Game Warden: Things to Know About Them

CRJ 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice

(
1
)

Abstract

With a growing need to protect wildlife and natural environments, game wardens were established as peaceful law enforcement officers in ensuring adherence to the rules and

regulations pertaining to fish and wildlife hunting. The history of game wardens can be traced back in 1880 with the establishment of Maine Warden Services. Uncontrolled hunting and fishing necessitated regulation due to the threat exposed to wildlife Technology has improved and changed the way in which game wardens enforce laws, educate the community, and also engage in other wildlife management activities. Becoming a game warden requires a relevant

educational level depending on the job skills and the post requirements. The government plays an important role in establishing the legal authorities that help game warden law enforcement at all levels of governance. Those who fail to comply with the wildlife laws are subject to strict liability offenses.

Keywords: Game warden, law, wildlife, wardens, enforcement, laws, legal, hunting activities

Game Warden: Things to Know About Them

To be able to maintain the balance of peace in the world, law enforcement was established to protect its citizens and also nature and wildlife. The Game Wardens have risen to become a

serious part of the current hunting culture, dealing with guaranteeing that a licensed individual operates as per the limits, regulations, and the specified time of the year. They are responsible for the law enforcement of fisheries and wildlife environments.

History of Game Warden

The Maine Warden Service was founded back in 1880. Their primary task was to enforce the laws providing care to Maine’s moose and deer. In the 1890s, hunting and fishing became uncontrollable which put the wildlife at risk. The department enacted “The September Law”

which was an early license program. The law is a licensing program that costs hunters to pay

$4.00 for residents and $6.00 non-residents and allows them to kill one deer in the month of September. The Game Warden grew progressively over the years, with significant changes with the introduction of technology in the 2000s. The department made a major strategic and technological update. After a decade, the department partnered with Animal Planet to create

North Woods Law, a TV series that documented the day-to-day life and work of Maine Game Wardens. Today’s game warders are working towards achieving their mission by using modern technology and new techniques in carrying out their extensive range of responsibilities from law enforcement to education and angler surveys.

How to be a Game Warden?

In delivering services, the majority of game wardens jobs stipulate specific requirements that regard education, strong moral character, and experience. Applicants must be 21 years old or have 60 college credits. While a college degree is not a requirement, the process of being a game warden is highly competitive. Many applicants acquire a bachelor’s degree in areas such as

criminal justice or biology.

The first step in the application process is taking the comprehensive oral board exam. After passing the exam and hiring process the applicants will undergo two phases of training. The first one will be 18 weeks of Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP). Once the applicant graduates from BLETP they will move forward to the second phase which is 12 weeks of

Advanced Warden Academy. Game warden grants you different types of careers. The salary range for game wardens in Maine is $44,033- $72,259 depending on your position.

I had the opportunity to interview District Warden Orchard, Megan. According to her, the career she has varies depending on the season, which includes issuing fishing and hunting licenses. Another job includes investigation, search and rescue, running hunter education and

safety programs. She had her career as a district warden for almost four years now and she hopes to apply for a sergeant position in the future. As a game warden, she involves herself to the

community through speaking events, such as fair events, classes that involve law enforcement, and the local parade.

How does the Game Warden enforce the law?

The government brought up the legal authority concerning wildlife and nature conservation.

Although these legal authorities vary somehow along with the locales, the game wardens are

granting them powers to engage in any law enforcement activity. The game wardens have legal cross-deputation with the other jurisdictions to provide legal authority when there is a need.

Game warden officers are deputized with additional functions by agencies like National Marine Fisheries to help in enforcing laws within the State. On the burden of proof, individuals violating the wildlife laws may receive citations as ‘strict liability’ offenses. Some of the game warden officers have powers to exercise personal discretion and offer leniency to individuals who have

committed a particular crime due to an honest mistake or the genuine ignorance of the law. In this regard, game wardens have the legal powers to enforce unlawful trapping, forbid some of the criminal activities, and help in the arrest of the individuals engaged in unlawful activities.

Concluding Topic

Law enforcement forms an important aspect in management of the marine and other wildlife environments. The need to control wildlife hunting and marine fishing activities have necessitated establishment of game wardens. Game wardens are trained on wildlife law

enforcement and other advanced training for ensuring efficient compliance of the laws through enforcement activities. Government provides the legal authority to game wardens in exercising their powers. Game wardens on the other hand, enforce wildlife laws by following the legal provisions provided by the wildlife management agencies.

References

Eliason, S. L. (2016). Game warden perceptions of change in conservation law enforcement.
The Police Journal,
89(3), 218-226.

GameWardenEDU.org. (2020). How to Become a Fish and Game Warden in Maine.

https://www.gamewardenedu.org/maine/

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. (2020). History of the Maine Warden Service.

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/warden-service/history.html

Warden Orchard M. (2020, March 28). Phone interview