Gamekeepers work in the countryside looking after areas called beats. They make sure there is enough game in their beats for shooting. Game includes deer, and birds such as grouse, partridge and pheasant. They also manage and protect wildlife habitats.
The different types of gamekeeper are:
Lowland Keepers working in woodland and open farmland. They are mainly concerned with mallards, partridges and pheasant.
Upland Keepers working on moors. They are mainly concerned with blackcock, deer and grouse.
Highland Keepers mainly concerned with deer stalking. In some of the Scottish Highland areas they are also involved with ptarmigan (a type of grouse).
Gamekeepers work closely with farm managers and forestry workers, as well as clients who come to shoots. Their work varies according to the season. In spring and summer their main tasks are:
In the shooting season, the busiest time of year, gamekeepers:
Other work throughout the year includes clearing woodland or burning heather, tractor driving, clearing land using power saws and other equipment, building fences and clearing ponds and ditches. They also keep records and may train gun dogs.
Some gamekeepers are also responsible for rivers, streams and surrounding wetland management.
Gamekeepers work flexible hours according to the season and jobs which need completing. This can include early morning, evening and weekend work.
Most of their working time is spent outdoors in all weather conditions. There is a lot of walking, and work can involve bending and lifting. There is some indoor work, including looking after young birds, maintaining equipment and machinery.
The job also involves using power saws and other equipment, and sometimes wearing protective clothing such as goggles or gloves. Gamekeepers need a good knowledge of safety issues.
The starting salary for a gamekeeper may be around £10,000 a year. Many employers provide free or low-cost accommodation and a vehicle. There may also be allowances for items such as clothing, telephones and dogs.
There are estimated to be around 3,000 full-time and approximately the same amount of part-time gamekeepers in the UK. Jobs opportunities occur in rural areas, about half of them in England, a third in Scotland, and the remainder in Wales and Northern Ireland. Vacancies for full-time gamekeepers occur infrequently and there is likely to be much competition for them.
Gamekeepers work for landowners or shooting syndicates that rent shooting rights from landowners.
Job opportunities may be advertised in local newspapers, but more often jobs are found through contacting landowners direct, word-of-mouth, or through working for employers in another capacity. The National Gamekeepers Organisation's website includes a Gamekeepers Jobs Register.
There are no set academic requirements, but some employers prefer applicants with GCSE's/S grades (A-C/1-3). Practical experience of working on the land or involvement in countryside activities can be useful in finding employment or training.
Most agricultural colleges run specific gamekeeping courses. Contact them individually for details of courses and any entry requirements.
Useful qualifications include:
There is likely to be on-the-job training for people with gamekeeping qualifications or those who have become gamekeepers after working in other relevant jobs.
Gamekeepers can work towards NVQ's/SVQ's at work as achieving these qualifications includes workplace assessment.
The National Gamekeepers Organisation encourages high standards in the work, provides advice sheets, and runs a membership scheme. The Game Conservancy Trust is also a membership organisation.
Oil Drilling Roustabouts and Roughnecks work as part of a small team on offshore oil or gas drilling rigs or production platforms. Roustabouts do unskilled manual labouring jobs on rigs and platforms, and Roughneck is a promotion from roustabout.
Roustabouts do basic tasks to help keep the rig and platform working efficiently and Roughnecks do practical tasks involved in the drilling operation, under the supervision of the driller.
________________________________________________________________________________
A gamekeeper should:
There may sometimes be opportunities for gamekeepers to be promoted to senior or head keeper, especially on large estates.
Some gamekeepers move on to work in a different area of countryside management or work overseas in other European countries or North America.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC),
Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HL
Tel: 01244 573000
Website: www.basc.org.uk
The British Deer Society,
Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF
Tel: 01425 655434
Website: www.bds.org.uk
Lantra, Lantra House, Stoneleigh Park,
near Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 2LG
Tel: 024 7669 6996
Website: www.lantra.co.uk
National Gamekeepers' Organisation,
PO Box 107, Bishop Auckland DL14 9YW
Tel: 01388 665899
Website: www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk
Scottish Gamekeepers Association,
PO Box 7477, Perth PH2 7YE
Tel: 01738 587515
Website: www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk
Additional articles for job seekers and those already in a job.