Starting a new shoot is a risky business at the best of times but during the current circumstances its challenging to say the least.
It has been a testing year for anyone running a game shoot and as we all know there are plenty of shoots that decided they would not go ahead this season. With all the COVID-19 restrictions, some Guns and syndicates have understandably been unwilling to commit to bookings and deposits. As game farmers need commitments from shoots to plan in regard to the supply of birds, and deposits to secure the orders, it is no wonder that confidence in this season has not been very high.
For Michael Ricketts, 30, this season has been the challenge of a lifetime. Michael is a third-generation gamekeeper, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, who both ran shoots. It has been a lifelong ambition of Michael’s to run his own commercial shoot, but he could not have foreseen what a challenge it would be.
The Claydon estate is situated in rural Buckinghamshire and for many years was run as a family shoot, with some sold days to supplement running costs. Six years ago, the driven shoot packed up and since then the family have enjoyed a few informal walkabout days in pursuit of the birds that were left over from the keepered shoot.
Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
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Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Thermal spectrum
Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
Adventures of Nick & Ted
A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice