Game keeper
Also known as: gamekeeper, game warden, estate supervisor
About this occupation
Game keepers manage the habitat and wild game population in a defined area.
Essential skills and knowledge
- protect game
- manage habitats to benefit game
- animal welfare legislation
- manage game management plans
- maintain game equipment
- organise game shoots
- wild game meat food safety
- remove predators
- understand game species
- rear game
- manage animal hygiene
- control the production of game meat for human consumption
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Fish and Game Wardens (O*NET 33-3031.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Participate in search-and-rescue operations.
- Compile and present evidence for court actions.
- Protect and preserve native wildlife, plants, or ecosystems.
- Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
- Investigate hunting accidents or reports of fish or game law violations.
- Provide assistance to other local law enforcement agencies as required.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Writing
US median pay: US$74,060 a year (2025), 5,770 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.8)
- GeographyO*NET: GeographyVery important (3.7)
- Environmental ScienceO*NET: Biology + GeographyVery important (3.7)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (3.7)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Range Managers
- Animal Control Workers
- Conservation Scientists
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Forest and Conservation Workers
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Park Naturalists
- Fishing and Hunting Workers
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.