Waving goodbye to the game season… and getting set for clays!
Waving goodbye to the game season… and getting set for clays!
Here at Thimbleby we spend months looking forward to the start of the new game season, and then just like that… it’s over! Those months from October to February fly by every year and we treasure every single day of the season. All the hard work by gamekeepers, shoot captains and those in charge of providing the excellent hospitality that makes a day in the field so special has paid off, and it’s time to review how it all went. For the people who take part and make sure this tradition is continued, the end of the season is a good time to tick some tasks off the list and plan for the clay season. Here’s our rundown of areas to focus on now that the game season is over:
Gun servicing
A day (or multiple days) in the field is hard on a shotgun for several reasons. Firing lots
of cartridges one after another (and we all hope for drives like that…) causes a buildup of
carbon, lead and fibre residue from wads inside the barrel and on choke tubes. This buildup can affect pattern consistency and performance. There’s also exposure to rain, damp, mud and other field debris that can interfere with the mechanism and cause you issues. We recommend getting a field gun in for a full service as soon as possible after the season ends to keep it in good working order and ready for next season and any simulated game days you have planned.
Get stocked up on cartridges
This is a great time to take advantage of ‘end of season’ deals on cartridges designed for game shooting and store them ready for the Glorious Twelfth or October – whenever you’re back in the field. There are a lot of different options available, so if you’d like a steer on the right choice for you, we can help. Our gunroom manager William Mole has over 15 years of experience working in the trade and at shooting grounds and he’s a keen game and clay shot too. There’s not much he doesn’t know about selecting the right cartridges for your next day in the field, so make sure you swing by and have a chat. You might also decide to stock up for a spring and summer of fun on the shooting ground while you’re here…
Book a lesson or pattern plate session
We can all develop bad habits and quirks with our shooting, especially when the drives are fast and furious. A lesson after the season is over is a great way to recalibrate and identify what needs to be worked on before your next day in the field. It’s also a good chance to get reacquainted with clays if you’re keen to take part in competitions and enjoy self-caddied rounds throughout the spring and summer. We have a range of lessons to suit everyone, just click here to explore the options.
If you’d like to finesse your shotgun setup for game shooting, you might want to book in for a pattern plate session. That will help you ensure your choice of cartridges and chokes is ideal for the game and clay shooting you have planned and ensure you’re giving yourself the very best chance of success.
Check out our Simulated Game Days
If you miss the thrill and camaraderie of a day in the field, we recommend you take a closer look at our Simulated Game Days. We’re so lucky to be able to set up ‘drives’ across the Thimbleby Estate that replicate everything from pheasant in steep wooded drives, springing teal in estate wetlands and grouse drives on the fringes of the North York Moors. Our Simulated Game Days deliver on top notch Yorkshire hospitality too, and you’ll be pleased to hear all your clays and cartridges are included as well.
Keep an eye out for spring and summer events
We’re busy putting the finishing touches on our 2026 events calendar, so make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay in the know. We’ll have the usual blend of competitions, demo days, social events and our new game cookery sessions to look forward to, and that will make the time between now and the start of the next game season fly by!