This book shows the reader how to perform all the tasks required of the modern gamekeeper, including how to rear and release game, and advises on many aspects of habitat improvement and conservation. It also covers important and sometimes controversial issues, such as public access on private land, the need for predator and pest control, and many other aspects which need to be considered by keepers, be they part-time or professional.
This book is a comprehensive gamekeeping manual for those enthusiastic amateurs who spend their spare time running a small DIY syndicate shoot, and for those who are professionally employed on a full-time basis. It shows the reader how to perform all the tasks required of the modern gamekeeper, including how to rear and release game and advises on many aspects of habitat improvement and conservation. It also covers important and sometimes controversial issues, such as public access on private land, the need for predator and pest control, and many other aspects which need to be considered by keepers, be they part-time or professional. You'll discover important information about: - The gamekeeper's calendar - Rearing and releasing methods - Safe and sensible use of veterinary medicines - Legislation and the law - Health & safety requirements - How to become a qualified keeper and the training needed. Bang up to date, this book also incorporates fascinating and interesting snippets and pictures from the past in order to show how this most traditional of countryside occupations has evolved. 'Jeremy Hobson does much in this book to apprise us all of the modern approach to keepering, from raising birds and habitat management to choosing coats and boots and training dogs. It is all here, and a fascinating read it is - both for those in the know and those who are curious to learn all about it.' Alan Titchmarsh, patron of the National Gamekeeper's Organisation
To those faced with running a shoot, the difficulties are very substantial and they require imaginative solutions. Running A Shoot - A Complete Guide contains many of the answers and is essential reading for all those involved in organizing and running shoots. This invaluable book is probably the most comprehensive work on the subject, and considers how to find suitable land, rental options, preparing a budget, letting days, keeping records, insurance, health and safety, taking over new ground, buying in poults or rearing chicks, shoot transport and habitat improvement. It examines in detail predator control, springtime management, rearing and releasing, game crops and summer tasks, and discusses the necessary preparation for the shooting season, the shooting day itself and how to avoid problems. Along with information on health, hygiene, diseases and veterinary legislation and a useful month-by-month summary of tasks and duties, it is essential reading for all those running a shoot efficiently and prodcutively. Superbly illustrated in colour with 95 photographs and 14 line drawings.
A comprehensive guide for the amateur gamekeeper, Rearing Game Birds and Gamekeeping provides practical step-by-step advice on how to raise pheasants and red-leg partridges, with a particular emphasis on the health and welfare of the birds. Beth Williams provides an insight into each species and covers a range of topics from choosing breeding stock and incubating eggs to rearing chicks and nurturing game. This hands-on guide draws on a wide range of accepted best practices, including experiences of overseas successes, and advises on rearing game in a low-cost and effective manner, without compromising on quality.
This comprehensive, practical guide covers everything you need to know about creating and maintaining your shooting ground, from breeding gamebirds such as pheasants and partridges to advice on running a successful shoot day. A useful addition to every shooting mans library and an invaluable guide for gamekeepers, game-keeping students, shooting syndicates, and anyone who has an interest in how a partridge and pheasant shoot is run. Topics covered include: Stock selection Habitat management Predator control Egg production and hatching Rearing and releasing game Game crop establishment and holding game
This book is a comprehensive gamekeeping manual for those enthusiastic amateurs who spend their spare time running a small DIY syndicate shoot, and for those who are professionally employed on a full-time basis. It shows the reader how to perform all the tasks required of the modern gamekeeper, including how to rear and release game and advises on many aspects of habitat improvement and conservation. It also covers important and sometimes controversial issues, such as public access on private land, the need for predator and pest control, and many other aspects which need to be considered by keepers, be they part-time or professional. You'll discover important information about: - The gamekeeper's calendar - Rearing and releasing methods - Safe and sensible use of veterinary medicines - Legislation and the law - Health & safety requirements - How to become a qualified keeper and the training needed. Bang up to date, this book also incorporates fascinating and interesting snippets and pictures from the past in order to show how this most traditional of countryside occupations has evolved. 'Jeremy Hobson does much in this book to apprise us all of the modern approach to keepering, from raising birds and habitat management to choosing coats and boots and training dogs. It is all here, and a fascinating read it is - both for those in the know and those who are curious to learn all about it.' Alan Titchmarsh, patron of the National Gamekeeper's Organisation
In 1995 the National Trust for Scotland acquired Mar Lodge Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms. Home to over 5,000 species, this vast expanse of Caledonian woodlands, subarctic mountains, bogs, moors, roaring burns and frozen lochs could be a place where environmental conservation and Highland field sports would exist in harmony. The only problem was that due to centuries of abuse by human hands, the ancient Caledonian pinewoods were dying, and it would take radical measures to save them. After 25 years of extremely hard work, the pinewoods, bogs, moors and mountains are returning to their former glory. Regeneration is the story of this success, featuring not only the people who are protecting the land and quietly working to undo the wrongs of the past, but also the myriad creatures which inspire them to do so. In addition, it also tackles current controversies such as raptor persecution, deer management and rewilding and asks bigger questions about the nature of conservation itself: what do we see when we look at our wild places? What should we see?
