Are you pheasant season ready?

As the pheasant season gets underway, Julia Newman shares her top tips to help you prepare for your days in the field.

It’s important to make sure you are prepared for your first day in the field whether that be as a Gun, beater, loader or picker up. The way you get ready can differ dependent on what part you play in a shoot day. Here are my top tips.

Preparing for the pheasant shooting season as a Gun

As a Gun invited on a day, there are several things you can do to prepare and certain etiquette you should follow on the day.

Ask the person who invited you for the meet time and location so you can plan your journey.
Check the format for the day. Is it a driven day or beat one stand one? Are there any particular dress requirements which you should consider to make sure you have suitable clothing.
Check if there any sweepstakes, or similar, to make sure you have the right amount of cash with you on the day. Do not forget about any tips or donations to the shoot funds you may wish to make.
Enquire about transport for travelling around the shoot. Will you need your own or can you get a lift? If using my car, in addition to other relevant equipment such as wellingtons, I clean it between shoots. Not only does it create a good impression on arrival, it’s also a good biosecurity practice.
Check that your gun is clean and in working order. If you can, try to practice on clays beforehand. Especially if your gun has not been out of the cabinet since last pheasant shooting season.
Make sure you know what quarry you are likely to be shooting throughout the day. This will help you choose the correct cartridges.

Check whether you need your own insurance to attend the shoot. Will you will be covered by the shoot’s policy? Remember, BASC membership covers you for up to £10 million public liability cover, £10 million employer liability cover, £10 million product liability cover and £50,000 personal accident cover.
You may wish to take a dog with you (and many of us do), but you shouldn’t assume it will be fine, so check with the host in advance.
Check the arrangements for lunch, etc. Do you need to take any food and drinks with you?
For those who are less experienced in pheasant shooting, do not be afraid to let the person inviting you know that. They may be able to provide a mentor for on peg or you could ask whether you can bring someone with you.
I like to pack the car the night before to make sure I have all the kit I need with me. I also give it a final check over on the morning before I set off. The only thing I don’t pack in advance is my gun – I leave this until I leave.

What to remember on the day

Take your shotgun certificate with you and proof of insurance if required. I make sure to take my BASC membership card with me in case I am asked on the day.
I allow plenty of time to travel, especially if I haven’t been to the shoot before to make sure I arrive on time.
Introduce yourself to the host and pay attention to the briefing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about the instructions you have been given.

Remember to only shoot at approved quarry species, as per briefing, that are safe and within your capabilities.
Try to mark any birds you have shot to help the pickers up.
Ensure that you are safe and seen to be safe at all times.

End of the shoot day

Thank and tip the keeper, thank any other shoot helpers you may see before you leave.
Take a brace of birds home. There are some great recipes on the Eat Game website to inspire you.
Thank the person who has invited you on the shoot day. The way in which this can be done is dependent on the day and the relationship you have with that person but can include a thank you card and bottle of something they like or a reciprocal invite to a shoot you are on.

Preparing for beating or picking up during the pheasant shooting season

Preparations for a pheasant shooting day are similar to those of for a Gun (see above). If I know I will be going beating, I tend to get ready well before the pheasant season starts. I do that by:

checking that all my clothing fits to allow for good movement and that it is in good condition, waterproof and clean. Note: Always make sure your clothes can withstand the cover you will be asked to beat through such as brambles, hedgerow, etc.
making sure that I have given the keeper or shoot organiser in charge of the beaters the dates I can attend if needed in plenty of time.

confirming with the keeper what the meet time and location is (you don’t want to be the one holding up the beaters wagon!). It’s not uncommon for these details to alter between shoot days depending upon which drives are planned you.
asking whether the shoot provides sticks or flags (if not you will have to bring your own).

If you're picking up...

Do any last-minute dog training to fine-tune those skills you’ve practised during the off-season. This will help ensure your dogs are ready for their first day in the field.
Check you have all your equipment and anything your dogs may need. This includes leads, whistles, game carriers, water bowls, towels to dry the dogs off and a tool to dispatch wounded game (such as a priest).
Make sure to check (especially if it’s your first time picking up on that shoot) when and where you can pick up, and whether the Guns would like the chance to pick up first.

I would also make sure I am up to speed on any other details the shoot expects me to know, and these should be relayed either when confirming attendance or delivered in a briefing on the day.

Most importantly, no matter what your involvement is on a shoot day might be, and whether you’re only out for one day or every day, I hope you have an enjoyable and safe season.

Julia Newman

Julia is BASC’s game and wildlife advisor. She enjoys game shooting, beating, clay shooting and being outdoors exploring the countryside with her dog.