Wivenhoe Park Estate
Shoot · Essex · 85 followers
85 followers
Wivenhoe Park Estate is set on the eastern flank of Colchester and is home to the University of Essex. Shooting over 1500 Acres of Arable,150 Acres of Woodland and 40 Acres of Maize cover crops. Owned by the Gooch Family, for four generations. Normally a Family and Syndicate shoot only but has expanded slightly and is now selling a few days per season.
Being in East Anglia we are on fairly flat land but have tall oak lined hedges to drive birds from cover strips towards the line of guns. With one deep, narrow valley and a steep grassey bank dotted with parkland trees known as 1000 Acres. The emphasis is on having a fun and relaxed day out, The Estate prides itself on showing quality birds not quantity.
Reviewed by Graham Downing in Shooting Times and Country Magazine quoting "THE PHEASANTS TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE RISING BREEZE, AND CARLS BEATING TEAM DISTRIBUTED THEM WELL ACROSS THE LINE" also "THE BIRDS CAME ACROSS THE GUNS LIKE BULLETS, HIGH, FAST AND CURLING IN SPECTACULAR FASHION"
Driven days start from the middle of September shooting 150/200 Bird Partridge days then moving onto mixed days from Mid November. All of the estates pheasants and partridges are reared by the keeper and released in good time, The shoot owner takes 4 days and a few let days are sold.
Full teams of guns preferred but please contact us to discuss other options.
Guns will travel around the shoot a guns bus during the day and well behaved dogs are more than welcome.
A typical day will start with guns meeting at 9am at Home Farm, With Tea and Coffee available on arrival. The guns will draw peg numbers with a short safety briefing after which you will move off to the first drive of the day. Drinks will normally be taken after the second or third drive. A light Lunch of Soup and Rolls is offered after the fourth drive. Finishing off with One/Two drives in the afternoon depending on bag requirements.
Returning to home farm at the end of the day where the final bag and shot count will be announced.
Please contact Carl Barry the Keeper to discuss further details of any days you are interested in.
Topography
Being in East Anglia we are fairly flat land but we have very mature tall hedges and large pieces of maize game cover to show quality Pheseants and Partridges on the estate.
About the hosts
The Keeper runs the the days to be sold with a host on the day to deal with taking guns around the shoot and showing them to there pegs on each drive.
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Reviews
P. H.
From a very welcoming and formative welcome from Carl, to the gun bus, description of each drive, the day was so good that we have booked another one there this season. Even in very challenging windy conditions, there were plenty of birds presented, including 190 shots on one drive, with a decent ratio in the bag as well.
Visit: December 30th 2017
Mr. Simon Evans
A very enjoyable days shooting , with remarkably good birds on mostly flat Essex Countryside. Carl the game keeper and his team were very welcoming from arrival to departure, providing plenty of refreshment thru the day and good advice when required. The terrain is mostly flat , with one valley drive the exception. There were plenty of birds to be shot , so there is no pressure to 'tuck in ' and the birds were nicely spread throughout the day. Hospitality was plentiful , even for our thirsty team, and the day went quickly without feeling rushed. I would recommend Wivenhoe as would all the guns in our team , and hope to shoot there again next season
Visit: January 6th 2018
H. F.
All of the guns had a fantastic day. The keeper Carl provided excellent birds on varying drives. Our host Mick also did a super job. Highly recommend this shoot to others.
Visit: October 6th 2017
Mr. Michael willis
A wonderful day at Wivenhoe Park yet again !! 9 guns, i had 5 guests and shot myself 3 friends bought the other guns, everyone left wanting to shoot here again.
Visit: September 29th 2017
B. C.
I took an early season partridge day at Wivenhoe Park for myself and a guest. My enquiry was responded to very promptly by Carl and any queries I had were answered. I must say Carl is very approachable and engaging when talking about the shoot. I'm not normally a great lover of shooting partridges in Essex as very often more birds pass the line low and unshootable than not, due mainly to the topography of the county. This was not the case at Wivenhoe Park and I was pleased to see that the birds flew strong, and due to being driven over tall hedges this gave them height. On every drive there was a lot of shooting spread along the line and even on my last peg where I was on the end of the line and away from the main bulk of the flushes I was afforded some very nice crossing birds which was actively encouraged by the shoot staff. Talking of which, the beaters and picking up team were really friendly and very professional. A great bunch of guys and gals and a real asset to the shoot. The days hospitality included elevenses and lunch, both of which were perfectly adequate for the cost of the day. I was never left wanting for a drink which is more than can be said for some shoots! All in all a great farm type shoot and excellent value for money. I very much look forward to shooting here again and would recommend to others.
Visit: September 22nd 2017