Wild Game Manager

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Wild Game Manager

A wild game manager oversees wildlife species of game (animals hunted for sport) in their habitats , the natural areas where they live. Game includes animals such as deer, elk, wild pigs, duck, geese, and fish. A wild game manager may work for the private sector at sporting clubs or large ranches. Wild game managers may also work for the government (state or federal). They may be involved in establishing hunting and fishing seasons and regulations. As hunting and fishing on private land become more and more profitable for landowners, there will be more job opportunities in this sector.

Wild game managers make certain that the animals are in good health. They monitor populations to see if there are threatening diseases. They may collect population data to ensure that the game exist in sufficient numbers to be safely hunted without being wiped out. Depending on the size of a population, the manager may recommend more or less hunting in a particular season.

Managers study the animals' habitats to see if they are being negatively affected by human activities. This career demands excellent physical condition since the work is outdoors in all kinds of weather. Duties may be difficult, and work hours may be long. A wild game manager may work in remote areas where survival and practical skills are important. The job demands working with people as well as animals. A wild game manager should therefore have good communication skills. Wild game managers should be good at completing tasks on their own and making decisions.

Those who want to work in the field of wild game management can start preparing for this career in high school by taking courses in science, chemistry, math, computers, and English. Outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, fishing, and wildlife photography provide valuable knowledge and experience regarding wildlife and the environment. A college education (bachelor's degree at the minimum) is normally required. In college, potential wild game managers should take courses in the physical and biological sciences, as well as English, statistics, geography, economics, and computers. College training should be supplemented with practical experience. Many students spend their summer months working on a farm or ranch, or working with wildlife, parks, or outdoor recreational agencies.

Denise Prendergast

Bibliography

Cook, John R., Jr., president, and Kevin Doyle, ed. The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century. Covelo, CA: Island Press, 1999.