Sim days????

[Ludders]

So I have a couple of questions, I was hoping to tap in to the SD community.
Simulated game days seem to be big business now. What’s people’s thoughts on them?

I have never shoot on one. I have messed about with mates and clay traps and had a right laugh.

Would it be a good business venture to start up?

How much would you be willing to pay for a sim day and what would you want or expect? Full game day style hospitality or bacon bap and cup of tea and can of beer?

Your thoughts greatly appreciated!

 

[tackb]

i've done a few and they are great fun !

people are way less upset when you poach there clay two guns down than if you shoot there pheasant at £50 ! LOL

have a look in your area and see how much competition there is that will answer if it's likely to be viable as a business venture ?

the ones i have attended have been full shoot day catering although personally i'm there to shoot not get ****ed and eat a three course dinner i can do that any time without the gun factor

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Depends on how you expect to pitch the day. Been on SIM Days, practice for the boss, double guns. You need to have the land for at least 4/5 drives, meaning 3/4 traps at least per drive,he'll of an outlay at 2K plus for a decent trap with 350/500 carousel capacity. Catering normally breakfast,elevenses in field plus lunch dinner in sit down house/lodge. Team of 3/4 for traps plus catering staff plus manager to accompany guns.
Or do what I did - 3 traps on their own trailer. Needs software to provide flush numbers, linking all traps together. Plus 165amp hour marine batteries plus I had solar panel charging system installed. Fixed pegs for guns, rotating stands between flushes. Cheaper but you won't live off/retire on your earnings.
Whatever you decide to go with,use decent batteries,guns biggest gripe is traps not working because batteries die. Best of luck with your endeavours should you proceed.

 

[Apthorpe]

I've done a couple and run a pheasant shoot. Fun to do occasionally. The idea has been floated around our shoot a few times to have a travelling provider come and do a day or two over the summer and there was surprisingly little enthusiasm. People are on holiday etc.

If you're doing it on the same piece of ground repeatedly, it's a good way to alienate and annoy your neighbours.

 

[andychas]

Done a fair few and they’re great fun, lots of targets, lots of shots, and a really good day out with a team of shooting mates. Great way to get in the mood for the season and most organisers will accommodate requirements for making drives easier/harder depending on what you want and how much of a challenge your team are after.
Cost wise between £200-£250 a gun for a full day firing between 3-400 cartridges at around 4K clays, with good food provided (breakfast, eleven sets, meal after) makes them easier on the wallet than any big bird day (and to my mind more ethical than blatting huge numbers of birds).
If you’ve got the topography to show good targets across 4 drives and the infrastructure to handle well presented food for 14-16 guns then there’s around £3k per day to be made, with a fair few costs of course - ground rent, trappers, clays, catering etc.
I’ve seen lots come and go, the ones that stay are the ones that are well organised, in picturesque scenery, with good food and plentiful good targets. Just like pheasant shooting minus the feathers really.
Last one I did was with Ladyswood nr Tetbury, they’ll have details online about their days (and they’re very good).