Introduction:

My name is Keaton Gilliam and I am not only a wildlife management major at Tarleton State University but also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.  I have spent my entire life enjoying the outdoors, whether it be boating with my family or hunting with my dad.  I understand the dedication and experience it takes to become a game warden and I hope this webliography encourages you to continue your pursuit of a career in the area of wildlife law enforcement.

Thesis:

Becoming a game warden is not an easy task, but for those who love the outdoors and want to dedicate themselves to protecting countless species of wildlife and helping to conserve natural habitats, working in the area of wildlife law enforcement could prove to be an extremely rewarding career. 

Table of Contents:

A.      What does a game warden do?

B.      What are the education and training requirements?

C.      Why is wildlife law enforcement important?

D.      What specializations are available in the field?

A.            What does a game warden do?

A game warden's main responsibility is to enforce hunting regulations along with fishing and boating laws as they patrol areas such as rivers, lakes, mountains, beaches and deserts.  They educate the public on wildlife and related rules; they oversee public safety and provide backup assistance to many law enforcement agencies.  The references included here will allow you to get a better understanding of exactly what a game warden does on a daily basis.

 

1. http://www.ehow.com/about_7231323_fish-game-warden-job-descriptions.html

The article presented on the ehow site provides an excellent summary of the job description of a game warden and addresses many of the on-the-job challenges. It provides a good overall summary of the career path a game warden might be required to take.  

2. http://texasgamewarden.com/photo-gallery/

The images included here will give someone who is interested in becoming a game warden a look at what a day in the life of a game warden might look like.  The photos show the interaction a game warden will have with animals as well as people.  A game warden takes an active role in educating the public.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5mbFcK1wQE&feature=player_embedded

The youtube video presented by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will depict the authority of a game warden which includes protecting natural resources throughout various locations.  The working conditions will change widely as the game warden works the air, land and water ways. 

4. http://passporttotexas.org/category/shows/game-wardens/page/3/

The podcast presented here discusses game warden safety.  Most of the time they are dealing with law abiding citizens, but in many cases these citizens are armed and could be up to no good.  The game warden must be trained in handling dangerous situations.

5. http://thepolicenews.net/default.aspx?newsletterid=29136&act=Newsletter.aspx

The police news story headlined here shows just how dangerous a career as a game warden can be.  The story tells of how game wardens assisted Border Patrol agents in capturing and arresting a group of drug smugglers. 

6. http://thetennesseegamewarden.blog.com/

Nick Luper, a Tennessee game warden since 2008, created a blog which includes numerous posts through the eyes of a game warden.  He tells of catching spotlighters and explains that routine patrol often turns out to be anything but routine when working as a game warden.  Review this blog to get a first-hand account about what it will be like to work as a game warden.

 

B.            What are the education and training requirements?

Specific requirements to become a game warden vary by state but most involve attaining an associate or bachelor degree in a related field such as wildlife management, animal science or law enforcement.  Candidates must pass both written and physical exams to demonstrate knowledge of the field and physical endurance.  All game warden applicants must be skills at using firearms and other weapons.  The references presented here will serve as an outline of the education and training requirements which one would be expected to fulfill when pursuing a career as a game warden.

1. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/warden/

This informative website published by the Texas Parks and Wildlife covers all aspects of pursuing a career as a game warden.  The department website provides information on career development and recruiting as well as statutes and regulations game wardens must follow. 

2. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/summer_internships/program_info.phtml

Just as with any career, on the job training can be extremely valuable when pursuing a career as a game warden.  The TPWD provides information for candidates who wish to apply for summer internships and various scholarships.

3. http://work.chron.com/become-park-ranger-game-warden-23943.html

When pursuing a career in wildlife law enforcement, it is important to understand the difference between a game warden and park ranger.  This article examines the differences and explains that a game warden is often times a sworn police officer.   

4. http://passporttotexas.org/becoming-a-game-warden/

The podcast included here explores the career path of Kris Bishop, Assistant Chief of Fisheries Enforcement for Law Enforcement.  She outlines the steps she took to becoming a game warden.

5. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/warden/recruiting-careers/career

This extremely helpful TPWD website provides a link to career opportunities and a description of the application process.  It describes details of the working conditions, work schedules, environment, dress code and salary for various experience levels. 

6. http://www.ehow.com/list_5982608_colleges-offer-programs-game-warden_.html

This ehow article includes a list of colleges who offer curriculums which specialize in programs which combine wildlife and law enforcement to prepare students for a career as a game warden.   

 

 C.            Why we need wildlife law enforcement?

 

Wildlife law enforcement is needed to protect wildlife and maintain a balance between humans and nature while conserving the habitats of various species of wildlife to ensure their existence for years to come.  National and State parks must be protected in order to serve as refuges for animals of all kinds. We must protect the animals and habitats they live in so that future generations can enjoy them.  The references provided here display various topics which are crucial to understand for anyone going into the field of wildlife law enforcement. 

1. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Attwater_Prairie_Chicken/multimedia/Videos.html

One of the most important tasks for a game warden is protecting endangered species.  The attached video shows one such species, the Attwater Prairie Chicken.

2. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/outdoor-annual/2013-2014/animal_listing

A game warden must be extremely knowledgeable with all animal species and the attached list provides hunting regulations by animal, season and region.

3. http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/top-10-landmarks/

Protecting natural resources is a key part of the job descriptions of a game warden.  The attached National Geographic's list of top 10 national parks is a display of the beauty that game wardens are charged with preserving. 

4. http://www.ehow.com/list_6654666_top-texas-national-state-parks.html

The State of Texas has its fair share of national state parks, which are also a responsibility of game wardens.  They range from lakes, rivers, caves, grasslands and sand dunes.   

D.            What are specializations are available in the field?

Many specialties exist in the field of wildlife law enforcement including airboat operator, canine handler, whitewater specialist, field training officer, dive team, firearms instructor and pilot to name a few.  Once becoming a game warden, there are many directions an individual can take to further develop in the field.  The references provided here give valuable information to show that career advancement and specialties are clearly available to those in wildlife law enforcement.

1. http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2014/jan/ed_1_gamewardens/

The Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine article explains how a game warden services have  expanded to include dive teams, K-9 units and search and rescue teams.  These resources will make game wardens an integral part of many situations involving emergencies.

2. http://passporttotexas.org/tpw-tv-k-9-game-wardens/ 

This podcast details the increased present of K-9’s working with game wardens.  The dogs become part of the game wardens family as they develop a close working relationship.

3. http://irvingblog.dallasnews.com/tag/texas-parks-and-wildlife-department/ 

The Dallas Morning News article reports that game wardens who are members of the elite Dive Team played a crucial role in the recovery of the body of a man who drowned on Lake Carolyn in July of 2013. 
 
4. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/warden/images/tpwd-dive-underwater-recovery-team/view

The attached image is of the members of the TPWD Dive and Underwater Recovery Team.  These game wardens completed extensive training to become a member of this elite team.

5. http://www.fws.gov/le/special-agents.html

Game wardens can also work as undercover special agents with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement as criminal investigators who target criminals who are suspected of wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction.