There’s nothing we love more than celebrating our members and hearing their stories, especially when they’ve completed something as special as the CGUK Loyalty Card!

This week, one of our lovely members shares her journey to completing every box on her CGUK Loyalty Card, from introduction and simulated days to fishing and full game days, and the amazing experiences she’s had along the way. It’s the perfect reminder of how much adventure, friendship, and confidence can come from saying yes to new opportunities.

Here’s her story…

After years of shooting here and there with friends, corporate days or days out, and with encouragement from a friend, I joined my first CGUK day in March 2024 with tuition at Barbury. I loved it, met so many fabulous ladies, and really enjoyed my day!

I was really encouraged and excited by the idea of ladies encouraging ladies to shoot, as it was something I always wanted to do more of, but I am both from the USA and not from a shooting/hunting family so was always a bit nervous of hot to get involved. Thanks goodness for Tania’s great idea and the hard work for the CGUK team.

Barbury – Introduction to Simulated game

    After years of shooting here and there with friends, corporate days or days out, and with encouragement from a friend, I joined my first CGUK day in March 2024 with tuition at Barbury. I loved it, met so many fabulous ladies, and really enjoyed my day!

    I was  then back to Barbury in May for an Intro to Simulated Game, with some more tuition and my first experience of a flush or flurrie. I think I hit about 1 or 2 during a big flurrie, but it was enough for me to get excited! 

    I then started my journey to apply for my SGC, which in the end was a journey that took over a year, but safe to say I was hooked!

    Umberslade Simulated Game Day, Warwickshire

    I bit the metaphorical bullet and booked onto a proper Sim Day! With a hired gun that on reflection probably didn’t fit very well, I had such a fun day with the CGUK ladies in the field. Although I probably only hit a couple clays, I learned a lot about the etiquette and experience of being on a drive, rather than in a shooting school. 

    It was perhaps also the first and maybe last time I’ll get to shoot to techno music!

    Prestwold Hall Shoot

    It only took one Sim day to get me to book onto my first game day. To settle my nerves, my peg partner Penny and I opted to have the fabulous coach Wenonah with us on peg, giving us loads of encouragement, advice and tuition and I managed to hit a pheasant on the first drive. Wen noted it with a feather, and I was able to take it home and even put the feather on a hat to be remembered forever. It was a fabulous day of birds, food and fun, and I was very excited to get back out shooting in 2025. 

    Graythwaite Simulated Game

    After some serious health issues over the winter, I was excited to get back out there at Graythwaite for a beautiful, sunny and warm Sim Day. One of the most fun days I’ve had shooting, the drives were varied and challenging, but I came away on such a high! 

    Wads and Rods Weekend

    Between May and September, I finally got my SGC and my own gun, and was so excited to get our with the girls at Mickley Hall. We had a great day, with some fun and challenging stands.

    Then I found a new hobby (can you ever have too any) when Brent and Roy taught us to fly-fish – I absolutely loved it. Its almost like dancing, and by the end I was really getting into the movements – even if I failed to catch any fish on this occasion. 

    Ladyswood Sim Day

    Ending the summer sim season at Ladyswood was a real treat. Great drives, with lots of fun challenges, company and some delicious food. 

    I was even starting to properly hit a good number of clays, with quite a few pairs!

    Onwards in my shooting and country pursuits journey – my weekends are filling up with game days this winter, days out trail hunting, and shooting lessons to really up my game! Looking forward more days out with the fab CGUK. 

    Written by CGUK member Hannah Shimko

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