Bad News, "it comes in threes"

[Richard59]

1) Lead shot ban (as discussed on other threads)
2) End of single use plastic wads, still under the radar a tad but significant none the less
3) Possible £400 increase in "Shotgun Certificate" application & renewal fee (that's not inc possible medical fees also)

Nr 3 is I feel is the biggest hurdle (most significant negative impact to participation / newcomers) of the three, 1 & 2 will have a cost implication but its in the small £s per day whereas a possible £4/500 one off cost will make many think more than twice.

 

[k80ben]

I have no issue with the fees being raised. It’s cheap now £75-£100 per year seems more than fair

 

[Yorkshire Clay Shooting]

I agree the first 2 no matter how you justify it are not good for shooting the third I feel if it means we get a better service I am all for it. It is no matter your finances admittedly “some” money ie not an insignificant amount, but as k80ben says break it down per year and it’s more palatable and it’s better value and more fun than a television license

 

[MartynB]

The ‘ not a problem ‘ with £400 view doesn’t take into account that it’s not £80 a year , that’s the amortised cost , it’s £400 in one hit , the cash flow cost is what will be the killer . Something has to give in everyday family budgeting . Registered shooting is only the tip of the ice berg. There’s a whole grass roots monthly and bi-monthly club thing where people may have to make tough decisions and put family first .

 

[k80ben]

The ‘ not a problem ‘ with £400 view doesn’t take into account that it’s not £80 a year , that’s the amortised cost , it’s £400 in one hit , the cash flow cost is what will be the killer . Something has to give in everyday family budgeting . Registered shooting is only the tip of the ice berg. There’s a whole grass roots monthly and bi-monthly club thing where people may have to make tough decisions and put family first .

Every time something goes up the people say shooting goes down it’s never gone down yet. Sports at a all time high with costs at a all time high

Clay companies are selling more clays than ever

 

[chesterse]

Competition shooters will absorb the increased cost but I think a lot of club shooters, pigeon and rough shooters will just pack up with the impact of that increase at one hit.
You might say so what but the less people shooting the smaller voice we have and the smaller volume of of sales for cartridges, guns and shooting accessories making the retail shooting trade less viable and leading to less competition and increased costs.
Another nail in the coffin!

 

[k80ben]

Competition shooters will absorb the increased cost but I think a lot of club shooters, pigeon and rough shooters will just pack up with the impact of that increase at one hit.
You might say so what but the less people shooting the smaller voice we have and the smaller volume of of sales for cartridges, guns and shooting accessories making the retail shooting trade less viable and leading to less competition and increased costs.
Another nail in the coffin!

They say this every time so why are licence applications at a all time high

 

[Charliedog]

Most shooting grounds are full of £50k to £100k motors, I see more krieghoffs being shot than any other model, its not a deal breaker for most. Those on a tighter budget will shoot a few less practice clays and a few may give up completely, but it's not a huge cost if we see a much better all round service ( that's debateable)

 

[MartynB]

They say this every time so why are licence applications at a all time high

Yet since 2017 , there has been a net decrease in certificates in England and Wales of circa 60,000 . That’s a trend , now there could be reasons for that unconnected with cost , such as an ageing demographic, However even if there is an uptick in applications it will take some time to establish if this is a trend or just a blip.

Between 2023 and 2024 the reduction waz 1% in the total number of certificates held in England and wales , that’s around 5000 .

New applications may be at a high , but unless they equal and or exceed the tickets dropping off the other end the overall trend is going one way .