Quick Answer
A shooting permission map should show the exact land boundary, approved access points, public rights of way, buildings, livestock areas, neighbouring land and places where a safe shot may or may not be possible. It supports planning, but it never replaces an on-site assessment of the target, foreground, backstop and current activity before every shot.
The safest approach is to agree the map with the person who controls the shooting rights, carry an accessible copy, record changes and stop if the position of a boundary or right of way is uncertain.
Why should a UK shooting permission have a map?
A permission map turns a general description of land into a practical safety reference. It helps the shooter understand where authority begins and ends, how to enter without disrupting farm work and which features need checking before shooting starts.
Verbal directions can be misunderstood, especially on large farms, estates with several tenants or ground crossed by paths. A dated map provides a shared point of reference for the landowner, keeper and authorised shooters.
The map is not proof that every shot within the outline is safe. Crops, livestock, machinery, walkers and temporary work can change the position from one visit to the next.
What should a shooting permission map include?
A useful shooting permission map should include enough detail to support decisions without becoming cluttered. Use a clear base map at a scale that lets you recognise fields, tracks and buildings on the ground.
Mark the following:
- the outer boundary of the permission
- any internal area where shooting is excluded
- vehicle entrances, parking places and walking routes
- public rights of way, permissive paths and commonly used tracks
- houses, farm buildings, yards and occupied structures
- roads, railways, canals and neighbouring property
- livestock fields, pens and regular feeding areas
- high seats or agreed observation points
- reliable landmarks and emergency access points
- hazards such as steep ground, water, quarries or overhead services
Use a legend and revision date. If colours are used, add labels or symbols so the map remains understandable when printed in black and white.
How should you confirm the legal shooting boundary?
Confirm the shooting boundary with the person who has authority to grant the permission. A landowner may own the ground while another person holds the sporting or shooting rights, so ownership alone does not always answer who may authorise shooting.
Walk important boundaries where possible. Compare the agreed line with obvious features such as hedges, fences, ditches and tracks, then ask about awkward corners, strips of retained land and fields managed by tenants.
BASC provides guidance on shooting agreements and consents. A written agreement should identify the parties, land, permitted activity and any restrictions clearly enough that everyone understands the arrangement.
If a boundary cannot be identified confidently on the ground, treat the uncertain area as out of bounds until it is clarified. Never assume that an open gate, similar crop or unbroken hedge means adjoining land is included.
How should rights of way appear on the map?
Rights of way should be marked clearly, but the line on a map is only a prompt to look for people and activity. A path may be used at any time, and users can be difficult to see where ground, vegetation or buildings interrupt the view.
BASC's guidance on shooting, rights of way and access explains that it is not automatically an offence to shoot across a public right of way, but obstructing or endangering users is unlawful. BASC also advises against allowing shot or bullets to pass onto land where the shooter has no right to shoot.
Build a cautious operating rule around every path. Pause when visibility is restricted, avoid shooting along a path and do not rely on a companion, sign or parked vehicle as a substitute for seeing that the complete danger area is clear.
Can a map identify safe firing positions and backstops?
A map can identify places worth assessing, but it cannot certify a permanent safe firing position or backstop. The safe direction depends on where the shooter, quarry and other people are at the exact moment of the proposed shot.
Contours and aerial imagery may help with planning. They can also conceal limitations such as shallow slopes, hard surfaces, gaps in hedges, unseen buildings and seasonal changes in vegetation.
For rifle shooting, a backstop must reliably contain the projectile after it passes through or misses the intended target. Sky, hedges, standing crops and woodland that cannot be seen through are not backstops.
Mark approved high seats or observation points as locations, not as guarantees. At every visit, inspect the structure, approach, field of fire and ground beyond the target area before use.
How should access routes and parking be recorded?
Record the access route agreed with the land manager, including gates, parking, times to avoid and any rule about locking or leaving gates as found. This reduces unnecessary vehicle movement and helps prevent conflict with livestock, crops or machinery.
The Countryside Code emphasises respecting those who live and work in the countryside, leaving gates and property as found and not blocking access. Permission shooters have the additional responsibility of following the land manager's specific instructions.
Add an emergency access point and a location reference that can be given to the emergency services. A What3words reference may be a useful supplement, but an address, grid reference and clearly described gate provide stronger redundancy where mobile coverage is poor.
What temporary changes should you check before shooting?
