Gamekeepers The gamekeeper plays an important role on a working estate. It is his job to keep the balance between livestock, wild animals and game, and vermin. Grouse, pheasant, partridge and deer are traditionally reared on English estates. Beeley Moor, on the Chatsworth estate, is one of the most southerly grouse moors in the country. Controlled heather burning on the moorland is another of the gamekeeper’s duties. As he goes about his work he keeps an eye open for injured animals, badger baiters and poachers. Today’s poachers might get away with a fine if they are caught. In medieval times it meant torture and death. Poaching was a serious offence under the Game Laws. The only people allowed to shoot game were the landowners, their eldest sons and regular gamekeepers. Read More >> More Pictures Hunting & Fishing