THE MOORLAND GAMEKEEPER J. SPOTTISWOODE DAVID & CHARLES 1977 1st edition. 22 x 14 cm. 184 pp + b/w photo plates. HB/DJ This entertaining and informative volume lays claim to be the definitive study of the work of the moorland gamekeeper. Covering the keeper's life, from early days to retirement, it looks at all the skills and responsibilities needed to carry out what is often a lonely, but always rewarding existence. Much emphasis is placed on the maintenance of good ground, especially the art of heather burning to ensure adequate food for the red grouse, the keeper's raison d'etre. Many creatures which prey on game are fully described, as are methods of vermin control, and the often more familiar two-legged poacher is not let off lightly! With a lifetime of keeping behind him, and a considerable amount of that time spent writing articles for game magazines, Mr Spottiswoode has a practised eye for detail and a journalist's eye for a good tale. He writes with understanding of the keeper's social life and duties, particularly his relationship with neighbouring hill shepherds, and his ability to organise all aspects of a successful day's shooting, from providing beaters to arranging accommodation and lunch for the guns. And he writes with pleasure of the coming of the 'glorious twelfth', the sport of a well-organised drive, the dogs and the different conditions which affect shooting near the end of the season. In his Foreword, Edward Askwith, editor of Gamekeeper and Countryside, to which Mr Spottiswoode has contributed for over 12 years, writes: 'I believe he knows more about moorland maintenance and keepering . . . game-birds and their care . . . and moorland shoot organisation, than any man living.' It is this accumulated knowledge which enables the author to tell of past conditions — the ancient bothies, a suit as part of a year's wages, the 'status symbol' of the vermin pole - whilst putting them in the context of social change which has brought in large syndicates and placed greater emphasis on long-term planning. As the big land-owning estates are split up, the art of a gamekeeper is a dying one. Anyone interested in the ways of the countryside will appreciate Mr Spottiswoode's writing and learn much of both man and beasts from his detailed, evocative text. CONTENTS FOREWORD WHAT IS A GAMEKEEPER? THE KEEPER'S WORK GAME ON THE MOOR THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD HEATHER SUMMER WORK POACHING ON THE MOOR PREDATORS I—FOXES PREDATORS II—THE CORVINES PREDATORS III—THE MUSTELINES VERMIN DESTRUCTION SHOOTING DAYS GROUSE DRIVING BUTTS AND OTHER METHODS DOGS ON THE MOOR RETIRING GAMEKEEPERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INDEX

THE MOORLAND
GAMEKEEPER

J. SPOTTISWOODE

DAVID & CHARLES
1977

First edition.

This entertaining and informative volume lays claim to be the definitive study of the work of the moorland gamekeeper. Covering the keeper's life, from early days to retirement, it looks at all the skills and responsibilities needed to carry out what is often a lonely, but always rewarding existence. Much emphasis is placed on the maintenance of good ground, especially the art of heather burning to ensure adequate food for the red grouse, the keeper's raison d'etre. Many creatures which prey on game are fully described, as are methods of vermin control, and the often more familiar two-legged poacher is not let off lightly! With a lifetime of keeping behind him, and a considerable amount of that time spent writing articles for game magazines, Mr Spottiswoode has a practised eye for detail and a journalist's eye for a good tale. He writes with understanding of the keeper's social life and duties, particularly his relationship with neighbouring hill shepherds, and his ability to organise all aspects of a successful day's shooting, from providing beaters to arranging accommodation and lunch for the guns. And he writes with pleasure of the coming of the 'glorious twelfth', the sport of a well-organised drive, the dogs and the different conditions which affect shooting near the end of the season.

In his Foreword, Edward Askwith, editor of Gamekeeper and Countryside, to which Mr Spottiswoode has contributed for over 12 years, writes: 'I believe he knows more about moorland maintenance and keepering . . . game-birds and their care . . . and moorland shoot organisation, than any man living.' It is this accumulated knowledge which enables the author to tell of past conditions — the ancient bothies, a suit as part of a year's wages, the 'status symbol' of the vermin pole - whilst putting them in the context of social change which has brought in large syndicates and placed greater emphasis on long-term planning. As the big land-owning estates are split up, the art of a gamekeeper is a dying one. Anyone interested in the ways of the countryside will appreciate Mr Spottiswoode's writing and learn much of both man and beasts from his detailed, evocative text.

CONTENTS
FOREWORD
WHAT IS A GAMEKEEPER?
THE KEEPER'S WORK
GAME ON THE MOOR
THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD HEATHER
SUMMER WORK
POACHING ON THE MOOR
PREDATORS I—FOXES
PREDATORS II—THE CORVINES
PREDATORS III—THE MUSTELINES
VERMIN DESTRUCTION
SHOOTING DAYS
GROUSE DRIVING
BUTTS AND OTHER METHODS
DOGS ON THE MOOR
RETIRING GAMEKEEPERS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INDEX

22 x 14 cm. 184 pp + b/w photo plates.

Fine condition. Dust jacket price clipped and slightly faded on the spine (now in protective cover), otherwise like new.

Part of a collection of shooting books I will be listing over the coming weeks, mostly common titles but all in excellent condition, you won't find nicer examples. I've been selling for over 20 years and have never seen better.  

 





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