DEVELOPING COMPETENCE

The Airgun Proficiency Course (APC) offered by the Shooting & Hunting Academy provides structured training for airgun users across the UK, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. Designed to meet the needs of both recreational shooters and professional pest control operatives alike, the APC delivers nationally recognised accreditation from LANTRA, the UK’s leading land-based awarding body. This certification establishes a benchmark for responsible and skilled airgun use, bolstering credibility with landowners, employers and the local police.

A NATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION The APC sets a recognised standard for airgun training, combining rigorous instruction with a formal qualification. By earning the LANTRA certification, participants demonstrate a commitment to safe, effective and ethical airgun use. The programme’s relevance extends across professions and interests, whether it’s used to support employment in pest control or build trust with stakeholders in recreational shooting contexts.

A TWO-PART PROGRAMME: THEORY AND PRACTICE The APC is delivered through two main components: an online theory module and a practical in-field assessment conducted by an “approved verifier”. Together, these two elements ensure participants gain both the knowledge and skills required for competent airgun handling.

ONLINE THEORY MODULE The programme’s structure ensures that every aspect of airgun use, from foundational safety to advanced skills, is addressed in detail. The APC’s syllabus is structured to provide a holistic understanding of airgun use, and is divided into seven modules as follows:

Module 1: Understanding the need to control pests and vermin: Explores ecological and practical reasons for vermin management. Module 2: Legislation: Examines legal responsibilities, including UK-wide laws and regional variations. Module 3: Equipment: Covers airgun mechanics, accessories and airgun maintenance. Module 4: Safe handling of airguns: Focuses on minimising risks and ensuring safe storage and transport of airguns. Module 5: Marksmanship: Teaches effective shooting techniques and principles. Module 6: Understanding ballistics and how to achieve a humane kill: Highlights trajectory, energy retention and also humane pest control. Module 7: Practical Assessment and final words: Prepares participants for real-world application of their training.

Participants complete multiple-choice assessments throughout the modules to confirm their understanding of the subject, culminating in a final timed exam. This portion ensures readiness for the practical stage by embedding theoretical knowledge.

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT Once the candidate has completed the theory section of the course, it is time for their practical assessment. The hands-on component is conducted locally by an “approved verifier”, namely a professional instructor. Tasks needing to be performed during the practical assessment include:

• Demonstrating safe handling and operation • The use of appropriate shooting techniques • Achieving consistent precision in shot placement

Approved verifiers are available right across the UK, making the practical assessment accessible regardless of location. Successful candidates are thereafter awarded the LANTRA-certified Airgun Proficiency Course Certificate.

PROGRESSION AND APPLICATION Graduates of the APC are equipped not only with a recognised credential but also with a skill set applicable in a variety of settings. From ethical pest control to promoting safe practices within the shooting community, the course enables participants to use their airguns effectively and responsibly.

Peter Jones, the founder of the Shooting & Hunting Academy told Airgun World: “We set up the course in the summer of 2024 because we recognise the importance of airguns to the wider shooting community — whether people have gone on to game shooting or deerstalking, airguns are where many started their journey.

“The continuing threat of government regulation of shooting sports was also a key driver in us setting up this course. The academy is absolutely against the mandatory regulation of airguns, and by developing a nationally available course, it makes that less likely. We are aware of airgun regulations in Scotland, and of those who want to see similar regulations in England and Wales. Self-regulation, showing the Government that accredited courses are available, is very much the key to that.

“We want as many people as possible to get involved with the qualification, and many airgun shooters have already done so. We’re currently looking for airgun ranges and “approved verifiers” to help us to deliver the practical element of the APC, and want to use this as an opportunity to reach out to professional instructors within the Airgun World readership.

“A final, crucial point is that the APC is the UK’s first and currently only third-party accredited LANTRA course. The Shooting & Hunting Academy went to great lengths to secure this, and it gives the qualification real weight, instilling confidence in candidates.”

The Shooting & Hunting Academy works with a number of funding providers and training funds to provide academy candidates with a range of funding options that are designed to make wildlife management training more affordable. There will be funding available for the APC in early 2025. At the time of writing, the APC is priced at £125.

For more information about the Airgun Proficiency Course, and others offered by the Shooting & Hunting Academy, visit shootingandhuntingacademy.co.uk