Driven shoot Xmas present

dodderangler

Was thinking of bringing my father to a driven shoot as Xmas present. How much would I be looking at for a day with both pheasant and duck for myself and him to do it. Maybe 5 bird each of both pheasant and duck

deeksofdoom

dodderangler wrote: »

Was thinking of bringing my father to a driven shoot as Xmas present. How much would I be looking at for a day with both pheasant and duck for myself and him to do it. Maybe 5 bird each of both pheasant and duck

I don't think you'll get a driven shoot for that.

dazed+confused

You could share a stand at one of the driven shoots on a 200 bird day. Each stand would be expected to come out with 20 birds each on a 200 day and will cost you in the region of €450.

J.R.

dazed+confused wrote: »

You could share a stand at one of the driven shoots on a 200 bird day. Each stand would be expected to come out with 20 birds each on a 200 day and will cost you in the region of €450.

Also - you're probably well aware ....but you don't keep all the birds you shoot.

Usually each shooter is allowed take a brace (two) home with them if they wish.

If driven shoot seems too expensive or not available you could also consider a clay "driven shoot".

I was at one in Meath where they had simulated shooting and it was brilliant - the duck drive was the nearest I have seen to a real duck shoot.

fits

That's a cool idea. Following. Only thing is the pheasants can be scarce after Christmas.

garrettod

Hi,

Not a bad idea for a Christmas pressie at all, putting aside the point about the birds being a little more scarce out in the wild etc. In some respects, it might be considered "living it up" for a day etc.

J.R. wrote: »

Also - you're probably well aware ....but you don't keep all the birds you shoot.

Usually each shooter is allowed take a brace (two) home with them if they wish....

Must admit, that annoys me a bit. Sure, you can't go marching home with twenty birds, but I do think a brace is a little miserable, the limit should be a bit higher (even if it does result in a slightly higher cost).

I would guess that the birds shot are being sold off to local restaurants or simlar after the day's shoot, wonder how much they are being sold off for ?

Bogwoppit

garrettod wrote: »

Hi,

Not a bad idea for a Christmas pressie at all, putting aside the point about the birds being a little more scarce out in the wild etc. In some respects, it might be considered "living it up" for a day etc.




Must admit, that annoys me a bit. Sure, you can't go marching home with twenty birds, but I do think a brace is a little miserable, the limit should be a bit higher (even if it does result in a slightly higher cost).

I would guess that the birds shot are being sold off to local restaurants or simlar after the day's shoot, wonder how much they are being sold off for ?

Any shoot I've ever been have let people take as many as they want, the shoots don't get a lot of money for the birds so they like to keep the paying customers happy.

Dodderangler, what you're looking for is a rough day on a shoot, most shoots do them and you would expect to pay anywhere between €250 and €500 plus tip for a decent day.

garrettod

Bogwoppit wrote: »

....Dodderangler, what you're looking for is a rough day on a shoot, most shoots do them and you would expect to pay anywhere between €250 and €500 plus tip for a decent day.

Hi,

I take it the tip is for the beaters... do the majority tip and if so, what sort of money is expected (ten percent perhaps) please ?

Bogwoppit

The majority would tip alright, it generally goes to the keepers as they are at it full time.

The beaters generally get just get their cash for the day, I haven't a clue what the rate is these days.

Ten percent is fair but it depends on how you think your day went, if you didn't think it was good then don't give a tip, if you had the best day of your life and think you got great value then give more.

The keepers will remember good tippers!

garrettod

Bogwoppit wrote: »

....The keepers will remember good tippers!

Thanks for the reply.

I guess the flip side of the above comment is, how many people do this regularly to actually "need" to be remembered ? I have no idea if people go to driven shoots regularly and in particular to the same place, but I would be surprised if many go along more than once or twice a year.

Personally, I would be inclined to adopt the same policy as I do with restaurants etc. If the service is better than what I originally expected, then I tip and don't mind being generous for particularly good service. However, I do not tip for basic service, which is already incorporated into the price I have already paid (it's the owners responsibllity to pay their staff after all).

Bogwoppit

garrettod wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

I guess the flip side of the above comment is, how many people do this regularly to actually "need" to be remembered ? I have no idea if people go to driven shoots regularly and in particular to the same place, but I would be surprised if many go along more than once or twice a year.

Personally, I would be inclined to adopt the same policy as I do with restaurants etc. If the service is better than what I originally expected, then I tip and don't mind being generous for particularly good service. However, I do not tip for basic service, which is already incorporated into the price I have already paid (it's the owners responsibllity to pay their staff after all).

Lots of people go every week, lots only go once a year.

The tipping is up to you but if you already have a policy then why ask?

deeksofdoom

I used to beat on a local shoot. There was one gun who was there every week he had spent nearly 6.5K on shooting that year and never hit a pheasant.

garrettod

Bogwoppit wrote: »

....The tipping is up to you but if you already have a policy then why ask?

Thanks for the reply.

In answer to your question, it's because I have a policy when it comes to restaurants because I have plenty of experience of going to them, what to expect and what is good service, special attention etc, not the case with a driven shoot so no harm trying to learn a little beforehand, rather than thinking you know it all (in advance).

dazed+confused

garrettod wrote:

In answer to your question, it's because I have a policy when it comes to restaurants because I have plenty of experience of going to them, what to expect and what is good service, special attention etc, not the case with a driven shoot so no harm trying to learn a little beforehand, rather than thinking you know it all (in advance).

Driven shoots are not restaurants, I know that hospitality staff are not well paid but from my experience gamekeeping is worse. If you got the bag that was expected on the day then ask what the expected tip is and hand it over. Regardless of whether the gamekeeper has brought you lunch or not.