Yorkshire Grouse, Pheasant & Partridge Shooting

The RIPLEY CASTLE Shoot - in the Heart of North Yorkshire

A traditional driven game shoot and grouse moors where a warm welcome and good shooting awaits you...

Introduction by Frank Boddy, Shoot Captain

The Ripley Castle Shoot is a traditional driven game shoot and grouse moors. Established fourteen years ago by myself and three good friends, the Shoot has grown and although run as The Ripley Castle Shoot, it is actually two driven pheasant and partridge Shoots and two driven grouse Moors.

Our parkland and farmland shooting near Ripley Castle covers over 7,000 acres and includes four estates, Ripley Castle, part of Nidd, Hob Green and Cayton Estates together with land leased from neighbouring farmers. Near Pateley Bridge we have the Eagle Hall and Ashfold Side Shoot which covers 2,500 acres of high ground pheasant and partridge shooting which also includes some moorland edge drives below our grouse moors. Finally we have our little piece of heaven with Hardcastle and Heathfield Moors which gives us over 4,000 acres of some of the finest grouse shooting anywhere – so I am told! That is providing we have the grouse.

In all I employ 7 full time Keepers, 4 at Ripley Castle and 3 on the Moors and Eagle Hall and Ashfold Side.

At a time when too many shoots of our quality and size are now run purely as a commercial enterprise The Ripley Castle Shoot remains in principle a Members Shoot with a limited number of Exclusive or Corporate Days mainly for Members to entertain their friends or business clients.

Each Shoot day at Ripley Castle, Eagle Hall & Ashfold Side or on the Moors is special and as today we all seem to live under quite enough pressure and stress, although the actual shooting and the sporting quality of our birds are very important, one of my main priorities on the day is always to enjoy ourselves in the good company of like minded people, meeting old friends and making new acquaintances, whilst experiencing some memorable quality shooting. Non shooting guests are most welcome to join us just to enjoy the day. So far we have always succeeded in achieving these priorities.

As I am unable to run every shoot day I am assisted by my good friends, Clive Wells and Nigel Graham. We endeavour to run our shoot days in a safe and business like manner, trying to include the good points and hopefully avoiding the bad ones we have experienced elsewhere. Walking to the pegs and butts is kept to a minimum wherever possible and we run our days at a leisurely pace with “no rush” being one of our priorities. By the very nature of the terrain the walking and shooting on the Moors or at Eagle Hall & Ashfold Side can be more demanding compared to our parkland shooting at Ripley Castle.

As we have so many days and types of day available it is difficult to run the Shoot as a syndicate. The majority of our days are sold by the gun per day to individual guns or small parties of up to a maximum of four guns joining a Members Day. A typical Member would take a number of gun days throughout the season on each of our Shoots and I prefer guns to make a commitment of three to four gun days or more over the season. However anyone may join us for a day to see if the Shoot offers what you require, as an individual gun or by bringing a friend to shoot with you or just to join you on the day. If you enjoy the day with us I am sure you will join us again in the future.

On Members Days no overages are charged (except on grouse days) and we normally shoot in excess of the target bag. Exclusive or Corporate Days are sold as full days with overages charged.

For a copy of our Shoot “Introduction” together with a list of available dates please contact Tim Brown.

Raydale Estate Shoot - driven pheasant and partridge

The Raydale Estate is situated in the heart of Wenslydale. It offers first class partridge shooting over step gills in majestic scenery in a private setting (no public roads) from early September. From November mixed pheasant and partridge days are available. Pheasants are pushed off the moor edge at a spectacular height making for very testing shooting.

The majority of the grouse shooting is reserved by the owner but days come up and can be tailored to your requirements. 30-40 brace driven days or smaller days shooting over pointers.

The Estate has a wonderfully sited shooting box on the moor with far reaching views over famous neighbouring estates. There is also a wonderful shoot room with a fire where the guns meets for morning coffee and bacon sandwiches on arrival and also lunch is served depending on the guns requirements. Afternoon tea is also included at the end of the day.

Please note this is a private estate and not many days are available to let. Bags vary from 200-300 birds per day (pheasants/partridges).

Excellent accommodation is available locally.

Contact Tim at the shop for details. 01423 709 741.

Studley Royal Shoot

Fountains Abbey, Ripon

Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey Shoot has been renowned as one of the finest shoots in the Country since the days when it belonged to the 2nd Marquis of Ripon, probably the most celebrated game shot of all time, who inherited the Estate in 1909.

Studley became the playground of the well known shots of the era, and tales of feats achieved on some of the drives, particularly the Abbey Drive were mentioned in sporting literature of the day.

The Marquis of Ripon himself is reputed to have shot 556,813 head of game in his lifetime, much of which at Studley Royal. In his Game Book of 1894 it is interesting to note his comment; "6th December, Spa Gill. The nitro-powder did not hit as hard as I expected, and the black (powder) did much the best at the real high birds!"

Spa Gill still forms part of the shoot today and offers some exceedingly challenging shooting.

The shoot is situated approximately 20 minutes north of Harrogate and about 10 minutes west of Ripon, easily accessed from the A1. The shoot extends over 4000 acres of well wooded countryside, at the centre of which lies Fountains Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1132.The river Skell, a tributary of the Ure runs through the shoot and grounds

The Abbey with its manicured grounds with lakes and ornamental statues are today designated a World Heritage Site, and adjoin a Capability Brown designed Deer Park all of which belongs to the National Trust.

The grounds are closed to the public on shoot days to allow total privacy to enjoy the glorious surroundings of the Estate.

The shoot offers up to 35 drives, dominated by pheasant, but also some partridge to add variety. The shoot has 3 full time keepers and catches up and rears its own birds.

Whilst the majority of shooting is retained by the Owner and his friends, there are generally a few days to let each season - early booking is advised!

The shoot can offer up to 4 consecutive days, but generally shoots 2 days per week throughout the season. Usually 6 drives; 4 before lunch, and 2 in the afternoon. Refreshments served after the 2nd drive, and luncheon taken in a comfortable house on the Estate.

Parties usually consist of 8 guns, either shooting with pairs or singles if preferred.

Excellent accommodation is available locally, including 2 hotels well used to shooting parties, and 4x4 transportation can be arranged if required.

Please contact Mr Ian Cox at Dacre, Son and Hartley for further information and current prices

Tel: 01943 855609

Email: igc@dacres.co.uk