kennett Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Just had it confirmed, the little shoot I have keepered for the last 5 years has officially changed hands and the new lease holder wants to do it all himself. Feels pretty rubbish and not sure what I am going to do with my spare time! Why does there have to be so much politics in shooting, surely we are all here for the same reason, to have a good time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scimitar Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Been there 3 years ago, still not got anywhere new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Sorry to hear that mate. A shoot that I'm part time Keeper on is trying to expand and I'm hoping next year I may get taken on full time but I'm not holding my breath because the costs are so high. The boss has started breeding his own birds now so there is hope. One suggestion I can make. As you know, many people don't realise how much work goes into running a shoot so stay on good terms with the new leaseholder and it's possible he'll need help, which will get you back in there. I'm unpaid but I get all the vermin control I can handle. I get given a Muntjac or two and I get a couple of days on Pheasants as well as the beaters day so I never need to buy meat from the butchers. I'm allowed to invite people for Pigeon/Rabbit shooting days and keep the money so there's enough to pay for my own shooting. Be patient, once the bunnies or Pigeons have trashed his cover crops he may need help. If not then I hope you find something soon, it's horrible being sat at home looking out of the window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) Sounds like we were in exactly the same boat, I used to do everything for free in return for a couple of driven days with the old syndicate and keep the rabbits and pigeons down for the farm, but the new richer leaseholder wants to expand and do everything by him self, with no help from any one even though we all know he hasn't got the first clue about rearing birds, releasing or how a drive works. So your right, stay on good terms and hope he gets himself in a mess! The worst thing is thats my cottage is basically in the middle of the shoot, so can see everything going on! Edited June 30, 2013 by kennett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Sounds like we were in exactly the same boat, I used to do everything for free in return for a couple of driven days with the old syndicate and keep the rabbits and pigeons down for the farm, but the new richer leaseholder wants to expand and do everything by him self, with no help from any one even though we all know he hasn't got the first clue about rearing birds, releasing or how a drive works. So your right, stay on good terms and hope he gets himself in a mess! The worst thing is thats my cottage is basically in the middle of the shoot, so can see everything going on! Yeah, as I say, I'm not holding my breath as far as getting paid goes. Maybe that, once it has dawned on him it's 24/7/365 job then it will dawn on him that it's not a one man job. Can you put a feeder on your lawn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Just had it confirmed, the little shoot I have keepered for the last 5 years has officially changed hands and the new lease holder wants to do it all himself. Feels pretty rubbish and not sure what I am going to do with my spare time! Why does there have to be so much politics in shooting, surely we are all here for the same reason, to have a good time! I would keep in touch with the chap as he may get bored after a bit and want you back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sable Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 i had the same problem no place to shoot so i bought my own land at auction it took me 2 years to find still looking for more its off a certain water company i bought 2 plots i rent one out to graze horses on. and the prices was unbelavable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 i had the same problem no place to shoot so i bought my own land at auction it took me 2 years to find still looking for more its off a certain water company i bought 2 plots i rent one out to graze horses on. and the prices was unbelavable What are the on-going costs with regards to owning land? Are there any taxes to pay (Business rates, council tax, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sable Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 no nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 As others have said;keep on good terms with the new bloke.You never know;if he sees you bear no grudges and he starts to struggle,you may get that call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Would agree 100% with the above comments very few folk appreciate just how much work is involved and the volume off wheat that has to be hand balled out A local toff (very nice fella thou) who ran a cracking family shoot, done the same thing a few years ago told the part timer he'd do it all, that seson he lost all of 700 poults within 2 days no idea why, no bodies, Turns out from the keeper who now rents the shoot he had decided to srtim round his 2 year old fencer built pen, an absolute cracker, no expense spared, but had been slightly to close to wire. Holes all round it Don't think it will be too long before u get the call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 It all depends on how prepared they are, we took on a shoot and had to give the old mob the boot and really you have to at times if you want to run it differently. Its harsh but reality, it does help that the ex keeper was a bit of a knob jockey. The answer is to get the message out that you are looking for some keepering in return for shooting and odds are some syndicate will give you a go. If not then look for as much beating as possible and the opportunities will turn up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted July 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Cheers for the advice everyone, al4x the problem is I would have counted this bloke as a friend, have known him for years and even spoke up for him when asked about him by the landowner, his friends have told him he would be stupid not to ask me to help..but oh well its his shoot now and he can do as he likes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinach Posted July 12, 2013 Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 Why don't you see him and offer any help if he needs it. As you say if it all goes wrong if your getting on it'll be easier for him to let you back in. Shame you couldn't have been transferred with the land. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted July 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2013 Well as people have already said im going to try and make my self as useful as possible and try to get back on when he gets bored/makes a mistake! Had a phone already asking to help with the rabbit shooting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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