How to Become a Conservation Officer in Kentucky

If you are looking for information on how to become a game warden in Kentucky, you have come to the right place. Here we have all the information prospective Kentucky fish and game wardens will need to fully understand the Kentucky game warden requirements.

Requirements to Become a Game Warden in Kentucky

Age: Must be at least 21 years of age to begin Kentucky Game Warden Training.

Citizenship: Evidence of U.S. Citizenship or naturalization records are mandatory, as well as evidence of Kentucky residency.

Permit: A legal Kentucky-issued driver’s license is required.

Military Service: If a prospective Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Officer was formerly in the military, they will need to have left “Under Honorable States”.

Work Qualifications: Nominees will be required to submit to a drug screening.

Legal and foundation History: Applicants will need to submit to a background check to insure that the candidate has a clean criminal record. They are looking for violations such as:

  • Previous crimes due to  a dependence to booze or substances
  • Been convicted of domestic violence or a felony violation
  • Been convicted of false statement or perjury

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Kentucky Game Warden Education Requirements

Applicants must have at least 54 hours of course work or have completed an Associate’s degree.

Kentucky Game Warden Training

  • Written abilities test, testing for a professional use of the English language.
  • Complete a 23-week class that includes basic police officer training in defensive tactics, firearms, search and seizure, and arrests.

A 12-week specialty-training class comprising training on the following:

  • Firearms
  • Drug Identification
  • Dangerous Apparatus and Expandable Baton training
  • Waterfowl Training
  • Wildlife Forensics
  • Water Survival
  • Crisis Boat Operations
  • Boat Mishap Investigations
  • Fish Identification
  • Marine Larceny
  • Media Relations
  • Land Navigation
  • Area Training

Candidates must also complete 16 weeks of training that is practical to the job, assisted by secondary and main Field Training Officers

Two years expertise working in diversion, agriculture, natural resources or wildlife resources will swap for each year of the mandatory instruction.

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Medical assessment: The nominee must be assessed by a doctor and determined to be in excellent physical condition.

Hearing: The applicant should have the ability to hear over long and short distances with or without the use of a hearing aid.

Eyesight: The applicant have color vision and have excellent vision with or without the use of corrective lenses.

Physical Preparedness (POP): The applicant must complete a physical preparation test showing which she or he can complete the responsiblities that are required by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Officers. The test includes:

  • Bench press 64% of her or his body weight
  • Finish 18 sit ups in a single minute
  • Finish 20 pushups with no time limit
  • Must finish a 100 yard swim using side stroke or freestyle, breast stroke followed by a 10 minute tread, by recovering an item from 7 feet of water, promptly followed

Mental Illness: The applicant will be assessed by a doctor to make sure that they are in excellent mental condition prior to offering employment.

Desirable Abilities and Qualifications to Become a Kentucky Game Warden

  • Demonstrate effective usage of English including both oral and written formats.
  • Demonstrate effective utilization of math including data collection, basic bookkeeping, estimating, and advanced arithmetic.
  • Bilingual is a plus.
  • Knowledge of wildlife management, law enforcement and habitat resources.
  • High moral character, truthfulness and exhibiting integrity.
  • Create and maintain effective interpersonal relationships within as well as beyond the section.
  • Stay dedicated to professional development.
  • Efficiently use snowmobiles, boats, and ATVs for pursuit and patrol.
  • Demonstrate successful usage of firearms.
  • Professional development or school classes in natural resources management, law enforcement, sociology, or psychology.

Kentucky Game Warden Requirements

Kentucky Game Warden Salary

Game wardens in Kentucky take home a great salary while pursuing a fulfilling career protecting fish and game of his or her state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average game warden in the state of Kentucky make a median salary between 40,000 and 60,000 per year.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

#1 Sportsman’s Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (800) 858-1549

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Choose an area of study & concentration and receive free information about programs you are interested in. Federal and state game wardens are law enforcement officers and wildlife conservation specialists, so having a degree in an area like environmental science or wildlife management is just as important as experience in law enforcement.