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+44(0)1938580204
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Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
End of Season Round-Up
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End of Season Round-Up

We hope you have had a wonderful shooting season and can fondly look back on the days had out in the field.

It has certainly been a season to remember for the good times but also the trying times too….

At present Alex is out in Spain making the most of the extended season there and we have many trips ongoing until late March. We are also linking in several Monteria’s with our bird shoots, which is incredible sport.

February has been a big month for us as we make plans for the coming season.   With that in mind it would be great to speak to you when you have a spare minute, to see if we can arrange a special trip for you next season.

We have several incredible opportunities available, such as The Ultimate Macnab Challenge in the Scottish Highlands and Rugby World Cup packages among many others.

It would be great to hear from you.

With best regards,

 

 

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
THE ULTIMATE MACNAB
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THE ULTIMATE MACNAB

Ever tried for a Macnab?

Trying for a MacNab in the Highlands is a phenomenal experience, from start to finish. Its akin to a rural relay race or triathlon were every element has to come together to win the ultimate prize!

As with all our shooting adventures we start the night before with the big briefing -where, when, who and what we need! Which are the best flies to catch the salmon, where are the stags held up and who has spotted the coveys of grouse. How are we getting from A to B and who is taking us… the planning is incredibly exciting, and all debated over a wee dram!

Our MacNabs start at first light and we generally head for the river with our Salmon Ghillies (and their favourite flies) to land a salmon. Hoping the water is right and the salmon are running we will land a salmon in good time, setting us up for the rest of the day. From the river we usually head up onto the hill with the Stalker to Glass for stags. The Stalkers will have good idea where they have been, but guests will have to use their skills to stalk the right Beast and take their trophy. Once the stag is gralloched and the Hill Ghillie is on hand to retrieve the Beast, we set off for the final challenge…. Red Grouse at Rhiedorrach are in good numbers. But, don’t let this lull you into a false sense of security. Grouse are whiley and the later in the season you visit, the more whiley they become. The grouse will rise up in front of you, but this could be 40 yards in front! So you have to use your very best shooting skills to bag the brace you need to complete the challenge.

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
INTRODUCING – GAIRNSHIEL LODGE
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INTRODUCING – GAIRNSHIEL LODGE

We are proud to announce the addition of a Gairnshiel Lodge to our Highland Shooting. 

On the doorstep of Balmoral lies this Hunting lodge formally used by Queen Victoria. Recently rediscovered by a Belgian family from Antwerp and their passion for architecture, the contemporary interior i sympathetic to the rolling, heather clad hills that surround it . Their love for the Scottish Highlands has been successfully translated through the restoration of the Lodge which is proudly incomparable to the traditional interiors we often see of floral patterned wallpaper and heavy swag curtains. It is clear that the son, Maarten, has been hands on with the redesign as his experience working for internationally renowned Axel Vervoordt is evident throughout the property in its unmistakable colour pallet and methodological layout.  The concept was to “create a place where the old meets the new: where the traditional stands in dialogue with the modern,” respectful to the Scottish landscape and its ever changing climate. With several fireplaces, sauna’s and jacuzzi, the lodge is a warm beacon to return to after a day on grouse moors Glairnshiel and Micras. Simply put, the quality of the hand crafted furniture and clever use of light and space is truly outstanding.

 

 

There are 9 en-suite bedrooms within the lodge, as well as a snug, clubroom with bar, dining room and boot room. The cosy hospitality at Garnishiel is superb with a happy team on hand to ensure everyone is well looked after. Dining is certainly a wonderful experience on the 13ft dining table, with fresh local ingredients used to create sumptuous dinners.

Deep in the Cairngorms National Park, often known as Royal Deeside, lies the vast Invercauld estate, which has been in the ownership of the Farquharson family for many centuries. It extends to approximately 200 square miles of spectacular scenery with heather clad moorland and steep mountainous terrain.
The pheasant and partridge shooting here is great sport and focused around the Gairnshiel Lodge. The partridges, which are driven over the moorland to the waiting guns in the crags, are superb and make for a brilliant days sport. Pheasants are driven from the cover crops on the high banks and the variety of snappy partridges and high pheasants is super. Guests can shoot through or stop for lunch with elevenses served in the field between the morning drives.

We’d love you to join us on our next trip, contact us to book in

 

 

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
Thoughts for days in the field this season….
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Thoughts for days in the field this season….

Let’s think of the places we can explore, the people we can meet, the fun we can have; and all with our family and friends again!

Our sporting calendar starts with Simulated Days in the spring & summer, then rolls into Grouse shooting on the Glorious Twelfth of August.  Before you know it, the Partridge season will have opened in September, followed soon after by all those adventures the Pheasant season brings with it!

