Skill and patience are the key to shooting; have you got what it takes to succeed in this sport?

Shooting as a sport is big business and contributes significantly to global business, and for certain types of shooting, forms an essential part of some rural communities.

A mixed bag

Shooting sports are varied, from the type of shooting that incurs the wrath of the anti-blood sports lobby, to the target-style shooting seen in the Olympics. Although the skills required are similar in many respects, each type of shooting discipline requires specialist skills that are honed to match that sport.

Shooting at a stationary target (perhaps aiming at a bullseye appearing not much larger than a pinhead in a competitive situation), may bring a different type of pressure than trying to hit a deer, having stalked it for several hours.

While the idea of shooting at a living thing may be too much for some people to swallow, that does not bar you from the sport, with many alternatives such as clay pigeon shooting providing a suitable alternative.

Formal estate shooting such as driven pheasant or grouse, or even shooting as pest control are alternatives for the keen shooter. While they may be controversial methods, they remain popular pastimes.

Health benefits of shooting

While shooting isn’t a physically demanding sport, it requires a great level of dexterity, steady hands and focus. In order to maintain this, participants usually maintain a decent fitness level.

Firearms and shooting safety

There are tough controls on firearms and shooting seasons and what is considered a legitimate target are strictly controlled by law.

Anyone shooting in an organised setting will receive proper instruction and be thoroughly aware of their responsibilities, making the sport a very safe one. The law ensures that young people only have access to firearms on a progressive basis as they grow in age, maturity and responsibility, overseen by the police and other adults.

Types of shooting

Types of shooting you might want to consider, depending on your moral stance, include:

  • Deer shooting — culling deer for environmental reasons.
  • Game shooting — shooting of birds such as pheasant, partridge and grouse.
  • Clay shooting — shooting an artificial moving clay target.
  • Target shooting — shooting a fixed target board.
  • Wildfowling — shooting of migratory birds such as geese and ducks.