Delegates from Rakuno Gakuen University in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, have visited the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), to learn about training and standards in deer management.
Hokkaido Island in Japan has a problem with large populations of Sika deer and hunters are keen to encourage more people to take up shooting.
Before arriving at BASC, the group visited the New Forest, Sparsholt College, Vicars Game and the Deer Initiative. At BASC, the group discussed how to maintain high standards in deer management through training, education and best practice.
A spokesman for Rakuno Gakuen University said: “We have a problem on Hokkaido Island with an overabundance of Sika deer. We have come to BASC to learn how the deer populations are controlled in the UK and how training is used. By visiting BASC we hope to learn and improve on our natural resources.”
BASC’s Nick Lane said: “I am delighted to have provided an insight into BASC’s deer management. BASC plays a lead role in setting high standards. We offer training and publish codes of practice covering stalking, humane dispatch and game meat handling. I hope that by learning more about our training programmes, the delegates from Rakuno Gakuen University will be able to put these practices into action on Hokkaido Island.”