But you mustn’t forget the Pigeon Shooting and incredible Deer Stalking trips, with the possibilities of MacNabs and all those Scottish Highland adventures in late summer / Autumn.

Plus trips to Spain in January/February/ March 2022 on beautiful estates where the shooting is challenging and the hospitality is exceptional.

Come and join us on these adventures.

We would be delighted to organise some shooting for you and your friends this year.

Please call us to discuss all the possibilities.

With best wishes,

Will, Alex and all the team at Criddle Fieldsports.

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
Thoughts for days in the field this season….
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Thoughts for days in the field this season….

As we enter our sixth week of lockdown, our thoughts are with you and your family and friends and we hope that everyone is safe and well.

During these unprecedented times, we are working closely with the Estates that we represent to help and advise them in the current situation. The dilemma; to shoot or not to shoot? Alternatively, reduce the release program or concentrate the shoot calendar…. If the Estate does shoot, what policy will they operate under if we are precluded from shooting? There are so many factors to consider and then relay to our clients, to give them the most appropriate advice and in some cases alternative options.

The Criddle team are, as always, positive and looking forward to creating a fantastic season to come. Yes, it will be different and there will be many changes to the way we usually operate a shoot day. But we know that a day’s shooting is about creating special memories and enjoying great times with family and friends alike in beautiful wide open countryside. Of course this also includes the Keepers, Beaters, Pickers, Cooks and hotel staff, all of whom are vital to make your day a success and rely on our support for their livelihoods.

Over the past few weeks we have had time to reflect on those unforgettable moments from last season; the exhilarating drives, the laughs at elevenses, the stories told at dinner the night before, all of which are important aspects and reasons why we love our sport so passionately.

To that end, we cannot wait to get back into the field and support those who have helped us get to where we are today. We have Simulated Game Days until November and Game days until the New Year available. With our clear COVID-19 policies on safety and payment protection, we can ensure you have an outstanding time in the field this season.

We hope that you will be able to join us and we very much look forward to hearing from you soon.

With best wishes,

Will, Alex and all the team at Criddle Fieldsports.

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
The History of Gun Dogs
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The History of Gun Dogs

Dogs have been used as a hunting companion for many years since humans found dogs could be trained to locate, chase and collect prey, and it has started an enduring relationship between man and dog. Today, gundogs, hounds, terriers and other hunting gundog breeds are descended from these early canine friends, which makes them the oldest and original type of dog.

History

As people started to farm livestock, rather than choosing a nomadic life, hunting for day-to-day survival became a sport rather than a need for survival. Different types of hunting dogs have evolved, due to the various landscapes and prey associated with hunting and so dogs with different characteristics were required, leading to breeding to create these skills. For example, hunting in wetland required water-resistant coats and good stamina for spending long periods in water. For deer hunting, dogs needed to be fast with good stamina and all hunting dogs needed to be patient and obedient.

Large estates in Britain which would have their own hunts and shoots would keep estate kennels where dogs would be kept for fox hunting and game shooting. A gamekeeper would likely have been in charge of looking after the dogs; their breeding, health and training, and be entrusted with keeping the right kind of gundogs for the landscape of the estate.

Breeds

Four sub-categories have emerged from breeding gundogs, which are:

Retrievers – Retrieving gundogs are bred solely to retrieve and are required to sit and ignore distractions until given the command.

Spaniels – Spaniels have been bred and expertly trained to hunt and flush game, which is helped by their high energy and intelligence.

Setters and pointers – Setters and pointer gundogs have been bred to seek out the hard to find game and freeze, indicating the location of the game.

Hunt, point and retrieve – Bred to be versatile, able to hunt, point and retrieve. A multi-tasking dog, they are increasingly popular today for game shooters and hunters who want all-rounded dogs which can be trained in several disciplines.

These sub-categories can be crossed over, such as training a retriever to flush game or pointers to retrieve. It depends on the owner or trainer and how capable they are at handling the dog in different skills. For HPR, which are big dogs with lots of energy, they can at times be too much to manage, so it is recommended for owners to go for a docile breed which is easy to train.

Suitability

Gundogs which have been bred for show rather than sport provide an option for those who admire the various breeds but don’t intend to do hunting or game shooting. In recent years, several breeds have been bred for their appearance, and have lost their hunting instincts. When considering any dog breed, it is essential to speak with a reputable breeder about the breed you are interested in to determine its suitability with you. A good breeder is likely to want a successful dog and owner pairing and can provide expert knowledge about what breed and a particular dog which will be suited to your lifestyle.

