Hunting in and near Evesham

Hunting and Shooting have traditionally been popular activities in England for centuries, and are a significant part of English country life. Hunting was historically a sport for royalty and aristocracy, and while members of the royal family still enjoy the sport, you don't need to have blue blood to go hunting in England: being a keen shooter is the only prerequisite.

Traditional fox hunting with dogs is now outlawed, but there are countless other opportunities for visitors to go hunting. Hunting and shooting opportunities in England range from the thrill and skill of deer stalking to the enjoyable sport of clay pigeon shooting. Many shooting grounds offer training courses for those who would like to learn how to shoot or improve their aim.

Clay pigeon shooting involves shooting at flying targets known as clay pigeons, which are released from a special trap to mimic the flight of birds. The targets are made of pitch and chalk which easily disintegrates when shot at. There are several different disciplines of the sport, which vary according to how the traps release the targets. This rewarding sport is practised across England, and there are many shooting grounds where you can try out clay pigeon shooting, or practice your skills.

Hunting in Alnwick, Northumberland, you'll come across Bywell Shooting Ground. Boasting twelve trap layouts and one of the largest shooting grounds in the United Kingdom, this establishment has hosted English and European champioships and also provide a fully stocked gun shop. The shooting ground welcomes shooters of all ages, and is very keen on encouraging novices to try the sport.

Hunting in Luton is facilitated by the A1 Shooting Ground, located in 40 acres of beautiful woodland. The shooting facilities encompass a range of disciplines and they have the only automatic ZZ machines in the country (which release a specifically challenging kind of target). They offer practice facilities, competitions and lessons for all levels of shooters.

Not having much luck? Those training for hunting in Luton usually head out to the Oxford Gun Company. This award-winning shooting school provides training for everyone from the novice shooter to the experienced shot looking to improve their skills for the shooting season. In the same area you can visit the Dunstable and District Gun Club, a clay pigeon shooting club that welcomes visitors and offers five stands with a challenging variety of targets. Mendip Shooting Ground in Taunton, Somerset, encourages visitors to come and try clay pigeon shooting, and focuses on the fun aspects of the sport.

If you'd prefer to get out there and try your aim at some real birds, England offers many opportunities for some rewarding bird shooting of fowl such as pheasant, grouse, partridge and woodpigeon. Anglia Sporting, in Framlingham, Suffolk, offers woodpigeon shooting that involves decoying, flighting and roost shooting. Woodpigeon is a particularly challenging bird to shoot, and a day of a woodpigeon shooting is a testing experience that requires a great deal of knowledge about the bird. You'll have to learn about its flight patterns and habits before you can see some shooting success, but it will be an extremely rewarding sporting experience.

Guided deer stalking is possible all over the country, and there are several agencies that organise stalking trips in private estates all over England, including both South East and South West England. Selective shooting is carried out depending on the seasonal populations of the different deer species. High seats, allowing shooters to survey the terrain from an ideal vantage point, are provided at many of the estates, and training and guidance is offered so that the most safe and humane shot is always taken.

The beautiful English countryside is a wonderful place to try out the exciting sport of deerstalking. Those hunting in Glastonbury might want to head out to King's Plot where over 40,000 acres of privately owned rolling green countryside waits to be explored. Here you can stalk the magnificent Roebucks that roam the fields and woods, and you will be led in your stalk by a professional hunter who knows the area and the animals. Visiting guns can stay at King's Plot, and will probably take home several Roebucks as trophies of their brilliant hunting experience.