GENERAL

Grouse shooting takes place on heather moorland in the uplands of Northern England and Scotland typically between 700 ft and 3,000 ft above sea level. At these altitudes the weather can change very quickly and at certain times of the year flooding, ice and snow can be a significant risk.

Due to the nature of grouse shooting and the number of people involved over rough terrain it can be a dangerous activity. The shoot organiser will guide you and you should listen carefully to any safety talks prior or during the sporting activity. In the event of an emergency please seek immediate assistance from the shoot organiser or the head keeper.

Anyone involved in grouse shooting should carry out a risk assessment before and during the shoot. Please read the summary below to remind you of the main procedures and risks involved:-

1. CLOTHING

* Assess the weather and take suitable clothing and take additional layers of warm clothing.

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

* Wear supportive walking boots or robust boots, as the ground will be rocky, uneven and wet in areas.

* Safety glasses and ear protection should always be worn during a grouse drive.

2. THE ENVIRONMENT

* Be aware that a degree of physical fitness is required for grouse shooting.

* Please take care in taking access to the grouse butt and follow instructions.

* Seek assistance if you have difficulty crossing a burn, negotiating a steep bank or crossing a fence.

* Use gates where possible and close them behind you.

* Avoid electric fences and barbed wire fences or seek assistance.

* Be aware of fire risk in dry weather and avoid smoking or lighting matches.

* Bring suntan lotion and drinking water on hot days to reduce the risk of sunburn or sunstroke.

* Be aware of power lines in close proximity.

* Move to lower ground or a protected area in the event of thunder and lightening.

* Avoid deep wading or risky river crossings and seek assistance from the keepers.

* Be aware of rights of way and public highways in the vicinity of the shooting area.

3. EQUIPMENT

* Only use shotguns if you have had appropriate training or have a loader monitoring your shooting during the drive.

* Always make sure your shotgun is unloaded between drives and do not point the gun at anyone. Do not swing through the line of guns during the drive.

* Make sure your equipment is kept clean and in good working order at all times.

* Check that your cartridges are appropriate for the shooting activity.

4. PROCEDURES DURING THE DRIVE

* On arrival at your butt check the position of the adjacent butts. Some butts can be slightly out of line or at a different height and you must allow for this during the drive.

* Check the butt floor and find a level and unobstructed area to stand.

* Guests and dogs should sit out of the way, preferably lower down, but inside the butt. Never leave the butt during a drive.

* Always use butt sticks and delineate the arc of the fire by placing the sticks in the front corners of your butt. Some moors have permanent butt sticks and butt line markers.

* If you are in the end two butts, always acknowledge the position of the flankers with a wave and mark their progress during the drive.

* If using double guns practice the change with your loader. When passing a gun always ensure the safety catch is in the safe position.

* During the drive always make sure that your gun is pointing forward.

* Always check that the barrels are free from obstructions. In the event of a misfire unload the gun with barrels pointed away from others.

* Be aware of the location of the beating line and do not fire in front when the beaters are within 150-200 meters of the guns. Normally the keepers will blow a whistle or sound a horn to confirm that there should be no more shooting in front. On no account fire above the beaters.

* If you have poor visibility or a short horizon, please ask your neighbours if the beaters/or flankers are approaching. Warn your neighbours if they are unaware.

* Guns should always be unloaded at the end of the drive and put away in slips before you retrieve game. Do not move out of your butt or let a dog off until the drive has been finished.

* Be aware that shotgun pellets can ricochet off water and can therefore be a safety hazard.

* If the drive is disrupted for any reason, then shotguns should be unloaded and placed in their slips.

5. HEALTH HAZARDS

* If you are on medication please bring it with you.

* If you are allergic to bee or wasp stings please remember to take antihistamine medication with you. Midge repellant can also be helpful and apply to exposed skin as appropriate.

* If you have sensitive eyes take eye wash/lotion with you.

* On hot days please take water with you and avoid drinking excessive alcohol.

* If alcohol is consumed it will impair your judgement and could be a significant safety hazard.

* Hats should always be worn during the drives. On sunny days they will reduce the risk of sunstroke. Suntan lotion may be necessary in August/September.

* In cold conditions hypothermia or exposure can be a risk especially on higher ground. Please bring adequate waterproof clothing.

* If shooting from a wooden butt, these are often treated with wood preservative and this can stain clothing or irritate skin or eyes.

* Barrels can get hot on occasions and leather gloves (or equivalent) or a barrel guard can avoid problems.

* First aid kits stored in vehicles are worth considering.

* Do not light matches in dry conditions to avoid the risk of fire.

* Ticks are common on some moorland areas and should be removed from clothes or skin as quickly as possible. Ticks can cause infection or n some cases Lyme Disease is a risk to be aware of. The best defence is to keep the skin covered and check your skin and clothing frequently.

* Tetanus boosters are recommended as tetanus infections can occur through cuts, abrasions or puncture wounds.

6. VEHICLES

* If you are bringing a four wheel drive please make sure that you have suitable experience or training to drive on hill roads. If you are in any doubt please ask an experienced driver to take over. Please be particularly careful if you are driving a vehicle with a trailer on rough tracks.

* Please ensure that there is sufficient room between you and the car in front as hill roads can become extremely dangerous in wet or icy conditions.

* Please follow instructions clearly when going from one drive to another and park in the correct place.

* When travelling in an Estate vehicle please be aware that the ride can be uneven and uncomfortable. Avoid trailing loose clothing which could become entangled especially in Argocats or tracked vehicles.

* Please take advice from the shoot organiser or keeper if your vehicle has to cross a deep gully, ford or go up steep tracks.

* You should not drive any Estate vehicles unless specifically instructed or requested to do so.

7. WILDLIFE AND LIVESTOCK

* Please be aware of livestock and avoid disturbance or causing injury to sheep or cattle. Sheep are often in close proximity to the butts especially towards the end of a grouse drive.

* Adders can be found on moorland areas and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

* Please make sure you are aware what quarry you are permitted to shoot on the day as some species such as black game, grey partridges, ptarmagan or blue hares may be protected by the Estate.

8. COMMUNICATIONS

* Be aware of instructions and advice from the shoot organiser or keepers during the day. Pass on any instructions to adjacent guns as quickly as possible.

* Whilst mobile telephones are helpful for communication and can be used in an emergency, they should generally be switched off during drives to avoid distraction.

* If you are going out on the hill by yourself then please leave an accurate description of your route and timings.

* Be aware of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and communicate with any access users in the vicinity of a shoot.

* Follow instructions by Estate staff at all times. Ignoring instructions could jeopardise your safety or enjoyment of the sporting event or could even result in cancellation of the event.

* If you have any uncertainty as to the procedure on a shoot day do not hesitate to ask.

The above is intended as a guide to the potential risks which you may encounter when you go grouse shooting. Most of the comments in this assessment are common sense but please do take time to read it and ask if you are unsure.