The nation's favourite shoots, as chosen by GunsOnPegs members

The results of the inaugural Shoot Awards by GunsOnPegs are in. GunsOnPegs users were asked to nominate their favourite shoots in 8 categories, which sought to recognise not only the quality of the shooting, but every aspect that goes towards making a shoot day a memorable experience. There were categories for best keeper, beating team, picking up team, shoot lunch, shoot lodge and host, plus an overall “Nation’s favourite shoot” award. The awards were open to shoots large and small, private and commercial, famous and unknown. Below are the winners and runners up in each category. The runners up have been chosen due to the tough competition at the top of the nominations; we thought they deserved a worthy mention as well.

A day’s shooting doesn’t just happen, it takes months of preparation in advance, military-style organisation on the day, and many, many miles in the boots from dedicated people who are often involved merely for the love of being out in the countryside.

Rab was nominated for his hospitality, knowledge, precision, the way he conducts his team to ensure excellent presentation of his birds and his skillful running of a day. He’s more than happy to cater to the needs of his guns and shows excellent knowledge of his ground. GunsOnPegs members also cite his efforts to ensure that every gun gets plenty of shooting.

 

 

Ashley Boniface of Sloughbrook Shoot

Chris Randle of Sundorne Estate

Colm McNutt of Dale House

Dean Strangeway of Barnacre Estate

Iain Macityre of The Moortown Syndicate

Paul Lugg of Miltons

Paul Wilson of Bransdale

Stuart Maughan of Whitfield

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Best Beating Team

The beating team at Holborough Shoot are showered with praise by those who nominated them. The well established team are always friendly and cheerful, and go the extra mile to ensure a fantastic day, going above and beyond for their keeper and guns. A warm atmosphere is created by a brilliant team who clearly spending a day out in the country together. The 30+ strong team includes 3 generations of enthusiastic beaters.

 

 

 

Hill Farm Aylworth

Stonehouse Estate Shoot
Upperwood Shoot

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Best Picking Up Team

Picking up is a job that not only requires great skill, but also judgement. When nominating Prescombe’s team of dedicated pickers-up, GunsOnPegs members cited their speed and skill when picking runners, as well as their sound jugdement over letting guns pick their own birds and work their own dogs before moving in to sweep up.

 

 

 

Berry Castle

Gatcombe Park

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Best Host

One of the people who nominated Jamie said: “Jamie always strives to provide the best days for all involved. Guns are assured every possible attention to make their day productive and memorable. He is clearly knowledgeable regarding the roles, demands and safety considerations of all others participating, making for an inspiring and pleasing atmosphere. A truly holistic host,” with another commenting “He can turn a flat day into a memorable day, if Carlsberg did hosts…”

 

 

 

Andrew Blowers of Mornacott Estate

Barney Stratton of Stockton Shoot

Caleb Sutton of Chargot

Charles Williams of Caerhays Castle

D’Arcy Wyvill of Constable Burton

Frank Boddy of Ripley Sporting

Trevor Homewood of Holborough Shoot

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The hospitality

What would a shoot day be without a break for a tasty elevenses? Or a slap up meal in a gorgeous shoot lodge? The breaks between the shooting offer a chance to compare notes, shoot the breeze and share the odd joke, not to mention give each other a ribbing over the birds that were missed. But the fare on offer and the setting are key to creating a warm atmosphere and background for this. Here are the shoots that you think do it best.

 

One GunsOnPegs member described the elevenses at Llechweddygarth as “the best I’ve ever seen” going on to add that they’d be happy to spend all day enjoying them. Others sing the praises of the stunning setting in a remarkable lodge (complete with stuffed bear) and the views of the Welsh valleys, not to mention the huge selection of food and drink, including plenty of game.

 

 

 

Loyton Sporting

Whitbourne Estate

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Best Shoot Lunch

A great shoot lunch can make an average day’s shooting spectacular, but it can be a bit of a minefield. The GunsOnPegs members who nominated Constable Burton make reference to chef Tristan’s innovative twists on classic dishes and use of locally sourced game - game pizza anyone?

 

 

 

Challacombe

Hawnby and Arden Estate

Molland

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Best Shoot Lodge

One GunsOnPegs member who nominated the Isle Of Muck shoot for the Best Shoot Lodge award described it as "The Ritz of shoot lodges" - high praise indeed. In addition to the stunning setting, members have also enjoyed the excellent service and hospitality.

 

 

 

Chargot

Mornacott Estate

The Buttery Shoot

Well Barn Estate

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The Nation’s Favourite Shoot

There are some shoots where all of the above come together to create an absolutely epic day out shooting, that perfect combination of challenging shooting, great hosting and hospitality, perfect preparation and flawless execution. These shoots are the ones that stay in the memory for ever.

The people who nominated Lillycombe enthused about the excellent shooting on offer and the ongoing investment in the shoot, saying things like: “The presentation of birds is fantastic. I have shot here four times now and you can see continual investment in the shoot. The game keeper is also very good and supportive to relatively new game shooters,” while another praised the atmosphere: “It feels like a small family shoot despite running over 40 days a year.”

 

 

Runners Up:
 

Barnacre Estate