Fish and game warden responsibilities

Federal game wardens, similar to game wardens at the state level, must always work to protect and conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats. Another essential part of the job for federal officers is to enforce federal conservation laws and manage wildlife populations through the following such tasks:. The focus of the U. Fish and Wildlife Service will include the following such tasks:.

Federal conservation officers often work with state conservation officers and state and foreign law enforcement agencies to collaborate on reducing threats at any level: state, national, or international. Fish and Wildlife Service also collaborates with many federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Environmental Protection Agency, and U.

Customs and Border Protection. In looking to become a fish and game warden, or wildlife officer, it is important to under the challenges of our world. Within our society, we have constant threats that range from 1 habitat destruction to 2 environmental contaminants; and 3 illegal trade to 4 industrial hazards.

Federal and state game wardens are law enforcement officers and wildlife conservation specialists, so having a degree in an area like environmental science or wildlife management is just as important as experience in law enforcement. State moving game warden monument to Austin. The U. Fish and Wildlife Service and most state wildlife departments have a clear set of physical requirements that candidates must be able to meet to attain careers as game wardens.

Physical fitness tests, medical evaluations, and rigorous training are all mandatory components of most wildlife conservation jobs. Medical evaluations often include vision testing, hearing testing, and psychological testing, as well. Physical fitness assessments often include running, swimming, and calisthenics, with each department having minimum acceptable requirements based on age and gender.

Beyond being in excellent physical condition, wildlife officers spend a considerable amount of time interacting with the public; therefore, they must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and they must be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills. They must also be able to make quick decisions under sometimes-stressful circumstances, use proper discretion, conduct affairs with integrity, and work independently.

In part these challenges come from:. Law Enforcement Division P. Box , Sacramento, CA Home Enforcement Career. Wildlife Officer Career Topics.

With few roads, they rely heavily on aircraft and boats, including ocean-going vessels up to feet long. Surrounded by local police agencies, they can focus primarily on enforcing hunting and fishing regulations, even though they are also sworn officers with statewide law enforcement authority.

And the special agents and inspectors of the U. Fish and Wildlife Service have a still different role, working as investigative experts on big and sometimes international cases involving wildlife trafficking and large-scale environmental pollution cases. They may work more as scientific detectives, shuffling through paperwork in offices and warehouses, than as traditional backcountry game wardens.

The outcome of all these investigations or patrols can lead to fines, citations, or arrests. Wardens may be empowered to impound vehicles or weapons used for illegal harvesting, and to seize fish or game taken illegally. With powers of search and seizure that exceed those of most law enforcement officers , wardens have the ability to determine and intervene in a wide variety of violations while on the job.

They carry firearms and handcuffs and may wear body armor in accordance with the policy of their agency. And because they most commonly work alone, sometimes hours from the closest backup, they take the training seriously. Law enforcement comes with restrictions and obligations, which also mean that game wardens are saddled with their share of paperwork to go with every citation or arrest.

Like any other police officer, they are expected to know and follow standards for protecting civil rights and gathering evidence that will hold up in court. And like any other police officer, they will be expected to testify in court and work with prosecutors trying criminals.

They prefer to trap animals and release them in an area where they aren't a threat to people or property. They may also work with farmers and ranchers to develop preventative measures if wildlife are damaging crops, property, or livestock. If people have hurt an animal by accident or maliciousness, a game warden may attempt basic treatment or may work with a veterinarian or other specialist to rescue and rehabilitate the injured animal.

Wardens also have input on reintroducing wildlife in their areas of responsibility, such as when the endangered grey wolves were brought back into the Rocky Mountains in the mids.