“It’s Not Just a Job, It’s a Way of Life” Game Wardens
Jennifer Weaver and Jennifer Provaznik, Texas Game Wardens
It’s not just a job; it’s a way of life
In my continuing series of interviews with Women Following the Road Less Traveled, I met two individuals who are Texas Game Wardens in Galveston, Texas. After learning more about what they do, I thought their story worthy of sharing. Typical to other women I’ve interviewed who are working in male-dominated arenas, these two women are an inspiration to anyone seeking to make a difference by following this unique path. Learn more about how they chose this career and what keeps them motivated. For those that don’t know about what Texas Game Wardens do, I’ve included information to familiarize you with the field.
The Law Enforcement Division provides a comprehensive statewide law enforcement program to protect the state’s natural resources and environment. It provides safe boating and recreational water safety on public waters by ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. The Game Wardens of the division are responsible for the enforcement of the Parks and Wildlife Code, all TPW regulations, the Texas Penal Code, and selected statutes and regulations applicable to clean air, water, and hazardous materials. To fulfill these duties, the wardens educate the public about the laws and regulations, conduct high-visibility patrols to prevent violations, and apprehend and arrest violators. https://tsl.access.preservica.com/tda/texas-state-agencies/tpwd/parks-and-wildlife-agency-history/
Texas Game Wardens must be skilled in state and/or federal wildlife laws and regulations, and they must have an in-depth understanding of geography, biological, and environmental sciences related to fish and wildlife. Many states’ wildlife departments have standardized exams to measure a candidate’s knowledge of these areas. It is a requirement for a Texas Game Warden to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The degree can be in anything.
Game Wardens, known also as Conservation Officers, must be physically fit, as they are often required to swim, jog or hike over rough terrain. They must be physically able to control and arrest violators of conservation laws, and they must also be able to operate a boat, ATV or other motor vehicles. As law enforcement officers, they must achieve and maintain a firearms certification.
Jennifer Provaznik – Texas Game Warden since 2013
I grew up along the Ohio River in Huntington, WV with my mom and dad. As a young girl, my dad and I would go down to the river and fish. We had no idea what we were doing but we sure had fun doing it. My dad worked multiple jobs, but his main job was a firefighter. He was a hard worker and always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted, as long as my heart was in it. I got my work ethic and the attitude to always do my job well from him.
I earned a Marine Science degree from Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach in 2007. Shortly after college I went to bimini biological field station in the Bahamas to perform shark research. It was an amazing experience. I found myself working alongside scientists from around the world learning about the behavior of these majestic animals. My favorite part of the job was getting in the water and swimming with the gigantic beasts. While working at the station, I was hired by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) as a contractor fisheries biologist to be an observer on commercial fishing vessels. I eventually transferred to the NOAA lab in Pascagoula, MI where my research expanded to Bluefin tuna, plankton and red snapper.
As I worked on these commercial fishing vessels from the Florida Keys all the way to Brownsville, Texas, I saw people breaking rules and regulations and I thought, “There has to be someone out there who actually enforces these rules”, but I did not know who they were. I heard about Florida Fish and Wildlife officers but was never on land long enough to apply and train for that position.
One day I called a friend of mine, and in the conversation found out he’d just gotten a position as a Texas Game Warden. I didn’t know Texas had Game Wardens. I looked it up and after reading the description of the position, was excited. ”That’s me! It describes me to a tee”, I thought to myself. I applied to become a Game Warden, was accepted, attended the academy and five years later, here I am.
In my off time, I love to exercise. I am constantly training to compete in Half Ironman and other triathlon competitions. It fits with my love of being outdoors and is a great complement to my job. Being a Texas Game Warden is by far the best job in the world. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. No two days are ever the same. There are so many stories and one day I hope to be able to take the time to write a book.
Jennifer Weaver – Texas Game Warden since 2005
Jennifer (R)
I’ve been a Game Warden for almost 13 years. I graduated from the 51st Game Warden Academy in 2005. Thinking back to what drove me here takes me back to my college days. I graduated with an English degree from the University of Texas in Austin. While there, I was on a rowing team and was constantly outdoors. Every morning and afternoon I was in a boat, and I loved it. One day one of my rowing teammates said, “I’ve heard of this job, it’s called a Game Warden. You get to be outside and you don’t have to wear pantyhose every day…let’s apply!”
We applied, got hired and I’ve never looked back. I started out in Gregg County, as the only Game Warden in the county. I then transferred to Harris County, was there for 8 years and two years ago transferred to Galveston. In Gregg County I was busiest during hunting season…deer, squirrel and turkey. In Harris County, like Galveston, I am busy every day. Here in Galveston our team is on call 24 hours a day because people fish both day and night.
The Rest of the Story
Our main priority as Game Wardens in Galveston is protection of life inside the water, basically commercial and recreational fishing. We patrol the shores for compliance of both state and federal regulations. We make sure you have the correct licenses and that the species that we have set rules and limits for are being followed. Whether shrimping, fishing, duck hunting or dealing with migratory birds, we ensure that the regulations are being adhered to. Our territory encompasses the area from the Louisiana/Texas border down to Freeport on the Gulf of Mexico. We patrol these gulf shores in our 65’ vessel.
Once chosen as a Game Warden, we undergo a 30-week course at Texas Park and Wildlife’s Texas Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County, Texas. It’s like a rigorous boot camp much like the military.
