Connor,

One source of internships/volunteer positions may be The Student Conservation Association!  I started with this group 30+ years ago!  They helped me find an internship working with mule deer in Nevada!

I suspect most internships through the University of Georgia will require the student to be enrolled in college.

Enjoy creation,

grant

February 21, 2016

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Grant,

I strongly encourage you to check the stats about jobs in wildlife management.  It is very difficult to find employment in the wildlife management field compared to other professions.  In addition, jobs of equal rank tend to pay significantly less in wildlife management compared to other fields.  It’s not uncommon for less than 50% of a graduating class of wildlife biologist to find employment in their chosen field.  

However, if you believe God called you to be a wildlife biologist that’s exactly the field you should pursue.  You have plenty of time to seek God’s will for your career.  

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 14, 2016

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Jordon,

Wildlife management is tough profession to find employment and tends to pay less compared to other professions.  I strongly recommend you intentionally seek God’s will for your life. If you do, you will know eternal success!  

I’ve written a lot about the wildlife profession. You can see my thoughts at http://www.GrowingDeer.com, Ask Grant tab, Wildlife Careers heading.  There’s often a trade-off between maximum income and having a job you truly enjoy.

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 10, 2016

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Isaiah,

Thank you for sharing the kind words and for watching GrowingDeer!  There’s lots of information about the GrowingDeer internships at:  https://www.growingdeer.tv/view/growingdeer-internship-opportunities/

Who was your grandfather (I don’t follow record book whitetails closely).

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 10, 2016
 

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Connor,

I’m a wildlife biologist.  There are several universities with good wildlife biology programs.  The University of Georgia and Mississippi State both have outstanding programs!  

There’s much more information at the Wildlife Careers tab at the bottom of the page at this link:  https://www.growingdeer.tv/view/ask/?g=1

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 2, 2016

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Connor,

I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Zoology with an emphasis in wildlife and a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife and Forest Resources.  I went to the University of Georgia for part of my schooling.  It’s a great school!  I shared more details about my college path in various answers at the Wildlife Careers tab at GrowingDeer.com under the Ask Grant tab.

Most importantly I encourage you to intentionally seek God’s will for your life! This is the most important step you can take toward your career.

Enjoy creation,

grant

December 16, 2015

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Adam,

Thank you for your service to the United States!  

There are many paths to working in the hunting industry. I studied wildlife biology and volunteered through the Student Conservation Association.  I continued studying wildlife biology during a Master’s and Ph.D. program.  I’ve shared which schools and classes I took in responses to questions in the Wildlife Careers category at Ask Grant.  

I started as a consulting wildlife biologist and focused on helping private and industrial (timber companies) landowners improving their properties.  As my career advanced I decided to share the same information through a show versus only to single landowners one at a time.

Others in the industry started by being a cameraman, or simply working for a company in the hunting industry.

The best advice I can give you is to seek God’s will for you life. Purposely pray that God will show you His will for your life and then follow that path.  That’s the best way to be successful in everything you do!  This doesn’t mean life will be easy, but you will always make the right choice.

Enjoy creation,

grant

December 13, 2015 

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Bradley,

I received my bachelors in Zoology and Master’s in Zoology with an emphasis in wildlife management from Missouri State University. I then attended the University of Georgia. Hurricane Hugo demolished my study area so I switched to Clemson and finished a Ph.D. in Forest and Wildlife Management.

I suggest you take any writing and oral communication classes!  Being a good communicator will help you immensely with many college classes!  I suggest you take any advanced placement classes as this will allow you to take more specialized classes in college.

Most importantly I recommend you intentionally seek God’s will for your life!

Enjoy creation,

grant

December 10, 2015

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Ethan,

I took lots of biology, chemistry, and forestry classes.  I really enjoyed all the “critter classes” such as mammalogy (study of mammals) ichthyology (study of fish), ornithology (study of birds), plant taxonomy, etc.  However, I benefitted from all the classes including communication classes (both written and oral).  Many colleges have a wildlife management degree program and the classes to obtain that degree will be outlined at that school.

