Game Wardens Essay

1. Why do most bet wardens try to become biz wardens? Most guys become game wardens because they corresponding the outdoors and look for and wildlife in general. In my case, it ran in the family as your Gran dadaism, Larry Glover, was a game warden. 2. What kind of things does a game warden do? Can the antic be physically demanding? gage wardens patrol for fish and wildlife violations and conduct investigations regarding these offenses, both tell and federal. Some game wardens also conduct biological duties such as fish creel censuses, deer/elk/antelope population surveys, and migrant bird aerial surveys.The typical state game warden serves in one county and is responsive to all fish and wildlife issues on that point-in. A federal game warden can be in charge of an entire region of a state. I was never home for very long periods because in that location was so many duties I had to fulfill. The military control is demanding both physically and mentally. I could be breaking the ice to check duck hunters in the frozen(p) marsh one day and wearing a coat and tie to testify in judicature the next day. I told the young agents that I supervised, Its not a muse but a commission of life. 3. If a man wants to become a game warden, how should he trounce prep are?Is there a difference of preparation on the state and federal level? Any majors he should pursue in college? Most game wardens I recognise majored in Wildlife Management or whitlow Justice while in college. My period was in Wildlife Management. Most states now require a degree for entry level game warden positions. Federal game wardens ordinarily have several years of state experience prior to coming on board. 4. How competitive is it to get a job as a game warden? Is the level of competition different on the state and federal level? The competition is extremely tough both at the state and federal level.Even when I came on as a New Mexico Game Warden back in 1971, it was tough. I waited for several months after applying to several states and only got on because my dad knew the New Mexico Director of Game & slant. Even then, I started out as a blue beaver trapper and worked my way up to district game warden supervisor. I left the New Mexico State Game and Fish Department for federal game warden service in 1976. 5. Any tips on getting employ as a game warden?Get your degree, take any position available in the game department, work any law enforcement job available while waiting (police officer, deputy sheriff, etc.) for the experience, get to know your local game warden, and dont violate any fish and game laws. Tom McKay, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent 6.What is the average salary for a game warden on the state and federal level? Oklahoma state game wardens are paid very poorly. Its about $30K/year. Texas wardens are paid much better- about $52K/year. On the federal level, Special Agents with the US Fish & Wildlife Service commonly start as GS-7 on the federal pay scale, which is about $40K/year. Plus you get Law Enforcement availableness Pay (LEAP) which is 25% of your base grade or about another $10K.You can work your way up to Journeyman Special Agent. Its a GS-12 on the federal pay scale, which is about $100K/year. 7. What is the best part of the job? The best part of the job is the field work and camaraderie with fellow officers, both state and federal. These guys become your brothers with friendships that last a lifetime. 8. What is the worst part of the job? The worst part of the job is the administrative requirements such as personnel and investigative reports. You may work a week on a case and several weeks preparing it for prosecution.Also, the supervisory responsibilities (if you go that high) are trying and time-consuming. Always hated that locution of my job. 9. What is the biggest misconception people have about the job? The biggest misconception is that game wardens spend all their time hunting and fishing. The w akeless wardens and agents have no time for this as they are in the field managing the other nimrods out there during hunting season. I hunted and fished much more before I became a game warden, not at all after I became one. 10. What is the work/family remainder like?As you observed, Brett, the work/family balance is horrible. Never home, always on the road or in the field on a case. However, thats how I grew up with my Dad and your Mom with her father (Editors Note My moms dad was a forester). So, we were used to it, but it doesnt make it right. I still regret the time I missed with you boys and your sister. 11. Are there ways to move-up in the job, or in other words, what is the hierarchy like? The promotion potential is great in federal service. If you do a good job and are willing to move, the promotion potential is likely.However, anything higher then a Journeyman Special Agent (GS-12) usually requires a 2-year stint in Washington, DC headquarters as a desk agent. I never chos e to do this, but was lucky to obtain the resident Agent In Charge (RAC) position, which increased my pay to a GS-13.Thats the position I had when I retired. The hierarchy for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement is Special Agent, Resident Agent in Charge, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Special Agent in Charge, and head word of Law Enforcement (along with several division chiefs under him).