Deer Stalking Syndicate

[geoshot]

shooting.sh

I am a member of the shooting.sh syndicate and whilst I have noticed that sometimes the contact numbers on the website are inaccurate (try varying the code if you have the wit), in general things work ok. You might have to ring the organiser and the landowner to arrange a shoot, but that is hardly lifethreatening. I have only once turned up at avenue to find another stalker on it, but as that was one of the larger blocks we could arrange safety around each other. There is a ready supply of experienced stalkers to accompany new starts and so far all the guys I have met via the syndicate are sound, including the organiser. Just because some folk are naturally suspicious of things such as commercial syndicates it doesn't give them the right to slag off folk they have no personal knowledge of, that could actually amount to libel. I note that 6.5 x 55 hasn't had any replies slagging off shooting.sh but immediately labels one in support as false, as he will no doubt do with mine. The idea of syndicates isn't ideal, but we can't all have access to our own or a friend's bit of land, and how many who do honestly truly manage the deer either?

 

[Beowulf]

geoshot,
You are chasing shadows, 6.5x55 got kicked off this site ages ago. And as for managing deer, I'd say that from the many interesting and informative posts on this site, we all manage deer to the best of our abilities and knowledge.

 

[geoshot]

thanks

Ta for that Beowulf, I only joined up today so am not familiar with all of the goings on, I did a search on syndicates as I am always in the market for a bit of extra ground and saw the thread on shooting.sh. Didn't mean to offend but I find that some who shout loudest about management are the same people who only ever seem to take big heads and go missing in the doe season. Like I say no offence intended mate, I look forward to exchanging some views with and learning from you and others on here.

 

[Beowulf]

No problem Geoshot, we are a friendly bunch here although we have had a number of trolls from time to time. I nearly went down the syndicate route myself because I was getting ripped off by a couple of stalking individuals.
Thankfully I have got stalking through members on this site and most recently through a farmer. I only asked if I may go on to his land to watch the deer, three months later and I've got the land!
I was on the reserve list for two syndicates, now someone else can take my place, I'm more than happy with my lot.
Welcome to the site Geoshot, I think you will settle in nicely.

 

[geoshot]

Thanks again Beowulf! I think I'm going to enjoy this forum right enough. I actually went down the syndicate route because of the day/meat/butchering/trophy/accompaniment fees on private estates, FC and the like. Now I have permission on one farm and one private wood, both smallish but a few deer on them, but the syndicate offers more variety albeit at a cost. I'm relatively new to the sport and learning all the time, which is why I joined this forum.

 

[IanF]

I was invited onto some ground in Dorset for a look see - with the aim of possibly taking on the stalking.

Quickly became apparent that the stalking and shooting was currently being arranged by ShootinSH.

The landowner was bemoaning the fact that his land had been heavily stalked and the Roe numbers had plummeted to an unhealthy level.

His major bone of contention was that the owner of ShootingSH had not paid him in over a year. The adjoining farm (he had recommended them to SSH) had experienced similar problems in getting paid by the company.

Glad to hear some folks have had positive experiences with the company - this has been mine!

Rgds IanF

 

[Beowulf]

Hello and welcome IanF,
Such experiences need to be brought into the light. I'm glad to have my small patch of land. If I make a mistake I have the farmer to kick my arse. In a syndicate what happens if one or a couple of members get greedy or cause problems? You all get tarred with the same brush. The work and the money i have spent on my patch could rent me a decent bit of ground in Scotland. Thats not the point though, being able the slide off stalking only twenty minutes from home and enjoy my home county's beautiful countryside is! I only share that with my closest friends.

 

[sikamalc]

The trouble with these syndicate groups is knowing who culls what when and how, everyone must be truthful? about what they shoot?

Why would anyone sell off the rights to lands to other stalkers who they know nothing about? Perhaps I am being suspicious? but then I always am until I get to know who i am dealing with. It is not suprising the land has been overshot, people want results when they stalk, especially if they are paying for the privilage of being in a syndicate, value for money is part of the attitude, deer management I am afraid to me would be difficult to maintain under these circumstances.

On the other hand it gives stalkers with no ground to access the chance to stalk on their own, and gain confidence, and the pleasure of taking a beast without another stalker following them around, and on that basis it could be worth joining. But I for one would be very very cautious of joining.

 

[paul k]

It is interesting that despite a promise in February that they had registered on the site and would answer questions it would appear that they have not so far managed that.

 

[legaleagle69]

I dropped on this forum whilst looking for info about deer stalking, I have never stalked in the UK before, done a bit of wandering round woods in Southern France and in Asia with friends.
I have got an interview with our local licensing chap on tuesday so was gleaning info on certificate granting etc.
I was really impressed with the postings and the advice given about a huge range of issues I wanted to find, until I came across the comments about shooting.sh, I have been a member of the rough shooting syndicate since the very beginning.
I will admit at first there were a few teething problems and it was sometimes run on a wing and a prayer, however the guy who runs it is a great bloke. We often shoot with him and he has put his heart , soul and a large ammount of personal finance into it.
Recently I upgraded to the stalking side, the proprietor helped me with applying for my FAC had a letter faxed at very short notice, his mobile certainly did work (contrary to previous posts) he was on a shoot in Dorset after driving back home several hours, wrote a letter at 10pm in the evening so it was there waiting the next morning so the FLO lady could deal with my paperwork before Christmas shutdown.
I have had nothing but great times with shooting.sh, my local gunsmith had a similar reaction but has now eaten his words.
I have absolutely no financial or managerial connection with the syndicate other than being a long standing member.
I quite honestly have no real idea of whether or not the comments levelled at the stalking syndicate are justified, but I will post my experiences in the future and let you judge for yourselves.
I can say is without this syndicate I would never have had the great times I have had over the past few years, met some really nice people, and also probably not had an opportunity to get to go stalking at all.

