One Last Throw Of The Dice!

[RubyTex 1,957]

Right ladies and gents. I thought i'd give it one last push before giving up on the idea of ever becoming a 'keeper completely.

 

I'm looking for a role in the countryside sector, which I know are hard to come by these days, but i'm willing to do anything, game farming, underkeeper, gardener, ghillie, labour, general dogsbody, skivvy etc. I'm a hard working lad, well spoken and polite, work well on my own or in a team, i'm approachable and friendly, don't mind getting stuck right in and I have SOME experience.

 

I have been shooting since about 2005, voluntarily assisted my local keeper out with everything to do on a shoot since 2007 (fencing, feeding, pest control, etc) (beating and picking up also) and took a role abroad in 2012 which didn't quite work out.

 

Since then I've been pushing to get back into the field, and out of desperation took a role in the fast food industry in order to pay the bills. This actually hasn't been a bad thing because it has motivated me to push on and try one last time.

 

I have experience of feeding, watering, fencing, pest control, bitting, collecting eggs, dogging in, looking after the dogs, beating, picking up and any other assorted tasks associated with a shoot.

 

I have driven everything from quad bikes, with trailers, Rhinos, tractors, cars, vans up to 3.5 t and hold a full UK driving license.

 

I also have gardening experience to a high standard, from mowing lawns, to strimming and cutting hedges and everything else you can think of! This also involved using a tractor with the appropriate cutter on the back.

 

I check the shooting websites daily to no avail, so if anyone on here knows of a vacancy, or has one themselves and you want to consider me, please PM for further discussion.

 

Cheers and All the best

 

Frazer

[the_stig 6,614]

don't give up on it and good luck...

[gintrap100 1]

Google jobs for keeper's there is a few under keeper/trainee position's available at the moment.good luck

[bodach 25]

Look up Cawdor estate and send your cv to them, hard work and go through a few under keepers.

 

Awe the best.

 

B.

[RubyTex 1,957]

Cheers guys.

 

I've applied to a few this week, and an apprenticeship.

 

Fingers crossed..

[greenshank1 407]

Hi mate

 

Look in highland papers as there have been quite a few jobs recently as stalking estates get their seasonal ghillies and river watchers.

 

Press and Journal , Oban Times and West Highland Free Press are all worth watching .

 

Best of luck.

[2.8 guy 403]

Hi R T I think I read you was a keeper in one of your earlier posts what qualifications do you have? I work along side many shoots (high moor) but never really gave being a keeper a second thought until this year im 37 and thought id be too long in the tooth to go to college but when I rang them at askern bryan they said they would be happy to take me on as a student so I may well be going back to school september good luck with searching atb 2.8

[RubyTex 1,957]

Hi R T I think I read you was a keeper in one of your earlier posts what qualifications do you have? I work along side many shoots (high moor) but never really gave being a keeper a second thought until this year im 37 and thought id be too long in the tooth to go to college but when I rang them at askern bryan they said they would be happy to take me on as a student so I may well be going back to school september good luck with searching atb 2.8

I have no qualifications by way of gamekeeping! Just experience. Although I'm looking at college, just need to find a way to fund it first and go from there. Are you paying yourself through? Cheers

 

Not one reply to any of the jobs ive applied for - disheartening!

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

It must be a wee bit soul destroying..but,..you are a young man, with all your life ahead of ya,..

Don't get too bogged down, in wanting to do something that might not be on the cards,...be adaptable,...and whilst keeping your goal firmly alive, on the back boiler,..maybe , think again,...get yourself into doing something you enjoy,...and remain vigilant for an opportunity.

 

All the best to you,.kind regards, Phil.

[RubyTex 1,957]

Wise words indeed Phil.

 

I was directed to a job page this morning which covers all outdoor roles so there's another twenty odd applications sent for jobs suitable for me. Gardening, farm work etc.

 

ATB

[darbo 4,776]

Wise words indeed Phil.

 

I was directed to a job page this morning which covers all outdoor roles so there's another twenty odd applications sent for jobs suitable for me. Gardening, farm work etc.

 

ATB

All i can say is keep trying when the recession started the firm i was working for went bust and it took 79 applications before i got another job and 75% of them never got back to me. i have had a trade for 34 years and every qualification needed. Good luck with perseverance you will get there im sure.

[STRANGER 948]

You need to start from the bottom Ruby if its what you want to do, everyone has went through it

 

Should have went up for that ghillie interview last year, big missed opportunity there. These are the kind of jobs you should be going for, even if its just 6 months work its better than 6 months putting gherkins on buns (lol had to get a dig in there as well , still think its fookin hilarious you working at Mac's )

 

Best of luck mate and Ill keep an eye out as usual.

 

[danw 1,748]

You need to start from the bottom Ruby if its what you want to do, everyone has went through it

 

Should have went up for that ghillie interview last year, big missed opportunity there. These are the kind of jobs you should be going for, even if its just 6 months work its better than 6 months putting gherkins on buns (lol had to get a dig in there as well , still think its fookin hilarious you working at Mac's )

 

Best of luck mate and Ill keep an eye out as usual.

 

There is no much about though I heard of a nice part time job the other day would have suited RT then get told a keeper who got made redundant with 29 years experience got it

[2.8 guy 403]

Hi R T I was talking to my keeper friend at the weekend and we was talking about this subject I told him I was thinking about doing the course on game keeping he said it would show commitment and that I was seriouse about the job of keepering But did say if he didnt know me he would be wondering why at such a late date in my life and that I would have to really work hard to put a case up against young people just out of school whos done nothing els but keepering

He says that when he puts a ad for a underkeeper he gets at least 50 applications that go something like I bought a ferret last week and really fancy becoming a keeper of course they dont get a interview but you get the idea so if your qualified at least it takes you out of that category.

 

In recent years ive noticed a few head keepers high moor that are very young around 30 years old and asked him why he put this down to a land agent that likes young head keepers and this seems to be the trend at the moment This also makes me see that the qualification route is right for me because if you look at it like this its the keeper that interviews you and its his choice to pick you or not but if he had 20 applicants under say 25 qualified then picks a nearly 40 year old with none im sure the land agent and bosses would be wondering why even though ive worked along side and supported the estate for the last 15 years I dont take anything for granted or expect a passage into the job because of this

 

It goes without saying experience is worth masses and the more you do the better I dont know your circumstances but theres part time courses and funding available and if your out of work and go for the full time option its free for apprenticeships theres no funding as your classed as working but this is only what ive read on the website courses start in september and I would give your nearest college a call im unsure at this moment what it will cost for me

Good luck with your quest and dont ever give up on your dreams they keep us going I hope you get sorted and if you pm me a contact and I can help you I will atb 2.8

[RubyTex 1,957]

STRANGER, on 23 Jun 2014 - 11:40 AM, said:

You need to start from the bottom Ruby if its what you want to do, everyone has went through it

 

Should have went up for that ghillie interview last year, big missed opportunity there. These are the kind of jobs you should be going for, even if its just 6 months work its better than 6 months putting gherkins on buns (lol had to get a dig in there as well , still think its fookin hilarious you working at Mac's )

 

Best of luck mate and Ill keep an eye out as usual.

 

 

Aye that was only 6 weeks work though, but still should have got up there for it I know that.

 

I'm up for starting at the bottom for sure, but there isn't much down there either lol McDonald's isn't so bad really, it's easy money, work with a good bunch of people (some muppets) and usually have a laugh. It's just McDonalds lol

 

Aye give us a text, i'll be your assistant / wing man