Fish and Wildlife Officer

[AlbertaOutdoorsmen19]

Hey,
I am currently in Grade 10 and once I'm finished high school I hope to become a F&W Officer. I love hunting, fishing and everything outdoors.
So I am just wondering if any of you have taken this career or something similar and wouldn't mind passing any suggestions on for Colleges or University's or anything!
Thanks,
AO19
(Aaron)

[AB2506]

Check out Lethbridge College. They are the class of the colleges for careers in Fish and Wildlife. I don't regret going. I graduated in 1990.


http://www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca/envisci/

[IR_mike]

I think Lethbridge (LCC) and Lakeland college (Vermillion) have conservation related programs.

[huntinstuff]

I shared a few classes with the guys in Conservation at Lethbridge College. Definitely a good school to go to. At least it was many many years ago

[harv3589]

I did the degree program at LCC as well...great program.

[plinker]

Talk to Lethbridge College. They have a program I think it is called student for a day. You get to be in class for a day and see what the course is all about. I met two of the instructors at this years boat show in Calgary and they both impressed me very much. One was an older chap and the other a much younger version. Very knowledable and very approachable. They talked directly to my 16 year old son who is also in grade 10 and made him feel very at ease.

[packhuntr]

Cant help ya with info, but I can give ya some advise. Dont wind up wishing you had done it, what ever it is ya think ya want. You dont want to end up as an operator for an Oil and Gas company!! I still wonder where things would have went if I had been educated and persued something other than buckin horses, women and a crock of whiskey. I love turning on Discovery and such. I think archaeology would have been an awesome life long fit for me!! Im proud of myself for figuring out what I want now, I think its awesome!! Just too bad its too late! Maybe next time??

[airforce2]

i am currently in the conservation enforcement program at lethbridge college and it is a great program with lots of hands on work

[Versatile]

I beleive Lethbridge is the best school in Canada right now for the criminal Justice program. I would definatly start there and take the 2 year course then head to Mount Royal for another 2 or 3 years although you dont have to.

[Bear]

Straight from Alberta's website about Fish and Wildlife Officers.

http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/occinfo/Co...RO_ID=71008064

Lethbridge is pretty much a requirement with their degree program.

[oldgutpile]

At the risk of being the bad guy in this scenario, I am going to post some of the negative factors. Not towards the programs at LCC or some of the other institutes, but in your career choice in general. I too wanted to take the road your contemplating, but after doing some pretty in-depth research, I opted out of it.
A love for the outdoors is an admiral thing, something that the majority on this site can associate with. True, you will spend a large portion of your time out of doors, but that is just a portion of the job. When you deal with any gov't agency, there is a lot of paperwork trails, and dont forget courtroom time and other such wonderful ventures.
when the rest of the world seems to be out filling tags and having fun, that is when you' ll likely be the busiest with little chance for time off. You'll be outdoors lots, unfortunately it will likely be to nurse-maid a lot of others and making sure things are all done on the right side of legal.
Right or wrong, a lot of conservation officers find themselves very easily alienated from the rest of the outdoor fraternity. A tough situation to live with sometimes I"m sure. To me commeraderie is the single most important part of outdoor ventures.
Back when I was looking at getting into conservation, I found that the employment rate was extremely low ( and always seems pretty low on the provincial budget) for new officers, and you almost have to have an inside support to get positioned. If you could find a posting, the rate of pay was almost embarassing (I know things have changed lots since then) and you really had to wonder about justifying the cost of the education to pursue it.

If you are truly determined that this is the career of choice for you, and you are bound and determined to pursue it, LCC is one of the top institutions in the country. Just do your homework and make sure its everything you want.
Best of luck in whichever career you take.

[WalleyeDeitz]

Lot of Great Advice here. I too took the program in Lethbridge. Loved the course and I mean loved it. It is alot of hard work and studying and when in school you will find yourself thinking "when am I ever going to need to know the latin name of this?". But just wait, once you get out in an environmental related carrer it will all start to make sense. If you like the outdoors then the program will be a great experience none the less. Try to keep out of the bars at least a couple nights a week though as Lethbridge is a good party town for all those going to college/university.

I cant speak for other schools though I can tell you the instructors at this college are awesome. I had the feeling that they actually cared how much you learned while you were there. They would also come and sit and have a beer with you on a Fraiday afternoon which believe it or not, you will learn more about the industry in these lessons as well.

Job postings were tight for this line of work though what I did realize, is the people dedicated to choosing this carrer eventually ended up doing what they love. You will no doubt have to put in your time and apply for several job competitions as well as possibly work seasonal for several years but if thats what you love then do it. Thats just advice that I did not follow. I completed the program and ended up in the environmental side of the oil patch. The money is good but the work is not what I dreamed of.

That being said, good luck in whatever path you choose. Follow your dreams and dont give up if thats what you want to do.

Regards,

[Bear]

Originally Posted by oldgutpile

If you could find a posting, the rate of pay was almost embarassing (I know things have changed lots since then) and you really had to wonder about justifying the cost of the education to pursue it.

If you are truly determined that this is the career of choice for you, and you are bound and determined to pursue it, LCC is one of the top institutions in the country. Just do your homework and make sure its everything you want.
Best of luck in whichever career you take.

