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How to Become a Game Warden: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Become a Game Warden: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Become a Game Warden

With a love of the outdoors and a desire to preserve wildlife and the beauty of our natural world, game wardens bridge the gap between conservation and law enforcement. However, the work can be physically demanding. Most jobs are hands-on, boots-on-the-ground. For instance, a game warden might need to hike long distances, cover rugged terrain in extreme weather, and physically overpower a suspect resisting arrest.

The career is ideal for those who love hunting, fishing, as well as the great outdoors. Game wardens make sure people follow laws around outdoor activities. You’ll need to be an expert in hunting, fishing, wildlife regulations and management, camping, and more.

What do game wardens do on a typical day? You might actively patrol your jurisdiction, checking hunting and fishing licenses to ensure compliance. You could also present programs about wildlife management to various groups or provide hunter education courses. Game wardens also participate in biological research projects and conduct long-term criminal investigations.

Much like a police officer, there are many requirements to becoming a game warden, but various paths can lead you to your goal. A combination of education, experience, and mental and physical fitness will give you the best chance of landing a job in the competitive game warden field.

Do you have what it takes? Keep reading to learn more about how to become a game warden.

Salary & Job Outlook
How Long Does it Take to Become a Game Warden?
Education Requirements
Certification & Licensure Requirements
$60,730 median salary to year.
-2% projected decline between 2021-2031		15-44 months of training &
1 probationary year		Bachelor’s degree in related field.
Can be unrelated with at least 12 credits of related coursework.
+Basic training
+Field training		Peace Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certification

Steps to Becoming a Game Warden

  1. Meet Minimum Requirements to Become a Game Warden

    Ideal candidates are US citizens who are at least 21 years old. Also, they will need a valid Driver’s License. Applicants will be subject to a background check and drug test. Game wardens need a clean criminal record. In other words, they cannot have any convictions for felonies or domestic violence. In Texas, candidates must not have any Class B Misdemeanor offenses within 10 years of applying. A clean record proves that a candidate meets the moral standards of the position.

  2. Complete a College Degree in an Approved Major

    The education requirements for game warden candidates may differ within each jurisdiction. In some cases a high school diploma is enough to get hired as long as the applicant has relevant experience. The majority of agencies look for at least some college education. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like criminal justice, biology, or environmental science is excellent for this career pathway. A degree in any of those fields will set an applicant apart from the rest. Certain states like Oklahoma accept applicants with unrelated degrees as long as applicants have at least 12 credits of coursework relating to wildlife.

  3. Pass Physical & Mental Fitness Tests

    Successful game wardens have a high level of fitness. It may require heavy lifting and walking for long periods of time. Therefore, applicants are subject to vision, hearing, strength, and endurance examinations. Additionally, game wardens may have to make arrests or put down a wounded animal. These duties can be stressful. For this reason, applicants must go through rigorous psychological tests. These exams test one’s decision-making abilities, impulse control, and judgment skills.

  4. Successfully Pass an Approved Training Program

    New recruits typically enter a probationary period. During this time, they must undergo training in a state-operated law enforcement academy. This basic training prepares cadets in all facets of being a game warden. They will learn first aid/CPR, self-defense, how to use firearms, wildlife identification practice, and much more. Typically these programs last three to twelve months to complete and must be POST certified. Each state and agency has their own program standards. POST stands for Peace Officer Standards and Training. For example, California has the Resources Academy which takes roughly 31 weeks to complete. In some states like Wisconsin, new recruits also participate in specialized training.

  5. Undergo Required Field Training

    Once a cadet completes their academy program, they now enter field training. This phase is needed before a cadet receives their assigned station. Field training involves on-the-job practice. It is here where new wardens apply what they’ve learned in the academy. There is mentorship coupled with extensive peer evaluation. Depending on the state, they may receive specialized training. Specialized training may include boat operations, trapping, interrogation skills, and hunting incident investigation.

