Hunting Rifle - Night Shooting Verification
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Night Shooting (CL55) – Training and Verification
Master the safe and effective use of a hunting rifle in low-light environments with our CL55 Night Shooting Training course. Designed for deer managers and professional stalkers, this specialist training focuses on the practical skills, legal knowledge, and fieldcraft required to operate confidently under the latest UK regulations. With the introduction of the CL55 licence, night shooting has become a vital part of modern deer management for conservation, public safety, and preventing damage to land .
This course covers everything from rifle handling and shot placement at night to the use of thermal imaging and night vision equipment, ensuring you can use your hunting rifle safely, ethically, and effectively. Whether you are looking to meet licence requirements or enhance your professional capability, our expert-led training helps you build competence, confidence, and compliance in real-world night shooting scenarios.
If you have completed the online Night Shooting Course with The Shooting and Hunting Academy and now require verification, please get in touch to arrange an assessment. Availability is subject to location and current capacity.
Deer Pest & Fox Night Shooting Course PERFECT for CL55
Deer Night Shooting Course via the ‘Shooting & Hunting Academy, ideal for deer managers applying for a deer night shooting licence from Natural England under CL55, professional pest control and fox shooters.
For further information on courses offered by The Shooting and Hunting Academy, please follow the link below
Night Shooting (CL55) – Training and Verification
Night shooting of deer in England is not a general right and must be carried out under specific legal authority. In most cases, this is granted through a class licence issued by Natural England, commonly referred to as the CL55 licence.
This licence permits the use of artificial light and certain night shooting equipment for the purpose of preventing serious damage, typically to crops, forestry or other land-based interests. However, it is important to be clear: the licence is conditional, and those operating under it must be able to demonstrate that they are competent, justified and acting within the terms of the licence at all times.
The Role of Training
Formal training for night shooting is delivered through The Shooting & Hunting Academy, who provide a structured course designed to prepare candidates for operating under the CL55 licence.
This training typically covers:
•Legal framework and licence conditions
•When and where night shooting is justified
•Equipment selection and limitations (thermal, night vision, artificial light)
•Safety considerations specific to shooting in low-light conditions
•Shot placement and target identification at night
•Risk assessment and safe backstop awareness
The objective is to ensure that candidates understand not only how to shoot at night, but when it is appropriate to do so, and the additional risks involved compared to daytime stalking.
Completion of training alone does not grant any legal authority to undertake night shooting. It is one component of demonstrating competence.
Independent Verification
Verification is a separate process and is where competence is assessed in practice. As an Approved Verifier, the role is to assess whether a candidate can apply what they have learned safely and consistently in real-world conditions.
This includes assessing:
•Safe handling of firearms in low-light environments
•Correct use of night vision or thermal equipment
•Positive identification of target species
•Safe shooting decisions, including when not to shoot
•Awareness of surroundings, backstops and potential hazards
•Overall judgement under realistic conditions
The emphasis is on decision-making and safety, not simply technical ability.
Verification provides independent evidence that a candidate can operate to a standard that would be expected if they were acting under the terms of the CL55 licence.
Legal Considerations
It is critical to understand that neither training nor verification grants permission to undertake night shooting.
To operate legally, the following must be in place:
•The land must be registered under the relevant class licence (e.g. CL55)
•The activity must meet the purpose of the licence (typically prevention of serious damage)
•Non-lethal and daytime methods must have been considered where appropriate
•The person undertaking the shooting must be competent and able to justify their actions
Failure to meet these conditions can result in the activity falling outside the scope of the licence, with potential legal consequences.
For this reason, anyone considering night shooting should ensure they fully understand the licence conditions and, where necessary, seek appropriate guidance.
Why Verification Matters
From a landowner’s perspective, night shooting carries increased risk compared to daytime stalking. Reduced visibility, altered deer behaviour and the use of specialist equipment all introduce additional variables.
As a result, landowners and organisations are increasingly cautious about who they allow to undertake night shooting on their ground.
Independent verification provides reassurance that:
•The individual has been assessed against a recognised standard
•Safe systems of work are understood and applied
•Decisions are made with appropriate caution and judgement
It also strengthens a candidate’s position when working with landowners, agents or organisations who require evidence of competence.
A Structured and Defensible Approach
The combination of formal training through The Shooting & Hunting Academy and independent verification provides a structured and defensible pathway into night shooting.
It ensures that candidates are not only trained, but also assessed in conditions that reflect real-world application.
Given the legal sensitivity and potential consequences of getting it wrong, this approach is not excessive — it is necessary.
For those intending to operate under the CL55 licence, or support landowners dealing with significant deer damage, training and verification together provide a credible and responsible route forward.
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