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Published on Jul 15, 2021
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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If you have a passion for environmental conservation, a desire to work with wildlife, and the determination to overcome a diverse range of challenges, becoming a fish and game warden might be the right career for you.
Game wardens are responsible for enforcing environmental conservation laws within federal, state and local jurisdictions, acting as law enforcement officers who play a crucial role in environmental protection. If this aspect of environmental conservation appeals to you, you can begin your journey to become a game warden.
When considering a career in law enforcement, most people think of police officers who are tasked with protecting people. But there are other officers who are responsible for protecting and conserving wildlife and natural resources.
These professionals have a varied set of responsibilities to accomplish that mission, but their main task is educating the public about natural resources and the role of the public in protecting them. They also investigate, track down and arrest poachers while on duty. They even execute search and rescue operations when people, such as hikers or campers, become lost or endangered in the wilderness.
It’s an exciting line of work, and no two days are alike. The daily responsibilities of a game warden will depend on the needs of their jurisdiction at any given time. In general, however, a game warden might do any of the following tasks:1
In addition, game wardens often contribute to researchers’ conservation efforts by compiling biological data. They also often assist with wildlife population management efforts and play a supporting role in conservation programs as well.
Before you can become a game warden, you’ll first need to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements. Every state establishes its own specific standards, so you’ll need to make sure you look at those in the state where you plan to work.
Although the basic requirements can vary, most states require game wardens to be at least 21 years of age. In addition, aspiring game wardens must generally:2
In addition, aspiring game wardens must also meet the educational requirements for their state. It’s typical for states to require that game wardens successfully complete a professional training program in an academy setting, just as a police officer would.
Education is essential to becoming a game warden. Higher education teaches important skills that all law enforcement officers need, such as critical thinking, solid communication skills, ethical servant leadership and a strong sense of professional ethics.
Students can learn these skills in many different degree programs, so this career doesn’t require a specific degree; however, there are some degrees that are particularly well-suited for aspiring game wardens. One such degree is a bachelor’s in justice studies. Along with learning intangibles such as professional responsibility, students will learn the fundamentals of the law, public policy, threat assessment and criminal procedures.
Although a justice studies degree will typically satisfy education requirements to become a game warden, it would also be a good idea to take classes in other subjects as well. Because these professionals work with wildlife, a minor in biology could serve you well. A game warden can benefit from knowing the basics of botany, wildlife biology and conservation management.
While earning your justice studies degree, you’ll begin acquiring and refining the crucial skills that will help you to become an effective employee in your future career as a game warden. These skills include:
As you can see, game wardens must be at the top of their game to do their job effectively. It’s a challenging yet rewarding line of work.
Game wardens are employed by government agencies to enforce federal, state and local regulations, but most work for state-level governments. Federal game wardens, however, are considered special agents and work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Although these professionals can be found in all states, the following states have the highest number of game wardens:2
Game wardens spend some of their time in an office setting, primarily managing their paperwork and filing reports. They also typically spend some time in courthouses testifying for the conviction of poachers.
For the most part, however, you can find game wardens patrolling their assigned jurisdiction. They spend most of their time outdoors, surveying forests, mountains, coastal areas, lakes and other natural settings.
If you’re ready to begin your career as a game warden, Grand Canyon University offers various degrees in criminal justice to help you start your journey. These include a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies a Bachelor of Arts in Government with an emphasis in State and Local Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Click Request Info at the top of your screen to begin exploring your future at GCU.
Retrieved from:
1GameWardenEDU.org, What is a Fish and Game Warden in May 2021
2All Criminal Justice Schools, Fish and Game Warden Careers in May 2021
