GROUSE SHOOTING TIPS
- Dress in dark colours and wear a hat. Make sure your shirt has a dark background as on a hot day in August you may want to take off your shooting jacket. Click here for more information on shooting jackets
- Walking boots are more comfortable than Wellingtons
- Carry water proofs in a shoulder bag – a game bag is ideal so when the inevitable shower comes you have them with you and they are not locked in the boot of the car!
- Wear safety glasses and ear protection when shooting
Dog lead and peg as not all grouse butts have rings provided
Butt marker for noting down birds shot
Walking stick
Binoculars and camera
Clicker for counting birds or shots
Tip money in £ sterling for loader and head keeper
Try and shoot all your birds well “in front” – i.e. don't wait until they are around your ears before firing your first shot
Mark out a stone or patch of heather 60 yards in front of your butt and have your first shot as grouse pass over this point
Don't pick your bird until the moment you are about to mount your gun and then shoot quickly
If grouse are being driven into the wind, wait until the leading birds are close into the butts or even passed them before having your first shot. If you shoot at these birds too far out in front you will turn the pack away from the line
Don't bob up and down like a yo-yo as grouse will see your movement – also you will tend to shoot over the top of the birds as you mount your gun on your upward cycle
Try not to let birds settle in front of your butt, as they will act as decoys to following coveys and get up and fly back over the beaters
If you are using a single gun then reload only one barrel as you can then get three shots off at the same covey
On arrival at your butt acknowledge position of flankers with a wave and watch their progress into the butts throughout the drive
Use butt sticks or if none are available put cartridge bag and gun slips on the front corners of the butt to delineate yoursafe arc of fire
Numbering convention will be explained at the start of the day – i.e. “from the left, move up two each drive”. If instructed to go “up or down on your numbers” the purpose of this is to move the whole line into a more advantageous position to account for different wind conditions
Provided you always stick to the numbering convention explained at the start of the day and then carry out the additional instruction you should always arrive at the correct butt
It may be helpful to write the number you have drawn at the start of the day on the back of your hand!
Always take gun slips with you even when using a pair of guns
Unfortunately very few estates provide slips and also too few loaders employed for the day turn up with gun slips and cartridge bags
Always put your guns back into the slip(s) after the drive before picking up and never leave the butt with a loaded gun
Take a shooting seat, which will lower you to the correct “waiting” height
Take some water or a soft drink
If invited to shoot grouse – or to take part in any other field sport for that matter always confirm your invitation in writing with the date, meeting place, time and arrangements for lunch. Also it is polite to indicate whether you will be accompanied and helpful to your host to confirm whether you will be bringing a dog and/or cross country vehicle
Always write to thank your host for the day's sport
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