More of this Feature • Part 1: Why I Taught School • Part 2: Some Outdoor Possibilities

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"I always wanted to work outdoors.  Have you ever considered a job outdoors, or do you have one? What are the good and bad things about doing what you love for your career?"  Ronnie

Related Resources • Making Money Outdoors

Past Articles One Year Ago - 02/19/01 - Taking Fishing Pictures Two Years Ago -2/21/00 - Fishing Polls Three Years Ago - 02/22/99 - Fishing with Randy and Wanda Four Years Ago - 02/23/98 - Knot Tying

This is mostly for young people thinking about their future.

Ever thought about working outdoors? Would you like to have a job that would let you stay outside, working in the woods and on the water? There are many that allow that, and you can probably get one if you really want it - if you are young enough to plan for it!

I almost became a game warden in 1974. Back then a college degree was about all that was required, and a good family friend was head of enforcement. Also back then a lot depended on who you knew, and he told my dad if I wanted a job as a game warden I would have one.

In my second year of teaching, working outdoors seemed like a wonderful change! Then I really compared things. As a teacher I worked 190 days a year and made about $7000 per year. Game wardens worked at least 250 days a year and were on call 365 days each year. They often worked nights, weekends and any time they were needed, in all kinds of weather. And they made about $9000 to start.

In teaching, my time off was mine, except for the time I spent working on higher degrees. And I had every weekend off. When on the lake or in the woods I decided I wanted to be able to hunt game and catch fish, not try to hunt game violators and catch people breaking the fishing laws!

I stuck with education. I often wonder how my life would be different if I had become a game warden, though!

If you are still in school and want to work with the state, either as a game warden, fisheries biologists or technician, stay in school. Go to college and major in a field related to what you want - biology if you want that kind of job or something related to law if you want to become a game warden!

Page 2 > Some Outdoor Possibilities > Page 1, 2 

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