As females, we’re expected to accomplish all the physical challenges as our fellow cadets. For us, being female, it was physically challenging, but we were never singled out or treated any differently by instructors or fellow cadets. If they did 25 pushups, we were expected to do the same.
The Academy requires cadets to be proficient with firearms, handle multiple weapons and studythe Texas Parks and Wildlife law and penal codes. Basically we learn all the things a police officer has to know plus the wildlife regulation information. We have to be good swimmers because we work on the water and may be called upon to help individuals that are drowning. You are taught how to fight under water and get to drive “cool” vehicles like ATVs and airboats. One of the most challenging and exciting training we undergo is learning how to wrestle alligators.
One day during our training we had an alligator nuisance control hunter bring 13 freshly caught gators to our class. He threw them into an arena and taught us how to catch them. We worked in teams and then alone as we learned to put a catchpole, rope and tape around the gator. It was an experience we never forgot.
People sometimes don’t understand the difference between the Coast Guard and us. The Coast Guard is considered America’s Armed Forces to enforce maritime law. It’s part of the military system and as a federal agency has the responsibility to protect federal and U.S. waters. We’re a state agency operating under the Texas Parks and Wildlife and our mission is managing fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties. There are times, however, we work together such as when we both patrol the Houston Ship Channel.
Another responsibility we have is water safety. We will check boats to ensure they have enough life jackets and fire extinguishers, as an example. We also look for drinking and boating infractions. A Boating While Intoxicated carries the same penalties as a Driving While Intoxicated charge We like to operate as a two-person team, but that depends upon what’s going on. In Galveston we’re lucky to have 8 Game Wardens. Many Texas counties, like Gregg County, only have one. At that point you act in the capacity of the local sheriff, the police department and the Game Warden.
We don’t have set “patrol times” like police officers because our job is unique. We’re on call when needed, and our hours vary. People fish and hunt early mornings, afternoons, and weekends. We work holidays because that’s when people are out. As an example oyster and duck-hunting season fall within the same time of year. A typical day might be to go out in the morning and check the duck hunters from 6-11 a.m. and then check oyster boats from 11-3. You have to be out there when people are active, and that’s the reason we don’t have scheduled patrol times.
Those of us who chose this career love it. It’s not just a job; it’s a way of life. We eat, breathe and love being a Game Warden. It’s not about the money, rather about the love of conservation and protecting our state’s natural resources. We can see the difference our organization makes. For example in the late 60’s and early 70’s the population of drum and redfish on the Texas coast was almost wiped out. Through the conservation efforts of Parks and Wildlife, we’ve been able to restabilize the population of these fish.
Part of our job is also going out into the community to educate people about what we do. We say, “If you love being outside and love nature, if you’re the kind of person who likes playing in the mud and getting your hands dirty, this is a great job for you. We want independent, confident self-starters but we also need for you to be able to work on a team when necessary. We take great pride in our organization. It’s not easy to get chosen. To have the best chance, you must make good grades, get a college degree and stay out of trouble. Contact your local Game Wardens to find out more about our “ride along” program and go to our website https://tpwd.texas.gov/warden/recruiting-careers/career to learn more about our intern programs. Our cell phones are on the website and we are happy to talk to you about any conservation questions you have…clean water, illegal dumping, etc.”
As two of approximately 50 females in a department of 550, we would love to see more women apply for the job. However, it’s extremely competitive. Some years only seven slots open up. We get hundreds of applications and hire only seven people. Our Game Wardens come with varied degrees such as pre-law or kinesthesiology as an example. Our next academy class will not start until October of 2019. When you apply, if chosen, you must be willing to go anywhere in the state of Texas and often those areas are remote - the Texas panhandle, the border or west Texas as an example.
Jennifer Weaver recalls, “My first assignment in Gregg County was pretty remote. I was the only Game Warden in the county and took the time to educate the youth about who we are and what we do. By doing that I felt like people tended to see me as less of an enforcer and more like another community member. I felt like I finally became Jennifer “our” Game Warden instead of Jennifer the “female” Game Warden”.
Recently the television show Animal Planet filmed a series called “Lone Star Law”
where they followed Game Wardens around the state as we did our job. Several of us have been on the show. We’ve enjoyed showcasing what we do to the rest of the country. Seeing all the different aspects of what we do…the dangers of enforcement as we confront poachers who carry guns and the physical demands as we board boats in rough waters; it’s not for the meek. Last year one of our team members got hurt while rescuing stranded flood victims during Hurricane Harvey. The steering cable in his airboat broke and he ended up crashing into a tree. He’s still out today and hopefully he’ll be back soon.
When the call comes in about boating crashes, often we’re the first on the scene and the last to leave. We have a special team that reconstructs what happened. The problem with boat crashes, though, is that the boat doesn’t stay in one place, it floats away or sinks. In the case of injury or death, it’s our responsibility to make sure we bring loved ones home to their families.
We wake up every day and never know what we’re going to be getting into. No two days are ever the same. If you like variety and never being bored, this is a great job. A Game Warden once told us, “The only thing that’s guaranteed on this job is that you’re going to pull out of your driveway, but you’ll never know which direction you’ll be asked to drive.”
Come join us on this adventure…you’ll love it!
These two young ladies are great examples of women who took a leap of faith and found a career many only dream about. They are truly deserving of being included in the Road Less Traveled series. Join us next time as we continue meeting and learning about women who have chosen interesting and unusual careers that bring them joy and success.
