Any Game Wardens?

[KWalkerM]

Just wondering if any game wardens peruse the site, i usually have a couple questions since im newer to hunting. Sometimes i cant get a question quickly from my other sources so it would be nice to know who i can ask here. Thanks!

[ArtP88]

I'm not a game warden, but I can say this -- there are precious few game wardens in our vast state. Not nearly enough to do the job.

At one point I researched it and found there are just a few hundred in the whole state. If off-time and vacation time are considered, along with the amount of land territory and ocean waters, they're spread INCREDIBLY thin.

Out of 40 million people in this state, odds are not good you'll find a game warden here, though it's not impossible. My local field office has responded to my questions, though I've waited 10 days, which is understandable under their shortage. I've also found them to be good people and compassionate about their job. Just give 'em some time.

[Jack L]

I'm not a game warden, but I can say this -- there are precious few game wardens in our vast state. Not nearly enough to do the job.

At one point I researched it and found there are just a few hundred in the whole state. If off-time and vacation time are considered, along with the amount of land territory and ocean waters, they're spread INCREDIBLY thin.

Out of 40 million people in this state, odds are not good you'll find a game warden here, though it's not impossible. My local field office has responded to my questions, though I've waited 10 days, which is understandable under their shortage. I've also found them to be good people and compassionate about their job. Just give 'em some time.

Agreed. In my career F&G would sometimes show up to help secure the scene until SO got there. They are very polite and often worked alone which is really hazardous in that profession. I would pay another penny tax just to fund more F&G employees.

[AAShooter]

Also, wardens tend to be paid much less than other law enforcement.

[KWalkerM]

Thanks guys, i am well aware of the shortage, pay, and hazards. Another reason to find one is because i am going to school to become a game warden. This state (as much as i dislike the laws) needs all the help it can get and i want to protect california's natural resources.

[1meanchevy]

The pay sucks and thats a shame, but their certainly isn't a shortage of applicants by any means, so you can't say there doing a job nobody else wants to do. Its the state thats really holding them back.

[tbhracing]

Their pay and benefits are decent.

[KWalkerM]

The pay sucks and thats a shame, but their certainly isn't a shortage of applicants by any means, so you can't say there doing a job nobody else wants to do. Its the state thats really holding them back.

I never said no one wants to do it. I just feel CA could better benefit from a few more Game Wardens and i am driven to make it in the thin green line.

[Hopalong]

Tough job, you can see those guys in action on "Wild Justice" on the National Geographic channel.

I've got a customer that I have worked for for 25 years whose son is a game warden.

He's about 30 now, and been a warden about 5 years.

I've known him since he was a little boy, and when he's home now visiting his folks, he comes out to their stable and we talk guns, and he's got some wild stories.

He carries a Glock, and he has a dog.

One time when I was out there, I say to his mother, a sweet, sweet lady

"Hey I saw (your son) the other night on Wild Justice"

She says, "yeah, I talked to him about that, I asked him why is was so hard on the old man?"

I cracked up, thought that was funny, poor guy being lectured by his mother.

By the way, I've got another customer who is a biologist for F&G

And she said that they were hiring wardens

[BigDogatPlay]

There are a couple of wardens who post here from time to time. I'm not one of them.

If you have specific questions about hunting regs or a particular area, you can always call the regional office that covers where you are. You can link through to the regional offices through this page.

Wardens pay and benefits have grown in the past couple of years, they are getting closer to parity with CHP and CDCR. State parks is the agency getting left behind now. The warden academy is up at Butte College now.

I don't see any exams for warden open at the moment so you'd probably be best served calling the HR branch at (916) 653-8120 to see what's available in the near future.

[Tripper]

Or post in the hunting forum
A number if quite knowledgable hunters there

[KWalkerM]

Not 21 yet and frankly i dont think i have enough life experience to make it as a cop/game warden. Thanks for the info guys got another ride along next month with F&G so i will have another contact then.

As for wild justice, a couple of the wardens i talk to dont like the show. They said the camera crew egged the suspects on and were passive aggressive. I like the show Wardens on outdoor channel better. More like Cops but for game wardens.

[KWalkerM]

Not 21 yet and frankly i dont think i have enough life experience to make it as a cop/game warden. Thanks for the info guys got another ride along next month with F&G so i will have another contact then.

As for wild justice, a couple of the wardens i talk to dont like the show. They said the camera crew egged the suspects on and were passive aggressive. I like the show Wardens on outdoor channel better. More like Cops but for game wardens.

[ArtP88]

From the wardens I've spoke with, it's a privilege to become a F&G officer, since there are so few hired, and all (most) started their career as normal LE and made the move to F&G based on their passion for outdoor work and their knowledge of hunting and other things outdoors.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I'm only saying it's a coveted position that many with experience want to fill.

Because there are so few is a reflection on the budget, and nothing to do with the desire of men/women who want to fill the role.

My point is, you're going to have to get in line behind those who have LE experience. Sad but true.

[tbhracing]

FWIW- the state just very recently hired for Game Warden Cadet. I do not work for F+G, but in the same union (CSLEA) as them. If you want a good background on the position, please check out our contract online and Google "bargaining unit 7".