How to Become a Game Warden in Texas

Texas game warden requirements are similar to most state agencies. Applicants must be 21 years old and a US citizen. Additionally, they must possess a valid driver’s license. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline. Veterans need to have been honorably discharged.

Applicants must meet minimum hearing and vision standards. They must pass the Physical Readiness Test which includes handgun stability, a 2000 meter row, as well as swimming 100 meters in four minutes after treading water for one minute. Those who pass this step will then interview.

All applicants who advance past the interview must undergo background investigation. In short, Texas requires that all future Cadets be of good moral character. They must not have any convictions for felonies or Class A misdemeanors. Likewise, they cannot have any Class B misdemeanors convictions within the past 10 years. Lastly, candidates cannot have any current illegal drug use within the past two years.
On condition that the top applicants pass the background check, they will then have a second interview. After that, the final step is a conditional job offer and invitation to the Texas game warden academy.

New recruits must complete a 30 week training at the Texas game warden academy in Hamilton, Texas. Here each cadet will receive the fundamentals of how to be a game warden in Texas. Training also prepares cadets for their peace officer licensure exam. Graduates of the academy who pass the exam have earned their Texas game warden badge and are ready for their first assignment as a game warden.

Are Texas game wardens state police? Yes! Those who possess a game warden badge in Texas are licensed peace officers. Therefore, they have the same authority as regular police.

College Degrees for Game Wardens

The work of a game warden combines law enforcement with an understanding of and desire to protect natural resources and wildlife. Very few colleges offer programs specifically for game wardens, but there are a few typical paths that interested students can take. Wildlife departments typically look for candidates who have at least a bachelor’s degree if not a master’s.

What Degree is Best for This Career?

Although, there is no perfect game warden college or degree out there, there are, however, certain fields of study that will highly benefit those who want to become a game warden. Holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, biology, or environmental science is a big plus for applicants. Other excellent choices are fish and wildlife management, ecology, and wildlife conservation.

Hiring agencies at the state as well as the federal level look for the top candidates to invite to their training academies. Although a master’s degree isn’t necessary, it absolutely boosts an applicant’s eligibility. The benefit of a master’s degree is that it will increase a student’s expertise in a given field. Future game wardens who wish to pursue a graduate degree should consider areas of study that would compliment their professional role. Excellent game warden degree options include Criminal Justice, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Science, Fisheries, or Wildlife Management degree. A master’s degree in one of these fields will make a resume stand out from the rest.

A degree, however, is just one piece of the game warden education and application puzzle. Candidates also need to showcase their mental strength, decision making skills, hearing ability, athleticism, communication skills, and much more.

Holding a graduate degree from an accredited school means you have proven expertise in your field. This holds more weight to employers than an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. A four-year degree in a related field meets the game warden education requirements, so a master’s degree would be going above and beyond.

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Is Becoming a Game Warden Hard?

The journey of a future game warden can be rigorous. Although the application requirements to be a game warden aren’t too strict, there are many steps an interested person must follow.

Applicants can expect multiple interviews before an invitation to a game warden training academy. They must also prove their physical fitness, mental fitness, and good moral character during the application process. Cadets must also graduate from a basic training academy and pass appropriate field training. The knowledge, skills, and physicality of cadet training is meant to be challenging. This prepares graduates to be successful law enforcement officials.

Game Warden Requirements

  • Age

    Most state-level positions require applicants to be at least 21 years old, although a few departments allow candidates as young as 18. Federal game wardens through the US Fish and Wildlife Service must be between 21 and 37.

  • Driver’s License

    Game wardens need to be able to pilot all types of vehicles, so a driver’s license is essential. You might find yourself behind the wheel of a truck, ATV, or boat. Experience with various types of transportation is a plus, as is a commercial license or any special endorsements.

