Are there any plans for an AR Trip to Baldock again this coming season?

I really enjoyed the weekend in Feb.

Oh yes!
- mike

I think that Kiri got some surprise for us.
Looking forward to our next AR.

Yes!

Count me in!

I'll be there!!

I´m in, and this time for sure

Gents,

Indeed there wil be a 2010 event for the AR gang, and as Solvi mentioned I have a couple of ideas for next years event.

After some very honest feedback from last years participants, I decided to look into the opportunity of taking the event elsewhere, and this coincided with a good freind of mine who has taken on two very nice estates in Suffolk/Norfolk which have a very good deer density, particularly Roe and Muntjac.

As some of you know Athina Hunting Community and Tours is in the process of being launched very soon and I was planning on working with Peter accross the board, for the stalking as well as the rough and game shooting, so when I heard that he had aquired the manor house on one of the estates I thought this would be a great venue for the next AR bash.

I'm in the process of discussing the terms for our event, and will post details as soon as I get them lined up, but an outline framework will be as follows:

We hope to be able to accomodate the entire team in the manor house on site. Peters full time keepers will provide transport and guiding to the participants. All shooting will be from high seats as in the past. Species available will be Muntjac, Roe Does and Red (hinds) with the occasional fallow. I will do all the catering as before and the larders are in place and organised for the carcass storage. The facilities are top class as a game dealership is already run from the premises.

In addition to the stalking there will be huge numbers of pigeons available on flailed cover crops at that time of the year, along with some driven hare shooting should that be of interest to anyone that wanted to add an extra day(s) or stay later on the Sunday.

I will work out the costs and get something posted once I have had a chance to go and view the land and work a deal with the estates.

Rgds,
K

Have rifle, will travel... (and shotgun and whiskey!).

Sounds like an excellent plan Kiri.

Interesting!
I'm in for sure!

Count me in!
It'll be great meeting up with everyone and I'm sure the food will be good if Kiri's got anything to do with it.
The shooting? Oh yeah, that too! ;0)

Sounds fantastic Kiri, keep us posted

Kiri what are we waiting for

Do you need a lift to the estate ?

Im in again.

Gents,

I've had a chat with the estate and he is going to come back to me with an idea of what they can reasonably provide. Their main concern is that although they have a high deer density they don't want to decimate the populations through over shooting, but I think we have got the bones of a decent deal.

He suggested a weekend made up of three outings on the deer and Sunday shooting some of the huge numbers of pigeons that are there on the flailed maize cover strips.

There are huge numbers on Munties, of which Does will be unlimited. The estate currently charges for the bucks and the Roe Does, but we have agreed that one Muntjac buck or one roe doe per gun will also be in cluded inthe price. For the munties I do expect that we should be able to get some nice trophies taken.

The accomodation will be in the manor house where professional caterers will provide Breakfast Packed Lunch and Dinner. Part of the price will go towards us providing some drinks. but all transport and lardering is provided by the estate.

Indicative cost inclusive of all the above will be about £400/gun or £475 including the pigeon shooting on the Sunday.

Peter is talking to his keepers to see how many people they can accomodate without having guys sat in seats where they have no chance of seeing a deer. I understand that soe of you have zero interest in shotguns, and I'll try and get a high seat for those guys on the sunday.

Please post your interest on the thread and if you are happy to shoot some pigeons on the Sunday or not. I will then go back to the estate with an idea of our interest and try and marry the two.

Rgds,
K

Yep, sign me up.
Not sure if the catering will be up to your standards but, if there's sufficient whisky.......

Kiri, accommodation (and meals) included, if I understand you correctly??

Meet when (Friday?), depart when (Sunday afternoon?)?? Accomodation included for all this time?

I ask because last year's deal was structured a bit differently (hunting + meals + drinks included, accomodation extra). So I'm trying to figure out what extra cost (e.g. accommodation Thursday - Friday because of flight scedules) I would have to budget for.

- mike

Kiri, I'm good.

I would like to shoot pigeons on the Sunday, but travelling with two long guns is a PITA. Will probably need to head home on the Sunday.

The £400 includes accomodation? If so, that is a pretty decent deal given the cost of the grotty travel lodge at Baldock...

Gents,

Yes the deal is structured slightly differently.

Due to their having the hosting facilities on site and catering for many shooting weekends on the estate I wanted to use the manor house.

With that comes the caterers so although I'll make sure I supply the drinks etc, the hosting will be taken on by the estate in its entirety so you shouldn't have any extra costs apart form a drink to your guides and Thursday accomodation.

For those that will arrive on Thursday night I can try and arrange either some pigeons or some hare shooting but I'd rather deal with that on case by case basis if that is OK?

For anyone that doesn't want to travel with a shotgun, you can borrow or hire one. The estate has a gun shop on site so cartridges etc can be bought on location.

Feel free to come back with any other questions.

Rgds,
K

Hi Kiri,

Please count me in

Well done and thanks for organising these bashes.

All the best.

Nige.

Kiri, I'm interested.

- mike

I am interested as well. Would they be able to provide firearms?

Kiri will be along in a moment i'm sure t provide the definitive answer, but in short almost certainly.

You will be able to borrow an estate rifle with no bother.

Bill,

We cannot supply rifles on this event, due to the legislation involved in lending a gun to an unlicenced individual.

However it is very easy for me to arrange for you to get a temporary import permit here in the UK so you can bring your own guns. That will be issued in advance and sent to you before. The cost last year was about £20 and the process is very simple.

