If Carlsberg did shoot syndicates; or maybe that should be if Carry On’s did shoot syndicates, would be the best way to describe the small but bonkers (in the best way) syndicate that me and my dad have the pleasure of being involved with.
The shoot in question is run by Mike, and is supported by a small but dedicated team who consist of the guns, beaters and picking up team. To describe the team, I would say we are like a (slightly dysfunctional) close knit family who come from all walks of life/backgrounds/ages/cultures of people, who spend half their year fixing the pens, ponds and general maintenance of the shoot, whilst also helping prep and being involved in the shoots yearly juniors day.
We even have a ‘diverse’ range of dogs on the shoot, from Tane, the flat coated retriever, to a pair of Duck Tollers, with a few Crufts field spaniels added to the mix.
I came across the shoot last season, after booking my dad onto one of the ‘Mike’s specials’: these consist of a few days each season, where Mike advertises certain days at a very reasonable price; namely ladies days, young shots & first timers. Dad thoroughly enjoyed his day with them, and I requested that our names be added to their waiting list for a syndicate place, which came up this year and we didn’t hesitate to accept.
The timing could have not have been better, as after losing my mum to Myeloma; Blood Cancer last April, I have been trying to find people and places locally for my to dad to go and meet and get him out the house. The shoot have ensured my dad has been made to feel more than welcome and part of the team from our first work party with them. He’s profoundly deaf and struggles in social situations after being my mums main carer for so many years, so the syndicate has been a welcome addition to his life and he thoroughly enjoys getting involved in the work parties each month; esp if it involves hitting things with a big hammer! He has also been taught how to drive and let loose with the shoots ‘Kreecha’ (the shoots farm buggy), whereas I much prefer to walk than tackle driving that thing!
Dad was recently entrusted to help unload the ducks when they arrived onto the shoot, (and was left with strict instructions from me to not come home with any). It was the first time he had been on the shoot without me, and he had a wonderful day with the rest of the team, so I know he’s in safe hands this season, as there will be a few days when he will be there shooting and I will be elsewhere on an estate, beating.
Mike has also tasked himself with the mammoth task of teaching me rifle shooting and deer stalking. He has created a dedicated rifle range on the shoot, where I successful completed my pre-DSC1 under his excellent tuition, with 2 head shots in the exact same place on the deer silhouette and perfect grouping with the other shoots, I am however dragging my heels somewhat about going out and doing any fox control with the team, mainly due to lack of confidence and experience, both of which will come in time.
The shoot also holds a yearly ‘Juniors day’, where under 16’s are invited from all over the UK to come and have a go at clay shooting, archery, catapults, bee keeping, simulated deer stalk, air rifles and gun dog training/handling to name but a few opportunities they get to try, and all for no cost to them and their parent/guardian. The costs are met by the shoot via fines on shoot days and generous donations from previous events. Many of the junior who attended, are not from a shooting family/background and so this is a perfect opportunity for them to come and have a go with children of the same sort of ages and backgrounds.
Covid stopped any events for the last 2 years, but this year’s event saw over 40 children attend; some who came from as far away as Dover, and Venison and Pheasant burgers were on the menu for lunch, along with an array of home baked goodies that the juniors had been encouraged to bake and bring with them. I was tasked with helping run the clay shooting, and was given the opportunity, under the very watchful eye of a qualified instructor, to have a go at teaching a few of the juniors. Next year’s event is already being planned.
Sadly bird flu has affected our season this year, so instead of having ducks and pheasants, we just have ducks. This has meant we are not able to hold a new shots day or a young shots day, but my two ladies days that are being held under the ‘Girls and Guns’ name are going ahead, with the addition of some clay drives in between the duck drives. I’m excited about the first date, as for many of the ladies who have booked, this will be their first ever game day, and I can’t think of a better way than to introduce ladies into the field, than a small and welcoming shoot like this one.
I have also persuaded some of the female members of the team, to volunteer as models alongside myself, for the charity calendar: The Naked Huntresses, which raises funds each year for The Pancreatic Cancer Trust, and the shoot was our location for the photos.
Although I am the current ‘star’ on the shoot (as in BASC ladies shooting star award winner) we certainly have a very special talented young lady on the shoot, who most certainly needs a mention, not just because she is the brains AND beauty (sorry Mike) behind the syndicate, its events, and is our unflappable shoot secretary.
Roma gained her shotgun and firearms certificates aged 14; the same year she shot her first deer with Paul Childerly. She passed her DSC1 aged 15 and is currently going through her DSC2; whilst taking her GCSE’s and reaching the rank of brown belt at karate. She is certainly an up and coming young lady who is one to watch and inspire more young shots and girls into the field. We also have another incredible lady, who acts as another of my rifle shooting mentors, which is Jan. Jan is one of the founders of the Ladies Deer Stalking UK group and is also the proud owner of Tane, the previously mentioned flat coated retriever
I would like to think that between me, Roma, Jan, and with the support of Mike and the rest of team, this small shoot will guarantee a bright future not just for more ladies wanting to come into clay, game or rifle shooting for an affordable cost, but also for young shots who want to give shooting or field based activities a go, and so helps secure a positive future for these country sports we all love.
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