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Agriculture & EnvironmentISCO 6224

Hunter

A hunter is a person who tracks and stalks game animals in order to capture or kill them.

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Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

ensure compliance with environmental legislation

use firearms

comply with wildlife hazard management programmes

monitor wildlife

acquire licences for the use of weapons

About hunter

The hunter occupation rests on knowledge of game animal species: reading tracks, calls and feeding signs, and knowing when a species may be taken and when it is protected. Hunters shoot with firearms such as shotguns and hunt with the bow, and they also use various devices to trap animals. Beyond the hunt itself they monitor wildlife condition, counting animals, judging the health of herds and reporting what they have seen in the hunting ground.

Hunting is done for food and other animal products, for recreation, for commercial purposes and as part of wildlife management. Hunters follow wildlife hazard management programmes, which cover limiting crop damage, preventing the spread of disease and controlling the numbers of species that have grown beyond what a habitat can carry.

Game meat falls under food safety requirements, from inspecting the carcass to how it is stored and passed on for sale. Firearms are governed by legislation on the acquisition and possession of firearms, which across Europe follows a common set of rules. Someone starting out learns to identify species, to handle a gun safely and to read the law of the ground they will hunt. Licences, examinations and memberships are set by national hunting law.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (12)

animal huntinganimal huntingThe techniques, procedures and legislations concerning the hunting of animals such as wildlife and birds for the purpose of gaining food and animal products, recreation, trade and wildlife management.European firearms-control legislationEuropean firearms-control legislationThe regulation regarding the acquisition and possession of weapons on a European Union level by means the Directive 91/477/EEC and the Directive 2008/51/EC.understand game speciesunderstand game speciesUnderstand biology and ecology of relevant game species including game birds, deer, and fisheries.wild game meat food safety requirementswild game meat food safety requirementsThe food safety management procedures and national requirements for wild game meat.wildlifewildlifeUndomesticated animal species, as well as all plants, fungi and other organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems such as de...ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....use firearmsuse firearmsShoot one or several types of firearm being aware of safe handling techniques, aim of the firearm and the fire.comply with wildlife hazard management programmescomply with wildlife hazard management programmesEnsure that animal hazard management programs are carried out appropriately. Consider the impact of wildlife on the performance of transport or industrial operations.monitor wildlifemonitor wildlifeConduct fieldwork to observe wildlife.acquire licences for the use of weaponsacquire licences for the use of weaponsCoordinate with technical staff on legal aspects such as licenses, authorisations and assurances related to weapons and munition.dispose of dead animalsdispose of dead animalsDispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.hunt animalshunt animalsHunt animal wildlife and birds. Track, pursue and kill the animal in a humane way, according to animal and environmental legislations. Use weapons such as hunting rifles, crossbows or trapping devices...
Optional (15) — show
topographytopographyGraphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.wildlife projectswildlife projectsWildlife and animal conservation projects, which aim to protect and preserve ecosystems and habitats of a wide range of animals under threat from urbanisation.ecosystemsecosystemsThe characteristics of the system where living organisms co-habitate and interact with non-living elements.types of arrowstypes of arrowsArrows are selected for different purposes such as hunting a specific kind of animal or for target shooting. They can present various features and advantages depending on different factors such as the...slaughter animalsslaughter animalsKill animals, usually domestic livestock, for food. Protect animal welfare at slaughter by minimising the pain, distress or suffering of animals at the time of killing. Follow relevant regulations and...control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.coordinate the sale of gamecoordinate the sale of gameKeep records of what animals are killed or caught. Arrange the sale of game.read mapsread mapsRead maps effectively.process animal by-productsprocess animal by-productsCarry out initial processing of animal by-products for example skin, in preparation for further processing.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...deal with killing animals processesdeal with killing animals processesCope with the process of slaughtering and handling carcasses without distress.train gun dogstrain gun dogsTrain a dog used for hunting game to various tasks and behaviours, such as remain under control, mark downed game, perform a blind retrieve and delivery.hire beatershire beatersHire and supervise beaters to startle game during shoots and related activities.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

game keeper2 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a hunter do?

Hunters track and pursue animals with the intention of trapping or killing them. They hunt animals for the purpose of gaining food and other animal products, recreation, trade or wildlife management. Hunters specialise in the skill of tracking down and shooting animals with weapons such as rifles and bows. They also use devices to trap animals for similar purposes.

What skills does a hunter need?

A hunter needs 12 essential skills, including animal hunting, European firearms-control legislation, understand game species, wild game meat food safety requirements, wildlife.

Will AI replace hunter jobs?

The AI disruption score for hunter is 28/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: wild game meat food safety requirements, European firearms-control legislation, topography. Most resilient: train gun dogs, dispose of dead animals, hunt animals.

Quick Facts

SectorAgriculture & Environment
ISCO GroupMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workers
Essential Skills12

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