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We have pleasure in setting out below our risk assessment for walked up grouse shooting which we would be grateful if you could read before you come to the moors.
We also enclose a form which you and each member of your party must sign and return to us to record your understanding of the risks associated with the sport of grouse shooting and the grouse moor environment. This form must be returned prior to the shoot date.
Grouse shooting takes place on heather moorland in the uplands of Northern England and Highlands of Scotland, typically between 700 feet and 3,000 feet above sea level. Moorland, although benign on sunny days in August can quickly turn into an inhospitable and dangerous environment if the weather changes. Be prepared for all weather conditions as they can all occur on the same day.
It is best undertaken early in the season i.e. August, before the grouse and the weather become too wild.
Dress in sombre colours with layers of warm clothing. Always take a waterproof coat, hat and leggings. Wear stout waterproof walking boots with ankle support, as the ground will be rocky, uneven and wet in areas. Taking a walking stick for support and to act as a probe to locate boggy ground is only an option for non-guns, therefore the walking pace of the line should allow everyone sufficient time to negotiate awkward ground conditions. Boot top gaiters will stop small stones and heather seeds from entering your boots.
Safety glasses and ear protection should always be worn. Ear defenders with microphones are also strongly recommended. These will protect your ears but equally allow you to hear what instructions the keeper might be giving, as well as alert you to the presence of your quarry. A cartridge belt augmented by some additional cartridges in the pocket is recommended as opposed to carrying a cartridge bag which is heavy, cumbersome and may impede your walking and shooting.
This Risk Assessment is specific to you, the gun. Non-shooting companions should not be allowed to take your place unless a separate risk assessment has been signed by them and they have attended the Safety Briefing at the start of the day.
All Guns shooting/sharing a gun must individually be in possession of a current third party indemnity insurance policy for a minimum of £5m and be prepared to provide proof of cover if requested. The Owner, Head Keeper, Agent or Shoot Host will give a safety talk at the start of the day and will outline the programme. Other game may be in season, blue hares, golden plover and snipe as well as rabbits. Make sure you are aware what game in addition to grouse is permitted to be shot at the beginning of the day.
There are basically two types of walked up grouse shooting 1. With pointing dogs. 2. Walking in a line.
This is ideal for sportsmen learning to shoot or for those with specialist interest in dogs. A single pointer will cast out in front of the shooting party and once a covey of grouse is scented the dog will freeze and go ‘on point’.
Whilst the dog is held back by command, usually 2 guns only will go forward to approach the game; one gun to the left and one to the right of the dog.
When ready the pointer will be sent in by its handler to flush the covey and the guns may shoot at grouse going away or flying to the left or right. Care must be taken to let the birds get a sufficient distance from the flushing point before firing. On no account should guns shoot behind them towards the rest of the party and dog handlers, nor too low over the dogs heads, if in doubt do not shoot.
The direction of the line is chosen by the keeper conducting the day. Normally the line will walk into the wind or across the wind. How the wind direction can influence a flush of birds should be taken into account.
Care should be taken to stay in line with other guns and keepers so that a grouse may be shot safely in front or behind the line. Do not shoot down the line nor in the direction of the line if guns are behind a hill or amongst rocks. Be aware of potential ricochet risks.
Guns will walk at different speeds so always check your own pace to ensure that you are keeping up with the rest of the line and not getting ahead of it either. This is particularly important when ‘wheeling’ around a hill as the outside guns will have a much further arc to walk than those at the centre of the wheel.
Grouse have a habit of flushing unannounced, when least expected, and often at close quarters, particularly in warm weather. The adult cock and hen will almost always initiate the flight of a covey. Select your bird and ensure the shot is taken safely away from the line. If in any doubt about the safety of an opportunity do not take the shot. It is good practice not to seek to obliterate a covey therefore avoid speculative shots as other opportunities will present themselves. Reloading quickly is recommended.
