Driving your shoot away from additional risk

With the coming of the better weather, and the surge in clay shooting days in the run-up to the Glorious Twelfth, estates owners and managers should start to consider what insurance is required to ensure both events and shooters are protected against all eventualities – and the financial consequences of any problems for landowners and organisers that may arise from accidents, cancellations or other liabilities. Whilst the grouse season does not begin until August 12, and clay shooting is an all-year-round activity, spring usually sees a surge in popularity for shoots.

Any event in which the public is invited onto private land is likely to require specialist insurance and there are several areas to consider for an organised shoot:

Public Liability insurance: This insurance indemnifies the insured against accidents and injuries which take place on their property. The ideal solution is a product such as Member Liability, which will include all members of an organised shoot under one policy. Your normal events policy may not cover shoots specifically, and this should be checked.

Employers' Liability insurance: This insurance provides cover for anyone employed on the shoot – for instance beaters and picker-uppers. Even volunteers can be classed as "employees" under British law.

Personal Liability: This insurance is normally covered under home insurance when contents cover is provided – but it is important to check. It will indemnify the insured in the event they cause damage or injury to a third party on their property.

Cancellation cover: Adverse weather conditions can often cause a shoot to be cancelled and result in significant financial loss. This eventuality can be covered – and insurance should be arranged well in advance of the first shooting event. .

There is much to consider, and every business has different needs. It is wise to seek help from an expert so that every option can be assessed. Using a broker who has in-depth knowledge of rural industry and who can offer a wide choice of insurers is a sensible step to finding the best value and the best cover.

Dates for the diary - Gamebird and Waterfowl Open Seasons in England, Wales and Scotland:

Pheasant: Oct 1-Feb 1
Grey Partridge: Sept 1-Feb 1
Red-legged Partridge: Sept 1-Feb 1
Red Grouse: Aug 12-Dec 10
Duck and goose (inland): Sept 1-Jan 31
Duck and goose (below high water mark): Sept 1-Feb 20
Common snipe: Aug 12-Jan 31
Woodcock: Oct 1-Jan 31
Golden plover: Sept 1-Jan 31
Coot and moorhen: Sept 1-Jan 31

Additional restrictions:

• No game may be killed on Sundays or Christmas Day.


• Game may not be shot between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.


• Sunday shooting of wildfowl is not permitted in the following counties or county boroughs: Anglesey, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Cornwall, Denbigh, Devon, Doncaster, Glamorgan, Great Yarmouth County Borough, Isle of Ely, Leeds County Borough, Merioneth, Norfolk, Pembroke, Somerset, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire.


• In Scotland, no wildfowl may be shot on Sundays or Christmas Day.

To find out more about how Howden can help you manage your risks, please visit the Howden Group website.