A Brit's Guide to Not Sounding Like a Tourist on the Peg

Here's the thing about turning up to a British driven shoot for the first time: the birds can be explained. The countryside can be admired. The sloe gin will explain itself. But if the shoot captain tells you to stand on your peg, wait for the whistle, and not shoot anything behind the line - and you're nodding along while quietly wondering what any of that means - you're going to have a long day.

Before you read any further, it's important to mention that its no bad thing to ask if you're not sure. No one will mind, and it will keep you safe. 

Consider this your pre-flight briefing. Learn the lingo, enjoy the day.

The People

A Gun - Not just the firearm. In British shooting, "a gun" refers to the person doing the shooting. You are a Gun. There will be seven to nine of you. This is mildly confusing and entirely non-negotiable.

The Gamekeeper - The person who has spent the last twelve months making sure there are birds for you to shoot at. Treat them well. Tip them generously at the end of the day.

The Shoot Captain - Runs the day. Gives the briefing. Knows everything. Listen to them.
 

Beaters - The people (and dogs) who walk through the undergrowth driving birds toward the Guns. Without them, you'd be standing in a field staring at an empty sky.

Pickers-up - Standing behind the line with dogs, retrieving birds that have been shot. Masters of the pointed look if you ask them to fetch something they've already clocked from 200 yards.

A Loader - On busier days, some Guns bring a loader to handle a pair of guns for faster shooting. If you're doing this, you already know what it means.

The Day

A Peg - Your assigned shooting position, usually marked with a numbered stick. Think of it as your office for the next twenty minutes. Don't leave it without good reason.

The Draw - The lottery at the start of the day that assigns peg numbers. Which numbers are better depends entirely on the shoot and the drive. You'll figure out which about thirty seconds too late.

A Drive - One session of birds being driven over the line of Guns. A full day typically involves three to five drives, with breaks between.

The Bag - The total number of birds shot across the day. Discussed at lunch. Sometimes obsessed over. Officially not what it's all about.

Elevenses - A mid-morning break involving drinks and sausage rolls, and everyone pretending not to discuss the bag. Non-negotiable, and one of the finest institutions in British shooting.

The Gunbus - The vehicle (often a trailer, often cold, always cheerful) that moves Guns between drives. Bond with your fellow Guns here. This is where the day actually happens.

The Payment - Each shoot differs on how they would like payment for the day to be made. Make sure you give the shoot a call to confirm their preferred method. 

The Birds

Pheasant - The main event on most UK shoots. Larger than you expect. Faster than they look.

Partridge - Red-legged partridges are fast and the bird most likely to make experienced Guns look foolish. They are wonderful.

Grouse - The pinnacle of British game shooting, found on northern moorland. If you're shooting grouse, you're on a moor, it's probably August, and someone nearby is very excited about it.

Woodcock - Small, secretive, notoriously difficult. Most people claim one eventually.

In the Feather - A bird given to you unplucked, as shot. The alternative is "dressed" — ready for the oven. You'll be asked which you'd prefer. "Both" is a valid answer.

A Brace - A pair of the same bird (most commonly red grouse on UK moors)

The Kit

Cartridges - What Americans call shells. Don't call them shells. You'll be fine, but you'll be clocked immediately.

A Slip - The padded case for carrying your shotgun. Not a bag, not a case. A slip.

Over-and-Under - A shotgun with vertically stacked barrels, and the most common choice on British shoots.

Side-by-Side - Barrels sitting alongside each other. The traditional British configuration. Deeply correct, occasionally inefficient, always elegant.

Want to know what to wear? Give this a read...

The Etiquette

Safe - Gun broken open and unloaded between drives. Always. This is not optional.

Behind the Line - The safe zone behind the Guns where pickers-up work. Don't shoot into it. Not ever.

A Right-and-Left - Shooting two birds with successive barrels. 

The Tip - A cash gratuity for the keeper, given at the end of the day. Ask a fellow Gun for the going rate if you're unsure. Err on the generous side.

Right. That's the vocabulary sorted. Now all you need is the right kit, a reliable over-and-under, and a willingness to accept that British weather is non-negotiable. The birds, we promise, are worth it.

If you want to know what kit you should be taking, give our guide a read on what to wear here.