  • Clean Criminal Record

    As peace officers, game wardens must be eligible for and maintain their firearms certification. That means passing a background check and having no convictions for domestic violence. Many organizations also require applicants to undergo drug testing. Some states additionally bar applicants who have committed a crime of “moral turpitude.” These include any crime where your morals are in question, such as fraud, theft, or violent acts.

  • US Citizenship

    Most wildlife organizations require employees to be citizens of the United States. However, a few state-level wildlife departments do allow legal US residents to apply for game warden positions.

  • Physical & Mental Fitness

    Being a game warden can be demanding on mind and body. State and federal wildlife agencies require candidates to undergo various mental and physical assessments. Some states require you to pass a physical fitness exam with components such as sit-ups, push-ups and running.

Game Warden Training Programs

Game wardens at both the state and federal levels are expected to complete training programs specifically designed for the job duties they are likely to perform. You can think of these training programs as if they are a game warden school. To become a game warden, trainees can expect courses in fish, wildlife, and natural resources management, along with law enforcement knowledge and tactics. Some of the other subjects you can expect to train in include:

  • Water rescue
  • First aid
  • Crime scene processing
  • Homeland security
  • Firearm usage
  • Boat operations
  • Criminal investigations
  • Electronic surveillance

Federal Game Warden Training

Federal game warden trainees must complete a 20-week basic training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Agency in Georgia. The program teaches trainees how to conduct criminal investigations as well as enforce wildlife laws. After, completing this program new federal game wardens then report to their assigned duty station for an additional 44 weeks of field training.

State Game Warden Training

At the state level, prospective game wardens can also expect rigorous training. Fish and game warden requirements vary from state to state, so it is essential to research the process for the state where you plan to work. Some state training programs last up to eight months, with additional field training afterward.

For example, California requires cadets to complete 31 weeks in an academy, followed by ten weeks assigned to three different field officers for additional training and skills development. Indiana’s training program consists of a four-week recruit school, nine weeks of essential training, and 15 weeks at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. In Texas, you will complete 30 weeks at the Texas Game Warden Training Center before being named a Probationary Game Warden and receiving your first field assignment.

What is a Game Warden?

Game wardens go by many different titles – conservation officer, fish and game warden, wildlife officer, forest ranger, gamekeeper, and more. They also work in a wide range of outdoor settings, from oceans to deserts to mountains. Regardless of their title or location, all game warden roles have the common responsibility to manage natural environments and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Federal or State Employee?

Game wardens can be employed by the state or the federal government. Each state and organization has its own standard for hiring game wardens. Even though their duties may vary with each assignment, at their core the mission for every game warden is the same: Protect fish and wildlife.

The fish, parks, and wildlife department of each state is the typical local hiring agency. Although in some states, like Oregon and Alaska, game wardens work for the local state trooper’s office.

Contrarily, the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) hires law enforcement officers at the national level. These individuals, commonly known as federal wildlife officers, are sworn to protect our countries’ National Wildlife Refuge System. The “office” of federal wildlife officers spans over 560 refuges as well as 70 hatcheries.

DNR Officer vs. Game Warden

DNR Officers are law enforcement officials who protect natural resources, wildlife, and the land used by the public. They also enforce hunting, fishing, and boating laws. Sound familiar? In essence a DNR officer parallels a game warden in the sense that both focus on wildlife protection.

Both a DNR officer and game warden can carry a multitude of titles. One of which is a conservation officer. These names are often used interchangeably in the law enforcement world.

There are some differences between a DNR officer and game warden. While state game wardens are employed by the local Fish and Wildlife Department, DNR officers work for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In some states the DNR of a state may serve as a separate government agency. In other cases the DNR may be the umbrella organization to numerous law enforcement branches that protect different aspects of our natural resources. For instance, in Ohio the Department of Natural Resources has different divisions like the Division of Wildlife. A DNR officer focuses more on enforcing laws and regulations related to wildlife. On the other hand, game wardens focus on habitat protection, monitoring animal populations, and regulating fish or hunting.

What are the Different Types of Fish and Wildlife Officers?

