Gamekeeper
Gamekeepers manage habitats and wildlife in upland and lowland areas used for shooting and fishing.
- Starter salary£19,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours41 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a gamekeeper, you could:
- organise shooting and fishing parties
- manage staff and work and train gun dogs
- breed birds to release on the land you manage
- protect animals from poachers and predators
- maintain habitats, using agricultural equipment and machinery
Working environment
You could work on a country estate or in woodland.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of public safety and security
- the ability to work on your own
- customer service skills
- knowledge of countryside and wildlife regulations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be flexible and open to change
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a gamekeeper
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
You could take a course at an agricultural college which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to become a gamekeeper.
Courses include:
- countryside management
- countryside and environment
- land and wildlife management
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an Underkeeper Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This takes up to 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Work
You might be able to start as an assistant gamekeeper or underkeeper. You could then work your way up to become a gamekeeper, as you gain more experience and learn on the job.
Volunteering
It can be useful to get some volunteering experience, working in the countryside or on an estate.
You can find out about volunteering and work experience opportunities from:
- The Conservation Volunteers
- National Trust
- National Parks UK
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full driving licence
You'll need a firearms or shotgun certificate for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- become a head gamekeeper
- work self employed or as a contractor
- move into countryside estate management
Career tips
Some jobs include accommodation and work vehicle as part of the employment package.
Guides for this industry
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