Let's Go Shooting
The great thing about taking up shooting is that in order to try it, you don't have to own a single item of equipment!
If you are looking to get into shooting of any kind, the best way is to find a group, association or club in your area.
Your local Gun club will have everything you need until you decide to get completely involved in the sport.
It is always best to join a reputable club first, before applying for your shotgun certificate or Firearms certificate.
You will find most Clubs and Associations helpful and very keen to assist.
You can, not only get expert advice and assistance to help you make the right choices in your chosen sport, but gain valuable experience as well.
However, non-certificate holders can only shoot at artificial targets, with clubs approved by the local Constabulary, on specific days allowed by their Section 11(6) permit.
Clay Pigeon Shooting packages are usually fully inclusive of all equipment hire, expert instruction and public liability insurance.
You will start with a lesson on
- Safety Talk.
- Chat about shooting background.
- Basic Gun Handling.
- Information on stance / posture.
- Eye dominance worked out.
- Shooting at a straight target.
Shooting Associations.
Associations offer a variety of services including technical, legal and practical advice as well as insurance packages tailored for shooting and related activities. Some will provide legal costs to appeal against police licensing decisions.
The British Shooting Sports Council is the umbrella body for shooting sports in the UK and links to its constituent member associations can be found on its website.
Clay pigeon shooting
People who do not have shotgun certificates can still shoot clays at approved venues such as clay grounds and practice ranges, and Game Fairs and country shows.
Learning to shoot is like learning to drive, it's always best to have a series of lessons from a professional coach to stop any bad habits forming.
Airguns
Airguns are relatively inexpensive and not subject to the same licensing controls as shotguns and rifles.
Air rifles with muzzle energy levels of 12ft-lb or less and air pistols with muzzle energy levels of 6ft-lb or less do not have to be licenced.
Airguns can be used in the garden providing a safe backstop is used to stop pellets leaving the premises. Backstops can be made from easily obtained materials such as old carpets, plywood and newspapers.
The law on air guns and young people is complicated, See our page Gun Law in the UK
Deer
Like any other species, deer need to be managed and the UK's increasing deer population provides wonderful sporting opportunities for hunters.
The law allows someone of 18 or over to borrow and use a rifle under the supervision of the certificate holder. This is a good way of seeing if deer stalking is for you.
Many stalking opportunities are advertised in magazines such as Shooting Times and Shooting Gazette and Sporting Gun magazine.
The BASC stalking scheme offers opportunities for members to stalk in King's Forest, Suffolk and on the Isle of Arran.
Insurance
Insurance whilst shooting is not compulsory, but it is common sense to have public liability cover. Many shooting organisations offer insurance as part of their membership benefits.
