Invited on a shoot

stig

Well-Known Member
I’ve been invited on my first driven shoot on 29[SUP]th[/SUP] December. It’s not an overly formal affair, a farmer friend and his local friends, but 6-7 driven shoots incl. pheasant, partridge and duck. Now I’ve been shooting for years, but always the solitary stalker/walk about with the shotgun for rabbits/pigeons/etc. type of a bloke…

I’m assuming willies, moleskins, shirt, tie, green shooting jacket and tweed cap is the order of the day…

Any words of advice/common pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks,

Stig
 
Make sure you take the correct size of cartridges, warm gear and possibly there might be a tip for the beaters !
You could always have a hip flask with some sloe gin !!!!!
 
get the paperwork out of the way early (a pre-tipped keeper should put you on the best peg) and always shoot the white cock bird if it flies over you!
 
get the paperwork out of the way early (a pre-tipped keeper should put you on the best peg) and always shoot the white cock bird if it flies over you!

Don't shoot anything , unless you have been told to do so. It is the norm to have a safety brief before the start of the day which should cover what spp can be shot and when. If they don't do this ask the shoot captain/keeper. Never pressume!!!

Some shoots don't shoot white pheasants, others will fine if you don't!


Any tips should be given to keepers at the end of the day, it is a tip , not a bribe!!!!! Also, if you are to tip, make it subtle!!!!!!!!!

If in doubt, don't shoot!

Enjoy:D

Be smart but also be comfortable. You don't want to be so trussed up that you can't shoot!

When given your stand/peg ask if where the pickers up/ stops are. Don't leave your peg until you are happy that everything is picked or you have at least informed the pickers up, what is on the deck. Take note of anything that may be a runner. If you have your own dog, refrain from letting it pick during the drive. If it can't be trusted to NOT run in either tether it or leave it in the car. Nothing worse than a manic dog running about the drive, you will certainly upset both guns and keepers!

Make sure that you thank your host, always good to have some cake or chocolates to hand around at elevenses or between drives. Hip flasks are always popular but remember you are shooting and many will be driving.

Again, enjoy
 
Pretty much as above but also:
a) Take sufficient cartrdiges
b) The correct type, i.e non toxic for the ducks.
Maybe see you back in Devon next year?
Cheers
Richard
 
Unless told otherwise dress as you discribed listen 100% at safty breifing takemore then enough carts no need to tip beaters only the keeper at the end and again listen at the safty breifing if they say no ground game they mean no ground game this useally means fox aswell etc most really enjoy game shoots even if they never do it again
 
Have ready cash, In a selection of sizes (fun fines etc), don't brag about the supurb left and right you hit on the first drive (!) Comfy, smart field clothes and a tie (not a wedding tie!). If you're shooting a 12 bore do not take any 20 bore cartridges with you and the rest of that. Tip the keeper, thank beaters. And enjoy yourself.
 
you say you have always shot alone ,swinging too far ,to be nearly down the line is the main error, that shooting when alone isnt given a second thought ,and can easily happen on the day if the birds are low or the line is on a slope, just enjoy the day
 
Cartridges in a pocket are swifter to re-load than cartridges in a belt! And you don't risk rucking your gunstock. Beware of getting mud in you muzzles when you gun is broken when bending down at the end of the drive to pick up your spent cases.

Ditto beware of mud being "kicked up" by the feet of the person in front when walking in a line with your gun broken. Wear at least one pair of thin socks under your thick socks. Take sufficient non-toxic for the duck. Ask you friend how many that realistically might be. It might be literrally just one drive and six or seven cartridges will suffice.

Unless the ground is really wet then good boots are warmer than any rubber wellies. A brimmed hat will keep the back of your neck dry. As will some sort of neck rag or light neckerchief. Ties? Some do, some don't. Ask before you go!

Take a gun slip. Again some places prefer guns in slips between drives. Also an "ask" before you go. Try and not follow through and as others say do ask about ground game. On land with flints in the ground it is dangerous in any 360 degree radius!

Use felt wad unless told otherwise and that includes plastic biodegradable. It saves you having to explain that there aren't real plastic. Shot size? Sixes or sevens and an ounce of the latter and an ounce and a sixteenth of the former. If fives use an ounce and an eight.

Don't shoot a pigeons before a drive that have flushed from the wood before the pheasants start flushing. You will not be thanked! Once the pheasant have started flushing then they are OK.

Lastly take a good packed lunch if the shoot doesn't provide one. Something moist to eat that won't dry out and a flask of tea or coffee. As for alcohol again ask. Some shoots frown on it until the day's business is done.

Lastly? Never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself!
 
get the paperwork out of the way early (a pre-tipped keeper should put you on the best peg) and always shoot the white cock bird if it flies over you!
Only ever been tipped once ..before the shoot .... By a novice who put it in a envelope ! Still the thought was there .
better still thank the keeper after yr day with the note tucked in the palm of yr hand ,a deft little manoeuvre that may require a dummy run at home first with the wife lol I'll let you decide what the thanks was for ! :D
Norma
 
Firstly enjoy it. Colar and tie are the order of the day - you can always take a tie off. Be ready for birds coming out - much better to have your muzzles pointed in the air, stock resting on your hip. Phaesants can and do fly fast, but there is plenty of time - try and take them in front at an approx 45 degree angle - much easier than directly overhead. Only shoot if you have clear blue sky behind the bird. And only take birds that are coming towards you. That crossing bird will probably give your neighbour a better shot.
 
Be jovial good company, safety is of paramount importance as is not shooting at an "unsporting bird" eg, one that despite being a safe shot is struggling to make it over the top of your gun barrel or will make a far better shot for one of your friends. Dress smartly and comfortably, never count how many cartridges you have used or birds missed , relax and enjoy yourself . atb Tim
 
If you have greens please wear them. On our shoot there is nothing gripes me more than a gun turning up in camo. Your not there to go to war with the birds. Any beaters turn up to ours in camo and they are on there way home. It's just a small duck shoot and is personal opinion
 
Take a bottle along for the person who invited you and some pies or cake to share among your fellow shooters and beater as a thank you for the day
Don't shoot ground game unless told to do so
Only shoot at birds with sky behind them no low stuff
Be fully aware of the location of other guns to your left and right and the beating line
Most of all just relax and enjoy your day
 
Take fibre wadded cartridges. Some shoots specify fibre only so if you take them you can't go wrong.

David.
 
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