Ripley Castle Shoot, North Yorkshire - Review

Run by the superb host Frank Boddy you will thoroughly enjoy the day at Ripley Castle.

The shoot commences at the Boars Head hotel in Ripley for breakfast at 8.30. We would recommend that you stay here the night before if you are travelling a long journey to this shoot.

Ripley Castle has an enormous number of drives so there is always a good choice whatever the weather conditions.

Frank will commence the day with a thoroughly comprehensive shoot briefing that ensures that you will be completely clear on how the day will be run and indeed, who is in charge!

Travel around the shoot is by 4x4, so you will need to team up with someone if you don't have one. Frank always tries to minimise the number of vehicles which encourages a more sociable day.

The shooting varies from open parkland through to rolling valleys with a mixture of pheasant, partridge and some duck. There is something here for all standards of shots with plenty of birds to test even the most experienced.

Frank has ensured that this shoot lays on fine hospitality, a fine breakfast sets you up for the day and just in case you are getting hungry the elevenses held at the shoot lodge with Bullshot and pies keeps you going till lunchtime. After another drive or so and depending upon the time of year it's back for lunch at the Boars Head. Later in the year and subject to the weather the team will shoot through and have a late lunch.

Frank offers a wide range of days on both the Eagle Hall & Ashfold side as well as the Ripley Castle side. The 'no frills' days allow you to enjoy a quality day's shooting at a slightly smaller bag size than the shoot usually offers as opposed to a McRipley Day of pheasant, grouse, partridge and duck at the other end of the scale.

Ripley Castle shoot is a good fun shoot with Frank Boddy creating a super atmosphere that pervades throughout the day.

Ripley Castle shoot is a good fun shoot with Frank Boddy creating a super atmosphere that pervades throughout the day.