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S THERE ANYTHING more quintessentially British than the traditional game shoot, set in the bucolic rolling countryside in the company of friends old and new? From the beginning of grouse season on the Glorious Twelfth (12 August), to partridge and pheasant starting in September and October, ending with duck and goose season on 20 February, game shooting is the perfect way to get back to nature, enjoy great scenery and test one’s skill. However, few sports are subject to as much scrutiny as game shooting – particularly in 2020, which has seen tighter regulations enforced as the UK continues to feel the impact of Covid-19. While game shooting began the season exempt from the ‘rule of six’, the sport has implemented robust Covidsecure guidelines including social distancing rules, controlled access points, avoiding assisted loading or handling dogs, and enhanced protection for the beating line. Game shooting season is key to many local economies across the UK, from hotels hosting parties during the low season, to the landowners who have donated game to charities such as the Country Food Trust to help feed those in need. The sport is also a key player in wildlife conservation: shooting contributes to the management of wildlife, landscapes and ecosystems on two thirds of the UK’s rural land area, teaches ‘young guns’ about the countryside, and impacts the individuals and businesses that maintain and safeguard the land. But, for many, the draw of a country shoot will always be the fulfilling social aspect of testing one’s skills in the great outdoors, with the promise of the finest organic meal at the end of a day’s efforts. “We found the top three reasons people took part in shooting are enjoyment, time outdoors and relaxation,” says Steve Bloomfield, executive director of shooting and operations for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC). “95% of respondents said shooting was important to their personal wellbeing and 77% said their social life would suffer without shooting. Additionally, the sport is well regulated, and more people are becoming aware of the excellent end product of a day’s game shooting – the bountiful harvest of game meat.” This enjoyment comes from far more than just the sport alone. The pageantry of the occasion itself cannot be understated, welcoming ladies and gentlemen of all ages and backgrounds, from highly formal shoots attended by experienced Guns – as individuals in the shooting party are known – dressed in tailored three-piece tweed, or an informal family event for first-time shooters. From caring for your shotgun to knowing what to wear, the rules of field etiquette at the heart of every shoot are based upon tradition and fair play. Here, Burlingtons takes a look at the key elements any ‘gun’ needs to succeed.
“A country sport with a deep history, there are many unspoken rules that new Guns must learn quickly” 40