The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is now accepting applications for its next class of game warden cadets, with the deadline set for September 30.
Becoming a game warden involves far more than checking hunting and fishing licenses. Wardens play a vital role in conservation and public safety, assisting with wildlife habitat projects, responding to natural disasters, participating in search-and-rescue efforts, and even aiding in law enforcement activities such as manhunts and drug enforcement.
“They must be ready at a moment’s notice to dive into the water to save someone from drowning and be willing to spend hours on weekends or late nights staking out likely spots to catch poachers in the act,” said Maj. Brian Aston, assistant chief of enforcement for the AGFC.
Candidates must:
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Be U.S. citizens at least 21 years old
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Have a high school diploma or equivalent
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Hold a valid driver’s license with a good driving record
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Be able to swim and pass physical, psychological, vision, and hearing exams
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Undergo a thorough background check
Applicants often come from law enforcement, military, firefighting, EMT, or wildlife biology backgrounds due to the diverse skills the job requires.
Selected cadets will attend an 18-week training course at the AGFC’s H.C. “Red” Morris Enforcement Training Center in Mayflower, where they’ll receive instruction in self-defense, physical fitness, wildlife forensics, law enforcement tactics, and state law. Afterward, cadets complete 16 weeks of field training with a superior officer at their assigned duty station.
Assignments are based on agency needs, but location preferences may be accommodated if openings exist.
“As positions open up, some game wardens will transfer to be closer to family, but many stay put because they’ve become such a fixture in their local community,” Aston said. “Some of the smaller towns can actually be the most fulfilling because wardens do so much to support local law enforcement needs.”
For application forms and more information, visit AGFC Jobs or the Becoming a Game Warden page on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website.