The professional scope of fish and wildlife officers is immense. Besides focusing on topics like habitat destruction or illegal trade, they also investigate wildlife crimes. Some common titles for Fish and Wildlife Officers include: Game Warden, Conservation Officer, Wildlife Officer, Natural Resource Officer, and Environmental Police Officer.

Additionally, Wildlife Inspector and Special Agents are two common jobs of Fish and Wildlife Officers. Special Agents enforce federal wildlife regulations and investigate crimes. Wildlife Inspectors focus on illegal trade and import-export control.

Even more, Fish and Wildlife Officers may have specialized assignments. These may include working as a Field Training Officer, Hunter Educator, K-9 Handler, or in a Wildlife Trafficking Unit.

Areas of Specialization

During a POST(Peace Officer Standards and Training)-approved basic training, game warden cadets get a foundation of skills. These range from fire-arms to self-defense. Training may incorporate tools like ATV’s or specialized equipment like GPS.

Advanced training programs are available at the conclusion of basic training. They may happen during field training but it varies with each state. These allow new game wardens to specialize in certain skills like investigations or man-tracking. Below are some examples of specializations for game wardens. Salaries for specializations vary based on experience and location. Median game warden salaries are $60,730 per year.

  • Special Operations

    Advanced training can expand the scope of assignments for game wardens. Special operations units get deployed in critical situations where lives are at stake. These units can include K-9 units, marine theft, forensic mapping, search and rescue or honor guard. Each state will have its own specialized teams based on need. Kansas has Operation Game Thief which fights poachers.

    Normally this specialized training happens after basic training and during/after field training. The length of training will depend on the specialization. For example, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) K-9 teams receive 8 weeks of intensive training.

  • Search & Rescue

    A Search and Rescue team’s mission is to find missing people in the field. An example of special operations, search and rescue requires rigorous training. This includes first aid, CPR, and SAR (Search and Rescue) Training, First Responder training, or EMT (emergency medical technician) training.

    States like Texas have specialized teams like the Search and Rescue Drone Program. These are game warden teams who are licensed to operate drones. Drones are invaluable for tracking lost persons.

  • Public Education

    Game wardens may be trained to work with the public. They can specialize in educating the public in wildlife laws, survival training, hunter education, and environmental law. They can teach kids about local wildlife. It’s a rewarding side of law enforcement.

    Public educators can prepare presentations and can work in settings like schools. Educator training, like other specializations for game wardens, typically happens after graduating from the game warden academy.

  • Park Ranger

    Most park rangers are employed by either the National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They work in state or national parks. Their primary duty is to enforce wildlife regulations in these designated areas.

    Game wardens meet most of the basic requirements to become a park ranger in most states. Qualified candidates need to graduate from a basic training academy, possess a peace officer certification, and a CPR certification. Additionally, applicants must pass the Department of Parks and Recreation training program within three years of applying. Their median annual salary is $75,350.

Typical Traits & Characteristics of Game Wardens

The job can be physically and mentally demanding. Game warden job requirements mean they also need to know all there is to know about the outdoors and relevant laws. If you grew up hunting, fishing, and spending time in the wilderness, you’ll have a leg up on the competition. A wide variety of people from different backgrounds can make good game wardens, but most will have some of the following qualities in common.

  • Good People Skills

    Your office may be the great outdoors, but you will spend much of your time interacting with other people as a game warden. You will need to ask hunters and anglers to provide proof of licensure. You may lead informational classes for local groups or schools. As part of a criminal investigation, you will need to interview victims, suspects, and witnesses. Each task requires special consideration of the people and circumstances involved to produce the results you need. Honing your people skills will help you become a game warden.

  • Leadership Mindset

    One key aspect of the game warden job description is to have a leadership mindset.A game warden spends a lot of the time on their own out in the field. They need to be able to make decisions quickly and take charge of a situation. Many times, they are the only law enforcement officers in their area.

