Game and Gamekeeping
About Game and Gamekeeping
The BASC Game and Gundogs team offers a range of benefits and services to members. The top five game and gamekeeping services offered by the team are:
- Promoting high standards and good game conservation practice throughout game shooting and gamekeeping.
- Providing guidance on all aspects of game, habitat and shoot management through bespoke publications and expert advice.
- Working with, and providing advice to, UK and European government agencies on aspects of game shooting and game management.
- Providing shooters and gamekeepers with professional full-time representation.
- Ensuring that gamekeeping and game shooting activities are proportionally treated within exotic disease planning and disease outbreak management.
Avian Influenza Update
BASC is advising members that following routine monitoring, outbreaks of Avian Influenza have been confirmed in the UK. It has been reported that H5N8, a strain of Avian Influenza, has been detected in wild and captive birds.
New counselling service is now available
Health is paramount to working in any physically demanding job, however, many forget that mental health is equally important. The serious impact mental ill health can have on individual gamekeepers and their families has caused alarm recently. The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust (GWT) supports all gamekeepers, stalkers and their families whenever help is needed.
In June 2020, the GWT gamekeeping survey confirmed the need for further services to help alleviate stress and promote mental health wellbeing within the community. This view was further reinforced by the excellent survey published by the Scottish Government which involved members of the SGA, BASC and Moorland Groups. Click here to read more about the survey.
In response, from 1 December 2020, counselling services, as well as resilience training and associated support will be available to all gamekeepers, stalkers or ghillies regardless of which association they belong to. GWT’s Jamie’s Helpline, dedicated to help those who are struggling to cope, will also be available for all to use. It is accessible and reachable at any time and calls are free from any phone.
The counselling services are confidential and add to a range of support services the GWT offers all over the UK.
Helen Benson, GWT Chief Executive said: “I am absolutely delighted we are now able to offer the next step in support for individuals in our community who need our help and support. This is an important move forward to be able to provide a completely holistic service for our gamekeepers and their families.”
To contact the GWT you can send them an email or phone 01677 470 180.
Related News
‘Unnecessary’ interim licences must not disrupt shooting, says BASC
Government propose short-term licensing measures for gamebird release on and near to protected sites in latest consultation.
Gamekeeper survey reports alarming increase in abuse
BASC is raising awareness of attacks on the gamekeeping profession that are unwarranted and would not be accepted in any other occupation.
The unsung victims
Fuelled largely by media bias and a populist agenda, the anti-gamekeeper feeding frenzy of late must cease, says Ian Grindy.