CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Having just read this month's edition of Shooting Gazette (Feb 08) it is both interesting and concerning to see the predictions for the 08/09 season with regard to costs.
As those who own/run shoots know, the cost of grain went through the roof last year, as did the cost of many items associated with shooting - cartridges for instance went from around the £99 per 1000 for a general all-round cartridge ideal for pest control, to around the £120/1000 mark.
Coupled with increased fuel, electricity and other costs, are we going to see the cost of each bird rise beyond the reach of all but the most affluent of the land?
I dont think it will have much impact on the larger, commercial operations, but the small syndicates such as mine could face the prospect of an up-hill struggle, even to keep or attract new Syndicate Guns. In general, the average cost per bird this year, in my area, has been £30. Even with a general rise of say 10%, that puts the cost up to £33 per bird. I have already had concern expressed form Syndicate members that the cost may risie beyond their budget.
It is a concern that unless shoots can keep costs down, are we going to see the decline of the 8 x X-number Bird Day syndicate shoot and the increase of bigger bag/less day roving syndicates?
Couple all this with the fact that if we have another bad summer, it is posible that cover crops won't establish well and the loses from poor weather in relation to poults could prove the downfall of many a day.
What is the view of the rest of the forum membership? Is this time to re-address the way we operate, or should we gust grin and bare it?
It should be noted that as long as I break even, Im happy. But currently I face a loss which won't please 'er indoors!
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Alastair_Balmain
stranger
Reged: 18/08/2006
Posts: 97
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Morning Captain,
It's interesting that you should comment on this… We actually have an article on increasing costs in tomorrow's (31st January) Shooting Times, in which we explore the rising costs of shooting — and it also has a DIY shoot expenditure table for you to fill out to estimate your own costs.
I agree with you. There have been some whopping hikes in price, most notably cereals and feed which we estimate have increased by something in the order of 112.5% (If I've got my maths right.)
To a certain extent, the grin and bear it attitude is probably the one most 8xX day syndicates will have to adopt if they want to continue.
With regards to cartridge prices, I subscribe to our columnist John Humphreys' philosophy, which is that cartridges are still the cheapest aspect of a day's shooting, so we shouldn't necessarily complain too much about the price increase. The only reason we notice so much is because we hand over cash for them directly on a regular basis.
If the price rises by £100-200 per Gun on a syndicate, then I think most will stomach the cost. Any more and those on a tighter budget will probably have to think more carefully about their sport.
The way I see it, a reduction in the number of poults released would be one of the simplest (if least palatable) ways of reducing overall costs. For a 30-birds a day syndicate shoot that might be a cost-saving too far.
Alastair.
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Alastair Balmain, Deputy editor, Shooting Times
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CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Alistair,
In the greater scheme of things, the diffenece between say a 30 and 50 bird day is not that great - £75 per gun (shooting 8 guns) based on the price of £30/bird.
In some ways, as you say, it may be a cost saving too far, as the logistics of getting any number of birds to fly over the guns remain the same: Getting them to a stage where the can fly, cover crops, feeding them, pest control, heat light & power etc remain the same. So the additional 400 birds released (based on a 40% return to give you the additional 20 birds a day) is not a vast increase.
I agree that the cost of cartridges is the smallest part of a day's shooting, my point being that last year we used a great many on pest control and the cost increase has to be found from somewhere!
I would hate for our sport to only be available to the well-off, as this not only gives those who disagree with shooting a rod to beat us with, but take away the sport from those who work hard to enjoy it.
The very real danger is that costs will rise so far that many of the smaller shoots will either pack up or go DIY and if they employ a Keeper, this will lead to a situation where work becomes hard to find for Keepers.
Shoots either need to diversify to maintain the balance and survive or risk going under.
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nfp20
member
Reged: 14/04/2008
Posts: 7
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whose 'er in doors???? Am sure she'd be thrilled at the thought of the shoot, whether it makes a loss is not important at the end of the day you never expect to break even out of an enjoyable hobby 
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CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Actually, I'm glad she takes an interest in the shoot, its usefull to be able to bounce ideas off each other.
Just wish she would learn how the damn kettle worked now and again
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Blade
member
Reged: 12/10/2007
Posts: 22
Loc: West Mids.
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Quote:
Just wish she would learn how the damn kettle worked now and again
I think it's a woman thing
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CptCarling
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 102
Loc: Isle of Wight
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Glad I didn't say that!
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