We are no longer taking application for the 2009/10 season as we are fully subscribed. However we are starting a waiting list for applications for membership of our Rough Shooting Syndicate, these days are operated on a "shoot one/beat one basis". Our syndicate is situated 5 miles West of Barnard Castle. Close to the A66 and the borders of Cumbria, Durham and North Yorkshire it is convenient for travel from a wide area. The shoot is laid out over undulating and challenging ground in Upper Teesdale, the shoot is south facing with steep banks down towards to River Tees and amazing views over the North Pennine Grouse Moors.

The shoot extends to about 450 acres of woodland which was planted on Heather Moorland from the 1950’s onwards. Over the years large areas have been cleared and replanted meaning there is a good mix of ages and species of Timber. Unlike many areas of woodland we have excellent ground cover with areas of heather, bilberry or bracken cover – all hold Pheasant’s and Woodcock. An extensive felling & regeneration programme has left us with about 50% of our ground “open” and this combined with deep valleys and hills means we can present very testing birds. The shoot also benefits from several ponds on which we release Mallard, unlike some reared ducks our Mallard are very wild and truly testing. In 2009 we will return to relasing a small number of Redleg Partridge, we have done this in the past and they held very well and provided some fantastic sport. Our ground provides shots that vary from high curling birds from hilltops over open ground to snap shots in mature Pine.

Commencing late October our resident Driven Syndicate starts formal Driven Days and shoot every fortnight until the end of the season. However we do have large areas of the shoot that are not suitable for our “main” driven shoot days, perhaps the drives are too small, the layout is not suitable, it is around the boundary areas or the density of birds is not high enough for a full blown driven day. These areas are therefore retained and used exclusively for Rough Shooting Days, on these days the bag is made up largely of Pheasants and Woodcock with the occasional Duck. The format of the day is “Stand One, Walk One” – the guns are split into two teams and take it in turns to “Stand and Shoot” and then to “Beat” (shooting is not allowed in the beating line). These are excellent days with a small varied and challenging bag.

Once we get beyond Christmas our main Driven Syndicate stops shooting and all of our land, including the main Pheasant and Duck Drives, will turned over to the Rough Shoot Syndicate. This gives the opportunity for everyone to sample a couple of days on our prime Pheasant and Duck drives and experience the thrill of some very challenging shooting.

In 2009/10 we anticipate 6 “formal” Rough Shoot days, there will be 3 Friday’s (one in each of October, November & December), 1 day over the Christmas/New Year Bank Holiday and 2 Saturday’s in January.

Potential Guns must be physically fit, hold a shotgun certificate and be members of BASC.

Membership of the syndicate will also give you access to Rabbit Shooting, Vermin and some excellent Pigeon Shooting, these are available 1st February to 31st August. We have a simple booking in process for these activities whereby you call our Shoot Captain to ensure the ground is available.

During the closed season we have many organised social activities such as Clay Shoots, Working Parties, Vermin Shoots, Shoot Dinner, etc…all focused in maintaining a good team spirit within the syndicate. 

Cost is very reasonable at just £299 per season.

Contact info@paddlesdown.co.uk if you are interested.