Page 8 - March/April 2020 - Outdoor Oklahoma

NEW GAME WARDEN LEARNS EVERY DAY DIFFERS

By Jena Donnell, Wildlife Diversity Information
Specialist

Jacob Harriet has been a Game Warden with the Okla-
homa Department of Wildlife Conservation for less than
a year and already enjoys the varied schedule that comes
with the job.
“I never know what my workday will be like. Every day is
different. That’s part of what makes the job so much fun.”
He is currently assigned to work in Lincoln County.
Harriet’s journey to becoming one of the Wildlife Depart-
ment’s 117 Game Wardens began when he was 12 years old.
“A Game Warden came out to tag the bobcats I had trapped
and talked to me about his job. Hearing that I could work out-
side and in nature — helping people and helping animals — I
knew that was the job I wanted.”
Harriet would need a bachelor’s degree with at least 12
credit hours in wildlife-related courses and be at least 21
years old before he could join the ranks of those sworn to
enforce the fish and wildlife laws of our state. Nearly a
decade after his first encounter with a Game Warden, he met
those requirements and received his dream job offer from the
Wildlife Department.
“The first six months of the job were filled with training.”
All Game Wardens must complete 576 hours of training
with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Jacob Harriet
Training (CLEET) and months of field training with other
Game Wardens. ing hunters and anglers for valid hunting and fishing licenses,
“It’s a dangerous job. A lot of times you’re your own backup, deer licenses and waterfowl stamps, Harriet has spent his time
so officer safety has been an important lesson. But I’ve also investigating wildlife violations and assisting the public by
learned how to better navigate and read the land, and how to answering questions and responding to calls.
successfully communicate with people from all walks of life. “I always have my phone with me when on patrol in case the
“I was assigned to a county two days before the opening day public or a local landowner calls in with a concern or would like
of deer gun season, so it got busy quick.” In addition to check- to report a violation. We really rely on those calls. We’re actively
patrolling. But most counties
KeLLY AdAMS/odWC only have one assigned Game
Warden, and we can’t be every-
where at once.”
Beyond enforcing Oklaho-
ma’s laws and ensuring our
hunting and fishing traditions
continue, Harriet sees his job
as being a mediator. “I’ve heard
it said that Game Wardens pro-
tect people from people, ani-
mals from people, and people
from animals. We’re here to
monitor and mediate the bal-
ance of those interactions.”
Learn more about becoming
an Oklahoma Game Warden at
Firearms training is a core activity for a new Game Warden, and such training continues throughout his or www.wildlifedepartment.com/
her career. odwc-careers.

6 Off the Beaten Path