What Is a Fish and Game Warden?
- Fish and game wardens are hired to guard federal fish and wildlife reserves. Their job encompasses a vast number of tasks. They are there to catch poachers, enforce hunting and fishing regulations, arrest people breaking the law, document fish and game, note any irregular conditions in their area and a multitude of other tasks that have to do with the outdoors. A fish and game warden has to have the educational background that is required to perform the job and is required to physical and educational testing. Game wardens typically make around $14 per hour at the mid range level. This depends on education and experience, with new hires making less and experienced game wardens earning more. They are paid monthly like most federal employees.
The Workday as a Fish and Game Warden
- A regular workday for a fish and game warden can be a trip around and within the perimeter of the area she is protecting. Usually these locations will have hunting and fishing areas, so she will look for violations--people who are catching fish that are not legal to keep or hunting deer out of season. Since they are law enforcement professionals, wardens have the ability to issue citations and warnings and can even arrest people who are breaking the law. Their regular workday also includes paperwork that has to be filled out, noting their findings and any unusual circumstances and citations issued.
Some fish and game wardens may conduct classes on hunter safety and fishing regulations. They have to be able to inspect an area and notate any changes that require damage control or that may be of particular research interest. They might also monitor water pollution levels .They also gather data on the fish and wildlife in the zone that they are patrolling. This information helps with research data.
Conditions to Work as a Fish and Game Warden
- Fish and game wardens work in conditions that some might find unsavory. Insects, snakes, wild animals and enviro-criminals can be regular and infrequent visitors in their workplace. They must also work in extreme weather conditions. There are a few different ways that a game wardens may travel during the course of their workday. They travel on foot and automobiles but may also scuba dive, use off-road vehicles and patrol boats. Like other members of law enforcement, they are armed and wear a designated uniform.
