Game shootingGame shooting can be an expensive sport; the cost of a day varies from hundreds to thousands of pounds, depending on what, where and how often you shoot. If you start the season unprepared and it may take you, at best, a few drives to settle in. At worst, the entire day could be an embarrassing and expensive write-off. So how can you take steps to ensure you shoot better next time you are faced with a challenging game bird? Improve your shooting Practice is important and the best way to do that is to go to a clay ground. You can take everything you learn shooting clays to a game day. Practicing on driven clays is a good way to get your eye in, especially if they’re off a tower. Regular practice of stance, swing and being familiar with the feeling of the gun in your hand is very useful. Familiarity with your shotgun will show in the way you handle it.Those familiar with their guns handle them safely and when they shoot, their movements are minimal, relaxed and confident. Coaching can really help you improve your shooting As Phil Coley says: “Coaching should be viewed as an investment in yourself and in your shooting. Three or four lessons can put an average game gun on the way to being a good shot. Shooting clays gives you the opportunity to work in a controlled environment and repeat a technique. It will also equip you with the tools to approach a game day with improved mental skills, enabling you to deal with a wide variety of challenges. Shooting should be enjoyable, so avoiding stress and staying relaxed is important to get the most from the day. When people are anxious the first thing that goes is their peripheral vision. This is because the blood is redirected to the major organs – the body’s fight or flight response. So, the blood supply to your eyes decreases and the result is a reduction in peripheral vision, so you fail to pick up second birds.” Infinite variety Game shooting always gives you infinite variety; big days, small days, walked-up, driven, pheasant, grouse and partridge. Part of the enjoyment of game shooting stems from this enormous variety and also from the fact that no two birds are the same. Do it right To shoot well, you need to be well equipped. If you have the right clothing, the right gun and the right instruction it really adds value to your day out. You should always try to get the best you can from your game shoot days, so my recommendation is to invest in your shooting through coaching, Instruction 1-2-1 As well as teaching the technical side of game shooting I will also focus on field safety and etiquette. As part of my service I will always try to find times and days that suit you. This means that the lessons don't have to be always on the hour for an hour. I always leave time after the lesson to discuss what we learnt and what we will try and achieve in the next lesson. Cost 1 hour lesson Adult £70 (25 shots) 1 hour lesson Junior and over 60's £65 (25 shots) 2 hours Junior and over 60's £100 (50 shots) 2 hours Adult £110 (50 shots) Shared lesson additional £15 per person Lesson only option Alternatively you can provide your own cartridges and pay directly for clays this would cost £40 per hour Guns and all personal protective equipment are provided. |
In the field services
Let me do the worrying
Cost of in the field Instruction or Loading £125 excluding any direct expenses
The world of driven shooting can be intimidating and confusing to the newcomer – a minefield of alien traditions, customs and etiquette. But with a bit of homework and prior preparation, your first day on the peg can be both enjoyable and rewarding.
Driven shooting has changed. Once strictly the domain of land owners, farmers and the aristocracy, it is now far, far more accessible to people of all backgrounds and from all walks of life. Thanks largely to the commercialisation of the sport and the advent of let days, sporting agents and the likes of GunsOnPegs, pretty much anyone can book a day's shooting. If you have the money, a shotgun certificate and insurance, you can go game shooting simply by clicking the ‘Book now' button. But there is a glitch in the system – there is no requirement for you to prove that you are a proficient Shot, have an understanding of the ways of the countryside, the etiquette and the ethics that go hand in glove with shooting and, most importantly, that you are safe and will not pose a risk to beaters, pickers-up and fellow Guns.
Although shooting is indeed more accessible than ever before, there are important traditions that must be upheld, strict rules and a code of conduct that all Guns must adhere to, and there is a level of etiquette – much of which is unwritten – that is expected of all game Shots. Driven shooting needn't be intimidating, but it is vital that these values are understood by all game Shots, both old and new.
