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Gamekeeper

Alternative titles for this job include

Gamekeepers manage countryside areas used for shooting and fishing.

Average salary (a year)

£14,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 43 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a gamekeeper

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You could start by doing a college course like:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Countryside and Environment
  • Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management

You can find colleges offering relevant courses through the National Gamekeepers' Organisation Educational Trust.

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this role through an intermediate underkeeper apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to start as an assistant or underkeeper. With further training and experience you could work your way up to become a gamekeeper.

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get experience of countryside work by volunteering on an estate or park.

You can contact organisations like The Conservation Volunteers, the National Trust and National Parks UK for information about work experience opportunities.

More Information

Career tips

Employers value experience of working outdoors and knowledge of the countryside. Practical skills like carpentry would also be useful.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the National Gamekeepers' Organisation for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can get more details about becoming a gamekeeper through the National Gamekeepers' Organisation.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • customer service skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

You'll need a firearms or shotgun certificate for some jobs.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • plan and organise shoots and fishing parties
  • hire and supervise staff like beaters, to flush out birds during shoots
  • keep records of what's shot or caught and arrange the sale of game
  • train and work with gun dogs
  • breed game birds for release
  • protect game from poachers and predators
  • maintain equipment, buildings and game enclosures
  • clear woodland and undergrowth
  • work with the police to deal with crimes like badger digging and hare coursing

Working environment

You could work in a park, in woodland or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to head keeper.

You could also become self-employed by renting the shooting rights to land, or working as a contractor.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a gamekeeper right now.

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Courses In England

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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