Incedentally guys,

a couple of people have asked me if it is possible to just do a couple of days pigeon shooting. This is also OK for those that would preferto go down that route.

Rgds,
FB

Rgds,
K

This is great news Kiri
If not struck by lightning or hit by a meteor, I will be there.

Not sure about the shotgun stuff yet, but might give it a try even though I most likely will make a fool of myself...

Staying in a manor will require us to dress up formally to the dinner I suppose ?

Which airport will be most convienient to use for us coming from abroad, and what about transport from airport to the estate with guns?

Arild,

Stanstead will probably be the closest airport. Form there you are probably within an hour or so of the estate. Transport can be arranged easily through Cabs or I'm sure someone will be passing by, so if you flash a bit of leg you might get a lift!!!

The shotgunning should be good fun as it will be shooting solo in a hide, (no spectators) over decoys. I should be able to provide a limited number of decoyrs alternatively the estate should have kit to rent out. They can arrange the building of hides and the gunshop will have cartridges for sale on location. so if you haven't tried it before I would give it a go as it can be very exciting sport.

I should know in the next week how many we can accomodate in total and we'll get a full detailed post up, but at the oment I think we have about 15+ already indicated interest here and on PM's so we may be at our limit already!!

I suppose it means we're doing somethign right mate...

Rgds,
K

Kiri.
I guess ( with a bit of sadness) that my "leg flashing days" are over...

The pidgeon shooting might well be worth a try, my o/u 20 guage might fit in or should I bring the 12 guage ?
And the hassle of gun permit is the same if one apply for on or two long guns?

I already got an Barbour oil skin jacket, a Irish tweed flat cap, but need a new pair of wellies as I recon that is a must, (my camo Muck Boots does not fit in i guess .. )

Anyhow, this sounds like a winner !!

This is getting better and better!
Might bring my drilling along for a varied shooting/hunting..

If possible, Kiri, I would like to spend an extra day or two..

We should arrange for the same flight from Oslo to Stanstead, Arild!
I'll be away from internet access for a week, but will update myself when getting back.

Arild,

Bring the gun you shoot best with mate. Decoyed pigeon are very sporting birds, but often they are within 35yds of your shooting position so a 20b or 12b will both do the job.

Wellingtons can be a help although your stalking boots will also do the job as you will not be walking about so you can set up in a place that is relatively dry.

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:
Kiri.
I guess ( with a bit of sadness) that my "leg flashing days" are over...

The pidgeon shooting might well be worth a try, my o/u 20 guage might fit in or should I bring the 12 guage ?
And the hassle of gun permit is the same if one apply for on or two long guns?

I already got an Barbour oil skin jacket, a Irish tweed flat cap, but need a pair of wellies as I recon that is a must, (and my camo Muck Boots don´t fit in.. )

Anyhow, this sounds like a winner !!

I'll give you a lift mate

On the strict understanding that you do not flash any leg

Between Kiri's flashing and Ian's leather trousers a weekend trapped in country house with this mob is seeming more and more worrying than usual....

Nonetheless, and especially because I'm giving Arlid a lift, count me in!

A

Anders,

Just let me know what you would like to do for the extra days and I'll sort it out for you. Depending on my personal situation at the time I should be able take the time to take yourself and Arild down to my neck of the woods for some Fallow Stalking or we can stay on and shoot some hares at the estate in Suffolk. I may also be able to arrange a chance at some Big Norfolk Red Stags, as I have a freind that is not far from the location we will be at.

We have a few options for anyone that wants to make it a slightly longer weekend!!

Rgds,
FB

Re: spending a couple of days extra - I had been looking into that. Stalking (rifle) was what I had in mind. I had vaguely been thinking of going up to Scotland, but if a couple of days extra stalking might be available in the vicinity, all the better.

- mike

Amir
Thanks for offering a lift, I´m on.
And no leg flashing, leather or whatsoever...promise!

A couple of extra days for eighter fallow or red sounds good, but boils down to cost and budget (saving for Namibia 2011).
But as always I keep an open mind

Jeeeez I´m already looking forward to this.
And staying at a Manor as well
Do they have a sweeping staircase?

I always picture my self striding down a sweeping staircase to take a single malt before the dinner

Regarding the extra couple of days. The cheapest option would be that whoever wishes to stay on makes their way down to my neck of the woods where I have 7-8 highseats that "occasionally" have fallow deer walking past them. You can sit up there to your hearts content and shoot as many bucks and does as you wish. In between morning and evening sessions we can retire to a pub with a log fire and something to eat.

The best bet is to try and arrange these matters in due course once we know who would like to stay on and do more shooting.

Rgds,
K

That would work. I'm game!

- mike

Im definately in for the basic package, probably the pigeons too

Kiri, just a thought.
I hope I am one of those confirmed?

Solvi,

Your name was at the top of the list IIRC!!

Are we going to see you in Oct/Nov or has that plan fallen through?

Rgds,
K

I intend to, I was just waiting in patience for more info from you.
I´ll PM you soon

hahahaha!!! I was doing the same!!

Lets talk over the weekend as I have all the details now.

K

Kiri

Sorry I have been away.

Please to confirm my place for both stalking and Pigeons.

I am more interested in Red hinds any more information on that as you have stated on the original post?

I have a friend from Bristol who also interested in both piegeon and atalking but he is not on this forum is that OK ? If so I will PM you his email address.

When do want deposit and how much ?