If guns are out of sight behind an obstruction, always regroup when all the line is in view. If some guns have their progress impeded by boggy ground or difficult terrain, the rest of the line should adjust their pace and wait until the area has been successfully negotiated before forming a straight line again. At physical obstructions such as fences, walls, rivers scree banks etc. shot guns should always be unloaded whilst the difficult area is being negotiated.
When a grouse is shot and carefully marked, the line should stop to give time for the retrieve. In this way a dog handler will not fall out of line, presenting a hazard for a shot fired behind the line. The keeper may ask the line to move forward to the level of where a bird has fallen to prevent any dog putting up other coveys beyond the range of the gun line while hunting a retrieve.
Shotguns should be carried closed with the safety catch on and pointed either at the ground supported in the crook of the arm or supported on the shoulder with barrels pointing safely skyward. Under no circumstances should shot guns be supported in the crook of the left arm if right handed or right arm if left handed as this will result in barrels pointing straight at the neighbouring gun.
Gun dogs should be under control at all times, either walking to heel or worked at close quarters in front of the line. The game keeper will have ultimate sanction on whether dogs can work or be kept at heel or be restrained.
If any gun should become fatigued it is perfectly in order to request the keeper to organise a break which may be taken at the nearest vantage point. At this juncture guns should be unloaded and the group can convene for refreshment and rest.
Access over open moorland is often difficult and the terrain uneven with a variety of vegetation and peat depth; from hard going on thin peat layers to blanket bog which become treacherous in wet weather. Always look where you are going and pay particular attention to hazards on the ground. A degree of physical fitness is required walking up grouse. When crossing mountain streams, be aware that bridges or stepping-stones may be wet or slippery. Scree banks can give way so exercise caution when negotiating these obstacles. If crossing a fence line use gates where possible. If you need to get over a wire fence make sure your weight is supported by a sound 'strainer' or corner post in the fence line. Fences are often topped with a strand of barbed wire, which is sharp and can tear clothing and scratch skin.
Be aware of public footpaths and remember that the public have a right to roam on open moorland (although in Scotland this does not extend to a right to interfere or obstruct lawful activities).
When regrouping with the rest of the line, guns should be unloaded and preferable replaced in slips. When putting guns down, ensure that they are flat on the ground, preferably together and with their position marked in some way – with a walking stick for example. Take water on a hot day, as it is easy to get dehydrated. At lunch time alcohol may be available and please note that if alcohol is consumed it will impair your judgement and this may detract from your and everybody else’s enjoyment of the afternoons sport. Take a snack with you – chocolate bar, boiled sweets or fruit are ideal and you may have to carry your own lunch as well. Guidance will be given in advance.
If you are on medication please ensure you bring this with you. Asthma/hey fever sufferers should make a particular note of this. If you are allergic to bee or wasp stings please remember to take your antihistamine medication with you.
Heather moorland is home to the Adder, Britain’s only venomous snake. Adders are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside act 1981.
Under the appropriate climatic conditions the midge fly or 'midge' can attack resulting in a painful bite and skin irritation. 'Midge' repellent should be taken with you and applied to exposed skin, and/or a head net and gloves worn to keep the midges at bay.
In dry conditions smoking will not be permitted on the moor for risk of fire. Wind can whip up dust particles from moorland roads and heather. If you have sensitive eyes take eye wash / lotion. The remote locations of some grouse moors can result in medical evacuation taking up to one hour.
Be aware that fog, low cloud or downpours are not uncommon on grouse moors so the day may have to be cancelled if conditions render the undertaking unduly problematic.. In foggy conditions you should stop shooting and regroup with the rest of the party, making sure that everyone has been accounted for before leaving the moor. If there is snow on the ground, take care not to 'plug' your barrels with snow. If a thunderstorm develops, guns should be put away as gun barrels can act as a conductor of lightning.
This advice has been provided by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association.
The chances of being bitten by a tick can be decreased by taking a few precautions: - Avoid areas with long grass, heather, woodland, bracken or other thick vegetation which may harbour ticks.
