What makes a great shoot? Is it the height of the birds, the hospitality, the hosting, or something else entirely? The obvious answer is that it is a combination of all of these things; the holistic whole if you like alliteration. The UK is blessed with hundreds, if not thousands of great shoots, all of which faced a tough season, first with uncertainty over whether the season could go ahead at all and then with ever-changing COVID-restrictions. We want to celebrate the shoots that go above and beyond, so we asked our members to nominate the shoot that they believe deserves the title of “Shoot of the Year 2021”.
Chris Horne, Managing Director of GunsOnPegs, said:
"When we looked through the individual nominations that guns had given for shoots, what stood out and made us smile so much was the value that guns place on the effort put in by the shoot, rather than the quality of birds. Shoots that show huge passion backed up with enormous effort are the shoots will make the biggest difference socially & environmentally. These are the shoots we can be most proud of, and these awards are a way to celebrate them and their hard work."
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The awards, sponsored by Lycetts, are intended to celebrate shoots that made a difference socially or environmentally, succeeded in the face of adversity, or simply ran a great operation and deserve recognition. Hundreds of guns took part, and a great many shoots were nominated for the honour, a sign that we really are blessed in this country. The prizes have been awarded regionally, with an overall winner and runner up selected from those regional winners. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the regional winners.
Shoot of the Year 2021 - South East - Holborough Shoot, Kent
Holborough runs as a regular resident syndicate that also offers a few days to roving syndicates each year. It is a classic English driven pheasant shoot set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, that makes use of tall chalk escarpments blanketed in woodland, which form the backbone of the shoot. Despite the great shooting, the nominations for Holborough were at least as likely to mention the brilliant beating and picking up teams, the friendly hosting and the efforts that the shoot made to keep people safe under COVID-restrictions
Runner up - South East - Kimbers, Berkshire
Kimbers Shoot has been recognised for fully committing to keeping the shoot operating as normal as possible under COVID-19 restrictions in order to keep their three full time game keepers in full time employment. They ran days whenever the rules allowed to give the beating and picking up team as many days out as possible, complying fully with all the social distancing rules, whilst still providing guns with memorable fun days. Community is at the heart of Kimbers, whose beaters also have their own Facebook group.
Shoot of the Year 2021 - South West - Ugbrooke Park, Devon
Not only does Ugrbooke represent the archetypal country house shoot, with stunning Capability Brown parkland and a Robert Adam house, offering birds as challenging as you would expect in Devon. But the many people who nominated Ugbrooke were also full of praise for the owner, Alexander Clifford’s attention to details, whether that was the impeccable hosting and wonderful food, to the COVID-secure measures - including the use of multiple gunbusses - to provide memorable days that were as safe as possible and that maintained the ‘spirit’ of the day.
Runner up - South West - Blannicombe Sporting Club, Devon
This family run shoot has been commended by those who have visited for its flexibility and endurance in the face of COVID-19. Blannicombe, as well as running driven days, also runs walked up partridge days and gundog training days, part of their commitment to keeping shooting accessible and offering the widest possible range of shooting.
Shoot of the Year 2021 - East Anglia - The Grange, Essex
This small and intimate traditionally-run shoot’s conservation efforts are second to none, with coppicing to create open areas within woods and the creation of beetle banks helping to promote the reestablishment of grey partridges. Alongside this excellent and worthy work, the shoot prides itself on offering first class hospitality and fast-paced shooting. The operation is overseen by the head ‘keeper Dan Cox, whose 25 years of experience and passion for the countryside is reflected in his aim of improving biodiversity and conservation efforts on the land in order to build a habitat in which birds thrive.
Runner Up - East Anglia - Saham Hall, Norfolk
This traditional shoot takes place in the beautiful Norfolk countryside and is no stranger to silverware, having previously been a runner up in the Purdey Awards for Shooting and Conservation, as well as receiving the Mills & Reeve Grey Partridge Award in 2017. The shoot’s admirable conservation work and challenging shooting is underpinned by the passionate host’s warm welcome, which “make syou feel like you’re part of the family.”
