Gamekeepers..... Friend or Foe ?

[cardiffian]

Three weeks ago while my partner and I were on a new permission we had an unexpected face to face with the local gamekeeper. The field was in the middle of a block of three with a small wood separating it from the next. We were merrily swinging away when I looked up to see a landrover careering quickly towards us. It pulled up alongside myself and the driver had a very stern looking expression. Without hesitation I informed him that we had permission off of the owner and tenant. He informed me that he was the gamekeeper and the partridges were in the woods. The shooting season was due to start and he didn't want the birds stressed.

Ten minutes later having after the discussion had turned on to our finds, he had mellowed and said we can carry on in those fields as long as we stayed up in the top halves away from the wood. After showing him a nice medieval belt hanger and a few other bits he then said "don't worry detect anywhere but if the birds are out in the field try and stay away from them". In the end we swapped names and phone numbers, and he said he would ask around to see if he could get us permission elsewhere.

I have been in a similar situation before with the same outcome, and think the way you react has a  bearing on the how you come out of it. They can be very daunting, but at the end of the day they are trying to make a living and need good shoots. Empty bags won't do their reputation any good. Most detectorists I know dislike them. However, if you get them on side they can be very useful, with their knowledge of the land, and a good network of useful contacts.

What are other member's experiences of the Gamekeeper..........Friend or Foe??

[monkeymad]

One of the game keepers around here is notorious for been a stuck up aggressive rich kid who loves nothing more than been an idiot.  The only other teo I know however are very very nice, always interested and very helpful. They are older and wiser.

The one who is idiotic works for the posh and rich the nice two just plod along around the usual farms.

[carling2]

friend or foe,,,er uncle ,,my uncle is a gamekeeper for 2 estates just outside Litchfield,he  is intrested in the finds I show him but ive never asked for detecting permission on there.

[Goldpanner]

I had a superb Permission on a Farm in Essex. First day out I see a Land Rover, thundering across the field at me.
Out hops the Gamekeeper. I tell him I have permission from the farmer. His reply was that it was HIS land and HIS animals and I wasnt going to detect anywhere and I should leave immediately.
That was the end of that. Heartbreaking thing was that in a little over 1 hour I spent detecting I pulled out 3 hammered and I knew there was a lot more there.
Such is life.

[cardiffian]

One of the game keepers around here is notorious for been a stuck up aggressive rich kid who loves nothing more than been an idiot.  The only other teo I know however are very very nice, always interested and very helpful. They are older and wiser.

The one who is idiotic works for the posh and rich the nice two just plod along around the usual farms.

The two that relented after an awkward first encounter, were like you say Monkeymad older and wiser. Having said that I guess the old fellas must have started young at some stage too.

[cardiffian]

friend or foe,,,er uncle ,,my uncle is a gamekeeper for 2 estates just outside Litchfield,he  is intrested in the finds I show him but ive never asked for detecting permission on there.

You never know Carling Xmas is just around the corner. He may just surprise you this year and tell you he has secured you permission to detect on those estates. Wouldn't that be nice...........?

[carling2]

nope , way to far to walk to  ,,besides since the staffs hoard tecies are like flies round poo around that area

[cardiffian]

I had a superb Permission on a Farm in Essex. First day out I see a Land Rover, thundering across the field at me.
Out hops the Gamekeeper. I tell him I have permission from the farmer. His reply was that it was HIS land and HIS animals and I wasnt going to detect anywhere and I should leave immediately.
That was the end of that. Heartbreaking thing was that in a little over 1 hour I spent detecting I pulled out 3 hammered and I knew there was a lot more there.
Such is life.

That is a really tough one Goldpanner. I think I would have been tempted to let the landowner know what he has said about it being HIS land. The only thing is you could then end up with a backside full of shotgun pellets when you are not expecting it. I can understand them being tetchy, because often the farmer will neglect to inform you about them and they don't take that too well. They often pay good money for the shooting rights and think it is an exact science getting it all right for the punters..

[dances with badgers]

sounds like the guy has something to hide in the woods like a crop of marhaweeenieee,it would be maturing about now and harvested next month ( not that i now much about that sort of ting )