How to get into Shooting - 5 Tips for getting started in the Fieldsports Community

With the arrival of Spring comes Spring cleaning, and for me that means cleaning my house, mind - and guns! Whilst cleaning it helps my mind to wander and think about planning life admin, future shooting plans or to reminisce. My latest planning session had me thinking about which wild-fowling club I might join for next season (I'm moving house AGAIN), and it reminded me of the first time I went wild-fowling and how much I hated it - because I had a guide that didn't think about the fact that I was a complete beginner, and didn't prepare me at all, especially not for how cold it would be!

Luckily I decided not to stop at that first impression, and took myself out there to learn more about how to get into shooting, in any way I could. All of the things I am writing about in this blog are things that I've done myself over the years, and all have been successful in helping me move forward in my shooting journey in different ways. I hope they can help someone else no matter their age, background or gender, to enjoy a long future in fieldsports.

Clay pigeon shooting at EJ Churchills in High Wycombe

1 - Clay pigeon shooting

Yes, you can go to any shooting grounds and book yourself a lesson anytime you like, it doesn't just have to be for a stag do! Maybe think about not just taking a lesson; try joining an event like a beginners day or ladies morning, so you get to meet other shooters and not just your instructor. Don't forget some of these 'beginners' may be rifle shooters that are adding to their skill set, who already have permission on land that they could take you out on.

You don't need to worry about having a license or a gun, as there will be equipment provided for you on the day. It's also great to add as experience if you do decide to apply for your licence further down the line, and your instructor can then act as a reference for you also.

2 - Beating on a country shoot (without a dog)

'Beating' means almost what it says on the tin - walking around with a stick tapping it on trees, or with a flag waving it around, trying to make as much noise as possible to get the pheasants to fly up out of hedgerows, woodland and brush/brambles.

Contact local shoots to get onto the beating line; check out pages in shooting magazines, on social media, search Google for organisations such as Guns on Pegs, or simply ask local farmers if there is room for another beater on their shoot (there's always room!) Let them know that you are a beginner and you want to learn more, so that they can partner you up with someone that will show you the ropes.

You'll be fed and watered well, make new friends of all different ages and backgrounds, and you don't have to go near the dead birds if you're not quite ready for that yet - but if you are ready, you'll get to take some delicious meat home to eat at the end of the day! In many cases, you'll also be invited to a 'beaters day' towards the end of the season, where you'll get a chance to try the shooting side of things without the pressure of the usual standards of etiquette that apply on some shoot days. You can also choose to share a peg on this day with someone who is a more experienced shot, or not shoot at all but just watch and learn - a good idea for your first time.

Prepare for lots of exercise, sore arms, weird whooping and hollering noises all around you (the other beaters), and the sudden rush and very loud noise of a pheasant flying out next to you, which gets me every time!

You can of course choose to go beating with a dog, but until you learn the ropes (and you're sure your dog is well trained enough for the job), it's best to start alone - or take a friend along for the ride if you're feeling nervous.

3 - Volunteer at events

Working with large organisations such as BASC, GWTC, NGO etc. or even with smaller retail companies selling products to the country demographic means you will be able to travel around the country attending Country Fairs, Shooting shows and Agricultural Events, where you can meet people from all walks of the Fieldsports life. From Farmers to Gamekeepers, pest controllers and gun makers to dog breeders; they will all be there and in high spirits, so talk to them, ask questions and make connections; more than likely they'll be happy to chat and answer your questions and point you in the right direction for help and advice - or even potential shooting permission!

4 - Join an air rifle club

A simple one - you don't need a gun or licence, as you can use their equipment. You will need to apply to become a member of the club, then you will be able to practice and hone your skills whilst being kept safe by your mentor/ranger, and have fun surrounded by friendly members who will give you advice and could become future shooting buddies outside of the club. Find out more here: https://nra.org.uk/get-into-shooting/

5 -Join a Wild-fowling Club

Once you are further along in your journey and have our licence and gun, most wild-fowling clubs will give you a mentor for the first season (or the first few trips at least). So, you'll have company and advice on each outing, plus you won't have to remember how to get to that random patch of grass in the middle of a muddy, hole-ridden marsh that is a mile walk from the car park! But once you are out there in the wilderness - trust me you will wonder why you didn't try it sooner...

Final bonus tip - make sure you have suitable clothing for all of the above! For example:

Beating - wear layers and comfortable footwear (preferably not wellies) as you'll be doing lots of walking, and will get warm with all the walking and waving your stick but you'll get cold once standing.

Clay shooting - wear something on your top half that you can easily move around in so that your arms and shoulders aren't restricted when taking a shot - but don't wear anything too thin, as after a few shots your shoulder i going to start feeling a little bruised.

Wild-fowling - wear waterproof and warm clothing, with as few gaps as possible. It's going to be cold, wet and muddy, you might even be sitting in the mud or standing ankle deep in water for a couple of hours, so you might even want to take some hand and feet warmers with you. If on a marsh, a walking stick is a good idea too, to check the ground before you walk on it, or to help you cross a ditch.

For more general info about all things shooting and fieldsports, check out the resources page on my website.