Quick Answer
A UK shooting diary is a continuous record of your firearm use, detailing dates, locations, firearms, ammunition, and purpose for each session. While not legally mandatory, it is highly recommended by police and organisations like BASC as it demonstrates active, responsible use and compliance with certificate conditions, crucial for your FAC renewal.
# How to Keep a UK Shooting Diary: Why It Matters for Your FAC and How to Start
## Quick Answer
A shooting diary is a chronological record of every time you use your firearms, including dates, locations, firearms used, ammunition expended, and the purpose of each session. While **not a strict legal requirement**, keeping a shooting diary is strongly recommended by [BASC](https://basc.org.uk/), police firearms licensing departments, and firearms solicitors because it provides evidence of **active, responsible use** at FAC renewals and demonstrates compliance with your certificate conditions.
## Why Should You Keep a Shooting Diary?
The single most important reason is this: when your firearms certificate comes up for renewal every five years, the Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) will ask you about your shooting activity. If you cannot demonstrate that you are actively using your firearms for the purposes stated on your certificate, your renewal may face additional scrutiny, conditions, or even refusal.
According to [Home Office Guidance to Police (2024)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012), the police must be satisfied that an applicant has "good reason" to possess each firearm. At renewal, this means showing that you have actually used the firearms during the certificate period. A shooting diary is the most straightforward way to prove this.
Beyond renewals, a shooting diary serves several practical purposes:
- **Ammunition accounting:** Tracking rounds fired helps you reconcile your ammunition register (the number purchased minus the number fired should approximately equal your current holding)
- **Performance tracking:** Recording scores, conditions, and equipment configurations helps you improve
- **Legal protection:** In the unlikely event of an incident, a detailed shooting diary demonstrates responsible ownership and regular practice
- **Insurance claims:** If a firearm is lost, stolen, or damaged, a record of its use and condition supports insurance claims
## What Should You Record in Each Diary Entry?
A useful shooting diary balances detail with practicality. Recording too little defeats the purpose; recording too much becomes a burden you will eventually abandon.
### Essential Information (Record Every Session)
| Field | Why It Matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Establishes shooting frequency | 15 March 2026 |
| Location | Proves you shoot at legitimate venues | Bisley Camp, Surrey |
| Firearms used | Links activity to specific FAC entries | Tikka T3x .308 Win (FAC slot 1) |
| Calibre(s) | Supports ammunition accounting | .308 Winchester |
| Rounds fired | Critical for ammunition reconciliation | 60 rounds |
| Purpose | Demonstrates "good reason" alignment | Target practice (NRA TR competition prep) |
| Duration | Shows meaningful engagement, not token use | 10:00 to 14:30 |
### Useful Additional Information
- **Scores or results** (if competing or zeroing)
- **Weather conditions** (relevant for long-range shooting and stalking)
- **Equipment notes** (new scope fitted, moderator cleaned, etc.)
- **Companions** (who you shot with, useful for referee confirmation)
- **Land permission reference** (for pest control, links to your permission letter)
- **Game/pest taken** (for stalking and pest control, supports your cull records)
### What Stalkers Should Record
Deer stalkers should keep particularly detailed records, as the [Deer Act 1991](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/54/contents) and estate management requirements demand careful documentation.
For each outing:
- Species observed and taken
- Sex and estimated age of deer taken
- Carcass weight (larder weight)
- Shot placement and distance
- Location (GPS grid reference or named area on the estate)
- Cull plan progress (how many of each species/sex remain on the plan)
Many stalking estates require this information as a condition of your stalking permission. Having it in a central diary alongside your other shooting activities creates a comprehensive record.
## How Do You Start a Shooting Diary?
The best format is one you will actually use consistently. A diary abandoned after three months is worse than no diary at all, because gaps in the record raise questions.
### Option 1: Digital Shooting Log (Recommended)
A digital shooting log offers the most advantages: searchable records, automatic date stamping, ammunition running totals, and the ability to generate summaries for your FEO at renewal time.
**[Vectis Shooting Log](https://www.vectisshootinglog.com)** is purpose-built for exactly this. You can record each session with all the fields described above, track ammunition purchased and expended, maintain separate logs for different firearms, and generate a summary report when your renewal comes due. The data is stored securely and accessible from any device, so you can log a session from the range or the stalking larder immediately after shooting.
The key advantage of a digital log is **ammunition tracking.** When your FEO asks how many rounds you have and how that reconciles with your purchases, you can show an accurate running total rather than trying to reconstruct five years of shooting from memory.
### Option 2: Paper Notebook
A dedicated A5 notebook kept with your shooting kit works well for shooters who prefer pen and paper.
**Format each entry as:**
```
Date: 15/03/2026
Location: Bisley Camp, NRA
Firearms: Tikka T3x .308 Win (FAC #1)
Rounds: 60 x .308 Win (RPA Sierra 155gr)
Purpose: NRA TR practice
Scores: 49.5 at 300yd, 47.3 at 600yd
Notes: New Sightron scope fitted, zeroed at 100yd first.
