• 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 jacket
• 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

• Dress as for grouse shooting although subtle colours are rather less important and dress tends to be a bit more formal
• Walking is usually less strenuous on low ground shoots and wellingtons are quite acceptable to wear
• Avoid shooting your neighbours birds or “cutting them off” if birds are passing
  you to get to him
• Let a few birds through to the back guns and don't be greedy
• Count your birds and make sure they are all picked up.  Speak to the pickers
  up – they will appreciate your interest and sportsmanship
• If you have an unruly dog attach it to a peg; if it sings leave it at home.  For attaching a dog to a secure place a climbing carabiner is very useful as it can
  be snapped onto a wire fence or stick
• If you are consistently missing birds and have had your guns fitted properly –
  go back to basics and move your feet, mount your gun just behind the birds
  and swing through and shoot keeping the barrels moving. Remember “move, mount,
  shoot” – easy!!

The first morning's salmon fishing is like the first morning's skiing – there is so much to remember!  The following is a general guide to help you feel more comfortable on the river and not be embarrassed in the company of your peers. 

• Rod rack for your car
• Tape to secure your rod pieces
• New leader as last season material should be discarded
• A variety of poly leaders for floating - fast sinking tips
• Polaroid glasses
• Life vest
• Wading jacket
• Wading stick
• Waders
• Rods/reels etc