The pre-shoot talk probably ranks alongside the pre-flight safety talk that we all get as our airplane taxies down the runway. We all expect to get it, we all listen to it – but how much notice do we take of it? Not very much – but we should. DAVID ILSLEY explains …

Whatever the scale of your shoot, someone should take
on the responsibility of briefing the guns.

The pre-shoot talk is important - it sets the rules, and has the objective of making the day more enjoyable and safe.

It should not be too long and involved otherwise no one will remember any of it - and it should not go into too much detail.

Obviously every shoot is different so it is not possible to write a one size fits all pre-shoot talk – but here are a few tips on issues you should include – together with anything else you think is relevant: 

1. Selection of pegs and detail of how you move up or down on each drive.
2. Confirmation on each drive as to which direction the beaters are coming from.
3. Confirmation on where the stops and/or pickers-up will be.
4. Confirmation of what can and cannot be shot - including ground game.
5. Use of toxic and non-toxic shot.
6. Dog handling.
7. Signals for the start and finish of each drive.
8. Emergency signal for stopping shooting.
9. Specific risks or needs for extra vigilance – such as fences to cross, bulls in fields, footpaths, bridleways, buildings, power lines and so on.
10. You should always ask if there are any questions and you should always encourage the guns, beaters, pickers up, stops and anyone else to keep an eye out for anything that they feel is unsafe or dangerous and report anything to you.

Whatever the scale of your shoot, whether it is a formal organised day or a small rough shoot, someone should take on the responsibility to brief the guns at the start of the day.

There is no specific legal requirement to perform a briefing, however if the day goes seriously wrong and results in a fatality, such matters may be investigated. 

A briefing should include confirmation on where pickers-up will be.
 

Footpaths and horses are common features which should be drawn to the attention of the guns.
 
 
Remember – people are out to enjoy themselves and no one wishes to see the day ruined by embarrassment or tragedy, so everyone involved should be shown the courtesy of being briefed.