Gamekeeper
Care for the land used for shooting and fishing. Organise recreational shooting, deer stalking and angling.
Also known as: underkeeper, stalker, river keeper, ghillie, beat keeper
About the job
What it's like
You would take care of the land used for shooting and fishing. You’d organise recreational shooting, deer stalking and angling for clients.
You would make sure there is enough game such as deer, and birds like pheasant, partridge and grouse for clients to shoot. You would also make sure that rivers are well-stocked with fish for angling.
The tasks would vary according to the season, but you would:
Plan and organise shoots and fishing parties
Hire and supervise staff such as beaters to flush out birds during shoots
Keep records of what is shot or caught and arrange the sale of game
Train gun dogs and work with them
Breed game birds for release into the wild
Control predators such as foxes, crows and rats by shooting and trapping
Protect game from poachers by patrolling the beat area at night
Repair equipment, buildings and game pens and cleaning guns
Clear woodland and burning heather
Work with the police to deal with crime such as badger digging and hare coursing
You may also be responsible for developing plans for managing the game and habitat on a country estate. Depending on the size of the estate, you may also need to complete related paperwork and administration tasks.
If you work as a keeper to protect and manage rivers and streams as habitats for trout and salmon you would be known as a river keeper or ghillie.
You’ll need to be happy working on your own for long periods of time, and in remote areas, outdoors in all weather.
Working with firearms can be dangerous; you will require a good knowledge of health and safety and a mature attitude.
Hours
As a gamekeeper you would usually work flexible hours which would depend on the season and the jobs that needed doing. You may work long, often irregular hours, usually with early starts, late finishes and weekend work.
Environment
You would work in the countryside, often in isolated areas, and spend most of your time outdoors in all weather conditions.
Travel
You may have to cover large areas of ground each day, so a driving licence would usually be needed.
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- cooperating
- written communication
- verbal communication
- listening
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- taking initiative
- taking responsibility
- positive attitude
- resilience
Your skills are important
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Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Environmental Science
Geography
Practical Craft Skills
Science
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
You would need:
Qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 and/or a relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7)
Or a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in gamekeeping/countryside-centred subjects
Or a work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Game and Wildlife Management (SCQF level 5)
To enter a National Certificate (NC) or National Qualifications (NQ) course in Gamekeeping requires three to four subjects at National 4.
To enter a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) requires a relevant NC or two Highers at C.
Qualifications that show an interest and understanding of the natural environment such as Skills for Work Rural Skills (SCQF level 4) or the John Muir Award.
Once in a job you can gain relevant qualifications such as the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Game keeping (SVQ level 2).
Once in the job you must achieve a certificate in gun handling.
A driving licence would usually be needed, as you may have to cover large areas of ground each day.
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