Shoot of the Year 2021 - Midlands - Davenport House, Shropshire
Oliver Davies, who manages the Davenport House shoot, is singled out for praise by one of those who nominated the shoot. “He’s contributed so much to shooting,” they wrote, “during the pandemic, whilst other shoots restricted their days, Davenport estate maintained as full a programme as possible, keeping local keepers, beaters, and pickers up in employment whilst keeping fees down for the guns. The whole team worked extremely hard the whole season to maintain COVID-secure environments for all participants, while maintaining a high standard of shooting, offering a glimmer of hope in strange and difficult times.”
Runner up - Midlands - The Prairie Shoot, Lincolnshire
A true ‘grass-roots’ shoot, what The Prairie lacks in topography, it makes up for in passion and a warm welcome. The shoot extends a warm welcome to guns of all ages and abilities to enjoy low-cost days packed with up to nine drives in a day. As proud members of the BGA the shoots aims to send all the shot game home with the guns and beating team. “We are a friendly bunch who like to shoot well but have a laugh when we miss, there is quite a lot of laughing,” says Stephen, the Shoot Captain.
Shoot of the Year - Wales - Bettws Hall, Powys
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Bettws Hall will need little introduction to GunsOnPegs members, famed as it is for providing some of the most challenging shooting in the UK. It is perhaps less well-known just how important Bettws’ shooting portfolio is for the local community. Aware of this, the team did everything in their power to ensure as full a season as possible in the face of strict COVID-19 restrictions, including underwriting the cost of days in the event of cancellation, giving guns the confidence to book, and ensuring that the beaters, pickers up, cooks and other shoot staff had an income.
Runner Up - Wales - Llechweddygarth, Powys
Widely regarded as one of the top shoots in the UK, Llechweddygarth has a reputation for showing some of the tallest birds, enough to challenge the very hottest of hotshots. Accompanying the fabulous shooting is hospitality to match, with Michelin-star quality elevense served in a chalet in the woods and a sumptuous dinner to follow the day’s shooting. This is a finely-tuned operation where nothing is too much to ask and your every wish is fulfilled.
Shoot of the Year - North East & Yorkshire - Ripley Castle, North Yorkshire
Year on year, Frank Boddy’s operation at Ripley Castle receives plaudits from the shooting community. As one of the people who nominated Ripley wrote: “Frank Boddy is an icon in the shooting world; a fantastic host, very knowledgeable, and does whatever it takes to lay on the most superb of days, even under Covid conditions.” The shoot has a reputation for a being a smoothly oiled operation that welcomes guns of all abilities into a friendly, enjoyable day.”
Runner up - North East & Yorkshire - Warter Priory, East Yorkshire
“If you've never been to Warter Priory, imagine a shooting estate designed by God (they even have a drive called 'Angels') and allow yourself to enjoy the privilege of shooting there and see why the reputation is as good as it is…” These are the words of one GunsOnPegs member who clearly enjoyed their day at Warter. It will therefore come as no surprise that in addition to arguably “the best birds in the country”, the shoot’s keepering is conservation-focussed and the hospitality second to none.
Shoot of the Year - North West - Weeton, Lancashire
Robert Fryars and his two sons, Jack and Harry are extremely enthusiastic dairy farmers, but even more enthusiastic about running their shoot, which is run with the aim of creating enjoyment, not profit. As well as releasing plenty of birds, they are proud of the wild teal and woodcock that visit the ground. In addition to quality shooting (with no overages!) the team lay on excellent food from Mrs Fryars’ kitchen and even gin tastings. As one GunsOnPegs member wrote: “It is worth going for the food and the gin alone!”
Runner Up - North West - Wirral Shoot, Cheshire
Tom, who manages the shoot, is a fourth generation gamekeeper with a passion for the land that he shoots over and the welfare and management of the birds and wildlife. With a dedicated team of beaters and pickers the Wirral always provides a warm welcome, excellent hospitality and lots of quality shooting.
Shoot of the Year - Scotland - Eskdale Shoot, Berwickshire
Eskdale has it all: stunning scenery with topography to die for, presenting some of the most spectacular driven pheasant and partridge shooting available in the UK; a remote location devoid of the the signs of modern life; a knowledgeable and experienced team who can adjust to the conditions, and fabulous hospitality - what more could you ask for?
