Beating Clubs.

[Dingle0112 0]

Hello I am totally new to all of this but I am wanting to start and learn. I live in burnopfeild in Durham and am wondering if there is any clubs a can join to take up beating or and any advice.

[Astral 253]

Hello I am totally new to all of this but I am wanting to start and learn. I live in burnopfeild in Durham and am wondering if there is any clubs a can join to take up beating or and any advice.

 

Have you thought about contacting your local gamekeepers etc or joining the National Association of beaters?

[The one 8,555]

Hello and welcome mate

[bullmastiff 615]

Try here - http://www.nobs.org.uk/html/beating.asp

 

As Astral said easist way to join a Shoot is to go and find the keeper/shoot manager, introduce yourself and ask them if they have any places for a willing beater?

Maybe put a post in the Gamekeepers section on this Forum asking if they know of any shoots in your area or if their willing to take you along.

A lot of Estate's shoot on a week day, so if you can make that then it'll be a big bonus.

 

If you manage to get on a shoot, the first thing you'll need is a sense of humour! if you take insults personally then beating isn't for you! You may get paid for turning up but most are there for the craic and a bit of exercise thrown in, so take the banter in the way it was intended and have fun.

 

Don't forget to take a beating stick with you. Some shoots can supply you with a stick or flag but if they don't have any spare you'll look an idiot and they'll rip the piss out of you for the rest of the season!

It doesn't matter what type of stick you use. Some cut a straightish piece of hazel 3-6ft long, clean the leaves off it and that'll do. Others will search high and low for the perfect Holly or Blackthorn branch, dry it out for a year or two, sand it smooth then cap the end. Just a piece of that thick blue pipe from a farm yard works just as well!

 

I don''t know anything about beating on the Moors or high ground but I'd guess a sturdy, comfy pair of Hiking boots, some gaiters and warm, waterproof layers would be needed.

If it's a woodland or lowland shoot, then thornproof clothes are usually a must. A cheap Wax jacket and some Waxed leggings would be fine and either a sturdy pair of boots or some thick rubber wellies depending how wet the ground is.

Don't bother buying yourself expensive coats etc for beating, it'll end up with blood, mud and rips all over it by the end of the season anyway!

 

You'll also need to find out if they do you a lunch or if you need to bring your own. A penknife and mobile phone with the keepers number on can also come in handy (if you take a phone with you though, put it on silent!)

 

If you have a dog you want to take with you then ask first. Well trained dogs are usually welcomed but a dog that 'runs in' (chases the birds through the wood), constantly 'pegs birds' (catches them before they have a chance to take off) or just doesn't listen will land you in the bad books forever more.

First day you beat, don't bother taking the dog though as you'll be spending enough time trying to work out what's going on anyway without having to worry about what your dogs doing....

 

If you get into it then it might be worth applying for your Shotgun Licence. Check out the guide here - http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/66960-shotgun-certificate/

 

You'll need a Licence and Shotgun if your going to take advantage of the free 'Beaters day' at the end of the shooting season, where you get to shoot the birds and the guns will do the beating.

 

Hope this helps you out a bit and good luck!!

 

Luke.