Shooting can go ahead!

Shooting has been specifically listed as an exempt activity from the "Rule of Six", meaning that driven shoot days can go ahead. See the full list of exemptions.

The Countryside Alliance has issued the following guidance:

• Any outdoor physical activity for which a licence has been issued by a public body for the activity itself, or for equipment used during the activity, will be exempt from the gathering limits.
• For shooting, this means that where the organiser or a participant holds a valid shotgun or firearms certificate, there is no limit to the number of people who can gather for the purpose of the relevant activity whilst outdoors. 
• The organiser will be required to have undertaken a health and safety risk assessment and put in place all reasonable measures to limit transmission of COVID-19.
• The exemption does not apply indoors where the gathering limit of six people will still apply.
• Employees, such as beaters, pickers-up and loaders are also exempt from gathering limits, both indoors and outdoors, where their gathering is necessary for work purposes.

The Countryside Alliance has also updated the "COVID safe principles for game shoots in England" document.

Chris Horne, MD of GunsOnPegs said:

"While it is a relief that we have confirmation that shooting can go ahead, I would add a word of warning: We must be extremely cautious in relation to any imagery taken on a shoot day. Any pictures of game shooters not abiding by the rules which make their way into the public domain have the ability to completely undermine the whole industry and end the exemption for shooting to be allowed to continue this season.

There will be people out seeking our downfall, in the same way that antis monitor hunts, and I fully expect our opponents to try and catch us off guard and abusing the rules in order to create column inches. Please be careful."

Whilst in breeks we have a duty to our fellow sportsmen and women to uphold standards - we will be watched, so we must be squeaky clean."

“The Government’s decision to allow shooting to continue in its current format in England is the right one. Like other team sports, shooting is able to operate under social distancing guidance, and its benefits to the rural economy and well-being makes its inclusion significant.

 

“We thank the Government for its commitment to allow shooting to continue to provide such wide-reaching benefits.

 

“Shooting in England joins Scotland in being given official exemptions to the ‘rule of six’ restrictions. Shooting in Wales and Northern Ireland remain unaffected by the latest restrictions."