Careers in Wildlife Law Enforcement .
To: Prospective Wildlife Enforcement Officers.
What does a Wildlife Enforcement Officer Do?.
Contrary to popular belief, Wildlife officers are not biologists. Instead, their basic work is law enforcement, which involves risks. Possible violators are almost always armed, especially during hunting season. Officers can also expect to work many nights, and most weekends and holidays, often in adverse weather conditions. This work can be hard on family life, and requires intelligence, courage, a positive mental attitude, physical strength and endurance. .
The many positive aspects include special benefits provided to all law enforcement officers who are state employees. Most of the work takes place outdoors working alone or as part of a team, and officers have some freedom in setting their schedules. Wildlife officers have opportunities to meet many interesting people, as well as perform an educational role and set examples of proper outdoor ethics. Most important though is protecting our wildlife. .
Enforcement work varies with the season. Typically during warm months an officer may check boating safety equipment, licenses, or try to catch a violator operating an illegal net or fish trap. During fall and winter, officers perform similar duties related to hunting. Officers may check waterfowl hunters or look for illegally baited hunting areas. Officers also work in teams with aircraft to catch violators illegally shooting deer at night with the aid of lights. Patrol and stakeouts are a normal part of the job, as is a certain amount of administrative work. Wildlife enforcement officers are equipped with the best possible weapons, radios, vehicles and special enforcement gear.
An officer may advance to a senior officer, master officer, area sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and colonel. Some officers may also have the opportunity to train as a wildlife enforcement pilot.