Check for temporary changes every time because the map records an agreement, not live conditions. Speak to the landowner, tenant, keeper or farm contact before starting when the permission requires it.
Look for:
- livestock moved into a different field
- contractors, machinery or harvest activity
- walkers, riders, cyclists or events
- new fencing, gates or temporary electric wire
- crop growth that changes visibility
- forestry, drainage or utility work
- nesting, conservation or disease-control restrictions
- changes to neighbouring occupancy
If a change affects the planned area, revise the plan for the day. A productive outing is never more important than a clear and current safety picture.
How should night shooting maps be used?
Night shooting maps should support a route and communication plan agreed in advance. Darkness reduces depth perception and makes boundaries, livestock and people harder to identify, even when thermal or night vision equipment is used.
Tell the relevant land contact when you enter and leave, use agreed vehicle identification and avoid unfamiliar ground until it has been inspected in daylight. Mark dwellings, roads, paths, livestock and no-shoot zones prominently.
BASC's night shooting guidance stresses permission, positive identification, an adequate backstop and respect for other countryside users. If the target or background cannot be identified beyond doubt, do not shoot.
How should a shooting team share and control map information?
Give every authorised shooter the current version and make one person responsible for recording amendments. A simple version number and date prevent an old screenshot from being mistaken for the current plan.
Sensitive details deserve care. A map may show firearm activity, access codes, high seats and isolated buildings, so share it only with people who need it and store digital copies behind a secure account or device lock.
Before a joint outing, brief the team on boundaries, sectors, paths, livestock, communication and lost-contact arrangements. Agree who may change position and how that change will be reported.
What should you record after each permission visit?
Record the date, area visited, people present, contact made, quarry activity, shots fired, ammunition used and anything that affects future safety. Note new hazards or map corrections while they are fresh.
A concise visit record helps the shooter follow landowner instructions and identify patterns. It can show where public use is frequent, when livestock normally move and which access route works without disrupting the farm.
Vectis Shooting Log can keep visit notes, firearm use and ammunition records together. The permission map itself should remain controlled, while the log records which version was used and any change that needs confirmation.
How often should a shooting permission map be reviewed?
Review the map at least annually and whenever ownership, tenancy, shooting rights, access or land use changes. Review it immediately after any near miss, complaint or boundary uncertainty.
Ask the permission giver to confirm material amendments. A quick discussion and dated replacement map is better than adding private assumptions to an old copy.
The map should also be checked before seasonal activity such as harvest, lambing, game shooting or forestry work. Those changes can alter access and risk even when the legal boundary stays the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a shooting permission map a legal requirement in the UK?
A map is not a universal legal requirement for every private shooting permission. It is strong practical evidence of the area and restrictions agreed, but it must sit alongside valid permission, certificate conditions, species law and safe conduct.
Does a coloured boundary mean I can shoot anywhere inside it?
No. A boundary shows the extent of the permission, not that every direction or position is safe. You must still identify the target, foreground and reliable backstop and account for people, livestock and property before each shot.
Can I use an online map or phone screenshot?
Yes, if it is accurate, current and available when needed. Keep an offline copy or paper backup for poor signal, and add a date or version number so authorised shooters know which plan applies.
Who should approve a UK shooting permission map?
The person with authority over the relevant shooting rights should approve it. Where a landowner, tenant, keeper or sporting-rights holder has different responsibilities, clarify who can grant access and shooting permission before relying on the map.
Should public footpaths be excluded from the permission map?
They should be shown clearly whether or not the surrounding land is included. A path requires active observation and a cautious shooting plan because users can appear without warning and must never be obstructed or endangered.
Can a hedge be treated as the permission boundary?
Only if the authorised person confirms that it represents the agreed boundary. Hedges can sit inside ownership lines, contain gaps or continue beyond the permission, so their appearance alone is not reliable evidence.
Should safe backstops be marked on the map?
Potential assessment areas can be marked, but no map can guarantee a safe backstop for every shot. Conditions, shooter position, target location and activity beyond the target must be checked on the ground each time.
What should I do if the map and ground features do not match?
Stop using the uncertain area and contact the permission giver. Do not shoot across a disputed line or improvise a new boundary based on an app, fence or another person's recollection.
How should I update a shooting permission map?
Create a new dated version, record what changed and replace old copies held by authorised shooters. Material changes to boundaries, access, no-shoot areas or contacts should be confirmed by the person who controls the permission.