Gamekeeper

Gamekeepers usually work on country estates. They make sure there are plenty of game animals and fish, such as deer, pheasants, salmon or trout, for clients to shoot or catch on the estate.

The Work

You could be:

• breeding game birds or fish


• burning heather to make better grazing for game birds


• using a gun and other methods to control vermin such as foxes, crows or rats


• organising shooting and fishing parties, arranging the sale of game afterwards and keeping records of what was shot or caught


• supervising staff such as beaters, who flush out birds during shoots


• checking that anglers have the correct permits


• patrolling the estate looking for poachers


• training a gun dog and working with it


• repairing fences, game enclosures, and other equipment, and cleaning guns.

Conditions

• The work is outdoors in all weathers and it can be muddy, wet and cold.


• You may have to deal with poachers.


• Working hours can be long.


• You would have to live in the country, away from towns.


• You may have to live on the estate.

Getting In

• A good general education is useful. However, entry can be competitive so it is also helpful to have a group of Standard grades.


• You may get in through a Modern Apprenticeship.


• You could take a National Certificate (NC), National Qualification (NQ), Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in gamekeeping with wildlife management, estate and countryside skills, highland gamekeeping, countryside management or a similar subject before applying for a job.


• Entry requirements for the NC are up to 4 Standard grades; for the HNC or HND normally 1-2 Highers or the NC are required.


• Previous countryside work experience is helpful, for example in agriculture or forestry. A year's experience of this type may be required for entry to some full-time courses.


• You may need a full, clean driving licence.


• You need to be fit as there is a lot of active outdoors work, often on rough ground.


• You should not suffer from hay fever or be allergic to animals.


• As you will use a shotgun, you must have the necessary certificate.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• interested in traditional country activities


• good with your hands


• willing to do hard physical work


• able to work on your own without supervision


• able to handle animals and kill vermin


• able to deal with bloodshed and the death of animals without being squeamish


• able to do practical tasks, such as repairing fencing and dry stone dykes


• able to use a gun safely, without danger to people.

Training

• Training is normally on-the-job, often combined with study for a relevant qualification.


• You might be able to take a part-time college course to get an NC or a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ).


• Modern Apprenticeships normally lead to SVQs in Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management at Levels 2 and 3.


• Organisations such as the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the British Deer Society (BDS) may be able to provide information on other courses and training opportunities.

Getting On

• There can be a structured promotion route from underkeeper to second underkeeper or beatkeeper.


• With further experience, you can become ‘single-handed’ gamekeeper on a small estate.


• You could become a specialist keeper such as a deer stalker or water bailiff.


• You might progress to head gamekeeper on a large estate with responsibility for supervising other staff.


• Some gamekeepers move into related fields such as conservation, countryside management or forestry.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

While there are about 6,000 gamekeepers in the UK, only about 3,000 of these are full-time. The others combine gamekeeping with other jobs in the countryside.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.