Assist game shooting by loading shotguns

This standard is about assisting game shooting by loading shotguns. It relates to the knowledge and skills required by those handling, loading and passing shotguns to those shooting game.

This standard is aimed at those who work within the game shooting industry and for those with the formal role of actively assisting the shooting of game.

To meet this standard you will be able to:

• prepare for the assisting role by loading
• safely load and handle shotguns when applied to game shooting activity
• maintain all necessary equipment to acceptable standards

1. carry out work safely in line with relevant health and safety requirements associated with the use of shotguns
2. prepare the equipment necessary to assist with game shooting by loading shotguns
3. undertake all necessary checks to determine shotgun suitability
4. select ammunition suitable for the shotgun, participants and sporting situation
5. transfer the equipment and the shotgun to the shooting location
6. prepare the shotgun for game shooting
7. load (chamber) ammunition effectively and safely, observing the appropriate checks
8. assist with the loading process, reacting to any required changes or problems
9. communicate appropriately and effectively with relevant people
10. conclude loading operations and prepare guns and equipment for carriage
11. strip, clean and routinely maintain the shotguns
12. clean and routinely maintain other shooting equipment
13. prepare the shotgun and equipment for appropriate storage or transit

1. the health and safety requirements associated with the use of shotguns
2. the appropriate shooting etiquette and protocols
3. the relevant legal restrictions controlling the ownership and use of shotguns
4. the legal requirements controlling storage, transport and carriage of shotguns and ammunition
5. the purpose and set up of the formal shooting field
6. how to aid the shooting of game within the context of formal driven shooting
7. how to undertake fitness for purpose checks applicable to a sporting shotgun
8. the different kinds of shotgun ammunition and their suitability
9. the common quarry species
10. safe shooting practices
11. the appropriate reaction to irregularities in shotgun operation
12. how to react to changing weather conditions
13. how to react to positional changes in the shooting field
14. the importance of appropriate communication and commands
15. the difference in single gun and double gun loading operations
16. the appropriate cleaning and maintenance of sporting equipment
17. the appropriate cleaning and maintenance of other shooting equipment

Undertake all necessary checks to determine shotgun suitability in terms of:

• damage to stock/forend
• damage to barrels
• damage to ribs
• presence of choke tubes (as necessary)
• condition of action/breach

Check that the ammunition is appropriate for shotgun and sporting context in terms of:

• chamber length
• proof
• shot size and type
• gauge

Prepare the shotgun for the shooting process within context in terms of:

• single-gun use
• double-gun use