How Do I Become a Game Warden?

Game wardens work in the field of wildlife conservation enforcement. As a game warden, you would be responsible for enforcing laws protecting wildlife and animal habitat from abuse, poaching, and illegal taking of botanical and native species. Typically, to become a game warden in the U.S., you need to complete a community college program or possess an Associates or Bachelor's degree.

As a game warden, you would likely be responsible for checking reports of damage reported by farmers that may have been caused by wildlife. Since game wardens are in law enforcement, and typically carry firearms, many U.S. states require candidates for the position be at least 21 years old, although some U.S. states allow wardens as young as 18. Your history in terms of encounters with the law will also be considered when applying for a game warden position. Some game wardens even work internationally in major ports of entry in order to police illegal importation or exportation of endangered species.

Having a love of the outdoors and a willingness to work in inclement and sometimes dangerous conditions is very important, if you want to become a game warden. Experience in hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and even farming may also help prepare you for the challenges of a career in wildlife management. Typical courses of study for these jobs include environmental science, courses in botany and biology, organic chemistry, animal husbandry, forest ecology, or fisheries management.

Courses of study may include on-site learning as well. For example, you may engage in field work involving a census of animal populations. Internships in the field are typically required in degreed programs in wildlife management.

A desire to become a game warden is popular with college graduates. Projected job growth does not keep pace with the number of those aspiring to be game wardens. Since game wardens also educate the public through wildlife education events, possessing a good rapport in working with the public and with children is valued for this career track. For recent graduates seeking to become a game warden in the U.S., jobs are more plentiful in the Pacific Northwest and in Maine, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the U.S., Georgia had the most fish and game officers in 2010.

Wages in 2010 for game wardens averaged around $50,000 US Dollars (USD) per year. According to the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association, if you become a game warden, you will face risks similar to other law enforcement professionals. You will also be exposed to those risks inherent in any profession that involves working in a wilderness setting.

Game wardens work around the world. Some wardens have been shot and killed by poachers, and others in accidental shootings by hunters. Since many species are facing severe challenges due to encroaching developments and habitat degradation, there will likely be a growing need for game wardens in many countries.