Job Ideas?

[dihardhunter]

I wish all guys and gals entering 4 year wildlife degree programs could get half the advice we are throwing out on this thread. So many people say "I love to hunt" and instantly throw themselves into a 4 year tail spin when they wake up and find out they can't support themselves unless they are in that top 5-10% cream of the crop. Great advice everybody!

 

[bern0134]

I'd have to agree with what dihardhunter has to say. Getting a 4 yr degree keeps you making technician wages. And if you want to contribute more who ever you work for may always just consider you as a technician (my experience) and so your opinion might not matter. . So now I am working towards wrapping up my master's degree. However, departments like the US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service have programs called "Student Temporary Employment Terms" or "Student Career Employment Positions" in which they are basically paid internships and gain experience while getting a Bachelor's degree. Its one way to get your foot in the door for working for such departments.
I'm looking at getting a PhD in the future. I've found what I enjoy the most and that's wildlife research. Dihardhunter- keep in mind that although pickings seem slim now, hopefully sooner or later, positions will open because professors and researchers have to retire sometime. I look forward to reading some of work in the future in JWM.

 

[norcalhunter]

I changed careers at age 37 and thought of being a game warden. The problem is their busy season is hunting season. The same would hold true as a guide. These professions are good if you don't want to hunt yourself. I ended up being a park ranger because the busy season is May-Sep. I can take off in Oct and Nov and nobody cares. It works out perfect except for the pay.

 

[Drhorsepower]

my dad always told me to pick a job I didn't like but pays well, that way you enjoy your time off more... It is good in theory I guess, I am lucky though, I have a job I love and get time off! I did wild land fire for 3 years, great job except it is during drag racing season and no time off although you get most of the hunting season off.

Ikic has the schedule for work/hunting figured out though

 

[Old Hunter]

I changed careers at age 37 and thought of being a game warden. The problem is their busy season is hunting season. The same would hold true as a guide. These professions are good if you don't want to hunt yourself. I ended up being a park ranger because the busy season is May-Sep. I can take off in Oct and Nov and nobody cares. It works out perfect except for the pay.

I know the warden in my unit. He always gets away for a hunt. Most people think they can get tags easily, but they need to go through the draw like everybody else. At least that what he says.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

When I first started college, I played football and was on a scholorship. I really thought I'd like to coach, bad choice! Have to work all fall with not much opportunity to hunt.

 

[dihardhunter]

'bern' - where you going to school and what's your project focus?

 

[hubba20]

Thanks for all of the input everyone! There is a lot of stuff to think about now ha... Im still thinking of being something like a wilfelife biologist or something along those lines, but i have heard on other forums that "you shouldnt make your hobby your job cuz after awhile you`ll hate your hobby." and i think that is mainly true... i know people who have wanted to be a guide and do that, and then after a few years they hate it and are sick of baby sitting people... im starting to think about going down the city fireman route, or maybe getting a PhD and going into the medical field or something like that. City firemen have a lot of time of too hunt, and so does the medical field. I realize to get into the medical field, it requires many more years of studying, but it will pay off in the future...
What do you guys think? would you agree with me? or am i up in the night ha?

 

[labman]

I think you'll find everybody on this forum loves the outdoors and works to hunt. I agree with everybody else get your degrees Masters at least and find your working passion. I went the entrepreneurial route because my Dad always told me you can not fire yourself. I have busted my butt and now I can take the time I need to hunt and take vacations with my family. Finding that balance between life and your hobbies/passions is the most difficult challenge you will face especially when you have a family. Good luck on your journey and always keep an open mind!!

 

[Old Hunter]

Thanks for all of the input everyone! There is a lot of stuff to think about now ha... Im still thinking of being something like a wilfelife biologist or something along those lines, but i have heard on other forums that "you shouldnt make your hobby your job cuz after awhile you`ll hate your hobby." and i think that is mainly true... i know people who have wanted to be a guide and do that, and then after a few years they hate it and are sick of baby sitting people... im starting to think about going down the city fireman route, or maybe getting a PhD and going into the medical field or something like that. City firemen have a lot of time of too hunt, and so does the medical field. I realize to get into the medical field, it requires many more years of studying, but it will pay off in the future...
What do you guys think? would you agree with me? or am i up in the night ha?

It depends on how much you really like the outdoors. I haven't got sick of it in 69 years, so any job that kept me outdoors would never get old.

What I got tired of was loving the outdoors, and working indoors. I started life as an auto mechanic. I did it for 10years, and hated being cooped up. I switched to being a truck driver. Not ideal, but at least I was outside. If I had started as a warden. My life would have been happier.
I've been retired now for 10 years. I spend at least 325 days a year in the mountains. I guess I like it.

 

[Drhorsepower]

Being a city fireman is a great career! And you will be up at night!

 

[hubba20]

is that a bad thing to be up at night? lol

 

[Drhorsepower]

is that a bad thing to be up at night? lol

It can get old, believe me.

 

[AKaviator]

I would suggest that you look at some of the state wildlife agencies. I worked as a wildlife trooper in Alaska for 20 years and found it to be a fun and rewarding career. Many states require a degree in a related field, Alaska does not at this time. It helps to have one though. Also, make yourself employable by obtaining anything that could set you apart from another applicant; pilot's license, Coast Guard license, etc. and stay away from any legal troubles.
Prayers help too!

 

[bern0134]

'bern' - where you going to school and what's your project focus?

I'm @ Texas Tech at the moment. I did my undergrad @ Colorado State. My current project is on factors effecting recruitment in rocky mountain elk in New Mexico. Ran a serological survey, calf mortality and survival study, and attempting to do some population age structure reconstruction using age at harvest data. I'm hoping to have everything completed this fall.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

At least you don't have any grey wolves or grizzlies to deal with or you probably wouldn't enough calves to study!

 

[dihardhunter]

OOOFFFF, population reconstructions. I had a 20-something year dataset of that in Maryland at my master's research site - talk about some confusing Microsoft Excel worksheets! Best of luck with your defense this fall, sounds like a neat project!

 

[NRS]

I have been a Wildland firefighter for 8 years now, originally started to pay my way through college, which it did, but once i got out of college in 2008 there werent many job opportunities, however with fire I always had rehire rights each spring so i just kept on doing it. I have slowly been working my way up the ranks which sometimes requires relocating as well. I am currently stationed at a remote guard station in the idaho backcountry and spend everyday outside doing somthing. (mostly "scouting"). I recieved my degree in Recreation which both the U.S. forest service and BLM have departments in, and once I want to have a normal life am hoping to move over into that. I love my Job. and get to travel the country while doing it.

 

[In God We Trust]

Look into mining. Good pay and you generally live in good hunting places out west. I have been doing it for nine years and I love it.

 

[Grantbvfd]

Be a lineman