It should never be a jolly free-for-all

Simulated game days are excellent for brushing up your shooting during the summer, but it must be done properly

- Tom Payne

When the season draws to a close, most shooters put their guns back in the cabinet and there they will stay until the autumn. But the introduction of simulated game shooting has enabled shooting estates to generate income through shooting while offering a great summer alternative to the clay ground for game shots. It can also help educate anyone interested in what a day’s shooting is really like.

I speak from experience as I was involved from the early days when working for one of the schools that was influential in the introduction of simulated game shooting. Working with Jonathan Irby of the Royal Berkshire Shooting School for Purdey,

I learned the complexities of running a simulated day. When Jono departed, I ran the simulated shooting on six estates in the country, organising more than 60 days a year.

Along the way we introduced grouse courses and stepping-stone game courses, always trying to make them as realistic as possible. We helped fine-tune the flurry machine that many of you will have seen.

Fundamental

I’ve been out of the simulated game shooting scene for a while now, though I get dragged to a few each summer. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. There are a few fundamental things about simulated shooting that are key to making the day a success and, most importantly, safe for all involved.