Accepting your invite
A day's shooting starts with an invite or a confirmed booking. Should you be lucky enough to receive an invite to shoot as someone's guest, you should respond, in writing or by email at the very least, as promptly as possible. Bear in mind that if you are unable to attend, your host will need to find someone to take your place. If you can make it, it is a good idea to clarify any details that will be important later on: Where exactly will you be meeting and at what time? Will you need your own 4X4 transport, or will there be a Gunbus? Are you expected to stay with the rest of the team the night before or will you be meeting up on the morning of the shoot? Is it okay to bring a dog with you?
Dress code and gear
Although there is a dress code that comes with driven shooting, do not worry if you do not have the latest £500 tweed shooting jacket and matching breeks. But, equally, you probably don't want to be the odd one out in the team photograph who's wearing a neon ski jacket and baseball cap.
There are certain things that you will need, and if you don't have certain items, you can always borrow them from a shooting friend.
Apart from a suitable gun (over-under or side-by-side, NOT a semi auto or pump action!) you will also need enough cartridges, a cartridge bag, a waterproof shooting jacket with large, easily accessible pockets (for cartridges), ear defenders, a suitable hat (such as a tweed cap), a shirt (checked tattersall or similar) and tie, green or brown wellies or alternative waterproof boots, a pair of brogues or equivalent (you should arrive wearing these and change into your boots when you set off for the first drive, and change back into them if lunch is to be taken indoors), either tweed or moleskin breeks and long shooting socks, or tweed or moleskin trousers. A pair of shooting gloves will be useful during the colder months and, if you are to use a side-by-side, a glove for your lead hand or a barrel sleeve is recommended. Remember that all clothing should be of subdued/camouflaged colours (although NOT camo!).
Also, remember to take enough cash to tip the keeper (as a rule of thumb, £20 per Gun per 100 birds shot) and for the sweep, when Guns are asked to guess the bag. This is usually £10 – £20 per Gun. You may also like to take a gift for your host.
Safety first
Safety should be your number one priority at all times. If you are unsafe, you may be asked to put your gun away and go home. You will certainly never be asked back. Never forget this.
Your gun should be unloaded and in its slip between all drives and, when carrying your gun in its slip, make sure the barrels are pointing downwards as the zip/buckle can break and your gun will fall out. Before the start of each drive, you should check your barrels are clear of any obstructions. If they are not completely clear (i.e. if there is any mud or debris or a wad stuck in either of your barrels), notify your host or a member of the shoot staff immediately who will help you to clear them using a cleaning rod.
You should always be aware of the whereabouts of all beaters and pickers-up. This is crucial. While you are waiting for the drive to commence, your gun should be broken. Remember you aren't shooting clay pigeons and that it can take a while for the beaters to get the birds to their flushing point, so enjoy the wait. Only close your gun when the drive is underway – NOT before – and make sure your safety catch is on at all times, right up to the moment when you raise your gun to a bird. When you are not shooting, your barrels should be pointing at the ground in front of your feet or towards the sky directly overhead. As a rule of thumb, only shoot if you can see sky in the background. Don't ever swing your barrels through the line of Guns or through an area where beaters/pickers-up may be. Open, unload and slip your gun as soon as the horn blows.
Cartridges
Running out of cartridges on a shoot day is a criminal offence – make sure you take more than you will need. It is a good idea to have a back-up supply in your vehicle or in the Gunbus from which you can replenish your cartridge bag between drives or when you break for elevenses or lunch. If you plan to use plaswad cartridges, find out from your host if they are permitted on the shoot (many shoots only allow fibre wad cartridges these days) and make sure you take suitable loads for the quarry and topography (if needs be, ask your host or sporting agent for his/her recommendation in terms of shot size and load).
The shoot captain's briefing
Before the first drive, you will draw pegs and be given a safety briefing. It is crucial that you pay attention to this. Make sure you know if you are going to be pegged from left to right or right to left (the latter is more common) and whether you will be moving up one, two or three pegs every drive. Also, do remember your peg number as it annoys shoot hosts immensely when Guns have to continually be reminded what peg they're on. This isn't your host's responsibility, it is yours.
