Opportunity knocks for a new shoot

It’s important to do your homework before taking on any new ground, says Liam Bell

- Liam Bell

I know of several local self-run shoots that have decided not to start up again this year. The catalyst for the decision for two of them was the reduced number of days they shot in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The keepering team realised that the number of hours they spent looking after their birds, when added to the overall cost and worry, simply didn’t add up when balanced against the amount of shooting that they actually got in return.

That was not only the case this latest season, but for the last three or four years.

Another shoot not too far from here has simply decided not to renew its lease and is instead forming a roving syndicate.

It is rather sad that these shoots are closing, but it has always been so. Shoots close, shoots start up again, new people take them on and rejuvenate them and so the cycle begins again.

This year, though, I think there will be more shoots closing than reopening and that will give those who have been looking for a shoot of their own the opportunity to take on their own lease and have their own patch of ground.

So what should people be looking for on their new ground and what should they be aware of in the lease itself before they sign?

First, it is important to find out why the last shoot closed. If it was simply the case that the Guns got too old or that they fell out over something trivial and decided to pack it in, then all well and good.

Digging

If, on the other hand, you do a bit of networking and find out they had problems with poaching or public access or even had issues with the landlord and the farm itself, it is wise to dig a bit deeper.