THE BDS EAST ANGLIA BRANCH
Information on the British Deer Society (BDS) East Anglia branch including events, contacts, and news.
Branch AREA and committee
BRANCH CONTACTS
| Chair | Steven Houghton | chaireastanglia@bds.org.uk |
| Secretary | Mark Thackstone | eastanglia@bds.org.uk |
BRANCH AREAS
| Postcode | Area |
| AL | St Albans |
| CB | Cambridge |
| CM | Chelmsford |
| CO | Colchester |
| E | London |
| EC | London |
| EN | Enfield |
| HP | Hemel Hempstead |
| IG | Ilford |
| IP | Ipswich |
| LU | Luton |
| MK | Milton Keynes |
| N | London |
| NR | Norwich |
| RM | Romford |
| SG | Stevenage |
| SS | Southend-on-Sea |
EVENTS
Date
EVENT
14th May
Range Days (at Euston)
10 June (Friday)
Range Days (at Euston)
8 July (Friday)
Range Days (at Euston)
12 August (Friday)
Range Days (at Euston)
10 September
Range Days (at Euston)
The range will be available all day, from 09.00 until 16.00, but if possible please book in by 12.00; the cost per person will be £20.00. See below for more details.
NEXT BDS NATIONAL EVENT
The Scottish Game Fair
01/07/2022 9:00 AM
The GWCT Scottish Game Fair, returns to stunning Scone Parklands over the weekend of July 1-3, 2022.
This fantastic three-day event attracts over 30,000 visitors and is a true celebration of conservation and the countryside, while raising vital funds for wildlife conservation science. The 2022 GWCT Scottish Game Fair will once again feature an impressive line-up of traders, competitions and main ring events. Plus, there will be a plethora of country sports activities to appeal to all ages and abilities from fishing and clays to gundogs.
The British Deer Society will be in attendance talking about all things deer.
NEWS
Range Days
The next training day for 2022 will be on Saturday 9th April at the range on the Euston Estate, near Thetford in Norfolk. Replies indicating your intention to attend would be appreciated, but not essential. Just turning up on the day is also perfectly acceptable!
Details are as follows:
The range will be available all day, from 09.00 until 16.00, but if possible please book in by 12.00; the cost per person will be £20.00. The entrance to the range is off the A1088 between Fakenham Magna and Euston, on the left hand side heading north; there will be a BDS sign opposite the entrance. The most appropriate postcode for those using a satnav device is IP24 2QP.
Tip – when you arrive at Euston, park your car where indicated and take your kit to the range proper, where you sign in. It will save you a trek!
Shooting will be possible from distances of 300 metres and less (we start closer to 100m). There will be the opportunity to practice shooting from a variety of positions (e.g. prone, kneeling, sitting, standing, etc) and practice/try the new DSC1 shooting test. Remember that this is a training day so if you want help or advice on any aspect of sporting rifle shooting, do ask.
Because the range is on private land, you do NOT need a certificate of competence to shoot there but be aware you must receive a range brief before being allowed to shoot. You must also bring your BDS membership card and FAC. (as this is not a registered guest day, only BDS members will be allowed to shoot).
The range team look forward to meeting you.
Dates of Range Days for the rest of the year are:
14 May
10 June (Friday)
8 July (Friday)
12 August (Friday)
10 September
Mark Thackstone, BDS Branch Secretary, eastanglia@bds.org.uk
Steve Houghton, BDS Branch Chair, chaireastanglia@bds.org.uk
Tick-borne diseases
The recent serosurveillance study for tick-borne diseases coordinated by Maya Holding, research scientist in the National Infection Service arm of Public Health England, not only produced its research paper but is now starting sample collection of deer serum and tick samples to aid in monitoring the areas where tick-borne encephalitis virus is currently detected and also to monitor for any potentially emerging areas elsewhere in the UK. For this Maya is looking to collect samples across the UK as before and to collect a concentrated sample set in and around Hampshire and importantly for this branch, Thetford Forest.
The sample collection process will be the same as before, with a slightly altered sample collection form. Participation in this follow-up study is invited and indeed very much appreciated. If you haven’t already been contacted but would like to take part, please contact Maya Holding at Maya.Holding@phe.gov.uk letting her know how many samples you expect to be able to collect up until the end of March, so that she can arrange delivery of sample packs.
Stay in touch
If your contact information has changed please make sure to let us know. To update your details simply email membership@bds.org.uk or call 01425 655434.
Latest News
Steer Clear of Baby Deer!
A joint campaign is underway to inform members of the public about the need to give both pregnant or nursing deer and their young plenty of space when out enjoying the countryside.
Over the coming weeks, from mid-May to July, people may discover newly-born deer hidden in the grass or undergrowth and might mistakenly assume that they have been abandoned Please do not touch, disturb or move them as usually their mothers will not be far away.
Digital Deer Spring 2022 Out Now
The new Spring edition of our taster members’ Deer magazine Digital Deer is out now. Packed with deer news, articles and features.
Be Tick Aware!
The risk of acquiring a tick bite increases during springtime, with peak times from April to June, meaning there is no better time to refresh your precautions and help spread the word on being tick aware.
The following guidance from the UK HAS can be used to reduce the chance of acquiring a tick bite.
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