An Outdoors Retreat
North River Retreat bills itself as
“The Outdoors Next Door!” That’s
appropriate because its location in
Hampshire County in the Eastern
Panhandle puts it close to visitors from
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington,
D.C., as well as from West Virginia.
“The Matrix” is a popular five-level platform for shooting clays pigeons at
North River Retreat.
Although its 437 acres offer
several outdoors-related adventure
opportunities, North River Retreat is
becoming famous for its unique fivestation,
five-level shooting platform
(called “The Matrix”) that allows
sporting clays shooting from different
heights. A wobble “trap” (the machine
that releases the clay “birds”) is located
underneath the structure. This special
trap shoots out clays by remote control.
They fly above and below the shooter in
random fashion, with the flight of each
clay varying in height and angle.
Six other traps surround the shooting structure in a semi-circle, providing
additional opportunities to shoot targets released remotely from various distances.
Beginning this year, shooters also have an opportunity to go on a “Matrix Hunt,” with
sounds of game birds calling and flushing at the same time clays are released.
Special clinics are available for beginning shooters.
This sport is becoming more popular as people discover the fun and challenge
of shooting a small moving target with a shotgun. North River offers clinics twice a
year to teach shooting skills for beginners and those of limited experience. The clinic
includes instruction, loan of a 20-gauge shotgun, shotgun shells and clay pigeons, and
all the required safety equipment.
“Families or small groups of friends are welcome to book ‘The Matrix’ for a
morning or afternoon shoot. Shooting clays is great fun year-round,” explained John
Gavitt, owner and manager of North River Retreat. “Whether you’re a seasoned
outdoorsman or just a beginner, North River Retreat provides personal attention to
clients desiring to shoot clays, hunt, fish, camp, or simply go hiking for the day.”
For more information about services, rates and reservations, call 540-539-9873,
email northriver@live.com, or visit online www.northriverretreat.com.