5 Reasons NOT to wear a tie when game shooting

It has become as regular a seasonal tradition as a "Worst winter for 50 years" headline in the tabloids. For some reason 'The Great Tie Debate' gets keyboards a-clacking all over social media. But should it, or are we just sweating the small stuff? Does neck wear, or lack of it, signal anything other than your personal preference? Below you will find my reasons for not always wearing a tie when game shooting.

1 Restriction of movement.

Good game shooting is about fluidity of movement, especially in the upper body. In my opinion wearing a tie can restrict that. This is especially true later in the season, say, post Christmas, and probably several good shoot lunches on top of that, when that 16 inch collar really ought to be a 16.5 inch at the very least. You want to feel comfortable when you are out in the field. Comfort leads to confidence, and confidence is key.

2 We are not all made the same.

Should ladies be expected to dress like a man when out in the shooting field? 30 years ago of course the question was moot as ladies were not a major part of the game shooting scene. That has thankfully changed, and we are now a much more inclusive sport as barriers are broken down. Granted, those 'harrumphers' who are often found (although not exclusively) in the 'tie at all times' club, may also be objecting to the very idea of a lady standing on a peg. Of course ladies who shoot are free to wear a tie if they want to. The point is they are free to choose. If we forgo the insistence on ties for ladies as I believe we should, then we can make exceptions for men too and not get too steamed up about it.

3. There are other options.

Just because he doesn't turn up in a tie doesn't mean he's lazy, or hungover, or couldn't care less. You will not necessarily be greeted with a fountain of chest hair sprouting from a tieless bloke's supersternal notch. Early season, some guns of my acquaintance like to wear a knotted handkerchief around their neck to allow airflow around the collar as well at the same time as absorbing sweat. During the cold months of  mid-winter I much prefer a polo-neck or a roll neck underneath a shirt. Both these options can look plenty smart enough for a shoot day.

4. Don't look like a dog on a slip lead.

A fellow gun once told me (back in the days when I used to smoke) that me smoking a cigar looked "like Lassie taking a shit". I was between haircuts at the time, looking relatively unkempt, and he had a point.

If you are going to wear a tie, then wear it. Don't stand there looking like your tie knot fell out with the top of your shirt. Far better to not wear a tie at all,  than have it at half mast looking like a biddable Labrador at the heel of its master.

5. Wearing a tie doesn't guarantee that you respect your quarry.

You often here the 'tie at all times' brigade trot out the "wearing a tie shows respect for your quarry" line. I have seen guns dressed very smartly, with ties, waltz back to the gun bus without bothering to pick any of the birds they killed, let alone enquire of the picker up as to the fate of the birds they wounded. Respect is not defined by your sartorial choices. It is about your attitude to the day in which you are engaged, and your understanding of the soul of this sport. It has nothing to do with neck wear.

There are of course days when I do wear a tie. If I know that my host prefers his guests to wear ties then I am happy to oblige. It would be churlish not to. It falls under the "my gaff, my rules" heading and I will wear a tie out of courtesy to them. If you are unsure, then my advice would be wear one - you can always take it off if it turns out to be a relaxed affair. Quite frankly we should be focusing on other things on a shoot day like safety; courtesy; sportsmanship; and true respect for our quarry. Get those right and I couldn't care less what is or isn't around your neck.