Essential Gear for Beaters: Flags and Accessories September 24, 2024 Gamekeeping As anyone involved in the game rearing industry will know, a shoot doesn’t function well without the beaters as they work as a team to flush out game in the right direction of the guns. However, beaters can’t do the finest job without the right equipment. The flags and accessories keep everyone involved in the shoot safe, facilitate communication and disrupt the game birds, encouraging them into the open. At Collins Nets, we are a family-run business supplying everything needed for a successful shoot. Having been in the game-rearing and shooting industry for 35 years, we understand the gear beaters need to get the job done, from flags to protective clothing. In this blog, we share the essential gear every beater should have. The Importance of Flags for Beaters Flags are an incredibly useful tool for beaters for several reasons. First and foremost, they are used to encourage birds out from cover into the open and towards the shoot in a controlled manner. Of course, as this is the beater’s main job, these are pretty important pieces of gear. Thanks to the bright colours and size of the flags, they provide an excellent way of communicating between beaters and those in the shooting party. As a gamekeeper or shoot organiser, you can use flags to signal to fellow beaters and keep the beat line organised and efficient. Perhaps the most important role of a flag for a beater is keeping them safe. Holding a flag ensures they stand out against the backdrop of woodland and forestry, making them visible to the shooting team. A shoot captain may also separate beaters into different teams. The head beater of each team might use a different coloured flag, such as a white flag, to easily distinguish themselves from the rest of the group. This adds another layer of organisation and communication to ensure the shoot runs smoothly. The Benefits of Traditional Beaters' Flags When it comes to beaters' flags, the traditional fabric flag remains the best choice for most shoots. At Collins Nets, we supply high-quality traditional flags that are widely used and trusted in the industry for their reliability and versatility. View Product Here are the key benefits of traditional flags: Terrain and Environment – Traditional fabric flags are well-suited for a wide range of terrains, from open fields to woodland areas. They are easy to use in both flat and moderately challenging landscapes, making them versatile for most shoot locations. Portability and Convenience – Lightweight and easy to carry, traditional flags are perfect for long days out in the field. They fold down simply and can be easily stowed away, ensuring beaters can move quickly and efficiently throughout the shoot. Durability and Stability – Made from strong, durable materials, traditional flags are built to withstand regular use. With minimal moving parts, they are less prone to mechanical issues, ensuring they last through many shooting seasons with proper care. Cost-Effective Choice – Traditional flags offer great value for money, providing all the functionality a beater needs without the added expense of more complex designs. For shoots of all sizes, they are a practical, budget-friendly option. Versatility for Shoot Size and Coordination – Whether for smaller, informal shoots or larger, more coordinated events, traditional flags provide clear communication and safety signals to both beaters and the shooting party. Their simplicity and reliability make them a staple for shoots of any scale. At Collins Nets, we believe that traditional fabric flags are the perfect tool to ensure a smooth, safe, and successful shoot. Other Essential Accessories for Beaters Experience will likely tell you that flags aren’t the only accessory that beaters need to help make a shoot a success. Certainly, our experience and knowledge of the industry say that the following accessories are just as useful. Beaters’ Horn – an essential tool for calling the beaters together and signalling commands across the shoot. Dog Whistles – perfect for signalling to dogs without startling the birds, these whistles provide a clear line of communication. Towelling Robes – keep dogs warm and dry during breaks in between drives, especially in wet conditions. Boot Bed for Wet Soggy Dogs – a convenient accessory for keeping the back of vehicles clean after a day’s work with wet and muddy dogs. Cartridge Collection Sticks (Seeland or Gripstick) – these help in quickly and efficiently collecting spent cartridges from the ground, ensuring a tidy and well-organised shoot. Protective Clothing Beaters walk off the beaten track, so they need to wear suitable items of clothing for the vegetation and woodland they will be walking among. Their clothing should be weatherproof, keeping them comfortable in all conditions. Sturdy boots and gloves are also essential to ensure their safety and comfort throughout the day. Dog Handling Gear If using dogs on your shoot, having the right gear is vital. Items like training whistles, leads, and towelling robes are essential to keep the dogs safe and effective during the shoot. Beaters' Essentials From £18.00 £39.60 inc VAT Dog Towelling Robe Made from luxurious cotton towelling, the Dog Robe is the ultimate drying coat. SHOP NOW From £27.60 £44.40 inc VAT Acme Beaters Reed Horn – Small or Large Small - 6” Large - Bigger and louder, 11” SHOP NOW £9.00 inc VAT Acme Pro Trialler Dog Whistle 212 This special whistle holds its frequency no matter how loud you blow. Your dog will always know it’s their whistle. SHOP NOW From £38.40 £57.60 inc VAT Dog Boot Bed Made from heavy duty waterproof fabric. Perfect for protecting your car boot. SHOP NOW £48.00 inc VAT Gripstik Cartridge Collector No more back breaking work collecting spent cartridges. SHOP NOW £22.80 inc VAT Seeland Telescopic Cartridge Collection Stick Telescopic Stick with Strong Magnet Fully extended, the stick measures 103cm Compact, measures 47cm SHOP NOW From £10.20 £14.40 inc VAT Bisley Rope Slip Leads Standard 10mm Heavy Duty 15mm SHOP NOW Maintaining and Caring for Beaters’ Equipment As the shooting season is fleeting, it is important that beaters’ equipment is well maintained so it can be used year after year. Proper care ensures that the equipment remains effective for multiple seasons. Here are a few maintenance tips for the different types of flags and accessories. Overall Maintenance Tips: Clean regularly to remove dirt, mud, and moisture. Dry thoroughly to prevent mould or corrosion. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid folding or creasing the fabric to prevent tears. Fabric Flag Maintenance: Check for tears and fraying. Replace worn flags. Inspect poles for bends or cracks. Maintain the handle grip. Maintenance of Accessories: Inspect for wear and tear. Use waterproof treatment on any clothing and boots to prepare for wet weather. Gear Up for a Successful Shoot Flags are one of the most important tools for beaters in a shoot as they make communication easier and keep everyone safe, all the while getting birds in the air to target. Your shoot and budget will determine what type of flags your beaters should be using, but you can never go wrong with a traditional fabric flag. Of course, they aren’t the only things your beaters should be carrying. Whistles, walking and beating sticks and protective clothing will also keep them safe and enable them to perform better at their jobs, creating a better shooting experience for you and your shooting party. At Collins Nets, we supply your shooting essentials, including nylon fabric flags in three vibrant colours, giving you choice and flexibility for your shoots. Don’t forget to purchase the wooden handle for your flags too! We pride ourselves on supplying the highest quality products, so when purchasing from us, you can feel confident that the items will be strong and durable, lasting multiple shooting seasons, especially when cared for. If you are still a little hesitant, take a minute to read some of the reviews from our customers. Order your beater’s the gear they need today and get it ready for next year’s shooting season so when the time comes, you can dive right in with everything in place. Got a question about what we supply? Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01308 485422 to chat to our friendly and knowledgeable team or complete our online contact form, and we will get back to you. From £7.20 inc VAT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Beaters Flag – Orange, Pink or White 56 cm x 70 cm - Comes with a pocket and 2mm black tie cord. British made: quality nylon noisy fluorescent... SHOP NOW £2.04 inc VAT Wooden Handle – 75cm for Beaters Flag SHOP NOW £3.60 inc VAT Tornado T2000 Whistle Recommended at any time that real power is required. SHOP NOW Further reading « Elevate Your Gamekeeping with Bird Puller July 24, 2024 Why Timely Ordering of Seine Nets is Crucial for Fisheries » October 8, 2024