Botton Head

I would be very happy to accommodate your team on my upland shoot if this might appeal ? Botton Head lies a few miles due South of High Bentham in N.Lancashire, to the northern end of Forest of Bowland AONB, on the Cumbria-Yorkshire-Lancashire march.

The estate, c.2,500 acres, is largely heather moorland and blanket bog, with deeply incised cloughs, wooded valleys, rushy pasture and wildflower meadows, and this traditionally managed farmland, 2 hill farms, is home to a significant population of breeding waders including golden plover, curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher, redshank and snipe, indeed this unspoilt and richly diverse landscape, wildlife and heritage has both SSSI & SPA designation. We are focussed on moorland biodiversity and wildlife enhancement with an active programme of heather reseeding on the fell and thoughtful native planting of the ghylls. The extensive heather moorland of the fells is an exceptionally important habitat for upland birds, red grouse, hill partridge, merlin and hen harrier, and with the assistance of Phil Warren & GWCT we aim to reintroduce black grouse to the Bowland Fells. Other rare birds include ring ouzel, redstart, whinchat, stonechat and pied flycatcher. The river Hindburn flows from its source down through the dale to join the Wenning, thence the Lune, and sea trout spawn in the upper reaches, if they can escape the otters.

The estate featured on BBC Countryfile, Sunday 9th January 2011, with Julia Bradbury chatting to my keeper Keith Scott and me. We were able to explain how the management of heather and blanket bog aids environmental conservation, trapping carbon in the wet peaty soils, which in turn benefits the wild red grouse, other rare birds, waders and wildlife and vegetation, this is only possible though considerable investment. As much as good management benefits wildlife and the environment, we were keen to stress the benefits to the wider local economy from such investment in the shooting industry in providing employment and using a range of local products and services, not just on the shoot itself but also the ongoing habitat mangement with wall repairs, fencing, grip blocking and the restoration and redevelopment of redundant farm buildings. Making a living from sheep farming in these remote fells is extremely challenging, so management of game birds for shooting on this estate is the layer of management that enables the land to thrive in such harsh conditions.

Botton Head is an informal family shoot, wives, girlfriends, children and dogs are most welcome and we have a friendly team of beaters and pickers-up, plus a refreshing lack of vehicles as we walk between drives so there’s plenty of time to chat. I should add that we have a quad bike to carry kit for those less mobile.

At this stage, we shoot principally on Saturdays, from October to January; we shoot from 125 - 200 bird days, perhaps a few less later in the season, mixed partridges & pheasants, the cost includes a decent lunch and drinks, unless you would prefer to bring your own, and I don’t propose to charge for reasonable overage ! We also ask that only biodegradable fibre wad cartridges may be used. The partridges off the open fell, driven over the hidden valleys are particularly testing and make this a stunning, wild and unspoilt location for a shoot.

I am especially keen to encourage the young to access sport that is challenging, energetic and affordable, and we welcome novice guns, ‘father & sons’ & ladies teams alike. For young / novice guns, a clear understanding of safety and shooting etiquette is all important, though as much enjoyment can be gained from working a dog, going beating or watching & helping a gun.   If you want to discuss particular requirements for your day please do give me a call; we can be very flexible.

Through a better understanding of country sports, a growing respect for nature, flora & fauna we can more fully appreciate how our sporting endeavours have helped to create the environment and landscape we so cherish.

In June 2012 we hosted a Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust 'Shoot Walk' and GWCT Head of Education, Dr Mike Swan gave us an invaluable insight into the sterling work of the trust, and efforts we can all make to improve wildlife habitat. The event was kindly sponsored by Davis & Bowring who's partners were on hand to explain the intricacies of moorland management and sporting lettings.

There are a good number of wild pheasants and partridge again this year, despite the shocking weather in June 2012, and this makes for a really special, sporting day out in the hills.

Our first brood of grouse chicks, 6 , a day or 2 old, were spotted on Greenbank Fell on Tues. 7th May 2013., earlier than usual!

16th Aug.2013  4 x 'first grouse' shot on Greenbank Fell. The four lucky guns were Angus Duff (12), Stephen Cockcroft, Joanna Dugdale & Felix Mason-Hornby (13)

We were joined by Sir John Scott Bt. MFH last weekend (Nov.2013). He and photographer Davin Dhillon accompanied a team from Essex to sample the wild and remote sport on offer at Botton Head, with a view to writing a piece for The Field next year.

Look out for Botton Head featured in the Shooting Gazette 'Christmas Special' December 2013

Should wish to shoot with us 2015 - 2016 season, please call soon as availability is limited.