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Fish and Game Warden

What is a Fish and Game Warden?

Occupation Description Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.

Daily Life Of a Fish and Game Warden

  • Promote or provide hunter or trapper safety training.
  • Address schools, civic groups, sporting clubs, or the media to disseminate information concerning wildlife conservation and regulations.
  • Perform facilities maintenance work, such as constructing or repairing structures or controlling weeds or pests.
  • Patrol assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse, or on foot to enforce game, fish, or boating laws or to manage wildlife programs, lakes, or land.
  • Serve warrants and make arrests.
  • Collect and report information on populations or conditions of fish and wildlife in their habitats, availability of game food or cover, or suspected pollution.

Things a Fish and Game Warden Should Know How to Do

When polled, Fish and Game Wardens say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • District Wildlife Manager
  • Wildlife Control Agent
  • Fisheries Enforcement Officer
  • Fishing Game Warden
  • Game and Fish Protector

Fish and Game Warden Employment Estimates

There were about 7,000 jobs for Fish and Game Warden in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.3% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Fish and Game Warden by 2026. The BLS estimates 700 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Fish and Game Warden are Oregon, New Mexico, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, South Dakota, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Fish and Game Wardens Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Fish and Game Wardens is somewhere between $40,090 and $80,140.

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Fish and Game Wardens who work in Illinois, Washington, or California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Fish and Game Wardens make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $52,620
Arizona $51,740
California $76,240
Connecticut $58,620
Georgia $60,510
Illinois $88,300
Indiana $59,930
Iowa $82,520
Kansas $46,460
Maine $58,800
Massachusetts $57,590
Michigan $58,740
Mississippi $43,490
Montana $50,820
New York $68,000
North Carolina $41,110
North Dakota $58,200
Ohio $66,350
Oklahoma $53,250
Rhode Island $77,710
South Carolina $48,610
South Dakota $44,510
Texas $66,130
Vermont $59,380
Virginia $50,750
Washington $74,010
West Virginia $46,490
Wisconsin $49,420
Wyoming $57,870

What Tools & Technology do Fish and Game Wardens Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fish and Game Wardens:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Database software
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Mapping software

Becoming a Fish and Game Warden

What education or degrees do I need to become a Fish and Game Warden?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Fish and Game Wardens Sector

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Fish and Game Warden may also be interested in:

Career changers with experience as a Fish and Game Warden sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Nicholas A. Tonelli via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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