291 The Gamekeeper. 



not buy or sell live or dead game, except for his master's 

 account, and with the latter's consent in writing, and then 

 only to a person licensed to deal in game, nor may he 

 purchase game from an unlicensed person. 



It will be observed from the foregoing how very 

 restricted, even in these small matters, are the powers of 

 the gamekeeper, and it would be well if the facts were 

 more widely known and the regulations observed. The 

 position of the gamekeeper must, of its very nature, bring 

 him into contact or dispute with others, and he should be 

 careful always to act entirely within his rights, endeavour- 

 ing to do so without causing needless friction, and without 

 overstepping the mark. Further, he ought always to be 

 well backed up by his master, and the authority extended 

 to him be as ample and far-reaching as is possible within 

 reason. A keeper should never have to refer to his 

 master, the preserver, for authority, and unless he greatly 

 err, the latter should endeavour always to stand by his 

 actions, and back him up. It renders the keeper's duty 

 far easier, pleasanter, and distinctly more effective. 



The gamekeeper's year may be said to end with the 

 legitimate shooting season, but engagements are usually 

 made from Lady Day. This is hardly fair upon a man 

 taking up the charge of a shoot, and a new man ought 

 to be already taking stock of his ground in January, 

 because upon the fulness and exactitude of the informa- 

 tion he gains during the earlier part of the year depends 

 the success of his operations during the coming season. 



It is also at this time that all dilapidations which may 

 have accrued during the shooting- season must be made 

 good again. There will be gaps to be put up, gates, 

 hedges, and hedgerows to be dealt with, work perhaps not 

 wholly performed by the keeper, but anyhow under order 

 and supervision from him, so that all the odd corners, 



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