Gamekeepers look after and manage game and habitats on country estates or for government agencies. They work outdoors in all weathers, often alone, focusing on all aspects of game keeping and wildlife management.
Gamekeepers contribute to estate management planning; maintain game habitats and carry out other wildlife management activities including pest control as well as general conservation and land management tasks.
Gamekeepers provide leadership, general support and administration for shoot day activities. As well as clients who come to shoots, Gamekeepers work closely with farm managers and forestry workers. Their role is an essential part of land management and conservation, benefiting moorland, woodland, farmland and other habitats.
You’ll need:
to be knowledgeable about the countryside and its game and wildlife
patience, perseverance and be able to remain calm in stressful situations
to be alert and observant
physical skills such as mobility and co-ordination, and a good level of fitness and stamina
good customer service skills
good communication skills
to be comfortable working alone for long hours, but also to lead shoot activities
You'll need a driving licence for most jobs, as well as a shotgun and firearms certificate. Gamekeepers need a very responsible attitude and must pay attention to health and safety and use PPE when working with things such as chainsaws, brush cutters, quad bikes and chemicals.
Gamekeepers work flexible hours according to the season and jobs which need completing, based around tasks at different times of the year.
On larger estates, Gamekeepers usually work on a rota system including early mornings, evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities for full-time and part-time working, or combining the role with forestry or farm work.
General conservation and land management tasks, such as planting trees and hedgerows
Maintaining game habitats
Pest and predator control
Plan and organise shoots and fishing parties
Looking after guests on shoot days
Keep records of what's shot or caught and arrange the sale of game
Train and work with gun dogs
Work with the police to deal with crimes like poaching
Tasks are mainly outdoors and often undertaken in quite harsh weather conditions.
Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.
Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.
If you are working with a smaller organisation, you may have to move to find promotion. On larger estates, there may be an opportunity for promotion to Head Keeper.
Some Gamekeepers move on to work in a different area of countryside management.
Gamekeeper will usually work in one of the following industries. Click below to find out more about possible career paths.
Careers in wildlife management are flexible, varied and play a key role in management of the countryside.
Careers in wildlife management provide opportunity to manage the pressures that are placed in land and our wildlife. This includes managing conflicting land use, protecting wildlife and sustainable land management.
To work in this industry, you need practical skills, knowledge of the countryside and its wildlife, as well as an ability to work well with people.
If you can use your initiative, take responsibility and are prepared to work hard, this could be an incredibly rewarding career for you.
These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
To find out more about qualification levels in England please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) .
To find out more about qualification levels in Northern Ireland please visit Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) for England and Northern Ireland or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
To find out more about qualification levels in the Republic of Ireland, please visit National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland (NFQIE)
To find out more about qualification levels in Scotland please visit Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
To find out more about qualification levels in Wales please visit Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ).
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These courses are perfect if you are starting out on your career but they are also great for people already in jobs who want to improve their skills.
Whether you’re just starting out in the workplace, want to upskill or are considering changing direction, Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build your career. Apprenticeships combine work with on-the-job training, so if you want to earn as you learn, there’s an apprenticeship out there for you – you can even start an apprenticeship if you already have a degree.
Work, earn and learn – no matter where you are in your career, an apprenticeship can set you up for a bright future.
Let’s get started!
Want to take on an apprentice? Employers start here.
An apprenticeship is a unique blend of work experience and study to help build the skills and knowledge you need for your career. Apprentices are employees – they have a contract, are paid and get the same benefits as everyone else. But the difference between an apprenticeship and a normal job is that apprentices are regularly released from work for training. Sometimes that’s a day a week, sometimes it’s for a longer block – it all depends on the job and the apprenticeship.
Apprentices work for all kinds of people at all kinds of stages in their lives. Most apprentices fall into one of three categories:
Previously restricted to school leavers and young people, apprenticeships are now a dynamic way of retraining people of all ages - there’s no upper age limit. The minimum age to become an apprentice is 16 and candidates can’t be in full-time education.
Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of paid work and study. They’re an exciting option for anyone who wants to gain experience, upskill or change career while working.
They offer a chance to work, learn and earn:
Interested in becoming an apprentice? Search for current opportunities and apply here.
Find your apprenticeship
You can also check vacancies on employer websites or get in touch with your local careers service.
What’s it like to work, earn and learn? Find out what apprentice life is really like.
Explore apprenticeship stories
British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
Find out more
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT)
Find out more
British Deer Society (BDS)
Find out more
Scottish Gamekeepers Association
Find out more
The National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO)
Find out more
Thinking about your finances is important when you're looking at courses and training - different types of funding support is available depending on what type of course you're interested in and where you are located. We recommend you contact the training provider for more information on course costs and financing, but here are some links to connect you to support available:
Skills Hub Scotland is an online skill sharing marketplace creating new opportunities to learn and share skills. Wherever you are located - if you have a skill to share, or a skill to learn, Skills Hub Scotland can help.
Initially founded as a response to the Scottish Government’s CivTech 5 programme in 2020 and aiming to offer a platform for those in rural or remote locations, Skills Hub Scotland has been developed into an important sectoral resource. If you have a skill to share with others or are a training provider, list your workshop or course (all skills from all sectors are welcome). If you are a learner, use Skills Hub Scotland to search for and book a course!
STEM is an approach to learning and development that incorporates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Learning in STEM connects to Education for Sustainable Development/Learning for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals – this helps learners to understand that STEM plays a vital role in finding solutions to real world issues or challenges such as protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change. There are multiple pathways into a land-based STEM career including apprenticeships, further and higher education. This means that a career in STEM is open to everyone!
STEM Learning is the largest provider of STEM education and careers support in the UK. Their STEM Ambassadors programme sees volunteers representing a vast range of STEM-related jobs work with young people to bring STEM subjects alive through real life experiences. They help to open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. To become a STEM Ambassador, you can register via the STEM Learning website: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/join-stem-ambassador-programme
Lantra have worked in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland to create two specific UK-wide Ambassadors schemes - Forestry and Aquaculture. Through these schemes, we want to make sure that those working in forestry and aquaculture have the support materials they need to take part in STEM activities. To find out more and register for the schemes, please follow the links below:
Smart Futures helps young people in Ireland discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Co-ordinated and managed by Science Foundation Ireland, their programme allows young people to connect with people that are working in STEM, the organisations they’re working in and what their interests and skills are.
Why not take a look at the Industries Explorer as an introduction to the different areas you could work in.
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