Wind 8-12 mph from 9 o'clock. Consistent 10:30 mirage.
With: Dave S, Mike T
Duration: 10:00 - 14:30
```
**Tips for paper diaries:**
- Use a notebook with numbered pages (to demonstrate nothing has been removed)
- Write in pen, not pencil
- Do not leave gaps between entries
- Keep the notebook in your range bag so it is always available
- Photograph each page periodically as a backup
### Option 3: Spreadsheet
A simple spreadsheet with columns for each field works well for shooters comfortable with Excel or Google Sheets.
**Advantages:**
- Easy to sort, filter, and total ammunition counts
- Can create charts showing shooting frequency over time
- Easily shared digitally with your FEO if requested
**Disadvantages:**
- Requires discipline to update (easy to say "I'll do it later" and forget)
- No automatic backup unless using cloud storage
- Not as convenient in the field as a phone app
## How Does a Shooting Diary Support Your FAC Renewal?
The connection between your diary and a smooth renewal is direct and practical.
### Demonstrating Good Reason
For each firearm on your certificate, the police must be satisfied that you have "good reason" to continue possessing it. Good reason is demonstrated by **use**. A firearm that has sat in your cabinet for five years without being fired is difficult to justify at renewal.
Your diary shows:
- **How often** you use each firearm (frequency of sessions)
- **Where** you use it (legitimate ranges, estates, or land with permission)
- **What for** (the purpose matches your certificate conditions)
- **With whom** (you shoot with other responsible certificate holders)
### Ammunition Reconciliation
One of the most scrutinised areas at renewal is your ammunition holding. The police expect your current holding plus rounds fired during the certificate period to approximately equal your total purchases.
**Example calculation:**
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Opening holding (start of certificate) | 200 rounds |
| Purchased during certificate period | 2,500 rounds |
| Total available | 2,700 rounds |
| Rounds fired (from diary) | 2,350 rounds |
| Expected current holding | 350 rounds |
| Actual current holding | 340 rounds |
A discrepancy of 10 rounds (3%) is perfectly normal and accounts for rounds given to friends at the range (legally, within conditions), damaged rounds disposed of, and rounding in your diary. A discrepancy of 500 rounds raises serious questions.
### What an FEO Wants to See
Firearms Enquiry Officers are experienced professionals who can quickly assess whether a certificate holder is genuinely active. They are looking for:
- **Regular activity:** At least a few sessions per month for target shooters, or seasonal patterns for stalkers and pest controllers
- **Variety of use:** Using the firearm for the stated purpose, not just "went to the range once"
- **Reasonable ammunition consumption:** Consistent with the shooting discipline (target shooters use more than stalkers)
- **Current activity:** Recent entries, not just activity from three years ago
A well-maintained diary makes the FEO's job easier and your renewal faster. An FEO who can see at a glance that you are an active, responsible shooter will spend less time on your renewal than one who has to ask probing questions because you have no records.
## How Does Your Shooting Diary Connect to Your Ammunition Register?
Your shooting diary and ammunition register are complementary records that should cross-reference each other.
### The Ammunition Register
Under your FAC conditions, you are expected to maintain records of ammunition acquired, expended, and currently held. The ammunition register records:
- Date of acquisition
- Quantity acquired
- Source (dealer name and RFD number)
- Date of expenditure
- Quantity expended
- Running total of current holding
### The Diary Connection
Your shooting diary provides the **context** for ammunition expenditure. While the ammunition register records "60 rounds expended on 15/03/2026," the diary explains **why**: "NRA TR practice at Bisley, 60 rounds .308 Winchester, scores 49.5 at 300yd and 47.3 at 600yd."
This cross-referencing is powerful at renewal. The FEO can see not just the numbers, but the story behind them: a shooter who is regularly practising, competing, and using ammunition responsibly.
## What Are Common Mistakes with Shooting Diaries?
Avoid these pitfalls that undermine the value of your diary.
### Starting Strong Then Stopping
The most common mistake. You diligently record every session for six months, then life gets busy and the diary goes blank for a year. Gaps in your record are worse than consistent brief entries. Better to write "15/03 - Bisley - .308 - 60rds - TR practice" in 30 seconds than to skip the entry entirely.
### Being Too Vague
"Went shooting" tells your FEO nothing. "Target practice, Bisley, 60 rounds .308, TR competition prep" tells them everything they need. The extra 10 seconds of writing pays dividends at renewal.
### Not Recording Pest Control Sessions
Some shooters meticulously record range sessions but forget to log pest control outings. These sessions are equally important, particularly if pest control is a stated condition on your certificate.
### Inflating Numbers
Never exaggerate your shooting activity. FEOs are experienced and can spot inconsistencies. If your diary claims 200 rounds per month but your ammunition purchases show 500 rounds per year, the discrepancy destroys your credibility.
### Forgetting Equipment Changes
If you change a scope, fit a moderator, or modify your rifle, note it in your diary. This creates a maintenance history that demonstrates responsible ownership.
## How Often Should You Update Your Diary?
The golden rule: **update it on the same day you shoot.** Do not rely on your memory to fill in details a week later. You will forget round counts, scores, and conditions.
The best approach is to make the diary entry the last thing you do before leaving the range or getting back in the car from a stalk. It takes two minutes and saves you from trying to reconstruct months of activity from memory when your renewal arrives.
If you genuinely cannot record at the time, write a brief note on your phone and transfer it to your diary within 24 hours.
## What If You Have Not Been Shooting Regularly?
If your shooting activity has been low during your certificate period, a diary that honestly reflects this is better than no diary at all. The police appreciate honesty, and there are legitimate reasons for reduced activity:
- **Injury or illness** (documented by your GP)
- **Work commitments** (temporary, with evidence of resumed activity)
- **Range closures** (particularly during COVID restrictions in 2020-2021)
- **Seasonal patterns** (stalkers may be very active in season and quiet in the close season)
What concerns the police is not a quiet period, but a complete absence of any shooting activity over several years. If you have not used a firearm for the purposes stated on your certificate for an extended period, discuss the situation honestly with your FEO rather than trying to hide it.
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Is a shooting diary a legal requirement in the UK?
No, there is no specific law requiring you to keep a shooting diary. However, your FAC conditions require you to have "good reason" to possess firearms, and a diary is the most practical way to demonstrate this at renewal. BASC, the NRA, and firearms solicitors all recommend keeping one.
### Can I keep my shooting diary on my phone?
Yes. A phone-based diary using a dedicated app like Vectis Shooting Log, or even a simple notes app, is perfectly acceptable. The important thing is consistency and detail, not the format. Digital records have the advantage of automatic date stamping and being impossible to lose in a house fire.
### What happens if I lose my shooting diary?
If you lose a paper diary, start a new one immediately and note that previous records were lost. For digital records, ensure you have backups. A lost diary is inconvenient at renewal but not fatal, provided you can demonstrate current active use and your ammunition register is intact.
### How far back should my diary go?
Ideally, your diary should cover your entire current certificate period (five years). If you are starting a diary now, begin today and work backwards as much as you can remember. Even a partial record from the start of your certificate is better than none.
### Will the police actually look at my shooting diary during a renewal?
It depends on the FEO and the force. Some FEOs routinely ask to see evidence of shooting activity; others may not if you are clearly an active member of a club with regular attendance. Having the diary available, even if not explicitly requested, demonstrates the right attitude and can speed up the process.
### Should I include non-shooting activities in my diary?
Keep it focused on shooting. However, noting related activities like club committee meetings, coaching sessions you have attended, or firearms safety courses adds to the picture of an engaged, responsible shooter.
### Can my shooting diary be used against me?
In theory, any record could be used in evidence. In practice, a well-maintained shooting diary demonstrating responsible, legal use of firearms is far more likely to help you than harm you. The alternative, having no records at all, is more concerning to the police than detailed records of lawful activity.
### How do I reconcile my diary with my ammunition register if the numbers do not match exactly?
Small discrepancies (5 to 10%) are normal and expected. Round counts at the range are often approximate ("about 60 rounds" rather than exactly 60), and small quantities may be given to friends or disposed of if damaged. Large discrepancies need investigation and explanation. If you consistently track both records, they should align closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a shooting diary a legal requirement in the UK?
No, there is no specific law requiring you to keep a shooting diary. However, your FAC conditions require good reason to possess firearms, and a diary is the most practical way to demonstrate this at renewal. BASC, the NRA, and firearms solicitors all recommend keeping one.
Can I keep my shooting diary on my phone?
Yes. A phone-based diary using a dedicated app like Vectis Shooting Log, or even a simple notes app, is perfectly acceptable. The important thing is consistency and detail, not the format. Digital records have the advantage of automatic date stamping.
What happens if I lose my shooting diary?
Start a new one immediately and note that previous records were lost. For digital records, ensure you have backups. A lost diary is inconvenient at renewal but not fatal, provided you can demonstrate current active use and your ammunition register is intact.
How far back should my diary go?
Ideally, your diary should cover your entire current certificate period of five years. If starting now, begin today and work backwards as much as you can remember. Even a partial record from the start of your certificate is better than none.
Will the police actually look at my shooting diary during a renewal?
It depends on the FEO and the force. Some routinely ask to see evidence of shooting activity; others may not if you are clearly an active club member. Having the diary available demonstrates the right attitude and can speed up the process.
Should I include non-shooting activities in my diary?
Keep it focused on shooting. However, noting related activities like club committee meetings, coaching sessions, or firearms safety courses adds to the picture of an engaged, responsible shooter.
Can my shooting diary be used against me?
In theory, any record could be used in evidence. In practice, a well-maintained diary demonstrating responsible, legal use is far more likely to help you than harm you. Having no records at all is more concerning to the police.
How do I reconcile my diary with my ammunition register if the numbers do not match exactly?
Small discrepancies of 5 to 10% are normal and expected. Round counts at the range are often approximate, and small quantities may be given to friends or disposed of if damaged. Large discrepancies need investigation and explanation.
