By Doug Leier
For many, a career as a game warden might sound like a dream job. A life spent outdoors, checking fishing licenses and keeping hunters safe and catching poachers. For most the job goes far beyond the glamour of a uniform or the thrill of patrolling the open landscapes of the state. It’s a combination of passion, responsibility and dedication.
Being a game warden is about more than just enforcing the law. It’s about building a relationship with the public, educating citizens on the importance of conservation, and working tirelessly to preserve the state’s wildlife for future generations. It’s keeping hunters safe. Making sure boating regulations are obeyed … and that’s just what you see.
In North Dakota, the life of a game warden is unique. The state’s diverse landscape includes everything from the bottom of the Red River Valley to the dense woodlands in the north, to the rolling Coteau and rugged badlands in the west. This geographical variety means that every day brings something different. The weather is unpredictable, often subjecting wardens to sub-zero temperatures during winter and intense heat during summer, with a mixture of both in between.
In all corners of the state through all variety of weather conditions, game wardens of North Dakota persevere with the responsibility to uphold the law under the mission statement of the Game and Fish Department: To protect, conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitat for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use.
Every day on the job is an opportunity to interact with North Dakota’s diverse population. Game wardens often engage with hunters, anglers and farmers, offering advice on hunting regulations or helping to resolve issues regarding animal management.
North Dakota’s hunting and fishing culture is deep-rooted, so it’s essential to emphasize the balance between ensuring people can enjoy these traditions while also protecting the fish and wildlife for the future.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s enforcement division plays a vital role in conserving the state’s abundant natural resources and ensuring public safety in the outdoors.
Our team of dedicated game wardens work tirelessly to uphold wildlife laws, safeguard recreational areas, and educate the public about responsible stewardship.
North Dakota’s game wardens serve as the front line of conservation law enforcement. The enforcement division embraces cutting-edge technology to enhance our work. From GPS tracking and surveillance equipment to digital reporting systems, these tools allow game wardens to cover vast territories efficiently and effectively.
However, their most valuable asset remains their knowledge of North Dakota’s terrain, wildlife and communities. No matter the hurdles imposed by weather and terrain, their dedication to service never wavers.
Wardens are on call year-round to investigate violations, assist with rescues, and ensure that everyone enjoys North Dakota’s outdoors safely and responsibly. Numbers and statistics don’t relay a complete picture of the work done, but it does give a little insight into the past year’s work from the enforcement.
Incidents 2024 – Top 10 Counties
(An incident is defined as any situation that requires a response from a game warden. It does not have to be a crime. The situation could be, for example, a stranded angler.)
1. McKenzie 173
2. Stark 172
3. Ramsey 143
4. Williams 137
5. Burleigh 131
6. McLean 124
7. Mountrail 122
8. Ward 122
9. Grand Forks 95
10. Richland 91
11. Total 2,870
Citations 2024 – Top 10 Counties
1. Ramsey 218
2. McKenzie 171
3. Benson 118
4. Williams 110
5. Stark 105
6. Bottineau 103
7. Nelson 102
8. Grand Forks 93
9. McIntosh 93
10. Mountrail 80
11. Total 2,870
2024 FIELD CONTACTS – Resident 39,531; nonresident 13,626; total 53,157
Read more at https://gf.nd.gov/magazine/2025/feb/2024-enforcement-division-review
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