I have a degree in wildlife biology & law enforcement. I am a glorified Federal game warden. The hours can be long & odd. The pay is not too bad. I travel all the time and have seen some great country. Living life on the road does get old at times. If wildlife is what you like go for it.

I didn' t need to read that right now.... I' m eating a sausage pizza![][X(]

Treeguy, I know of no " online" sources for browse species of plants on the internet; however, one of the college extension agents or your local wildlife department in your area may have a browse species booklet that identifies browse species relevant to your particular locality. Otherwise, try other online sources like amazon.com and do a search. If you do find a site - please post it so we all can share.

Hey Roseaukaine where did you go to school? I have a son who may head down that path.He hates chemistry though.But he loves the outdoors,I think it would be up his alley.

CB

Cajunhunter (neighbor), I went to school at Nicholls State University in southern Louisiana (Cajun Harvard). If your son is interested in this field of study, tell him to go after a masters degree in wildlife management from LSU after he graduates with a BS in Biology/Environmental Science from an accredited university (there are many), then go to work for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Federal). They make great money, but he has to be willing to relocate where he is needed most (like Alaska!). He can get his masters degree while working for the state wildlife and fisheries (LDWF), and gain the necessary experience that the USFWS requires. He needs to certify with the Civil Service Dept. to apply with the LDWF. He must be prepared for the Louisiana Civil Service professional level examination - not the easiest thing in the world to pass (I did the first time). He must score a 86 or higher on the test, have a BS in Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Science, and go through a stringent interview process. If he meets the overwhelming requirements - he can be one of the proudest lowest paid state employees in the country[]. But, like stated before, it' s a labor of love. Good luck!

Hey, thanks for the info.Where you based out of now? I think he would really like to work in deer management.How hard is that to get into in the private sector.Any market for that at all??

Thanks,
CB

I thought about going into wildlife biology when I switched majors my freshman year, but then learned that only the top 10% of graduates get jobs, and most only get jobs after grad school. I' m a Natural Resource Management major, and have a summer internship doing GPS/GIS work, monitoring, and various other tasks with a county environmental service. There are some great jobs in the environmental field, but from what I' ve heard wildlife biology is very tough to get in on. Almost everyone wants to be a deer biologist, but very, very few are.

What Jeffmiller said! I am stationed in Terrebonne Parish. The demand is not that great for deer managers in the private sector. One needs credentials, and years of experience before he/she can get hired. Whitetails are the most researched of all animals - almost anyone could be a " deer biologist" (at heart anyway) if they take the time and educate themselves. There are many resources available online and through government agencies. Remember, their research is a public record - viewable to all who seek it.

A good friend of mine has a bachlor' s degree in wildlife biology. He tried for four years after college to get a job in his field. Graduated top of his class from Iowa State. He' s a deputy now. Figures thats about as close as he' ll get. Lots of folks with his degree, very few jobs.

Don' t mean to rain on your parade. Just giving you my buddies experience. But make no mistake, an education is the only way to go which ever field you choose.

Yes - no other way. An education is an absolute necessity, after that - a little luck, a lot of patience, and hard work is in order (unless you know someone[:@]). I was " lucky" . I had applied/inquired with the department several times over two years, went back to college and recieved another degree in secondary education. I was working as a HS Biology/Environmental Science teacher when they finally called (out of the blue[]). When I accepted the position, I went from 27K/year as a first-year teacher to 19k/year as a starting Biologist . The positions are very competative - that' s why the salary is so low. A biologist position is the lowest paying job for having one of the hardest curriculums/requirements of almost any other professional position that I know of. BUT, I do love my job - I learn something new every day and the benefits are excellent for a growing family (and I get to scout year-round).