How to Become a Fish and Game Warden

If you like the outdoors, you may want to consider a career as a fish and game warden. Wardens enforce the laws that pertain to undomesticated wildlife, such as fish, deer and wolves. They monitor populations of various species and help catch poachers or hunters and fishermen that kill above the legal limit. They teach classes on hunter safety and work with local farmers to help reimburse them for damage to crops and farm animals caused by wildlife.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself to become a fish and game warden. Most wardens obtain a bachelor's degree in a related field and undergo some kind of on-the-job training. Many potential employers require that a student complete a related internship during his college years. Experience or training in public speaking is useful, as fish and game wardens often make presentations to the public.

2. Understand the working conditions a fish and game warden may encounter. Wardens often are in contact with the public, sometimes in adversarial conditions, such as when confronting someone who has broken the law. They may seize illegal contraband from those found in violation of rules and regulations. They usually wear uniforms and spend many of their days outside, where the weather can be very hot or cold. Weekend and evening work shifts are not uncommon for wardens. They may patrol various territories on foot, in a boat, on a horse, by airplane or in a car.

3. Research the employment outlook for fish and game wardens. Relatively few of these individuals are hired per state, so the jobs appear somewhat scarce. The demand for fish and game wardens may remain flat over the next decade.