for the benefit of the club.

AGM - Monday 14th Jan 2008

HBRA AGM will be Monday 14th Jan 2008, The Kings Head Inn, Old Tewkesbury Road, Norton, Gloucester. GL2 9LR.
Snacks will be provided.

Any matters for discussion should be sent to Trevor in writing before five days of the meeting.

Membership fees fall due on the 1st January, all fees will need to be received by the 31st January. Non payers will be removed from the members list on the 1st February. Anyone having difficulty paying should contact me, in confidence.

Thank you for your support!

I.G.C Dates

An agreement has been reached with regard to HBRA members sharing Invitation Gun Clubs range dates at Stoke Orchard. I.G.C members have access to our range time at Severnside Range. Please respect I.G.C members as it is their booking so have priority to range space, you are invited as guests to their dates. Please call me if you have any questions.

Trevor

Problem Posting a message on the Forum - Common issue

Some users are having difficulty submitting their message. There is a picture with text, this text is a verification method to eliminate spam programs from clogging up our forum. You will need to type the text you see in the rectangle into the text box directly below then post message.

If you experience any other problems then please let me know.

Trevor

Lead shot research

The news that DEFRA is to issue a contract for research into compliance with lead shot regulations, which could lead to a ban on all lead shot, should make everyone who uses a shotgun sit up and think. The research brief includes instructions: "to recommend measures to improve compliance if current practice is shown to be insufficient to meet the aims and objectives of the original regulations", and says that "In the light of this research, Ministers will decide whether further measures to test compliance are required, and if further education or other measures are needed to improve compliance with the regulations".

The implication is clear: if shooting cannot be shown to be complying with the current regulation we are going to be faced with further restrictions and the real possibility of a complete ban on lead shot. Anti-shooting groups, some politicians and the RSPB will push for stricter regulations and possibly a lead ban if the research shows that the current regulations can't be enforced.

Wrongly the only previous study, carried out by the RSPB, found 27 out of 40 shot mallards purchased from game dealers contained lead shot. Everyone shooting wildfowl has a responsibility to the shooting community as a whole to adhere to the current regulations, because research which replicated that level of infringement would be bound to bring further restrictions.

Wildfowling clubs have strict rules and few if any of the wildfowl they shoot get to the game dealer so the focus of this research will be on duck shot inland and over flight ponds. Inland shooters generally have less scrutiny, but it is the duck they shoot which will end up with game dealers and be part of the compliance research. It is not enough to carry a couple of non-toxic cartridges in your pocket next season - every duck shot must be lead free.

Countryside Alliance

NRA Affiliation, Range Licences and Insurance

I have had meetings with three local club secretaries regarding the NRA's revised cost for clubs. They like us are not happy with the NRA's approach or it's blatant increase in costs. In a nut shell, it would appear the NRA have dreamt up a few novel ideas for raising additional revenue from clubs.

I received a letter from the NRA in late December which I presented at the AGM, informing clubs that we would need to pay for a licence to shoot at Bisley and on MOD ranges. They also raised club affiliation but this was not clear in their letter as they combined this with their new insurance scheme for clubs. The information provided at the time was sketchy. I have since unraveled the various costs. Despite the NRA saying they were making the cost to clubs cheaper it is quite the opposite. Most clubs paid up despite the lack of information in January as they thought they had to adopt the NRA insurance and range licence costs, this has since been found not to be the case. Our insurance will fall due in April.

Following a committee meeting, it was decided that HBRA will continue to manage its own affairs, we do not need NRA & MOD range licences nor do we want their insurance policy. It was agreed we would pay only the affiliation fee and continue with our current insurer.

I have renewed our NRA affiliation. This alone has increased by £136.00, to £327.00!! I have informed the NRA that we will not be taking their combined insurance nor will we be paying the"NRA and MOD range licence" fees for 2006.

HBRA can reassess this next year but for now we will adopt a wait and see approach.

I have renewed our insurance with Aston Scott as usual, for which I have received confirmation.

Trevor