Organiser's Guide - Shooting Days

Venue Review of Organiser's Guide - Shooting Days

From taking pot shots at clay pigeons to loading and firing a canon, shooting days always hit the target.

Shooting has long been one of the most popular corporate days, and it’s easy to see why. Let’s not beat around the bush (lest a pheasant fly out): guns are fun. What’s more, you don’t need any experience or aptitude for shooting to have a great time.

What you do need, however, are instructors who know what they’re doing and are used to dealing with groups of mixed ability – and have all the right kit, such as lighter guns for women and shoulder pads to prevent bruising. That’s why it pays to go with a corporate shooting specialist. A fair few country house hotels offer shooting, but do check them out thoroughly before committing, and don’t be shy about asking for references from past groups. Another advantage of going with a corporate specialist is variety. Hotels will often offer only a sparse range of scenarios (usually limited to groups of eight, who shoot to a good standard). A good business-focused shooting specialist will have myriad different options.

Perhaps most satisfying is GNAT shooting: instead of clays, you shoot at radio-controlled aeroplanes capable of 100mph and acrobatics. You might not hit many but when you do you’ll know it – they’re fitted with explosive charges and go up in dramatic balls of flame. An increasingly popular alternative is pistol shooting. Don’t think you’ll get your hands on a Dirty Harry-style Magnum. Instead, it’ll be a CO2-powered air gun (just as accurate over short ranges). Another option is a replica flintlock musket, as used during the English Civil War. They’re muzzle-loading, so getting a ball into them is a challenge in itself. Sticking to the vintage theme, consider canon firing – you’ll be working as a team to take out a target (under close supervision, thankfully). Another option is a mixed activity day, where shooting can be combined with quad biking, 4x4 driving, archery, fishing or just about any other (sober) outdoor activity you care to think of. Of course, nowadays you don’t even need to leave the city, thanks to laser simulators.

Whatever type of event you go for, ask your guests in advance how experienced they are. Make sure groups are mixed ability. The last thing you want is to have all the sharp-shooters together (it’s not good for morale). And be sure to arrange good food and wine for afterwards – post-shoot banter is half the fun.