Our key areas of research include:

Respect for Quarry programme

This programme, covering mainly shotgun but also airgun and small-bore rifle shooting, provides the research background to increase success in shooting and minimise wounding and wounding loss.

Through our ballistics research programme we measure gun/cartridge ballistic performance using patterning, penetration into permagel (a standard body simulant), and other techniques. This enables us to address the problems of wounding and reduce the amount of quarry lost and wasted through wounding.  Guidance is then provided to members to help make their shooting more successful and enjoyable.

We measure shooter competence in shooting successfully, including ability to hit moving targets, and judge range accurately, again to help improve shooting success. We also help develop realistic shooting simulators to provide training opportunities.

We measure the performance of non-lead cartridges for use in game and other shooting for those who need or want to use them.

Shooting bags

UK bag monitoring

BASC and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust have been working with Defra to explore how to develop a scheme for monitoring the bag of huntable species in the UK.  This is necessary both for the good management of shooting and to meet European obligations.

We provide a service to affiliated wildfowling clubs to collate and analyse their annual bag returns to meet the requirements of the Crown Estate over whose foreshore they shoot.

EU bag monitoring

BASC is also working with FACE (Federation of Hunting and Conservation Associations of EU) to develop a Europe-wide scheme, to demonstrate that sporting shooting is conducted responsibly and sustainably.

Shooting surveys

We survey our members from time-to-time to improve our knowledge of different aspects of shooting, and how better to serve members’ needs and represent their interests.

Some examples include:-

Membership Satisfaction Survey

To help improve membership benefits and services.

Young Shots Survey

To help our regional staff improve their support for younger members involved in shooting.

Shooting Today Survey

The most comprehensive survey of gun ownership and use of sporting guns in this country.

Game Meat Consumption Survey

To learn more about the consumption of game meat among our members.

Waterfowl Shooting Survey

To update our knowledge of waterfowl shooting and coastal wildfowling in the UK and provide for its needs for the future.

Other research

Economic and environmental benefits of shooting

The PACEC report – Shooting Sports: findings of an economic and environmental survey – was commissioned and managed by BASC in partnership with the CLA, CA and GWCT. This is a comprehensive study of the many benefits shooting brings to the UK economy and environment.  The findings will continue to be invaluable for years to come.

Shot travel

We have worked with Cranfield University on the maximum travel distances for all main shot types and sizes under a variety of conditions. This has provided us with the most comprehensive information available, and is used to help members and shooting grounds manage their shooting safely.

Defra review of lead shot regulations (England)

We have been sub-contracted to help assess the current awareness levels of and compliance with the lead shot regulations in England, as part of Defra’s review of their effectiveness.

Avian influenza monitoring

We contribute to Defra’s monitoring of the AI virus in waterbirds when the need arises.

Environmental impacts of shooting

Review of environment regulatory frameworks

We have commissioned a review of national and international environmental legislation, including the EU Water and Waste Framework Directives, REACH regulations and implications, as well as agriculture assurance schemes, to identify how they will, or may, affect on shooting in the future.

Shooting noise and lead contamination of land and water

These are growing issues. We work with the CPSA, British Shooting Sports Council, and others, to address these issues and provide guidance to members and shooting grounds facing problems.

Lead ammunition

We continue to research, monitor and assess information on the wider impacts of spent lead shot and bullets on the environment and food chains. This is an area of some concern as new evidence of secondary poisoning becomes available. We contribute to Defra and FSA's Lead Ammunition Group, assisting with the comprehensive risk assessments that are underway.

Gunshot Corrosion Study

We have been working with Liverpool John Moore’s University to assess the potential for soil contamination by spent shotgun pellets of different types, and measures to prevent it.

Gun Noise Project

We have completed a pilot study, supported by the CPSA, to measure shotgun and rifle noise levels, partly to help us deal with issues arising from shooting noise and partly to assist Defra’s management of shooting exclusion areas imposed following disease outbreaks (such as avian flu and foot and mouth).

Degradable Wad Project

We continue to monitor and assist the development of bio-degradable wads to help address problems relating to land contamination arising from shooting activities.

Publications

We produce periodic reviews of the department’s work and reports on many of the surveys and projects conducted. We also provide a monthly digest (Literature Review) of technical publications relating to shooting, conservation and the countryside. This is available to interested members through the BASC/Research website.

Liaison

We maintain liaison with many national and international bodies and interests to ensure that we are fully engaged with relevant research and technical issues affecting shooting in this country and elsewhere.