- Spray insect repellent on clothes and on exposed skin other than the face. - Avoid shorts and wear a long-sleeved top for added protection. - Where there are paths, walk in the centre to avoid overhanging grass and brush – where possible walk on roads or paths to avoid tick ridden areas.
A tick has to be attached to a host for 36 - 48 hours before an infection will be transmitted. Inspect your body thoroughly when you return home if you have been in an area where you may have come into contact with tick, take a shower or a bath and inspect accompanying dogs.
- Trying to remove tick using techniques like suffocation with petroleum jelly, butter, etc. do not work. - Gasoline, kerosene and hot matches are not recommended either and may cause additional injuries. It is possible these techniques will irritate the tick and provoke it to discharge spirochetes into the skin. - Twist the tick out with tweezers, tick removers or small forceps by grasping the tick as close as possible to the skin. Then without jerking, pull it upward steadily. After removing the tick, disinfect the skin area by rubbing alcohol or Betadine. Don’t handle the tick, spirochetes could enter the body through breaks in the skin. Dispose of it in alcohol or flush it down the drain. - Check the bite for at least two weeks to see if a rash forms. If it does, seek treatment from your GP promptly.
There are 2 main viruses that can be transmitted to humans by tick: Louping-ill and Lyme Disease. If you suspect you may be infected by either, see your GP as soon as possible and ask for a blood test. Louping-ill causes flu like symptoms and Lyme Disease (which can lie dormant for many years) symptoms of which can include chills, fever, fatigue, joint and muscle pains, and loss of appetite – even mild muscular-skeletal disturbances. Lyme disease is hard to diagnose in the early stages.
If in doubt, consult your GP.
With walked up shooting, the gun should aim for a far greater degree of self sufficiency. Unlike a driven grouse day, there will not be as many general attendants (loaders etc.) on site to help you carry your general equipment.
Always check the weather forecast before the day, but bear in mind that the weather in upland areas can be extremely localized and can change very quickly. Be prepared for this and always bring waterproof over clothing.
A good solution is to opt for a number of thin layers which can easily be taken off and put on again depending on the change in temperature. A thin sweater can easily be tied around the waist without restricting movement and mobility.
Good fitting walking boots are preferable to wellies. They provide a better grip and support for your ankles. It is advisable to wear gaiters as they protect the wearer from wet heather and prevent dust/mud/bugs* (see notes on ticks) from entering your boots.
Jeans are inappropriate for the grouse moor as they offer little in flexibility and are cold and uncomfortable when wet. It is traditional to wear tweed, which is hard wearing and retains its warmth even when wet. Although bear in mind, given the time of year (late summer/early Autumn), a light weight tweed may be more suitable. In very hot weather, corduroys or even chinos may be more suitable. But always remember to dress in dark, muted colours which are sympathetic to the surrounding landscape.
Hats should always be worn, preferably with a good peak to shield the wearer from the elements (sun/rain etc). Sunglasses are sensible on very bright days.
The Game keeper will advise you on the day, but the bag on a walked up day will generally be considerably less than a driven day, therefore you may not require the same amount of ammunition. A heavy cartridge bag will upset the gun’s balance when mounting for a shot and general balance when navigating rough terrain. A cartridge belt or belt mounted pouch would be much suitable, or simply wear a coat with large pockets into which a number of cartridges can be stuffed.
Guns are requested to use only cartridges with biodegradable fibre wads. Please don’t leave spent cartridges on the moor, collect and dispose of them later or hand them to the keeper during a respite in the day.
This information is intended as a guide to risks which you may encounter when you go walked-up grouse shooting. Most of the assessment is common sense, but do please take time to read it.
Please sign, date and submit this form, confirming that you have read and understood the risk assessment.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely Nick Mason Sporting Agency Davis & Bowring LTD nick.mason@davis-bowring.co.uk
Davis & Bowring Ltd is a private limited company, regulated by the RICS. Registered in England and Wales under number 08576406. A list of its Directors are available for inspection at its registered office which is Lane House, Kendal Road, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2HH
