Making a living out of shooting

[PlasticJock 539]

I was wondering if it was possible to make a decent living out of shooting (pest and vermin control)?

I don't mean traditional pest control (wasps, cockroaches etc), but fox, rabbit and mole control.

A dream for most shooters, but what would the chances be of getting a few long term contracts, possibly on larger farms with livestock? What sort of earning potential would be in it?

I am aware of a few 'traditional mole catchers' and suchlike, but for someone working on their own, with own transport, guns, traps (a falcon has also been suggested to me), would it be a good idea to do it without setting up a comprehensive business?

It would be interesting to know everyone's opinions.

ATB, Dan.

[BI9JOHNNY 25]

hang on while i go the garage and get a bucket of popcorn.....ok feet up and off we go

in the best possible humour

[The one 8,474]

Think it may be different in parts of england but i dont see Scotland has quite the same number of rabbits etc and theres always being a keeper

[mcrobo123 0]

dont think there's really a living to be made maybe a few bottles at Christmas and a little pocket money but I can't see a farmer paying someone a fee to shoot rabbits when loads of lads will come and do it for free and some will even Pay! Like the one said There's always the option of trying to get a keeping job but they are few and far between by the looks of things.

[danw 1,748]

Thing is lads keepering is a lot more to do with looking after birds than shooting vermin and if he ain't got the passion for showing birds then keepering aint for him

[COMPO 54]

a few quid and such can be made doing pest control and selling game (including rabbits)......but not enough to pay the bills/mortgage

[HUnter_zero 58]

I was wondering if it was possible to make a decent living out of shooting (pest and vermin control)?

ATB, Dan.

 

 

Hi Dan, take it from someone who works as a full time pest controller, the answer is no.

 

John

[LordGamebore 0]

There is a living to me made if you can source land for deer stalking. My friend rents stalking land and takes people shooting on it. He makes a decent living. Do pest control for farmers and landowners in return for stalking. People also make bookings for fox shooting with my mate whic can rung from about £70 a night.

 

Invest in yourself and get some deer stalking and game preperation qualifications under your belt firt, then build up a good reputation.

 

Hope this helps!

[PlasticJock 539]

There is a living to me made if you can source land for deer stalking. My friend rents stalking land and takes people shooting on it. He makes a decent living. Do pest control for farmers and landowners in return for stalking. People also make bookings for fox shooting with my mate whic can rung from about £70 a night.

 

Invest in yourself and get some deer stalking and game preperation qualifications under your belt firt, then build up a good reputation.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers for the advice. Yes you could make a killing (no pun intended!) if you had land available. I am about to start my DSC1 and looking into a few more courses over the course of the next year... Just so everyone's aware I am not considering doing this myself, at the time being anyway, just wanting to know what people think.

Cheers LordGamebore, Dan.