As a gamekeeper I have experience in all aspects of released bird employment, from lowland to high bird, pheasant, partridge and duck, on family and commercial ventures, setting up new shoots or carrying on established shoots. I have grown to face all that is happening in this modern world and continually adapting and achieving high returns
As part of a team of three keepers we shoot 80+ driven and 80+ walked up, Labrador field trials and training days, regularly hosting 3 days simultaneously. In my time of employment on this estate we have twice held the IGL championship where I was responsible with the beaters to getting and holding the game in cover. I also guide mainly international clients on muntjac, roe, fallow and red deer hunts.
I am solely responsible for the day to day management of my 2500 acre beat on which 22000 pheasants and 20000 partridges are released and the incubation and rearing of 25000 mallard release on the 100 acre lake. Only legal vermin control, estate security and maintenance, basic vehicle and machinery maintenance, dogging in and feeding / watering and healthcare of birds and deer.
Day to day running of the estates new shooting enterprise situated in the North downs AONB, including liaising with multiple agencies with interests on the estate, purchasing and budget controls, organising shoot days, maintenance of machinery and vehicles, establishing cover crops, vermin control, building and maintaining estates release pens and tracks, shooting weekly with expected bags of 200 -250 pheasant per let day.
I started as a beatkeeper on the hired beat before replacing the headkeeper on the Roydon hall beat and became senior beatkeeper when another beat was acquired under the shooting and estate manager. Responsible for the release and feeding and wellbeing of hand fed released pheasant to be shot by private guests of nothing less than 500 per day.
All types of agricultural and highways fencing carried out to very high quality and differing specifications. Responsible for the safe use and maintenance of tractors, mulchers, chippers, mowers post knocker and hand tools. Although based in East Yorks this employment saw us working nationally and Ireland. Experience was also gained in large scale planting of hard and softwood species and native hedgerow mixes.
Responsible for the rearing of pheasant and partridge from day old to being sold from 7 week old, site and staff health and hygiene, delivery of saleable products nationwide, looking after the shoot and the closed laying flock and the hiring of seasonal staff.
Upon leaving college I took up a position at Continental landscapes (Bransholme, Hull contract) as a tractor driver on a local authority contract worth £590000 per annum. I was quickly promoted to chargehand with a team responsible for grass cutting, edging off, shrub bed work, litter clearance, planting shrubs, standard trees and whips, re seeding and turfing damaged and new grass areas, domestic, municipal and fine turf ( Sutton Park Golf Course). After 4 years and rising to supervisor I moved to Great Yarmouth to take up a similar role with Glendale again working for local authority.
Able to turn my hand to almost any task asked of me
I have a positive but also realistic attitude and good attention to detail, carrying out tasks to high standards
I conduct myself politely and pleasantly to clients, promoting the company's image thus aiding repeat custom and the using the word of mouth toolbar to assist in continued progression of the business or my employers esteem
Commitment has always been 100% throughout my career, serving me well as I have progressed, learning everyday
Working on my own initiative is an everyday occurrence and is something I enjoy, but equally working as part of a team is satisfying in order to achieve best results
Communication is a strong skill I possess firmly believing that it improves relationships between employers, employees, contractors and the public