What to Wear - Game Bird Shooting

Game Bird Shooting - What to Wear

If it’s your very first shoot, making a choice on the perfect outfit can be daunting, and shooting etiquette can seem extensive. Before you shop online or visit us for advice in store, it is strongly advisable to check with the host or whomever invited you to the shoot what the dress code is. Shooting suits are much like office wear - formal, semi-formal and semi-informal, depending on the type of shoot/office (in this example) you are attending.

There are a few practical items one should not arrive without; ear defenders, a hat and sensible footwear. But for the rest of the outfit there are many more options. This is where advice about the formality of the shoot is useful, but if you aim to pick neutral green and brown colours, you can’t go wrong.

A top tip is to check the weather forecast; your day’s shooting will be vastly improved if you are comfortable and dry. We offer a wide range of options for milder or colder days.

Ear Defenders

This is the most important item in your kit bag. Our range of hearing protection varies in cost from 50p to £450. A 50p ear plug can have an impact, but your hearing isn't something to be taken for granted. We offer passive ear defenders which will block noise continuously, or we offer active ones, which are electronic and allow you to hear while wearign them, until the shot is fired and their protection kicks in. Make sure your hearing protection has a comfortable fit that doesn’t impede gun mount.

It is important to remember that even spectators will require a pair of ear defenders to protect their ears. We also offer a small range of ear defenders for children.

Hat

A tweed flat cap is a common choice on a game shoot, which can be matched to the rest of your outfit if you stick with the same brand and tweed design.

Our range of flat caps are perfect for keeping the sun and rain from your eyes. We also have waterproof caps such as the Failsworth Tweed Waterproof Lined Cap.

Our collection of hats and flat caps for women are also

Jacket

The majority of game shooting is during the winter, so your jacket needs to keep you warm and dry. If the weather is likely to be wet, a waterproof jacket is essential. A lightweight waterproof layer in early season can be incredibly handy — the Schöffel Men's Ptarmigan Ultralight II Coat is ideal.

You'll also want to ensure the fit provides sufficient movement to swing your gun, and that the pockets are big enough for cartridges. Our selection of tweed provides all those features and more. The New St. James Tweed from William Evans has been designed for superb practicality and comfort in the field.

Breeks or Trousers

At a formal shoot you should wear tweed breeks or trousers; these do not necessarily have to match your jacket exactly, but the tweed should be complimentary.

For a more casual shoot, plain moleskin or cotton breeks like the Laksen Belgravia Breeks are suitable. For warmer conditions at the start of the season, the Musto Lightweight GORE-TEX® Tweed Breeks are perfect.

View our range of women's breeks here.

If you opt for breeks, then to complete the look, be sure to get some shooting socks. Hiking/walking boots will be best suited if wearing trousers.

Shirt

For grouse shooting, a green shirt is essential to avoid being spotted.

The majority of shirts in our range offer a sporting fit, allowing extra arm room for freedom of movement for shooters. The Schöffel Men's Cambridge Check Shirt is a classic shooting wardrobe staple. For a more fitted style, the Laksen Nick Shirt is a stunning new addition to the collection.

Overtrousers

For extra protection in case of bad weather, especially if you have opted for breeks, we recommend having overtrousers like the Seeland Buckthorn Short Overtrousers — perfect to cover up instantly in unexpected showers, with no need to remove your wellingtons.

Although it is always handy to ensure you have waterproof trousers such as the Seeland Men's Hawker Advance Waterproof Trousers, it is so convenient to be able to pack away your overtrousers and be dry to go about your day after your shoot.

Vest or Waistcoat

A tweed waistcoat such as the Härkila Stornoway 2.0 Waistcoat is sufficient instead of a tweed jacket in very warm weather as it will still offer handy cartridge pockets.

At the most formal shoots, many wear a full three-piece tweed suit, but for a more casual day, a simple gilet is ideal.

For a vest which comes with a recoil pad, the Schöffel Stamford II Vest is perfect. Other vests, such as the Härkila Men's Rannoch HSP Vest, may come with pockets to insert a recoil pad such as the Beretta Recoil Reducer Evo Pad.

Tie

Ties are optional at most shoots, but are a must if the day is particularly formal. Here at William Evans, we have a superb collection of woven silk ties in an array of designs.

Jumpers and Fleeces

We suggest a standard woollen jumper, and the Schöffel Men's Lambswool V Neck Jumper in an array of colours is perfect.

Depending on the weather, you may not want to add the extra layer of a jumper — a shirt, waistcoat and jacket is often sufficiently warm.

Socks

If you have opted to wear breeks rather than trousers, then you will need to invest in a pair of shooting socks. Your best bet is to also wear them with a pair of garters to stop them slipping down.

If you are new to the concept of garters, they are to be tied around the leg towards the top of the sock so that the sock can then be folded over the garter to only expose the tassels at the bottom. The William Evans Easy Garters are done up using Velcro to avoid having to tie them.

Shooting socks are great for adding a splash of colour to your shooting outfit.

Footwear

A good pair of walking boots is the most essential piece of kit if the ground is likely to be uneven or heather. The Gateway1 Staika Armortex Kevlar Boots can withstand the rugged conditions of the wilderness and provide long-lasting performance, offering a waterproof and breathable Sympatex membrane.

If the day is likely to be wet, a pair of wellingtons are advisable, such as the Aigle Parcours ISO 2 Wellington Boots. With its tri-density rubber sole and shock-absorbing cushion, the Parcours 2 boot offers exceptional comfort, allowing you to walk further without getting tired.

Cartridge Bag

At William Evans we have a wide variety of traditional cartridge bags and belts — from canvas to leather and from small pouches to large loader bags.

Get the classic game shooting look with a Croots cartridge bag, made in England by expert craftsmen.

An alternative to a cartridge bag would be a belt such as the Croots Malton Leather Quick Release 12 Gauge Cartridge Belt. This can be worn as an alternative to using a bag and cartridge pockets.

UK Game Bird Seasons

Wild game can only be shot during certain times of the year and for many species there is a close season during which it is illegal to shoot them. This is to ensure that the species continue to flourish and are not hunted to extinction. Below are the dates within the UK.

Always check local regulations and any updates before planning a shoot.

For advice on fit and selection, our Gun Rooms are happy to help.