Higher Crockham Farm Shoot
Shoot · Devon · 172 followers
172 followers
As a result of recent reviews, we are adding a second rearing pen on the other side of the farm to improve presentation and wild stock. ALSO PLEASE VIEW THIS SHOOT AS A FRIENDLY DAY OUT as it is not about volume or target practice. Some days, particularly very wet days, can mean birds sit tight or run rather than fly so please manage expectations. We try and encourage novices, provide lessons, and encourage converts from clays only to game birds. The shoot is principally a Rough shoot supplemented by around 50 reared pheasants per year but there are plenty of pigeons and in the lower woods often a few woodcock depending on migrations in any one winter. Occasionally there are pairs of partridge but no guarantees and likewise wild duck on the two small ponds. The order of play is for pheasant and Rough shooting over a maximum of four drives to take place in the mornings up to lunch and for a shorter period in the afternoon a sporting clay shoot is the programme. LUNCH NOW TAKES PLACE AT OUR PUB THE PALK ARMS, HENNOCK A MILE AWAY. Coffee at the start and tea at the finish will be in the Clubhouse. The clay offering involves different presentations around the farm as opposed to relying on variety in any one position from one trap. So high pheasant, going-away partridge, sprung teal and hovering duck are on offer. The farm buys in and rears one month old pheasant poults on a very small scale (about 60) from mid-June onwards, so the ethos of the shoot is "one for the pot" where testing shots are prioritised over quantity. In other words the quantity addictions can be enjoyed from the clays. We can accommodate Novices providing there is only one in a group of 4-5 guns, the reason being safety and the provision of an experienced person standing with them. The rest will need to show gun licences and identity such as driving licences. An experienced shooting Tutor (member of Professional Shooting Instructors) is available at a moderate extra charge. The shoot can offer Rough Shooting but for a maximum of three people for safety as ground game can be included if guns prove experience. Also CLAY AND SIMULATED days ONLY are available but telephone for details as these will not be on the listed days available.
Hospitality
The food and drink is presented and offered at the Pound House, a glamping Barn with sofas, beds and Bar at the entrance to the Farm. Coffee at start and tea at the end of the day is offered here. The Hosts own The Palk Arms, Hennock 1/2 mile away up the hill with ten-mile views across the valley at the back of the Pub. A Freehouse with Real Ales -they have their own website. The Pub opens at 4.30pm each day except Mondays and all day on Sundays. HOWEVER we now provide lunch at the Palk Arms for this season 2025, normally around 1.15pm to 2.15pm. see their website for menus
Birds
On the morning drives pheasants will normally be flying upwards in front at about the 40 ft high level. Pigeons can fly any which way. Woodcock tend to be side to side more at 20ft level in the lower woods. Occasionally small coveys (2-5) of partridge fly over our quite high hedges but we don't rear any. Very high pheasant are duplicated with the clay locations, the highest being around 70 foot.
Topography
We are an all-grass fairly organic beef and sheep farm (no longer registered with the Soil Association) and the lower fields are quite steep including some of the 15 acres woodland. the greater part of the farm is fairly level with high hedges across some 11 fields which tends to flight the pheasants better. The farm is only 1/2 mile outside the Dartmoor National Park boundary. We can accommodate disabled on 2-3 stands for the clay shooting but we are unsuitable for the impaired on the pheasant shooting.
Conservation Efforts
The farm is managed under both the Countryside Stewardship scheme and the Sustainable Farming Initiative. This largely means no fertiliser except Farmyard manure and careful trimming of hedgerows mostly every other year. WE used to be organically registered with the soil Association but the extra cost and administration is not offset by any price premium on livestock sales so we now run by the same principles without registration.
About the hosts
Nick and Sarah Boustead have owned the Pub and Farm for nearly 25 years and run the shoot for friends a lot in the past. Nick was trained in Agriculture his first career, then an IFA in Dorset for 14 years and runs a number of rented properties in addition to farming nowadays. Sarah's career was mostly in lettings with interior design private projects as well.
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Pheasant
5 of 5 guns available · 5 Bag
Pheasant
5 of 5 guns available · 5 Bag
Pheasant
5 of 5 guns available · 5 Bag (Bag size flexible)
Pheasant
5 of 5 guns available · 5 Bag (Bag size flexible)
Pheasant
5 of 5 guns available · 5 Bag (5)
Pheasant
5 of 5 guns available · 5 Bag (5)
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Reviews
P. T. C.
A wild bird rough shoot with great hospitality resulting in an enjoyable day.
Visit: January 17th 2026
W. S.
The host was cheerful and apologetic throughout. He arrived late, and alone. There was no evidence that any poults have been put down, nor feeding of any sort. We saw 3 coq pheasants, but only one in flight. We left after one session of high clays. On the positive side the views are outstanding. This shoot has great potential if managed. The Owner/shoot captain/ host lives 18 miles from the shoot and visits rarely. There is no upkeep.
Visit: December 14th 2024
B. G.
Upon attending a shoot day here, I feel I must regrettably leave an honest review on what to expect and to avoid further guns booking and ultimately wasting their money. Firstly, I’d like to point out that we booked under the impression that we were to expect a small game/sim kind of day with plenty of hospitality as per the advert. We had four drives, two of which were merely a hedge boarding two fields which you could tell by looking had no birds in. The third drive looked more promising as it was a small wood, however failed to produce any birds and we saw no evidence of any birds even being put down on the ground or any feeders for that matter to accommodate resident birds. Fourth drive was inaccessible for the two beaters who had to pull out early as they couldn’t get through. Again, no birds seen and all 5 guns had not fired a shot all morning. We were offered some clays in the afternoon but felt as the shoot was not ran up to standard and the money which we’d paid was well over the amount of what we got, all guns left early. The Glamping Barn as advertised is certainly not that, it more of the hosts storage shed with a table in the middle where lunch is served and with the greatest respect is not the most hygienic place to eat. As the shoot currently stands it should be advertised as rough shooting with the chance of a pigeon and some clays in the afternoon. No refund of any kind was offered.
Visit: December 30th 2023
Mr. Edward Guy Fowell Buxton
A very relaxed, informal day in countryside with stunning views. Nicholas Boustead was a terrific host and I very much enjoyed the five clay drives that were laid on from the highest points of the the high farm in the afternoon.
Visit: January 28th 2023
Mr. John Adams
My first ever shoot, absolutely brilliant. Great location, beautiful views and really good shooting. Ideal for a more traditional shoot. Nicholas and Sarah could not be anymore hospitable. They were fantastic. I would highly recommend this shoot and will be returning next season!
Visit: December 12th 2020