It’s a glorious day, rolling pasture and woodland stretches out as far as the eye can see. A flush of pheasants fly overhead; some fall from the sky to the ground below. Most birds are cleanly killed and those which are wounded are swiftly retrieved and despatched. Shooting majors on ethics and respect for the quarry. The key priority for any shooter should always be the swift and humane despatch of his/her quarry.
Always remember…
- The shot type and load should be matched to the quarry species. Different cartridge and choke combinations have different effective ranges, so it is important to experiment at a clay ground before going game shooting.
- Birds should only be shot at when they’re within the effective range of a shotgun and when the shooter’s confident in his ability to make a clean kill. Judging range is an important skill that comes with experience. Try guessing the distance of features when you’re outside and then pace out the actual distance. You’ll soon become proficient.
- Watching where a bird falls after a successful shot allows for the bird to be collected quickly and despatched immediately if necessary. If a bird cannot be retrieved after being shot, do not take a shot.
- Be sure that you know how to humanely despatch an animal before going game shooting (even if you regularly beat or pick-up). If you don’t, ask in advance and someone will show you what to do. You need to know how to use dispatching equipment, such as a priest.
- We all owe it to our quarry to practice at the clay ground and become proficient shots prior to moving on to the real thing.
- Check the shoot you are attending adheres to best practice as outlined in the Code of Good Shooting Practice.
By simply following the above rules, you can rest assured that the quarry you take hasn’t unnecessarily suffered and was respected.
Spencer Barber
I’m 17 years old and live in the North East of England, but I was born in Hong Kong, where I lived for two years, then moved to Penang for three years. I never have imagined that I would ever shoot, let alone write for BASC! I’m currently studying at sixth form and love swimming and shooting. I fell in love with the landscapes of the north Pennines. Their raw beauty and wildlife is truly breath-taking and has helped me develop an awareness of the environment around me I wrote my first article because I feel shooting is perceived as disrespectful to nature, when, in truth, it’s the complete opposite. The contribution made to small communities is astronomical. In reality, shooters are ordinary people (although I do believe I’m addicted to shooting). If we can bring to light shooting’s contributions and benefits, others’ perception of it will change.