  • Physical Fitness

    Part of the process of how to be a game warden involves physical fitness. Game wardens have to be physically fit to handle their job responsibilities in various terrains and weather conditions. Many states require applicants to pass the Cooper Physical Fitness Test successfully. Initially designed for the military, this test includes sit-ups, running, push-ups, jumping, and sprinting while carrying a weighted object. Some states also require additional testing in an area such as swimming.

    Federal game wardens must pass the Physical Efficiency Battery, the same test given to all federal law enforcement officers. During the test, participants have their body fat measured, and their hearing and vision tested. The test has five major segments:

    -Running 1.5 miles
    -Bench pressing weights in 5-pound increments
    -Flexibility testing
    -Changing directions while running (Illinois Agility Test)

  • Ethics

    As a law enforcement officer, you ensure that others follow the law. To that end, you must have a highly ethical mindset. You make sure the law is upheld, obey all laws yourself, and be fair and respectful. You are responsible for protecting wildlife from unethical game practices. Game wardens must agree to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s standards of ethical conduct. When you are alone and facing a difficult decision, it’s essential to know that you can be counted on to make the right call.

  • Outdoors Knowledge & Experience

    A lack of experience doesn’t automatically disqualify you from becoming a game warden, but you will have some ground to make up. Wardens are experts in hunting, fishing, boating, camping, related laws, and more. At the least, you should start with an understanding of aspects of fish and wildlife management and conservation practice.

What Does a Game Warden Do?

As a game warden, you might ensure hunters follow the law, conduct investigations for incidents on state or federal land, or collect data for wildlife research—many job duties related to law enforcement protecting wildlife and natural resources. Game wardens need to know and understand current laws as well as how to handle themselves as law enforcement officers.

The duties of a game warden will differ in each state. Generally, a law enforcement officer for fish and wildlife can expect to:

  • Monitor their assigned area. Depending on the terrain, they would patrol by car, boat, horse or on foot.
  • Ensure people are staying safe and respecting the habitat where they are visiting.
  • Investigate hunting accidents.
  • Investigate criminal activity like poaching.
  • Conduct search-and-rescue operations.
  • Issue citations to people who don’t follow regulations.
  • Issue and check permits for hunting or fishing.
  • Educate the public on wildlife-related topics like conservation, Hunting regulations, etc.
  • And much more!

As a game warden increases in rank, their duties will change. Cadets work mostly in the field and have daily administrative tasks. Whereas, officers focus more on managing their teams. Additionally, officers oversee larger territories.

What Do Game Wardens Do on a Daily Basis?

A typical day for a game warden is nothing short of interesting. Most days involve a routine patrol through your designated area. Depending on your station, this could be a large swath of land. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny, you will be out monitoring different public spaces. Another day may start with a call about wildlife damaging property, suspicious activity, or an accident that occurred in your jurisdiction.

During different seasons of the year, a portion of the day will involve checking hunting licenses, fishing licenses, or providing information to visitors. Each shift involves reporting on the events of the day. They also report the status of the habitat where they patrol. All violations and incidents get reported.

Can a Game Warden Enter Your House Without a Search Warrant?

In many states, if your house is on land where wild game or fish are located, then a game warden can search it without a warrant. If there is a suspected wildlife crime, then a game warden can enter your property without legal permission.

They can also search your vehicle or cooler if they suspect that you are committing fowl play. This is in accordance with the “open fields doctrine” of the Fourth Amendment rights of landowners. This doctrine allows law enforcement officials to enter private land if it’s at least next to public land without a warrant. Each state will have its own regulations regarding game wardens.

Do Game Wardens Have More Authority Than Police Officers?

Game wardens and police officers share something in common. They both are sworn officers of the peace. In other words, they have equal authority and privileges. They both have the power to enforce state laws.

