Gamekeeping Help

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Hk92

New Member
Hi everyone.
I was hoping if I could get some advice or guidance.
I'm considering a future career in Gamekeeping, I've only briefly looked into and continuing to do so.
I was wondering if would be worth investing in courses such as..

Level 2 Certificate in Countryside and Environment
Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management

Or would I be better off, searching for an apprenticeship or volunteering as an under keeper or something along those lines.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Without needing to now your age, it would seem to me an easier prospect if you are not dependent on an income; such as starting as an apprentice somewhere.
I've found certificates such as chainsaw, quadbike etc more useful than a qualification but everything helps.
And it's a small world so it does often boil down to who you know.
Finally don't disregard any work loosely associated with keepering, starting out doing a bit with a fencing contractor a bit of farm work or some mole trapping can often open doors.
Best of luck
 
As Reloader708 says above, its not a good time to narrow your chosen path to just keepering. Times are hard and a lot of shoots are struggling, keeping options open is the best way forward.
 
Knock on keepers doors offer to come and help him with what ever he's doing.Then once you have some experience go to Sparsholt college keeper course.
When I was a keeper I had a new student every year from a local college.
 
Hk92 said:
Hi everyone.
I was hoping if I could get some advice or guidance.
I'm considering a future career in Gamekeeping, I've only briefly looked into and continuing to do so.
I was wondering if would be worth investing in courses such as..

Level 2 Certificate in Countryside and Environment
Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management

Or would I be better off, searching for an apprenticeship or volunteering as an under keeper or something along those lines.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Good afternoon,are you interested in aspects of forest protection/deer work? If so I would suggest going down that route for longevity! I have been a gamekeeper for 26 years now and it’s a fantastic life but I honestly at the age of 43 don’t think I will see my retirement out of it. Forestry/deer management will always have a future in terms of what we do now and it’s a great rewarding job if it’s what you like? Fls are sometimes looking for trainees or forestry England will be looking too at certain times,there’s always an option to look in the highlands to for trainee roles. If my kids want to something like I am then that’s the way I will steer them definitely 👍good luck
 
Hk92 said:
Hi everyone.
I was hoping if I could get some advice or guidance.
I'm considering a future career in Gamekeeping, I've only briefly looked into and continuing to do so.
I was wondering if would be worth investing in courses such as..

Level 2 Certificate in Countryside and Environment
Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management

Or would I be better off, searching for an apprenticeship or volunteering as an under keeper or something along those lines.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Good afternoon,are you interested in aspects of forest protection/deer work? If so I would suggest going down that route for longevity! I have been a gamekeeper for 26 years now and it’s a fantastic life but I honestly at the age of 43 don’t think I will see my retirement out of it. Forestry/deer management will always have a future in terms of what we do now and it’s a great rewarding job if it’s what you like? Fls are sometimes looking for trainees or forestry England will be looking too at certain times,there’s always an option to look in the highlands to for trainee roles. If my kids want to something like I am then that’s the way I will steer them definitely 👍good luck in what ever path you choose
 
Sakoodin1 said:
Good afternoon,are you interested in aspects of forest protection/deer work? If so I would suggest going down that route for longevity! I have been a gamekeeper for 26 years now and it’s a fantastic life but I honestly at the age of 43 don’t think I will see my retirement out of it. Forestry/deer management will always have a future in terms of what we do now and it’s a great rewarding job if it’s what you like? Fls are sometimes looking for trainees or forestry England will be looking too at certain times,there’s always an option to look in the highlands to for trainee roles. If my kids want to something like I am then that’s the way I will steer them definitely 👍good luck
Click to expand...
Very wise words!
I started out keepering and now I've found myself working in forestry protecting young trees from anything that might eat them as well as monitoring and recording other wildlife.
I feel much more secure in my position and everything is now by the book.
You do need to find your own accommodation but this is reflected in the wage.
 
VSS said:
Living a lovely life is worth more than any amount of money.
Click to expand...
I have a lovely life now, and get paid 2 times more than a gamekeeper, plus bonus

Work hard three days every six weeks the rest of those six weeks gravy could get done in three hours a day if I wanted to.
 
Norfolk Deer Search said:
I have a lovely life now, and get paid 2 times more than a gamekeeper, plus bonus

Work hard three days every six weeks the rest of those six weeks gravy could get done in three hours a day if I wanted to.
Click to expand...
Well that's great then, isn't it? But don't try to dissuade someone else from following their dreams of a lovely life, regardless of the money. You've done it. They can too. And be richer for the experience.
 
VSS said:
Well that's great then, isn't it? But don't try to dissuade someone else from following their dreams of a lovely life, regardless of the money. You've done it. They can too. And be richer for the experience.
Click to expand...
If the lad has any common sense he will avoid keeper in like the plague, shooting, especially game, shooting is a dying trade. That is fact!
 
Norfolk Deer Search said:
If the lad has any common sense he will avoid keeper in like the plague, shooting, especially game, shooting is a dying trade. That is fact!
Click to expand...
All the more reason to give it go then, now, while the opportunity still exists, if that's what the OP wants to do. Life's too short to do anything other than follow your heart, otherwise you just end up as a grumpy old git.
 
Hk92 said:
If I was interested in money, I wouldn't be looking at Gamekeeping.
Helpful comment.
Click to expand...
Gamekeeping depends completely on your gaffer!

If you can get job on an estate with with the man in the big house, where money is no object, for the benefit of the shoot, then yes keepering can be a good job, i was fortunate in that respect.

You get a job where you have to nickel and dime, run on a budget and basically polish a terd, you will bust a gut for no thanks and little return.

Then be there is no the other situation of the bird flu, where a friend of mine a very good keeper lost his job because they couldn’t get the birds into the country onto the rearing field, therefore, first in first out!

Crack on lad 👍

Like I said before, if you have any sense, you will avoid it like the plague!
 
Sakoodin1 said:
Good afternoon,are you interested in aspects of forest protection/deer work? If so I would suggest going down that route for longevity! I have been a gamekeeper for 26 years now and it’s a fantastic life but I honestly at the age of 43 don’t think I will see my retirement out of it. Forestry/deer management will always have a future in terms of what we do now and it’s a great rewarding job if it’s what you like? Fls are sometimes looking for trainees or forestry England will be looking too at certain times,there’s always an option to look in the highlands to for trainee roles. If my kids want to something like I am then that’s the way I will steer them definitely 👍good luck
Click to expand...

Some FLS wildlife apprenticeships are coming in the summer.

Trick to these things is having a 3-5 year plan.

Most people who complete a gamekeeping course/apprenticeship (not all manage to!) will land up doing something different.

For Forestry there is/will be big money in flying drones for surveys. Everything is going the way of reduce costs (cut corners) and employ contractors to do the leg work. All good if you happen to have all the right tickets.
 
My advice would be to now find some other rural appointment rather than Keepering.
I have done it since the "Good times"and covered every aspect of hatching, rearing, and running shoot days, from partridge man to Head keeper. I have worked to and been given budgets to spend. It has changed dramatically in 50 years and I was fortunate to work for really good employers mostly. There are not many jobs like that at this present time and yes it was a good way of life but 24/7 and nearly 365 of those so not much of a family life and gone are the retirement cottage days.
At present I fulfill the needs of a very wealthy family on a wild bird place but mainly stalking and trapping, and I'm now getting too old for that.
The way things work on most estates I know, are not the same as they were through my life and a good safe job is exceedingly hard to find. I do not see a good future in game shooting now due to the advent of the woke anti fraternity.
Give it a go for a couple of years if you really want to but be prepared to slot in somewhere else if it doesn't suit.
 
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