High Duck Shooting in Southern France — Driven Mallards on a 25-Year Estate

What Makes This Driven Mallard Shoot Different

Driven duck shooting in France on this private estate near Toulouse has been producing world-class high-bird days for 25 years, built on the combined traditions of the great English and Spanish driven shoots. The mallards fly at genuine height, surprising even experienced Guns, and only tightly choked guns are used throughout the day. Although the setting is French, the operational standard matches the best driven shoots the continent has to offer. This is not a walk-and-flush operation. It is driven shooting with professional infrastructure, a dedicated head keeper, and a formal tableau at close of play.

Genuinely High Birds (Why Tight Chokes Are Mandatory)

The height of the mallards on this estate is the result of 25 years of terrain management and deliberate drive design. Birds are worked over natural topography to produce the angles and heights that make the shooting genuinely demanding. Moreover, the estate’s drive layout has been refined over decades to ensure consistent bird quality regardless of wind conditions. Tight chokes are mandatory, not a recommendation. Guns arriving with improved-cylinder barrels will be advised to use estate hire guns instead.

25 Years of Management Behind the Drives

Before a single Gun takes a peg, decades of habitat work have already done their part. The estate’s mallard population is managed year-round, with breeding cover, water management, and feed programmes running across the full property. The result is a wild-flying duck that behaves nothing like a put-and-take bird. This level of management is rare on driven duck estates in France, and it shows in the shooting.

The Day Explained

Drives, Pegs and Tableau

Guns take their pegs as the first drive is called. The estate organises multiple drives across the day, working different blocks to build the agreed bag. Between drives, retrieving dogs clear the falls while a drink and snack are served at the peg line. Before each drive, the head keeper briefs the line on arc of fire and expected flight lines. The session closes with a lodge lunch and a formal tableau display.

Bag Size: 200 to 1,000 Birds, Bespoke

The estate accommodates a wide range of bag sizes, from 200 ducks for a small party of experienced Guns to 1,000 birds for a large brigade on a full-day programme. Bag size is agreed in advance and organised around group size, shooting ability, and available drive blocks. The estate’s 25-year operational track record means the agreed bag is reliably delivered.

Number of Guns: From 2 to 12

The estate accommodates parties from 2 to 12 Guns. Smaller groups of 2 to 4 Guns are best suited to bags of 200 to 400 birds. Larger brigades of 8 to 12 Guns can comfortably programme days of 600 to 1,000 birds. Non-shooting partners are welcome; regional activities can be arranged for those not on the peg line.

Season and Climate

The driven mallard season runs from 1 September to the end of January. November through January produces the best flight conditions, with lower temperatures pushing birds higher and faster. September and October are well suited to Guns combining a driven day with a big-game trip in the same week.

Cartridges, Chokes and Guns

Recommended Choke Combination

Full and three-quarter choke is the standard combination for this estate. Half choke is acceptable for early-season birds at moderate height; however, for the main season and larger bags, full choke in both barrels is strongly recommended. The head keeper can advise on choke selection based on confirmed bag size and anticipated bird height.

Cartridge Volume Per Day

A planning guide: allow 4 to 6 cartridges per bird for experienced driven Guns, 7 to 10 for Guns less accustomed to driven continental shooting. For a 300-bird day with 6 Guns, plan for 250 to 300 cartridges per Gun. Cartridges are available on-estate, steel shot compliant with French waterfowl regulations.

Shotgun Hire Available On-Estate

Shotgun hire is available free of charge on-estate. The estate holds Browning and Winchester semi-automatic and over-and-under guns in 12-gauge. Guns travelling without their own shotguns, or those preferring to use an estate gun for steel shot loads, should confirm hire requirements at the time of booking.

Accommodation and Hospitality

Selected Local Hotels Within Easy Reach

Guests are hosted in a selection of comfortable local hotels within easy reach of the estate, offering quality regional cuisine and fine local wines from the South-West of France. Although the estate does not provide on-site residential accommodation for standalone duck days, the hotel options nearby are well matched to the style of the trip. Accommodation is arranged as part of the booking process.

Regional Cuisine and Local Wines

The South-West of France is one of the country’s great gastronomic regions. Evening meals typically feature local specialities alongside wines from Gaillac, Fronton, and Cahors. Guns returning after a full day on the pegs will find the hospitality consistent with the standard of the shooting.

How to Get There

Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS), 1 Hour Away

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) is the primary gateway, with direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Dublin, Madrid, Milan, and most major European cities. The estate is 60 km east of TLS, approximately one hour by road. Transfers are arranged as part of the booking.

Castres-Mazamet, 25 km (Private Aircraft Welcome)

Castres-Mazamet Airport (DCM) is 25 km from the estate and welcomes private aircraft. Handling, fuel, and ground transport from Castres to the estate can be arranged on request, making this the most convenient option for parties travelling on private charter from the UK or Spain.

Formalities — Handled by the Estate

French Hunting Licence Ready on Arrival

All paperwork is handled by the estate. Your French hunting licence will be ready on arrival and no pre-trip administration is required on the Gun’s side. The temporary licence covers the full shooting day and is valid for driven waterfowl on this estate.

Bringing Your Own Shotguns to France

EU-resident Guns face minimal formalities when travelling with their own shotguns into France. Non-EU Guns travelling from the UK, the US, or Canada should carry a European Firearms Pass (EFP) or equivalent documentation. Although the process is straightforward, allow 4 to 6 weeks for EFP applications from the UK. Full guidance is provided at the time of booking.

Pricing and Booking

Bespoke Quotes Based on Group Size, Dates, Target Bag

Pricing is on application. As a guide, full-day driven duck programmes for groups of 6 to 12 Guns typically range from €15,000 to €40,000 per day for the group, depending on agreed bag size and season. Contact us with your group size, preferred dates, and target bag for a confirmed quote.

What’s Typically Included

A standard driven duck day includes estate access and all drives, head keeper and brigade coordination, retrieving dogs and pickers-up, on-peg service between drives, lodge lunch and tableau, return airport transfers, French hunting licence, and shotgun hire. Cartridges are available on-estate at cost.

Booking Process and Lead Times

Peak dates from November to January, particularly weekends, book out 3 to 6 months in advance. September and October weekdays remain available with shorter lead times. A deposit is required to secure the date.

Request a Quote

Contact us with your group size, preferred dates, and target bag. We handle the full booking process, from confirmed availability and pricing to airport transfers, accommodation, and all estate formalities.