Usually their jurisdiction is larger, since states typically have fewer game wardens than police officers. In Texas for example, a game warden’s jurisdiction is state-wide. In some cases they even have more power than standard police officers. As stated prior, their search and seizure authority may be greater than a police officer’s. If there is a suspected crime against wildlife, then a game warden can legally search someone’s property without a warrant.

Game Warden Career & Salary Information

Work Environment & Location

The work environment for a game warden depends on their designated area. Whenever an incident occurs in their territory, their job is to show up and represent the law and our ecosystem. This could be in the mountains, forests, deserts, oceans, or other outdoor settings. The land you cover may have a canyon, a river, or a lake. Some areas where they work have rugged terrain. Fortunately, a perk of being a game warden is access to tools like trucks, ATV’s, boats, horses and sometimes even planes.

With much of your work happening outdoors and in sometimes remote locations, physical fitness is a vital aspect of the job. You should also have essential survival skills, such as first aid, self-defense, tracking, and firearm usage.

Additionally, when a game warden isn’t performing duties in the field, they work in various other settings. This can range from their office or any facility where their services are needed. The educational side of their work may involve visiting a school, library, or any space where a course can be provided. On some occasions they work in courthouses. If any of the citations or violations under their watch go to court, then they may be asked to testify.

Career Outlook

According to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), employment for game wardens is expected to remain stable with a slight increase over the next decade. There were 6,900 game wardens in the United States in 2021, and an additional 700 jobs are expected to be created by 2031. Most job openings will come from current employees retiring, being promoted, or transferring out of the field.

Applicants will find themselves in a highly competitive job market. Candidates need to possess the ideal mix of skills and qualities to land an entry-level position. The hiring process can be exhaustive, taking place over many months and including multiple stages of interviews, testing, and training before being offered a probationary position.

Your ability to find an open game warden position might also depend on where you’re looking. Nearly twice as many game wardens work in Florida as in any other state, with 900 federal, state, and local positions. Other top-hiring states include Texas, New York, Tennessee, and California.

Game Warden Salary

Chances are, you want to be a game warden because it fits your interests and sounds like an exciting job, but will it pay the bills? The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2021, the median salary for a game warden in the United States was $60,730. That comes out to $29.20 per hour. While that may be the average wage, income can vary greatly, with the lowest 10% of earning just $31,200 and the top 10% bringing in more than $78,330. Therefore, you could conclude that the game warden job outlook is bright.

Location can play a significant role in your expected earnings as well. The annual mean wage in California is $82,120. While jobs may be plentiful in Florida, the mean yearly earnings are only $27,030. New Jersey, Illinois, Washington, and Iowa are other areas offering great pay.

What State has the Highest Paid Game Wardens?

According to the BLS, game wardens in New Jersey received the highest median annual salary in 2021 with $82,400 per year. However, there are only 50 game wardens in the entire state which makes this position highly sought after. The 357,000 acres of wildlife management areas to cover means that New Jersey places high value in the few game wardens it employs. Simultaneously, the Division of Fish and Wildlife in New Jersey is one of oldest law enforcement agencies in the state. Consequently, its rich history and respect adds to the esteem for working for this organization.

Career Advancements Opportunities

  • Game Warden Captain

    Median $90,837 Salary per Year

    A game warden captain is a high-level law enforcement officer. They oversee larger jurisdictions and manage teams of lower-ranking game wardens. Officer titles for this profession are similar to those in the military. Reaching this rank requires a certain number of years in the field. In California, you must be a Range B game warden for at least three years or at least one year of experience working as a Lieutenant (Supervisor or Specialist). Range B wardens in California have at least two years of field experience.

  • Federal Wildlife Officer

    Median $85,000 Salary per Year

    Federal wildlife officers focus on conservation, protection, as well as community involvement with respect to our nation’s National Wildlife Refuge System. They work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their job duties can often mirror those of a state game warden. Their territory can include national monuments and national wildlife refuges.

    Applicants must be a US citizen, hold a valid driver’s license, and be 21 to 37 years old. They also need a clean criminal record, pass physical and mental examinations, plus a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Although, one year of law enforcement experience is accepted for those who don’t have an undergraduate degree.

