Coverhead

I shot at Coverhead at the end of September 2020, I was warned that the grouse were challenging and they lived up to expectations, wild, fast and very challenging, just how I like them. Stephen and James Mawle were excellent hosts and Jim a great shoot captain. As the day was in the midst of Covid restrictions, we were provided with excellent picnic elevenses, lunch and tea. I then shot at Coverhead in early December after Lockdown 2, typically it was snowing, but we managed 2 grouse drives with a good showing of grouse, sadly the weather came in and we had to give up on the grouse, as it was unsafe for the beaters to be out in a blizzard. Instead we had the afternoon after wild pheasant and woodcock on the edge of the Moors, this was always proposed as an option if the weather stopped play on the moor, these wild pheasants were more challenging than any "high bird" shoot you go to. I wouldnt hesitate to recommend Coverhead in late September for an experienced grouse shot, and indeed I have booked 2 back to back days for October.[more]

2nd or 3rd visit to Coverhead. Quiet first couple of drives (weather was humid and very warm). Drive just before lunch was excellent and I started to get my eye in. Lunch was great then the final drive fantastic (for me). Shot well (2:1) and busy. Back next year is the plan.[more]

This was my first taste of grouse shooting and I went for the package which included the training day prior to the shoot day. All nine guns were grouse virgins. On the 11th, we were met upon arrival by Stephen Mawle, the managing partner, where we were offered a very nice sandwich lunch and soup. We were then given a tour of the moor with a very interesting and insightful talk about grouse moor management. We also had a safety briefing with regard to operations on the 12th. We spent the rest of the afternoon with 3 professional coaches teaching us how to shoot grouse. The clays and ammunition were supplied as part of the experience. The instruction was very informative and enjoyable, despite the rain lashing down! This also allowed me to get to know the other guns. We retired to the lodge for the night, were we were served a very good quality 3 course meal, with alcohol in abundance (if one was foolish enough to overindulge!). The accommodation and facilities in the shooting lodge were first class. The following day we enjoyed 5 drives in windy but reasonably dry conditions. Some had better opportunities than others during the day (that is the nature of shooting) to shoot, but everyone had well presented and challenging birds over them. In total we shot 51 brace. Our shot/kill ratio was not great, but that is down to the guns - we certainly had a lot of opportunities to shoot presented to us. I cannot praise enough the reception, facilities, the coaching and the shooting. Being a first timer, I missed plenty but I still thoroughly enjoyed the whole package and am very grateful to Coverhead Farms and Stephen for a great experience. I'm now trying to work out how I can afford this again next year! Steve Swain[more]

The best and most testing grouse shooting you will have the chance to shoot at. If you really serious about wanting to be able to shoot them as they are quality WILD grouse, Not lowland flapping pheasants or partridge. Invest in the services of an instructor to load for you, you only need to shoot a couple of brace to have paid for his time!! or shoot somewhere where they are tame. prehaps at the beginning of the season when there are more and slower!!![more]

Shot on Monday Sept 26th September 2016 and we were treated to some very fast and highly challenging Grouse. The birds were in abundance and proved to be more than a match for the Guns. The beating team were very well organised and worked hard to push the birds through the line. The hospitality was excellent. Highly recommended.[more]