Question 1

Robert, what brought you into gamekeeping?

Accepted Answer

As I boy I helped a relative who was a gamekeeper which inspired me to follow the career that I have. Since leaving school it’s all I’ve ever done, or wanted to do!

Question 2

How long have you worked at Houghton?

Accepted Answer

I’ve been here since 1997 and before that I worked at Slane Castle in Ireland for the Marquess of Conyngham, and previous to that at a couple of Suffolk estates.

Question 3

Can you walk us through a typical working day.

Accepted Answer

There is no typical working day!

It’s an incredibly varied job with every season presenting its own pleasures and challenges. This starts in the spring with casting of antlers and witnessing regrowth. Then the dropping of the first fawns and calves, and watching them develop, followed by the autumn rut and the noises associated with it through to the winter feeding routine.

Question 4

Beyond the deer, what projects have you led to improve the park's wider biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Above and beyond managing the deer herd we also manage the wider conservation measures on the estate, such as the planting of 21 kilometres of new hedging. Annually, we grow in excess of 200 acres of organic pollen, nectar and wild bird seed mixes around every single field. Organic methods produce their own challenges but are incredibly rewarding.

Question 5

What is the best bit of your job?

Accepted Answer

The seasonality – there is always something to look forward to. Also the variety of the job, the way it’s constantly changing. And I love working with nature.

Question 6

And the most challenging?

Accepted Answer

Probably the most challenging element to the role is when nature works against you – such as  having to work through extreme wet or extreme drought. We’ve experience both in recent years, and it feels as if nature is working hard against your objectives. However, these are challenges we meet and overcome.

Question 7

Do you have a favourite species amongst the deer?

Accepted Answer

I have a very special affection for both the red and fallow deer – for different reasons. The white fallow for their historic presence at Houghton and the red deer for their majesty.

Question 8

Anything you’d like to add?

Accepted Answer

One of the hardest things, which is close to my heart, is improving the public perception of venison consumption and enlightening people about its true value. The meat is very lean, is high in protein, sustainable, readily available and far more affordable than most people imagine.

Caring for Houghton Deer

Houghton Life with Robert Hall