If you are thinking about studying Game and Wildlife Management in September, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.

To be a great Gamekeeper or land manager, you will need to develop the ability to consider the bigger picture. Game and Wildlife Management is not just about studying shooting sports, habitats and different species, it is about the relationship that exists between them.

How can I develop before September?

Below are some links to podcasts, websites, books and even films which provide a great way of staying inspired and engaged with the course content:

Podcasts:

• The Gamekeeper at Home

YouTube

You may wish to follow and subscribe to some YouTube channels. Here are ones that we would recommend:

• Fieldsports Channel
• BASCfilms
• TGS Outdoors

Books:

Brush up on your UK game species identification – keep a look out when out on a walk. Identification books on most British game species can be found in print, or alternatives are available online.

There are a wide range of game management books available on a number of different topics, focus on something you are interested in and find out more information.

Here are some keywords for you to search

• Moorland
• Gamebird
• Pheasant
• Woodland
• Partridge
• Shooting sports
• Deer management
• And many others

Websites:

There are some really good websites that are full of up to date information on current affairs that relate to the Game and Wildlife management, including best practice guides and links to further reading:

• The British Deer Society
• The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (in particular their advisory guides – make use of these as they are free)
• The British Association for Shooting and Conservation
• The National Gamekeepers Organisation

Magazine and journals

• Shooting Times
• The Countryman’s Weekly

Documentaries:

There are some great documentaries which will help develop your general knowledge and understanding and help you see what an amazing world we live in.

The following are all available online:

• Simon Reeve – Around the World – the Russia series is really interesting
• Race Across the World
• Gamekeeping – The Mini Series
• The Untold Story – A Modern Gamekeeper
• Our Planet – Netflix series exploring how climate change impacts all living creatures

Watching the news: 

You should be regularly watching the news to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in relations to the inter-relationship between people and the environment. You will be really surprised how many of the news bulletins relate to what you are studying.

• BBC News – an excellent source of up to date articles. Explore headings such as science, UK and world
• The Guardian – again many useful articles and logically ordered. Keep an eye on the environment, science, society and global development stories in particular
• The Conversation – up-to-date articles from academics and specialists in the field written in a way that is accessible to all, summarising the key points in a short but insightful articles