What to Wear - Game Shooting
If it’s your very first shoot, making a choice on the perfect outfit can be daunting and shooting etiquette can seem extensive. 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. It is advisable to check the dress code with the host, but aim to pick neutral green and brown colours and you can’t go wrong.
A top tip is to check the weather; your days shooting will be vastly improved if you are cool or warm, comfortable and dry. Below is a selection of the range of shooting attire we stock at William Evans, and the key pieces our Gun Rooms always opt for. View the full game shooting range here.
Ear Defenders
This is the most important item in your kit bag, whether you choose simple Disposable Foam Ear Plugs or more advanced digital headphones like the Swatcom range, you need to ensure you remember to pack them. 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.
To view the full range, click here.
Hat
Most opt for a tweed flat cap 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 available online with William Evans and can be found here.
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.
Shooting jackets for women can also be found here.
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.
Our selection of shooting shirts for women are also available here.
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, these are perfect to cover up instantly in unexpected showers, and 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, then 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.
Our selection of gilets and waistcoats for women are available online here.
Jumpers and Fleeces
We suggest a standard woolen 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.
Our selection of sweaters, jumpers and fleeces for men are available here.
You can also view our range of sweaters for women here.
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.
Our selection of ladies shooting socks can be found here.
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.
Our selection of footwear for women is available here.
Cartridge Bag
At William Evans we have a wide variety of traditional cartridge bags and belts from canvas to leather and from small size 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 we worn as an alternative to using a bag and cartridge pockets.
View our full range of cartridge bags here.
Wild game can only be shot during certain times of the year and for many species there is a close season during which time it is illegal to shoot them. This is to ensure that the species continue to flourish and are not hunted to extinction. Below is a list of all the dates within the UK.
GAME BIRDS
- Coot - UK - 1st Sept-31st Jan
- Curlew - Northern Ireland - 1st Sept-31st Jan
- Duck & Goose - Inland England, Scotland, Wales - 1st Sep-31st Jan
- Duck & Goose - Foreshore England, Scotland, Wales - 1st Sep-20th Feb
- Duck & Goose - Inland/Foreshore Northern Ireland - 1st Sep-31st Jan
- Golden Plover - UK - 1st Sep-31st Jan
- GROUSE - England, Scotland, Wales - 12th Aug-10th Dec
- GROUSE - Northern Ireland -12th Aug-30th Nov
- Jack Snipe - Northern Ireland only - 1st Sep-31st Jan
- Moorhen - UK - 1st Sep-31st Jan
- PARTRIDGE - UK - 1st Sep-1st Feb
- PHEASANT - England, Scotland and Wales - 1st Oct-1st Feb
- PHEASANT - Northern Ireland, cocks only - 1st Oct-31st Jan
- Ptarmigan - (only found in Scotland) - 12th Aug-10th Dec
- Quail - UK - All year
- SNIPE - common England, Scotland, Wales - 12th Aug-31st Jan
- SNIPE - common Northern Ireland - 1st Sep-31st Jan
- Woodcock - England, Wales, Northern Ireland - 1st Oct-31st Jan
- Woodcock - Scotland - 1st Sep-31st Jan
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William Evans Shotgun and Rifle Makers established in 1883 and located in the heart of London. We produce exquisite Best Guns as well as stocking a large range of second hand guns. Coupled with this, we sell an extensive range of essential shooting accessories, clothing and gifts.
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