As mentioned earlier by my son Nmb we are definitely going ahead with our syndicate shoot this season, restrictions allowing. I contacted each of our 25 members (full and 1/2 guns) in mid march and gave them the opportunity to stand down this season with a guarantee that their membership would be renewed for the season 2021/2022, without exception each made it clear that they would be re-joining this season and would be happy to pay a large percentage of their frees by the end of April, this they all did without exception.
We are now a medium sized self keepered syndicate shooting over 4000 acres in the north east of Scotland with members from all walks of life and have been shooting for over 35 years. We have ordered and paid a substantial deposit for 2800 pheasant poults, ordered feed and are looking forward to our season whatever it may bring. We have contingency plans in place to cover social distancing, transport and feeding should restrictions still be in place. We also plan to hold our one let day of the season as planned although as yet we haven't advertised it.
I suppose what I am trying to say is that we have to be positive, to us our syndicate is more than just a day's shooting, it is about the camaraderie, being out in the countryside, lasting memories and friendships and the determination to carry on our traditions, bag size compared to this is irrelevant.
I wish every body a great season and please keep safe, we will get to the other side of this horrendous pandemic.
Murray F B