Here is the last open competition that closed in March 2009. http://jobs.alberta.ca/postings/055031.htm

Its a tough racket but there are other jobs it can turn in to. I went to Lethbridge for the the Conservation Enforcement Certificate in the early 90's. Loved the program, hated the city. Lots have changed in the 16 or 17 years since I went there.

I will say that alot of the negatives are true. When you want to be hunting you will be working. Alot. Guys still find time to get out and tag a few animals but it is your busy time.

Talk to your local Fish Cop and see if you can arrange a ride along. Start making contacts with Officers as soon as you can. Good luck.

[AlbertaOutdoorsmen19]

Does anyone have an idea on who to call for information on riding along with a fish cop for a day? Im in the Edmonton area.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

[Bear]

Edmonton F&W office.

http://alberta.ca/home/includes/dire...&levelID=76323

Officer in Charge is Dennis Prodan.

Now Edmonton Area covers a large area.

Good luck.

[QIsley]

Stony Plain District - Office is located in Spruce Grove...780-960-8190

Officer in Charge - Quentin Isley

[Selkirk]

Aaron,

Great thread ... Excellent read!

You are getting some very valuable advice ... both 'Pro' and 'Con'. Hope you're taking lots of notes!

As with any career choice, it's always good to look into it with "Eyes Wide Open".

Best of luck with whatever you decide,

TF

[I-Love-Eyes]

Hi,

My son is taking that course as we speak. He went to Vermilion--Lakeland College--and will have his diploma in Wildlife and fisheries conservation by the end of April. He is going to Lethbridge Community College in Sept for the Conservation Enforcement program.
The course at Lethbridge is four years, The course at Vermilion is two years and then you can transfer to Lethbridge for the third & fourth years. The third year concentrates on learning the laws. It is my understanding that the 4th year is a lot of practicum and not much classroom.

Also, the first year at Vermilion is a "common" year--which means that you can change from wildlife and fisheries to any of the environmental sciences--reclamation etc, in the second year if conservation is not what you want to do after all.

Brian LOVED going to Lakeland because the setting is more like high school--smaller classes & smaller campus--AND GREAT INSTRUCTORS!! He took this route because Lethbridge is pretty far away from Edmonton (about 6 hours) while Vermilion is about 2 hrs. For a first year student, being able to come home when you get homesick is a lot easier if you are closer.

Hope this information helps. If you have more questions, PM me and we can talk more. Good Luck in your studies. Here is the link for Lakeland College--- http://www.lakelandcollege.ca

[AlbertaOutdoorsmen19]

Thanks Eyes,
I too am looking at the vermilion campus because I am in Sherwood Park and as you said Lethbridge is a hefty ways away!
Thanks everyone for your help , and if you still have any suggestions keep them coming!
A019

[falco]

NAIT has the biological sciences program that you could take for your first 2 years and then transfer to Lethbridge for the next 2 years. If you went this option, you could save some money by living at home for the first 2 years. I took the NAIT program(eons ago), and am employed in the fisheries end of things. I think the program is fully transferable but check it out before making a move. And yes, it is true what some are saying, you won't get rich in this business. The main thing is to enjoy what you are doing and all will be good.

[fnklinge]

Originally Posted by AlbertaOutdoorsmen19

Hey,
I am currently in Grade 10 and once I'm finished high school I hope to become a F&W Officer. I love hunting, fishing and everything outdoors.
So I am just wondering if any of you have taken this career or something similar and wouldn't mind passing any suggestions on for Colleges or University's or anything!
Thanks,
AO19
(Aaron)

Hi Aaron,

It's good to read about your determination and motivation, those are the two ingredients for being succesfull in anything you want to achieve in life. My name is Frank Klinge from Holland, I am a Law Enforcement Officer. In Holland we don't have so many different Peace Officers as in Canada. I am a federal Ranger specialised in a broad variety of skills such as; Police Officer, Police boat navigator, Police Dog Handler, Game warden and qualified for maintaining law and order for all laws, etc, this all concentrated in one person.
Sorry for my English; what I am trying to say to you is "if this is what you want, go for it. I read there are 2 Colleges giving courses in this field of work.
Take one of those courses and focus! What you can do right now! Go to the offices where Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Officers are working. Introduce yourself and believe me that your determination and motivation is shown by you. Before you know it your enthusiasm is reflected to the Officers.
I did the same a lot of years ago and I have one of the finsest jobs in Holland.
Good luck!

[nekred]

I went and got a degree in Natural Resource science which is a 5 year program when you atke all specialties as I did...

I worked in Forestry and then Environmental scientists as a consultant.
It seems there are three ways to go... Govt, Industry or consulting...

Gov't at the time was very hard to get into when I graduated and what you do for summer jobs weighs heavily on that I worked for Industry (more Money) and then when I go out I consulted for 4 years... got tired of always being away from home and ended up changing careers but now have come over into a similar roles in a different field....

I love the outdoors and I did some relaly cool things and loved my experience but for a career now I would do something more mainstream... especially if considering university... be engineer, business, teaching, doctor, lawyer, and actually have enough money to enjoy the outdoors...

Nowadyas there is a lot more opportunity in Environmental field than ever before so i would look closely at that especially in Industry!...

[huntinstuff]

Im sure the kid has graduated by now.......