• Founded in 1997 by a handful of gamekeepers concerned that their profession was under-represented. Rapidly became recognised as the main representative body for gamekeeping in England and Wales. Amalgamated with the former Moorland Gamekeepers' Association which became the NGO Moorland Branch

•  

Just some of the NGO's remarkable achievements:

- Fought and reversed Government changes that restricted all pest bird control and pigeon shooting

- Set up simple, effective training for all gamekeepers in game meat hygiene to meet new EU rules

• - Trained over 2000 gamekeepers in the above in just one year, allowing game meat sales to continue
• - Sent gamekeepers to Strasbourg to address MEPs in the European Parliament
• - Issued first clear advice on impact of Hunting Act on gamekeeping and shooting
• - Sponsored and addressed the first ever national police conference on rural crime
• - Ran the first ever national seminar on gamekeeper education
• - Helped to set up and fund the Countryside Survey, showing how gamekeepers help the environment
• - Helped revise and promote the Code of Good Shooting Practice, keeping it practical
• - Set up voluntary NGO regions up and down the country
• - Ran enjoyable and educational events for gamekeeper members and supporters
• - Produced a quarterly, widely-praised magazine for all members
• - Organised national auctions which raised over £250,000 for the NGO's work
• - Facilitated a positive national debate on the future of game shooting
• - Funded research to keep the grey partridge on the quarry list
• - Gave practical help to scientists investigating stoats, weasels and brown hares
• - Worked with LANTRA to improve gamekeeper training
• - Financed research into the effects of gamekeeping on songbirds
• - Conducted regular surveys to help towards better marketing for shot game
• - Met thousands of members and the public at the major game and country fairs
• - Re-established the 'Golden Pheasant' clay shooting competition for keepers
• - Set up the 'Golden Grouse' equivalent for upland keepers
• - Earned a place on the UK Committee of FACE (the EU fieldsports lobby)
• - Attracted sponsorship from major multinationals like Ford and Brights Seeds
• - Produced a lawyers guide, free for all gamekeeper members, on handling police searches
• - Passed the 15,000 member mark in just 14 years
• - Trained gamekeepers professionally to appear on TV and radio
• - Established the NGO Educational Trust to meet thousands of schoolchildren on estate visits every year
• - Ran a series of countrywide gamebird disease seminars
• - Lobbied successfully for changes to an impractical Government code for gamebird rearing
• - Suggested, promoted and achieved the new 'other lawful quarry' condition on Firearms Certificates
• - Wrote and delivered a Shotgun Loaders Course throughout the country to meet new safety requirements
• - Fought successfully against a Government proposal to 'tax' all gamebird keepers
• - Assisted practically in the fight against Avian Flu
• - Supported sensible changes to the Game Acts and Deer Act which then became law
• - Published several editions of Sporting Shooting and the Law, a comprehensive guide for just £8
• - Lobbied for the retention of heather burning and helped write the Defra Burning Code
• - Defended the use of rat bait and won an exemption for burying dead rats
• - Clarified the legal use of the Rodenator under UK law
• - Provided advice to members on firearms as needed via a renowned specialist
• -Instituted an annual award for the best gamekeeping student
• - Ensured releasing could not be stopped under 'non-native species' legislation
• - Sought revision of trap inspection times to make them more practica
• - Worked with game crop manufacturers on new varieties and cultivation regimes
• - Raised a fund of £1 million for the defence and promotion of gamekeeping
• - Reversed Government proposals banning dogs from being left on their own
• - Supported year-round pest control of Canada Geese, now on the General Licences
• - Established a Free Legal Helpline for all NGO members
• - Campaigned for licences to control problem buzzards
• - Published a nationwide survey on Gamekeepers and Wildlife
• - Developed a training course for the police and delivered it free of charge throughout England and Wales
• - Influenced the Law Commission's review of all wildlife laws in England and Wales
• - Attended a meeting at 10 Downing Street to discuss Coalition rural policy
• - Alerted the shooting community to an HSE ban on rat baits and campaigned for reversal

.....and the good work goes on