Gaining that valuable experience

At some point in all gamekeepers’ training they will have volunteered on keepered estates.  Getting involved with the day-to-day tasks a gamekeeper has to undertake is invaluable experience.

This may include beating, helping on the rearing field, habitat management or helping with pest control.  You should try to approach a local gamekeeper to get the hands-on experience you need for the job.

Try to gain relevant experiences in the type of gamekeeping you are interested in, whether it be upland or lowland shoot management

Related industries

Gamekeepers have to be multi-talented and skills learnt in other industries will help their gamekeeping.

Many college courses highlight the need for versatility by combining gamekeeping with fishery or deer management.

They may also include aspects of mechanical engineering, agriculture. carpentry, forestry, livestock rearing and conservation and ecology.

In addition to getting experience in the more practical tasks it is becoming increasingly important for gamekeepers to have some knowledge of accounts, basic business management and computers.

At school

In order to go far in gamekeeping it is wise never to close doors.  Give yourself the best start, although there are always other routes into the profession.  Colleges and employers will nearly always take into account candidates’ academic backgrounds as well as their practical experience.

This means that students with a sound knowledge in subjects that will assist their gamekeeping career may be favoured over others.  This may include good English, maths, science, CDT, woodwork, metalwork, mechanics, geography, environmental or rural studies and business studies ,among others.

Take advantage of work experience schemes to spend two weeks on an estate working with gamekeepers and getting to know the job first-hand.

Post 16 - at college

There are a range of college courses and these include Diplomas, National Diplomas and NVQ courses.  You need to look for one that will suit you.  Do you want to do lots of practical or would you prefer a more academic route before a HND or degree course?

Ask a careers adviser for details of colleges or keep your eyes open at game fairs, as the colleges are often present.

Higher Education

An HND or degree is not essential but could be desirable with employers; again ask your careers adviser for details of courses in game, wildlife or countryside management.

More qualifications and game keeping experience could lead to lecturing, consultancy and research positions.

Modern Apprenticeships and ‘on the job’ NVQs

You can get fully qualified in gamekeeping through an apprenticeship or NVQ course.  Many colleges offer these courses where you are assessed in the workplace as well as through written work.  You may need to attend college once a week throughout term time but most of your studying and learning is done ‘on the job’.

Making a change in your career

Many gamekeepers come to gamekeeping later in life.  They bring with them a host of skills.  Many start as part-time gamekeepers on smaller shoots and progress into full-time positions

They have often had a keen interest in shooting and other rural pursuits for a number of years.  They make a huge jump often to longer hours and lower pay but they rarely look back.

Returning to the Profession

If you have been away from the profession for some time while you gain other experiences it is worth looking up your old contacts and working from there.

In addition to this the British Association for Shooting and Conservation has put together a register that you can leave your details to be viewed by interested employers. BASC does not give character references, but merely forwards information to interested parties.

Gamekeeping positions are also advertised in the shooting press.

Continual Professional Development (CPD)

In a world that seems to move faster than nature can cope with, it is becoming ever more difficult to stay up to date with the latest legislation, grant schemes and scientific research.

There is a growing need for new training courses for keepers at a management level which is presently being looked into by several organisations.  Watch this space!

Making contacts

It is an important for gamekeepers to get together regularly and get to know each other both socially and professionally. 

BASC is an organisation run by shooters for shooters.  One of its roles is to get gamekeepers talking about issues that are relevant to the profession at both a regional and national level.  BASC has a gamekeepers’ advisory committee made up from keepers of all areas of the profession.  They exist to discuss issues important to gamekeeping and to pass this information to its members. 

Where to look for more information

BASC regional roadshows
National shooting bodies
National shooting press
Game fairs