Runner up - Scotland - Isle of Muck, Inverness-shire
With a ruggedly beautiful island setting and a variety of quarries, including wildfowl, snipe, woodcock, and released pheasant and partridge, the Isle of Muck shoot is a bucket-list shoot for many guns, including several of the GunsOnPegs team! The testing shooting is complemented by luxurious accommodation, fabulous locally sourced food, friendly hosting and superb views.
Shoot of the year - Overall winner - Holborough Shoot
What people say about the shoot:
Affable and extremely well run shoot. Some of the pheasant make you think you are in Devon! Trevor always makes sure his clients are well looked after, Holborough has one of the best beating teams that are passionate about showing some good birds. I’ve worked on many good, expensive, and quality shoots but Holborough is right up there, for less money!
They have gone above and beyond to keep everyone safe during the pandemic. They have also done incredibly well to accommodate teams wanting to cancel or postpone days because of the pandemic.
Best shoot in the world!
Great shooting! Great team!
They are a first class set up, spot on with every detail, Covid safety is spot on and the host, keep and all the team are amazing.
Testing birds, great host and hospitality. Great beating team and the pickers up. Never shot on a shoot so professionally run, they don’t skimp on quality of service.
Been going a few years now it's different and better each time. Hats off to Trevor and team for the fantastic days they put on!
Very well presented birds with a marvellous team. An all round treat who have bent over backwards to work through the lockdowns.
Great birds, reliable performance and good fun for conventional driven days, plus many fantastic walked up days when Covid restrictions stopped the driven days. Excellent company and advice on the walked up days from the keeper, his wife and the shoot captain, plus loved seeing my dog transform from a peg dog to a proper worker.
Not only is holbourgh a fantastic great value shooting experience the shoot manager Trevor Holewood and keeper Andrew Collins have gone above and beyond to ensure all participants from guns to beating team have been safe and enjoyed the day throughout these difficult COVID times even keeping an eye on its team members who have had to stay away due to health concerns. Bravo!
Shoot of the Year - overall runner up - Ugbrooke Shoot
What they said:
Alexander Clifford made the huge decision in March 2020 to proceed as if the season would go ahead as usual in doing so safeguarded the shoot's future. We shot as and when allowed and on the days we did strictly observed the restrictions with great innovations, but all this was done in an understated way so that it neither seemed oppressive nor affected our enjoyment of the day.
I nominate Ugbrooke Park, because the estate team went above and beyond to ensure everyone's safety during the Covid shoot season. Still producing fantastic shooting, excellent hospitality and of course traditional banter!
Fantastic setting, superb birds and exceptional hospitality
I was so impressed with the complete attention to every detail that the shoot had taken with regard to Covid safety without compromising the day's enjoyment . Delicious home-cooked, game based food, complimented a day of well presented pheasant and duck that tested the best of shots.
Alexander Clifford continued to provide great sport in a safe and friendly environment, which included an excellent socially distance lunch. He took a huge risk against all the odds to continue the shoot running through the pandemic and was successful in doing so. Great job!
Wonderful sport and unrivalled hospitality, with not only the added pressures of Covid restrictions but the tragic death of the much loved chef, Tina, midseason
Ugbrooke continued to host fantastic shoot days with exceptional catering in a safe and considerate way despite the challenges being faced.
I have shot over this Estate for a number of years, but as for last season we all had to change, which the host did in a very safe manner, but still keeping it jolly.
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The host is AMAZING!
This is a shoot that I have been going back and back and back again. The setting is stunning and Alexander is such a welcoming host, he really makes you feel at home. The birds are some of the best I have seen and I would recommend this shoot every time.
As a first-time visitor at Ugbrooke Park (having shot for forty years), I can with absolute candour say that the shoot was one of the most exceptional I have ever had the pleasure of attending. The efforts the team made in their commitment to making the day Covid-secure were tremendous: from being kept in our “bubbles” (even during elevenses) at three meters apart to laying on separate buses for guns, beaters and pickers-up, the meticulous organisation was second to none. Remarkably, the Covid measures did nothing to dent the spirit of the day: it was perfectly-paced, good fun and offered a quality of shooting I have rarely seen bettered.
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