    Accepted applicants must complete three phases of training. The first is a 17 week training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. The second is Wildlife Officer training at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) located in Sheperdstown, West Virginia. Lastly, 10 weeks of field training ensues. There is a one-year probational period upon completion of all three courses.

  • Wildlife Inspector

    Median $56,273 Salary per Year

    Also employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these skilled professionals handle wildlife imports and exports. They can be stationed at border crossings, airports, and ports.

    Applicants must be a US citizen, and have a driver’s license as well as a four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field. Related fields include ecology, criminology, or environmental studies. An alternative to a degree would be one year of work experience at the G-4 level. G-4 is considered entry-level federal service experience.

    New recruits must graduate from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. In order to stay in the know on changing regulations, wildlife inspectors must receive yearly training.

Related Careers

If you’re not entirely sure that becoming a game warden is the right career choice for you, then consider some of these occupations that share many of the same qualities:

  • Police Officer – ($66,020 per year) Ensure that people follow laws and patrol your community to help maintain order
  • Border Patrol Agent – ($64,610 per year) Prevent people, drugs, and weapons from illegally entering the country
  • Conservation Scientist – ($63,750 per year) Monitor and manage the land quality of forests, parks, and rangelands
  • Forester – ($63,750 per year) Manage and help protect forests and their natural resources
  • Forensic Science Technician – ($61,930 per year) Collect and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations
  • Security Guard – ($31,470 per year) Help protect properties from theft, illegal entry, and vandalism

Professional Organizations

Joining a professional organization can help you in many ways. Whether you are a student interested in learning more about the field, searching for your first job, or looking for camaraderie as a professional, professional organization can help you with your goals. Members can stay on top of current developments in the field and prepare for advancement opportunities. Below are a few of the options available.

State Associations

Typically, if there are game wardens or conservation officers in a state, then a state-level professional organization is dedicated to their support. Groups may offer scholarships for students pursuing degrees in wildlife law enforcement or conservation. Some organizations also seek lobbying efforts, host annual conferences or banquets, and offer grants for professional development.

Below are just a few of the organizations available across the country:

Federal Associations

  • Federal Wildlife Officers Association

    FWOA consists of current and retired federal conservation agents. The group seeks to help support wildlife resources as well as the people who enjoy them. Some of the ways the association has helped officers over the years include providing death benefits to family members and awarding college scholarships to students interested in this career.

  • North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

    The NAWEOA encourages professionalism and excellence in the game warden field through training and networking opportunities and professional recognition. The organization accepts members from both the United States and Canada. Members can enjoy the International Game Warden magazine, attend annual conferences, and visit the North American Game Warden Museum.

  • Wildlife Conservation Society

    The Wildlife Conservation Society seeks to protect wildlife and natural spaces worldwide through science, conservation, and education as a global organization. Over the group’s 100-year history, it has established long-term conservation measures in wild areas of the Americas, Asia, Oceania, as well as Africa. Membership options also include complimentary admission to the organization’s four zoos and aquariums in New York City.

  • National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs

    Membership to NACLEC is only open to state or federal officers responsible for enforcing conservation laws and who hold the position of chief, colonel, or equivalent. Some of the group’s goals include facilitating networking, developing future leaders in the game warden field, providing education, as well as increasing public support for conservation. Additionally, the organization promotes a wide range of safe and enjoyable outdoor activities.

Find Out More About How To Become A Game Warden

Game wardens get to enjoy the beautiful scenery and keep the natural environment safe for both people and wildlife. If you want a job that challenges you both mentally and physically, then becoming a game warden may be the perfect choice for you. The hiring process may seem long and intimidating, but with the right combination of education and physical fitness, you will soon be on your way to a job where you won’t have to stare at a wall in a cubicle all day. Your office will be the great outdoors! Take the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career by researching online degree options today.

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