Gamekeepers are dedicated to their profession, managing the habitats under their guardianship. They work long hours in all weathers in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK.

The gamekeeper's role in the countryside varies depending on which environment he or she is working in and the required end result.

The habitats gamekeepers manage fall into two main types:

Uplands - land above 300 meters, including heather moorland
Lowlands - including farmlands and woodlands

THE ROLE OF A GAMEKEEPER

A gamekeeper stands with his dog and Land Rover - ready for work

Uplands

In an upland environment the gamekeeper's role is largely management of existing habitat for the benefit of the indigenous wildlife. Gamekeepers also need to control a range of predators for the benefit of more vulnerable species.

Both of these actions not only work towards providing a harvestable surplus of game for the multi million pound sporting interests but also produce favourable conditions for flora and fauna to thrive, some of which are Biodiversity Action Plan species such as the waders that nest on the heather moorland like the endangered Curlew.

Uplands Habitat

In a lowland environment the role of a gamekeeper is somewhat different but with the same outcome.

Over the last 40 to 50 years the countryside has changed dramatically due to intensive farming practices and past government legislation. An important part of the gamekeeper's work therefore, is to create and maintain good, healthy habitat beneficial to all wildlife so making his role crucial to the health of the countryside.

Again there is the need to reduce predation, particularly at certain sensitive times of the year, for the benefit of a variety of species of wildlife. This is aimed at providing a harvestable surplus of game for the sporting interests.

Lowlands

Lowlands Habitat

Deer Management

Common to both upland and lowland habitats, deer management can be another important part of a gamekeeper's role. Since the disappearance of the wolf from this country there is now no natural predator of deer to keep their numbers in check, so man has to step into that role.

For the benefit of the deer themselves numbers do need to be kept at a sustainable level, this requires a certain number to be culled humanely every year. Many of these culled deer make their way into the human food chain.

Wild game, be it venison, pheasant, partridge or similar is a good quality meat, low in fat and cholesterol and is a healthy, tasty alternative to the more commonly available lamb, pork, beef and chicken.

Deer Management

How to Become a Gamekeeper

Modern day gamekeepers have to be multi-talented and have an understanding of not only the practical aspects of habitat management but also more academic subjects such as current legislation, veterinary medicine, agricultural practice and financial accounting.

A great way to gain practical experience is to volunteer on a keepered estate. You can learn the daily, monthly and seasonal tasks that allow gamekeepers to manage our countryside by working with experienced keepers.

To top up the practical experience there are many Colleges offering a diverse range of courses including Conservation Management, Forestry, Fisheries Management, Butchery and Ecology. These courses lead to professional qualifications which are becoming increasing sought after by prospective employers.

College Courses

The following table shows examples of the wide range of courses offered by colleges.

This is not an exhaustive list of college courses. However we hope the college courses presented here will give you an idea of what is available near your location.

Please note that colleges regularly change their range of courses available. Please follow the college link for the most up-to-date listings.

College	Address	Courses
Askham Bryan	Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR	Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Countryside Management, Environmental Conservation, Gamekeeping, Habitat and Wildlife Management
Bicton College	East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 7BY	Level 1, 2 & 3 Diplomas in Countryside Management, Environmental Conservation, Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management Apprenticeship in Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management
Bishop Burton College	Beverley, East Yorkshire	Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Countryside Management, Foundation Degrees in Countryside Management (Gamekeeping & Fisheries) BSc Environmental Conservation
Borders College	Newtown St Boswells, Scottish Borders, TD6 0PL	Gamekeeping SVQ Level 2 & 3
Chichester College	North Heath,West Sussex	Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Countryside Management Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management
Coleg Cambria	Ruthin, Denbighshire	City and Guilds L2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment
Craven College	Skipton, North Yorkshire	Level 1 & 2 Diplomas in Countryside & Environment Level 3 Extended Diploma Environmental Conservation (Apprenticeship & Foundation degree)
Duchy College	Stoke Climsland, Cornwall	Gamekeeping & Wildlife Management BTEC Diploma L2 Gamekeeping & Wildlife Management BTEC Extended Diploma L3 Gamekeeping and Wildlife Apprentice L2 & L3
Easton & Otley College	Easton, Norwich	Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment Level 3 Diploma, Extended Diploma in Countryside Management (Gamekeeping)
Elmwood College	Cupar, Fife	NC Gamekeeping and Wildlife Conservation HNC Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management
Hadlow College	Hadlow, Kent	Level 1 Diploma Landbased Studies (Environmental Conservation) Level 2 Diploma in Countryside and Environment Level 3 Diplomas in Countryside Management & Forestry & Arboriculture
Hartpury College	Hartpury, Gloucester	Conservation and Countryside Management (BSc (Hons) / FdSc) BTEC Level 3 Diplomas in Countryside Management (Game) Gamekeeping Residential Taster Course
Herefordshire and Ludlow College	Holme Lacy Campus, Holme Lacy, Herefordshire	Level 2 Diploma in Countryside Management Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management
Lackham College	Chippenham, Wiltshire	Level 1 Diploma Landbased Studies Level 2 Countryside Management Level 3 90 Credit Diploma Gamekeeping and Fisheries Level 3 Extended Diploma Gamekeeping and Fisheries Level 3 90 Credit Diploma Conservation and Ecology Level 3 Extended Diploma Conservation and Ecology Intermediate Apprenticeships Gamekeeping Advanced Apprenticeships Gamekeeping Foundation Degree Game and Wildlife Management
Moulton College	Moulton, Northamptonshire	Level 2, 3, Extended & Subsidiary Diplomas in Countryside Management and Environment
Myerscough College	Preston, Lancashire	Level 1 & 2 Diplomas Land-based Studies (Countryside) Level 3 Diploma Countryside Management (Game Management & Habitat Conservation)
Newton Rigg College	Newton Rigg, Penrith, Cumbria	Level 2 & 3 Diploma (Gamekeeping, Countryside & Environment) Gamekeeping Apprenticeship (Game & Wildlife Management)
North Highland College	Thurso, Caithness	Gamekeeping Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 2 Gamekeeping with Wildlife Management, HNC Highland Gamekeeping NC
Northumberland College	Ponteland, Northumberland	Level 2 & 3 Diplomas Countryside & Environment Level 3 Subsidiary & Extended Diplomas in Countryside Management
Oatridge College	Broxburn, West Lothian	HNC in Countryside Management HND in Countryside Management NC in Countryside Management
Plumpton College	Lewes, East Sussex	Countryside Management Foundation degree Level 2 & 3 Certificate/Diploma in Game Management & Countryside & Environment
Reaseheath College	Nantwich, Cheshire	Level 2 Diploma Countryside and Environment Extended Diplomas Conservation & Wildlife Management Extended Diplomas Forestry & Arboriculture, Fisheries
Sparsholt College	Sparsholt Hampshire. SO21 2NF	BSc (Hons) Conservation and Wildlife Management Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Game & Wildlife Management Apprenticeships in Gamekeeping, Conservation & Butchery
UHI Millenium Institute	Inverness, IV2 5NA	HNC Gamekeeping with Wildlife Management
Writtle College	Chelmsford, Essex	Level 2 Diploma in Game and Wildlife Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management BSc (Hons) Conservation and Environment

Become a Keeper

College Courses