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Gamekeeper

Gamekeepers manage habitats and wildlife in upland and lowland areas used for shooting and fishing.

Annual Salary

£19,000 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

41 to 45 variable

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; flexibly

1.8%
Future employment

There will be 1.8% more Gamekeeper jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

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 may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work on a country estate or in woodland.

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

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

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
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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 and work experience

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:

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You'll need a firearms or shotgun certificate for some jobs.
  • have a full driving licence

More information

Career tips

Some jobs include accommodation and work vehicle as part of the employment package.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a gamekeeper from the National Gamekeepers' Organisation and Lantra.

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With experience you could:become a head gamekeeper; work self employed or as a contractor; move into countryside estate management

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Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to work on your own
  • customer service skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government 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
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