Back from the Midland - with signed books!

Back from the Midland Game Fair where several authors were kind enough to sign a few copies of their books for us. We only have a small number of signed copies of each of these so if you are after a copy get your order in quickly! Details below:

Stalking Muntjac A complete guide By Graham Downing

Mint in dust-wrapper. Signed by the author. Only £25.00 - click here.

The spread of muntjac across southern England has made deer stalking available to more sportsmen than ever before."In this book, Graham Downing outlines their origin and spread, explains in detail their natural history and gives his experiences of muntjac stalking. He covers the pursuit of muntjac on foot, the use of high seats and calls, and even the rare opportunity to stalk barking muntjac by sound alone. For the stalker who is interested in trophies there is advice on the preparation and measuring of heads, while nobody who enjoys local food, fresh from the countryside can fail to be enthused by his notes on muntjac cookery." Chapters include:- The story of muntjac in Britain; Natural history; Muntjac and man; Stalking practicalities; A muntjac stalking philosophy; View from a high seat; Both feet on the ground; Calling all muntjac; A feast of muntjac; Trophies.

Gamekeeping An illustrated history By David S.D. Jones

Mint in dust-wrapper. Signed by the author. Only £25.00 - click here.

"David Jones has written a fascinating and comprehensive book on the history of gamekeeping since the inception of the profession in the late seventeenth century until the present time. He writes about all aspects of gamekeeping with chapters on training, pay, cottages, gamekeepers in wartime, loaders and loading, lady gamekeepers, gamekeeping throughout the UK and Ireland and also overseas, especially in the days of the British empire. There is an interesting section on the moorland gamekeeper which includes the memories of George Grass of Ramsgill. Gamekeeping not only contains a but also draws on oral and written testimonies from gamekeepers, contemporary newspaper cuttings and extracts from historic documents. With its comprehensive coverage and wealth of stunning illustrations, this book provides a unique insight into gamekeeping and gives an accurate record of gamekeeping in times past, something often neglected by other authors who have painted a much rosier picture of the gamekeepers life in bygone days, rather than a truthful one based on hard facts." Chapters include:- The gamekeeper; The gamekeeping hierarchy; Gamekeepers' pay and perks; Gamekeeper training; The gamekeeper and his caste; Game preservation; Poaching; Pest control; Game shooting; Gamekeepers' cottages; The gamekeeper abroad; Gamekeeping in Scotland; Gamekeeping in Ireland; A country gentleman's country gentleman; Gamekeeping professional bodies; The moorland gamekeeper - memories of George Grass of Ramsgill; The park keeper; The lady gamekeeper - a rare bird; Gamekeepers in wartime; Loaders and loading; Beaters past and present; Game records.

Think Like A Pheasant Brian Mitchell and the rise of the Exmoor high bird By Brian Mitchell and Stephen Manning

Mint in dust-wrapper. Signed by both authors. Only £25.00 - click here.

"A fascinating and comprehensive book on the life of Brian Mitchell and his philosophy towards gamekeeping and countryside management - his once controversial views on pheasant rearing and cover crops are now accepted worldwide. The book covers his early working life from under keeper on the Sherborne Estate through to the great Exmoor shoot of Miltons where Brian saw the potential of the shoot to produce the now renowned Exmoor high bird. It discusses his move to Castle Hill, the many challenges he faced there and the development of the shoot over 25 years. Mishaps and successes are chronicled and each chapter is littered full of anecdotes - many of them humorous - and laced with the names of characters from the world of shooting." With a preface by Prince Eric Sturdza and an introduction by David Clark, head gamekeeper on The Sandringham Estate. Chapters include:- The morning after the season before; An early love of the country; Mapperton - a new life and a new challenge; Miltons and the goal of the Exmoor high bird; Castle Hill - a new beginning; 'Prevention better than cure...'; 'Not always the most popular guy...'; The future of the Exmoor high bird; Legacy and the future.