Subtitle: The Things I Really Need to Know to Make Your Day Work
We start booking shooting for one season before the previous season closes, and are in full swing planning for the season to come by the time March becomes lamb-like. Much as I love extended email conversations and playing phone tennis, tag, and catch with all of you, it helps if you’ve done a little thinking before we start. We work with so many different shoots, each offering a selection of different opportunities, that it’s hard to know where to start when the email says ‘looking for some shooting…prices and dates please’.
 |
 |
Knowing what quarry you’d like to shoot, where or when you’d like to shoot helps narrow the choices. Grouse are a possibility in northern Britain from August 12th to December 10th, but you can forget shooting in the Outer Hebrides until September, or being within an hour of London ever.
 |
Do you care how many times you pull the trigger? How high the birds are? How far you will have to preambulate between pegs? Is your dog just for show, or do you expect to use its services on the day? Are you solo, or blessed with an entire team of compatriots eager for the off? Can you shoot any day except the first Tuesday of each month, or are you a weekend warrior? Gourmand content only with linen tablecloths and a selection of fine wines? Cottage pie or casserole in the shoot room? Fish and chips at the pub? Or sausage rolls and soup on the tailgate of the Landrover?
 |
 |
Do you have to be back on your doorstep for dinner at 5? Looking to stay in a sporting lodge complete with singing laird and scotch pancakes? Fancy a pub with a roaring fire that allows your dog to stay? Or maybe a B&B whose landlady has an encyclopedic knowledge of local watering holes?
I’m sure you get the picture. The more specific you can be, the closer to your dream spec I can tailor the day. Of course, giving me plenty of notice always helps…
3 Comments
All you have written is common sense, which none of us ever consider when asking for a shoot day. Excellent and well pointed out. Look forward to reading more.
Two friends and myself are looking to do a day or two of Walked Up Grouse shooting in either the Yorkshire Dales or The North Yorkshire Moors.
We have for several years run our own 6 syndicate Rough Shoot in Derbyshire and are therefore used to a long days walking. Or measure of success is to enjoy the day together and go home with a bird or two for the pot.
We are not just weekenders so could consider any options.
What can you offer?
Rex
Thanks for your message, I’m afraid that at the moment all our pre booked grouse shooting has been sold and we are waiting to see the results of the breeding season to see if there is going to be anymore. I see that you have joined our mailing list which will keep you informed of any spaces in lines or other shooting availability.