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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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