Page 16 - RCS Brochure 2016-17.indd
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eXpeCtAtionS
        When you have not experienced a Shoot before your expectations are based on what other guns have told you and what
        you read in the Shoot information.  In this brochure and on our website I have tried to describe our Shoots and the type
        of day you can expect to experience but you must also bear in mind that each drive changes throughout the season.  The
        only problem if you take just one day is that this may possibly give a false impression of the Shoot.  I would therefore
        recommend that if you wish to fully appreciate the variety of shooting we offer, that you consider days throughout the
        season at both Ripley Castle and Mountgarret Shoots.

        The sporting quality of the birds can vary considerably from drive to drive, no drive is the same and even our very best
        drives can be disappointing on some days.

        One of the major factors affecting the sporting quality of the birds on any shoot is our increasingly unpredictable weather.
        Our climate seems to be moving to more extremes, from days which are so still and warm that nothing really wants to fly,
        to heavy rains and gales which can make shooting near impossible.

        If you are not prepared to accept the present extremes in our climate, which may well affect the quality of bird and the
        bag on certain days, you should not even consider attending any driven game shoot, particularly during December and
        January.  With the combination of our variable climate and the fact we are shooting wild creatures, we must all accept
        that some days will definitely be better than others.


        new to gAMe Shooting
        Since the Shoot was established, anyone interested in taking up our sport has always been welcome to join us at Ripley
        Sporting.  I am now very pleased to see that driven game shooting is increasing in popularity, particularly with ladies and
        young people.  We welcome guns new to game shooting on any shoot day providing they have experienced some clay
        pigeon shooting and are accompanied by one of our loader/instructors or an experienced game shot.

        In the event of an overseas visitor or a UK resident wishing to join the Shoot but does not have a UK Shotgun Certificate or
        Visitors Permit, he or she may shoot with us by hiring a shotgun provided by and in the presence of one of our experienced
        instructors, some prior notice is required.  It is also most important that everyone shooting has the required £10 Million
        personal liability insurance cover in place. (See Personal, Products and Cancellation Insurance on pages 12 & 13).

        The Guns will experience a typical driven day’s shooting and receive instruction and advice on all aspects of shotguns,
        shooting and the etiquette of our sport.  Anyone shooting is encouraged to bring a non shooting guest just to enjoy the day
        and well behaved dogs are always welcome.  In addition to the shooting all guns and their non shooting guests will take
        breakfast, drinks breaks throughout the day, lunch at various venues and the day ends with afternoon tea.  The cost of all
        meals and refreshments are included in the shoot fee.  By the end of the day you should have a far better knowledge of
        what to expect and what is expected of you in the driven game shooting field.

        If you do not wish to shoot until you have experienced a shoot day, I invite anyone interested in shooting with us to join
        one of our Members or Ladies Days as a non shooting guest.

        I ask that anyone joining a shoot day should read my Risk Assessments on pages 16 & 17.


        Shotgun SAfety
        Any safe and sociable game shot is welcome to join our shoot days and we must all be very aware of the potential danger
        a loaded shotgun can pose if used in an unsafe manner and observe all the basic safety rules of shooting in order to avoid
        any accidents.  This is essential and will not in any way compromise the success and enjoyment of your shoot day.


        In this brochure I have tried to describe our Shoots and assess the potential risks on a shoot day at both Ripley Castle and
        Mountgarret or on any shoot elsewhere and everyone’s responsibility to try and avoid them.  I ask that anyone joining a
        shoot day should read my Risk Assessments on pages 16 & 17 of this brochure.









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