Make sure you understand the order of the day (all shoots have slightly different rules): Can you shoot ground game, pigeons, corvids and woodcock? Is it a cocks only day? Are partridges on the cards or is it pheasants only? What's the deal with white pheasants (some shoots encourage you to shoot them, others will incur a hefty fine)? How many drives will you be shooting? Are you live once you are on your peg (i.e. you can start shooting as soon as you reach your peg) or will there be a horn to signify the start of the drive? At the end of drive, will there be a horn or a whistle? If you are unclear about ANYTHING, you must ask.
Etiquette
Always arrive on time. If, heaven forbid, you are running late or get stuck in traffic, phone your host to let him know. If you don't, you will keep everyone waiting.
As you make your way to your peg at the start of each drive, keep noise to an absolute minimum. A huge amount of planning goes into the orchestration of a shoot day and a drive can be ruined by noisy Guns alerting the birds to their exact whereabouts before the drive has got underway. Few things irritate keepers more than noisy, inconsiderate Guns.
You should know when a bird is too low and/or unsporting. Equally, you should know your own limits and when a bird is out of range/beyond your ability. No one will reprimand you for leaving birds that are too high or too low.
Always make a mental note of how many birds you have shot and ensure that the picking-up team know where they are at the end of the drive. Wounded or pricked birds must always be given a second barrel if it is safe to do so, and make sure you watch and mark runners as carefully as you can.
It is considered bad form to poach your neighbour's birds (those that fly closer to your neighbour's peg than yours). If in doubt, leave the ones that are 50/50).
At the end of the drive, make sure you pick up your cartridges and dispose of them (there will usually be a bucket in the game cart). If you have been told to leave them at the peg, gather them into a neat pile before heading back to the vehicles. If you pick up any birds, take them to the game cart or give them to a picker-up. And if you have a dog, it is your responsibility to keep it under control.
Only use your mobile phone if you absolutely have to. Unless your wife is at least nine months pregnant, switch your phone off or, better still, leave it in the car. A shoot day is a welcome escape from the hubbub of the working world, so your fellow Guns will not appreciate you replying to emails, text messages or making phone calls.
Make the most of it
It has often been said that the level of enjoyment one derives from a day's shooting is directly proportionate to the attitude that one turns up with. So, remember to enjoy the day and make the most of it. Being part of a day's shooting is a great privilege and you should remember that. Shooting is about so much more than just pulling the trigger, so embrace all aspects of the day: the dogs, the wonderful scenery, the wildlife, the camaraderie and the friendships.
Elevenses and lunch
Driven shooting is an inherently sociable pastime and elevenses and lunch are an important part of the day. Make an effort to engage with your host and fellow Guns and enquire about the shoot, the estate and the area you are in. Equally, remember that the keepers, pickers-up and beaters are all an integral part of the day – at the very least acknowledge them and thank them for the invaluable services they are providing. And no one likes a bragger – don't boast about how many you have shot – chances are, the Gun two pegs down is the next Simon Ward or George Digweed.
If lunch is to be taken at the end of the day after the last drive (called shooting through), it is considered very bad form to leave before the end of the meal (unless you absolutely have to, in which case you should have informed your host of this beforehand).
A drop of sloe gin at elevenses and perhaps a small glass of wine with lunch are generally considered to be part of the day, but note that over consumption of alcohol and shooting are a combination that should NEVER mix. Know your limits and stick to them.
At the end of the day
Gamekeepers work damned hard, year round, with irregular, often unsocial hours to make your day's shooting a possibility. It is therefore only polite to thank them and leave a tip for the invariably wonderful day you've had. If you are unsure as to how much to tip, you can have a quiet word with your host beforehand.
And if you are offered a brace of birds to take home with you – either oven ready or in the feather – do not decline them. If you shoot game, you should eat game.
Finally, if you have shot as someone's guest, don't forget to write your thank you letter. And if you are not in a position to return the favour and invite them to shoot as your guest in the future, a token of your appreciation – either a bottle of something special or otherwise – won't go amiss.
How to shoot Straight Driven Birds How to shoot Crossing Partridges
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How to hit a Right and Left Pheasant
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How to Shoot Grouse
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Davie Carrie showing lead for pheasants in slow motion