What to wear shooting and what I’m wearing for the coming season 

Where to get some bargains 

At this time of year a lot of shooting stockists want to offload last seasons clothes and there are some great bargains to be had. So it’s always a great time of year to pick up a few extra bits that you might need for the coming season.

I always look to the following websites for their sales.

Ardmoor. By far my favourite, customer service is fantastic. Delivery is prompt and stocks are always good. They do a great sale which is on now. Ardmoor Website

John Norris. Every one travelling north up the M6 surely calls in at Penrith to visit this shop. They do a great online shop as well. Very good for fishing equipment and a great line of sporting clothes. Always seem to have a sale on John Norris Website

William Powell. Great all rounder William Powell Website

Uttings. This website I think always does the best variety of foot wear but also does everything else Uttings Website

Sporting Saint- for dog equipment. Has everything from Launches to Leads  Sporting Saint Website

There is of course the actual brand websites and the ones I tend to use are 

Harkila, Seeland  when picking up and then the tweed of Alan Paine if I’m loading or get s chance to shoot

This year I’m planning on wearing

• Harkila Norse boots- bought direct from Harkila
• Alan Paine Rutland tweed trousers and depending on the weather if it’s cold I’ll wear the matching jacket but if it’s warm I’ll wear a sleeveless Schoffel gilet 
• Green shirt especially for grouse as the keepers like you to wear dark colours (no white)
• For the wet weather I have Dain harkila lightweight trousers and a seeland keepers jacket both from Ardmoor. The Dain trousers I wear a lot for dog training or taking photos, as they are very lightweight and easy to crouch down in, and if a dog jumps up it doesn’t really matter. 

If your new to shooting and want to get involved either by coming beating or starting to shoot, but really not sure what to wear. Then follow these simple rules

If your shooting 

• Ear defenders. My favourite is from EJ Churchill. Noise reduction so cancel out all the bangs but talking is perfect easily to hear to the point that you can often hear what the next gun is talking about. They require batteries but a great buy EJ Churchill Website
• Look smart and wear a tie. It’s expected and a great tradition to keep going. If it’s a syndicate shoot then ring another member and quietly ask what the dress code is. However wear an appropriate tie which isn’t to bright. I have three green ties with a Grouse, partridge and a pheasant on for the appropriate shoot I’m attending but there is a vast array to choose from.
• Don’t wear anything brightly coloured. The idea is to blend into the countryside. Tweed or Gortex. Tweed is often preferred by guns however the trend to dress more like a huntsman rather than country gent is soon approaching. 
• Always bring a good coat. It’s the UK! Even the weather doesn’t know what it’s doing and as most of the shooting takes part in the winter months it’s essential to invest in a good coat that will last 
• Waistcoat. Many shooting waistcoats have padding in the shoulders to help with the recoil. Often can be worn instead of a jacket which can restrict the shooter
• Socks. There seems to be no limit what you can wear for socks. So go online and take your pick. I would recommend buying socks that match the rest of your outfit however this is often not the case for some people 
• A good hat. Most retailers produce hats that match coats and jackets and i would advertise buying one

If your beating or picking up

• Good pair of boots or wellies are essential as you will be walking a few miles and even more so if your on the moors. Many prefer walking boots over wellies as they give more support. 
• Good pair of trousers to keep you warm but mostly to keep nettles, brambles and gorse getting hold of you. I wear seeland keepers trousers that have protection over the lower part of the leg and insulated to keep me warm in the winter. 
• Dark colours as you want to blend into the landscape and not stick out. 
• Good stick or a flag 

THERE IS NO SUCH THING BAD WEATHER, ONLY BAD CLOTHES

The article is my opinion and not a paid advertisement