These rules apply to every sporting shoot and mobile clay event arranged by The Gamekeeper. Each participant must accept the current version in their private account.
Version 1 · 16 September 2026
The short version
Arrive prepared, sober, on time and ready to follow the safety briefing. Bring every original identity or firearms document requested. Ordinary British rain is not a cancellation. The organiser may pause, alter or stop shooting whenever safety, law, land, livestock or weather requires it.
1. Booking and lead time
An enquiry, proposed date, attendance record or payment request is not by itself a confirmed booking. A booking is confirmed only when The Gamekeeper has confirmed the date, location, price, inclusions and applicable conditions in writing.
Sporting events normally require at least 14 clear calendar days between confirmation and the event. This allows time for land, attendance, document, insurance and safety checks. The Gamekeeper may require longer and is not obliged to accept a short-notice request.
2. What every participant must have ready
Keep an acceptable photographic identity document available: a valid passport or photocard driving licence. Anyone who intends to handle a firearm must also have the original FAC, SGC or other evidence requested for the lawful route being considered. A website upload never replaces the original document where an original must be inspected.
If a private upload is requested, complete it within 72 hours of the request and no later than seven clear calendar days before the event. Do not email documents or place certificate numbers in public enquiry forms. Failure to supply required information by the deadline may prevent that person from participating and may affect whether the event can proceed.
3. Certificates, exemptions and suitability
A declaration that somebody holds an FAC or SGC does not establish authority for every firearm, ammunition, quarry, location or activity. Each person must answer accurately, disclose relevant conditions when asked and comply with the route confirmed by the organiser. No participant may lend, borrow, possess or use a firearm or ammunition unless the organiser is satisfied that the proposed arrangement is lawful and insured.
The Gamekeeper may refuse participation where identity, age, authority, experience, sobriety, behaviour, equipment or documentation is inadequate. That decision is a safety decision and must be followed immediately.
4. Weather
Shooting is an outdoor activity in Britain. Light or ordinary rain, cold, mud, wind within safe operating limits or an unfavourable forecast is not, by itself, a reason for a customer to cancel, fail to attend or demand a refund. Participants must bring suitable waterproof clothing and footwear.
Only The Gamekeeper or the appointed person in charge decides whether conditions are unsafe. Examples include lightning or thunder in the vicinity, flooding, unsafe wind, dangerous visibility, unstable trees or structures, impassable access, fire risk, or ground conditions that make safe shooting or emergency access impracticable. The organiser may delay, pause, relocate, shorten or cancel the activity as reasonably required.
5. Customer cancellation and non-attendance
A customer cancellation or failure to attend because of ordinary rain or personal preference is treated as a customer cancellation. Charges will reflect the notice given and the losses that The Gamekeeper cannot reasonably avoid, including committed land, staff, equipment, catering, consumables and third-party costs. A no-show or cancellation on the event day may be charged up to the full agreed price where those costs and lost capacity justify it.
The Gamekeeper will take reasonable steps to reduce avoidable loss and will not impose a charge that the law does not permit. Any specific cancellation scale and non-refundable committed costs will be shown with the written booking offer before acceptance.
6. Safety rules
Participants must attend the full briefing; obey the shoot captain, safety officers and land instructions; treat every firearm as loaded; keep muzzles in a safe direction; keep fingers away from triggers until ready to fire; use only authorised firearms and ammunition; wear required eye, ear and other protection; stay within permitted areas; and immediately report any incident, defect, unsafe act or change in health or capability.
Alcohol or impairing drugs must not be consumed before or during shooting. Prescribed medication or a condition that may affect safe participation must be disclosed privately before the event. The organiser may exclude anyone whose conduct, condition or equipment presents a risk.
7. Serious breach and removal
The organiser may immediately suspend or end a person's participation for unsafe firearm handling, ignoring an instruction, intoxication, violence, harassment, deliberate damage, false information, unlawful conduct, entering a prohibited area or conduct likely to endanger people, animals, property or the business's permissions and insurance.
Where a participant's serious breach causes their removal or the event to be stopped, they are not entitled to a refund for the service already provided or losses caused by that breach. Any further sum retained or claimed must remain proportionate to the actual loss and applicable law. Minor or remediable issues will be addressed proportionately where it is safe to do so.
8. Arrival, clothing and behaviour
Arrive at the stated place and time. Late arrival may mean missing the compulsory briefing and being unable to participate. Wear weatherproof clothing and suitable field footwear; bring any prescription glasses, medication and protective equipment specified. Follow parking, access, livestock, biosecurity, smoking, photography and confidentiality instructions.
9. Changes by the organiser
Land use, livestock, crops, neighbours, public access, weather, breakdown, illness, police advice or another safety or legal constraint may require a reasonable change. Where The Gamekeeper cancels the whole event and cannot offer a reasonable alternative, the customer will receive the remedy required by the booking agreement and applicable consumer law. Nothing in these terms excludes rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
10. Acceptance and evidence
Each participant must open their private account, read these terms, tick the required declarations and sign electronically. The account records the terms version, signer, signature and acceptance time. Customers can print or save this page for their records. Acceptance does not override firearms law, the participant's certificate conditions, the event risk assessment or a lawful safety instruction.
11. Questions and accessibility
Ask before accepting if anything is unclear. Email enquiries@thegamekeeper.co.uk. Information can be provided in another accessible format where reasonably possible, but safety and legal requirements continue to apply.