It is not much of a surprise that gundog breeds have remained so popular over the years. They are dogs with high intelligence, are easy to train and also make for great family pets. Gundogs intuition and loyalty makes them excellent companions for the shooting field.

Thank you Fur, Feather and Fin for the great read.

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
#BritishPieWeek
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#BritishPieWeek

On a cool autumn evening, you can’t beat a steaming hot game pie with lashings of ale-rich gravy. It’s simpler than you might think to cook your own; the team over at Eat Wild have used readymade pastry and pre-prepared confit mallard to make the whole thing even easier.

They have used a combination of mallard, pheasant and pigeon but if you can’t get hold of same of the game, you can substitute for more or less of whatever you have available.

Head over to their website for full instructions and method.  Click here

#EatGame #PackwithProtein #BritishPieWeek

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
Thousands raised for British Game Alliance
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Thousands raised for British Game Alliance

Supporting the British Game Alliance is a huge part of Criddle Fieldsports. We are passionate about supporting and safeguarding the future of the Game industry.
The British Game Alliance is the official marketing board for the UK game industry. As a not-for-profit organisation, they work to promote the value of all feathered game to the public whilst exploring new markets at home and overseas.

It was decided prior to the start of the season that Criddle Fieldsports would donate a percentage of their shoot day sales to the British Game Alliance. The total amount raised stands at £15,802.00 which will go towards assisting in all the great work the BGA does. As well as donating we also ensure that each and every shoot we associate with is BGA assured.

Will Criddle expressed his thanks to the Criddle Fieldsports clients; ‘It is a fantastic achievement to have been able to raise this money for the BGA, however, a huge thanks lies with our clients. Without their support, the amount raised would not be possible.’

Criddle Fieldsports organise the most exclusive and luxurious sporting experiences in truly exquisite destinations across the world. They take pride in offering a completely bespoke and tailor-made experience for clients looking to participate in Game Shooting. Whether its Pheasant Shooting, Partridge Shooting, Grouse, Ptarmigan, Deer Stalking or Simulated Game Shooting, Criddle Fieldsports will ensure your trip is exceptional from beginning to end.

Read more about the BGA and their work on creating a sustainable future for the game industry. Click here

 

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
Supporting the Country Food Trust
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Supporting the Country Food Trust

In January, The Country Food Trust hosted a drinks party at James Purdey and Son in recognition of having delivered half a million meals to people in food poverty. They were able to thank some of the many people who have played such an important part in supporting the efforts.  The Country Food Trust said they would like to thank James Purdey and Son, Knight Frank, Pinkster and Alvarium who kindly sponsored the whole event so there was no cost to the charity.

CEO Tim Woodward and Trustees Chris Horne, thanked those present and spoke about the future aims of The Country Food Trust. They also described how the charities we support by encouraging those in need through the door with our food, have also been able to help them with medical, financial and accommodation advice.

Since that evening, they have continued to distribute food and we have now passed the 590,000 meal mark.  They have used over 55 tonnes of game meat to create these meals and have delivered to over 1,800 charities across the UK and Northern Ireland. Many of the charities helped have been due to their fantastic partnerships with distribution charities like FareShare, UK Harvest, City Harvest, The Felix Project and HIS Church.
Well done Country Food Trust, to read more about their efforts head over to their website, click here.

We are proud to support The Country Food Trust as our chosen charity once again this year. 

Availability
Quintessential driven-game shoot, the thrill, atmosphere and euphoria of shooting, we can create a totally bespoke package.
Dallas Round-up
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Dallas Round-up

The wheels have touched down on UK ground and Will has made his way back to Shropshire following the DSC Convention.

We asked him for a few words about the exhibition;
“It’s been a big week across the pond and I always enjoy the Dallas Safari Club Convention. I have exhibited there for a number of years now. It really was a brilliant show, we were able to speak to lots of interesting hunters and hunting outlets. Lots of interest in shooting with Criddle Fieldsports which is fantastic. The mammoth task is now to find the perfect shooting trips for each person. Dallas is also a great opportunity to meet up with friends in the shooting world and also make some great new friends. All in all, it’s been a big success for CFS.

Back on UK soil and we are into our final few weeks of the 2019/2020 shooting season. It is always bittersweet coming to the end of the season, however we are already looking ahead to creating awesome packages for next year.”

If you are looking at your next shooting adventure,  please do get in touch and we can start the ball rolling.

Talk to Our Sporting Adventure Experts

We have been to over 40 countries in our quest for the perfect sporting adventure and it is our commitment to creating your perfect, memorable sporting adventure that sets us apart. We take time to understand what makes the perfect shooting trip for you and your guests. Contact us to start your journey…

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