 

[Beowulf]

Hi Legaleagle,
Its good to hear both sides of the story.
Ho 'Welcome to the site' by the way!

 

[geoshot]

Hi legaleagle!!
Great to hear from another happy shooting.sh syndicate member.
Drop me a PM sometime and maybe we could meet up on a day's stalking on one of Bob's blocks.
Regards
Geoshot

 

[legaleagle69]

Hi Guys

nice to get the warm reception, I would be delighted to meet with anytime.
The firearms guy is coming at 2pm tomorrow so bracing myself for the experience.
I fetched my new cabinet today hoping there will be no real nasty surprises or restrictions placed on the ticket..
It was interesting to see all the comments about the DSC courses I have not been on one yet but thought it would be worthwhile as a novice stalker.
I have many years experience of safe rifle useage, but mostly all range based with fullbore.
Bob has arranges for me to have a few trips out with experienced guys so looking forward to that very much.
I found them comments about what to say during my visit very usefull particularly the moderators health and safety angle and deer welfare issues for larger calibre rifles.

 

[paul k]

I'm really pleased that some of you are having good experiences with this organisation.

My concerns were, as I've said before, based on contact with them some years ago, and were in the areas of safety (who else is on the ground no apparent attempt to manage, just turn up and stalk), no proper deer management (no apparent guidance on what beast to shoot or controls on over shooting) and some very obvious misrepresentation by the same guy on the fishing side. The proprietor was including water in the "membership" over which he had no lease or rights and was basically obtaining day tickets and passing them on to his syndicate members.

Added to the problems with the fishing I couldn't get answers that made me feel that the thing was managed safely and for the benefit of the deer stock and thus decided not to proceed and to warn others.

If things have changed for the good then great.

 

[geoshot]

Hi Paul K,
Things still aren't perfect, and with any syndicate are they ever?
However as a newcomer to the country or to the sport a syndicate might be the only way into the sport until you build a list of contacts.
I think the organiser is getting his act together better now than he was reputed in the past and the syndicate is the better for it.
He has a few really good blocks of land and between the regular stalkers and owners sorting things out the management side of things is much better.
Just occasionally it actually works to change things from the inside and it's all the more satisfying to see it happen.
I'm lucky enough to be able to shoot on both private and syndicate land and both have their pros and cons, you just seem to have to work hard in different ways to get the best out of them.
Regards
Geo

 

[legaleagle69]

Well good news had my visit from the firearms guy today very happy with my application has not spoken about placing any undue restrictions other than I have to shoot on previousl approved land.
Only gripe was I could not have my 8mm rifle I shipped from the States on the stalking grant but would swap it me later all been well for the 308 they said I could have instead.

 

[sikamalc]

Well done legaleagle, I wish you many succesful days in the field, welcome to the best and most memorable sport in the world

 

[prostalk]

shooting sh;

HI LADS I READ ALL THE POSTS BUT DONT OFTEN JOIN IN BUT ON THIS ONE I WILL FOR SURE THIS OUTFITT IS TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.

MR R, GLYNE THE OPERATOR AND OWNER OF SHOOTING SH, WHO BY CHANCE IS AND EX COP WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY WITHOUGHT A SECOND THOUGHT TO SAFETY OR THE QAULITY OF STALKING YOU WILL GET.

FRIENDS OF MINE JOINED HIS SYNDICATE AND HAD A NIGHTMARE IN THE END TOOK HIM TO COURT FOR THEIR MONEY BACK AND WON,

HALF OF THE GROUND NEVER HAD A DEER ON IT, ONE FARMER LAUGHED WHEN THE TURNED UP TO STALK AND ANOTHER TURNED THEM AWAY BECAUSE SH HAD NOT PAID FOR THE STALKING THE FARMER WAS STILL WAITING FOR A PAYMENT.

 

[sikamalc]

Ahh well like I have said before if its too good to be true, it generally is too good to be true.

What I dont like is the fact that it could be a novice stalker who like everyone has not got money to waste, and is now completely demoralised by their treatment, and feels they should give in stalking/hunting.

 

[paul k]

Re: shooting sh;

HI LADS I READ ALL THE POSTS BUT DONT OFTEN JOIN IN BUT ON THIS ONE I WILL FOR SURE THIS OUTFITT IS TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.

MR R, GLYNE THE OPERATOR AND OWNER OF SHOOTING SH, WHO BY CHANCE IS AND EX COP WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY WITHOUGHT A SECOND THOUGHT TO SAFETY OR THE QAULITY OF STALKING YOU WILL GET.

FRIENDS OF MINE JOINED HIS SYNDICATE AND HAD A NIGHTMARE IN THE END TOOK HIM TO COURT FOR THEIR MONEY BACK AND WON,

HALF OF THE GROUND NEVER HAD A DEER ON IT, ONE FARMER LAUGHED WHEN THE TURNED UP TO STALK AND ANOTHER TURNED THEM AWAY BECAUSE SH HAD NOT PAID FOR THE STALKING THE FARMER WAS STILL WAITING FOR A PAYMENT.

There is (or was) a similar story on the fishing side of his business.