We’re into the latter part of the year now, which is actually the height of the pheasant and partridge shooting season in Scotland.

With this in mind, we thought it would be advantageous for us to write a blog post about the ins and outs of this kind of shooting, particularly if you’re about to embark on a shoot for the very first time!

A lot of preparation must go into ensuring that you are well equipped for the shoot, and that you’re also aware of how to conduct yourself in a safe manner while in the field.

Pheasant and partridge shooting can take place in a wide variety of habitats with different exposure and altitudes.

Naturally, at this time of the year, the weather can be a bit hit or miss. At higher altitudes the weather can change very quickly, and at certain times of year, flooding, ice, and snow can be a significant risk; so it’s important to always be prepared for these eventualities.

Due to the nature of pheasant and partridge shooting, and the number of people involved over potentially rough terrain, it is a potentially dangerous but extremely exciting activity, and listening to your shoot organiser at all times is a must.

As alluded to earlier, the weather can be rather changeable at this time of year. It is for this reason that we suggest you think hard about the clothing you wear when embarking on your shoot.

Suitable clothing for the weather should normally include a waterproof coat, leggings and headgear and an additional layer for colder conditions.

We also recommend you wear supportive walking, or robust boots, as the ground may be rocky, uneven and wet in areas.

In addition, the wearing of safety glasses and ear protection during any shooting activities by guns and guests is also recommended.

It goes without saying that with this being a sport with live ammunition, safety is of paramount. For this reason, we must insist that only those with training and experience may use shotguns unsupervised. If not, a loader will monitor your shooting during the drive.

In addition, always make sure your shotgun is unloaded between drives, and do not point the gun at anyone. Also, don’t swing through the line of guns during the drive.

Finally, make sure your equipment is kept clean and in good working order at all times, and that your cartridges are appropriate for the shooting activity – some shoots only allow fibre/biodegradable wads.

If you’d like more information on how best to prepare for embarking on a day’s shooting, or any of our other sports, please get in touch; we’d love to hear from you.

You can contact us through our website, via email, or over the phone on: 01738 451600. Moreover, you can also keep up-to-date with us via Facebook and Twitter.