The Past and Future of Driven Game Shooting: My Thoughts

It is now 58 years since I joined my first driven shooting syndicate. In those days our sport was very different compared to today .

Most driven game shooting was kept in hand by Estates with little Commercial  Driven Shooting  available. To be able to join what good game shooting syndicates there were available was very much “ dead man`s shoes". There were only pheasant shot with a few pockets of grey partridge remaining. French partridge were not yet on the scene . It was also very much frowned upon to shoot pheasant before November .

So the only early season shooting was wild duck and for a few seasons, grouse . The average pheasant bag was 200 birds with 250 being a “ big day “. I was very fortunate to join a syndicate at Castle Howard then at Hawnby and Ripley Castle  which was much nearer to home . I did shoot on many other Estates but seldom out of North Yorkshire , We have all we need In God`s own County !

During this time I had always wanted to run my own shoot . This opportunity arose when three friends and myself took the Nidd beat on Mountgarret Estate .

This was then followed by Ripley Castle and Hob Green Estates .

In 2001 I took the lease on Hardcastle and Heathfield grouse Moors . Although I had previously shot grouse for a number of years . I had little or no knowledge of running a grouse moor. It was certainly a very steep learning  curve and enjoyed 18 years running the moors . From a zero start our best year was 2600 brace.

At the same time I established The Eagle Hall and Ashfold Side Shoot which I still feel offered testing partridge and pheasant  comparable to any other shoot. Hardcastle Moor was sold so my shooting came to an end in the area .

I still had Ripley Castle , Hob Green and Nidd  and the lease on Mountgarret come available .

I am often asked why I promoted single guns as well as full teams. 58 years ago when I found it difficult to find the quality of shooting I wanted as a single gun . I said to myself , If I ever had my own shoot I would always give preference to single guns . As well as people looking to take up  driven game shooting , I have always encouraged young people and particularly Ladies to take up our sport . I also encouraged non shooting guests to join the team, just to enjoy the day. The help and support from Guns on Pegs over the last 15 years has been imperative in achieving this.

Over the years I estimate over 28.000 people have joined my shoot days . I am also often asked “ What makes for a good driven shoot ?”

A day`s  driven shooting , is a day out in our stunning North Yorkshire countryside with some testing but not humiliating birds in the company of like minded convivial people . But more so for me it is all about the people . It was the people I met each day which made running a shoot so enjoyable for me .

No matter who you are or what you are or what you may have . For me we all the same in the shooting field. As well as guns from the UK , I had guns from over 20 different countries join my shoot days. I always found it great fun making up teams and particularly people from all over the world .I remember on one day we had nine different nationalities .

By far the most important people on the day are those who work on the shoot and make it all happen .On a typical day there are 25 to 30 staff employed just to look after 9 guns ! Keepers , beaters , pickers up , drivers , loaders with hospitality and catering staff . Not forgetting the Host on the day !

Each and everyone are so important to making for a successful shoot day. Should someone be out of the shooting , it is the Host working with the Head Keeper and his lines of beaters , who can change the flow of birds . The guns may be unaware of this but it is often the difference between a good and not so good shoot day . 

My dogs have always played an important part of my life and seeing everyone working their dogs is so enjoyable. You can comment on someone`s shooting ability but never insult his dog ! As with any well run organisation. Planning a shoot day in advance is so important. You always need spare drives available just in case the wind direction changes or the sun is in the wrong place.

Attention to detail is imperative but always remembering Mother Nature and her wild creatures are in charge !

So what does the future hold for driven game shooting as we know it to day ?

This is very much in our own hands. Which ever political party is in power, the ever growing significant release of pheasant and partridge should change and may be stopped. Whatever happens birds will still breed and must be controlled. The large number of deer at present on the ground throughout the UK is an example of what can happen if uncontrolled. If the present mass slaughter of game carried out by many large commercial shoots continues, restrictions will be imposed. 

Surprisingly I do not see this as a problem. I cannot see we will have a total ban as birds will breed must be culled . We will need more keepers and game cover with more intensive virmin control. I cannot see how keepers can be restricted from giving the birds a helping had by reverting back to hatching under bantams hidden in the woods .

A shoot day may be made up of a mix of wild game and simulated clay drives. But the main thing is that we will still be out in the countryside enjoying ourselves. 

I will be surprised if I am still around when this happens. But never forget it is in our / your control to try and make sure it does not happen. I would encourage every shoot and game farm to join Trusted Game . Membership gives the self discipline  and input from your vet we all require. I found it really improved the return from chick to poult together with the management of poults once released .

With regard to the future of the Mountgarret Shoot. I am really delighted I have found in Edd Morrison a kindred spirit. Edd is possibly more passionate than myself  with regard to country sports. I can already see the plans he has for the shoot will make a significant improvement to many of the drives. 

He has kindly invited me to join the shoot on some days. I will be there and try not to get in the way. I may have to send myself home if I misbehave !