The Wildlife Society requires certain classes to become a certified wildlife biologist. I also completed all classes they required.  

Most importantly I recommend you intentionally seek God’s will for your life.  If you follow His will you will succeed!

Enjoy creation,

grant

November 23, 2015

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Conor,

Thanks for inquiring!  I normally accept applications for our internships from college sophomores and juniors in wildlife management and film/creative departments.  Applicants send in a copy of their college transcript, three references (including past employers, etc.), and a resume.  

I typically accept one intern during the spring and fall semesters and three during the summer. Interns travel with us.  My current intern, Kyle, is packing for us to go film in Kansas as I writing now!

I look forward to reviewing your application materials!

Enjoy creation,

grant

November 5, 2015

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Nicholas,

My father was a builder and I worked construction (from sweeping floors and picking up the job site  to framing houses) from fifth grade into college.  I enjoyed those days!

I started at a relatively small local college and majored in zoology with a minor in information systems management (computer programming).  I also volunteered through a program called Student Conservation Association with the Bureau of Land Management in Elko, Nevada.  This was a milestone in my career advancement.  I then did a master’s degree and my research was about scrape behavior of white-tailed deer.  I then started a Masters/P.h.D. program at University of Georgia. Hurricane Hugo destroyed my study area and I transferred to the Clemson University and finished my Ph.D., studying rub behavior and the human dimensions of Quality Deer Management.  

Currently the University of Georgia and Mississippi State have great wildlife management programs.  However, I’m a huge believer that all of us should seek God’s will for our lives and pursue that mission to the best of our ability.  I also know students should go to the best school in their area of interest they can afford.  

Ultimately it boils down to listening to God and pursuing His will intentionally!  

I’ve written a lot on this subject. You can find them in Ask Grant and learn more.

Enjoy creation,

grant

October 30, 2015 

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Nic,

There was a book years ago that listed 150 professions.  Wildlife biologist were rated 149 lowest in salary…  

With that said I believe we all should do what God built us to do.  I never wanted to be anything but a deer biologist – from the age of six till today.  If you truly believe you should be a wildlife biologist then go to a good school like The University of Georgia or Mississippi State and pursue the career. If you are really good at being a wildlife biologist you’ll get a job and make a better than average salary for that profession.  

One of the best ways to learn if you really like a profession is to do an internship in that position.  I also encourage you to pray intentionally about what God wishes for your life.

Finally, meeting and spending time with established folks in a profession that interest you is always a wise choice. I started my career by volunteering a summer in the state of Nevada and worked with mule deer. It was a great springboard to my career!

Enjoy creation,

grant

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Nicholas,

I’m proud of you for being proactive about your career!  There’s much competition for wildlife biology jobs. Many colleges offer a wildlife management or wildlife biology degree.  If you wish to work with game animals like deer and turkey you’ll be best served to pursue such a degree. Currently the best wildlife programs are probably at the University of Georgia and Mississippi State!  A high percentage of grads from these programs get jobs in the wildlife field.  There is a major difference in schools and the percentage of their grads that find employment in their chosen field. You should pick a school based on your goals and on the basis of percentage of successful job placement.

You should know that wildlife biology is traditionally a low paying profession.  It often pays half what other professions make – literally.

Most importantly I encourage you to intentionally seek God’s will for your life.  You will be happiest and most successful if you are pursuing the path God created specifically for you!

Enjoy creation,

grant

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Jordan,

I was blessed to know what God wanted me to do from an early age. I found a fawn that had been poached in a field on the farm where I grew up. From that day I wanted to work with deer. I encourage you to intentionally seek God’s will for your life and follow His will.

As you mature and determine what God has planned for your life, maybe it will lead to where our paths cross!

Enjoy creation,

grant

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Chase,

Congratulations on almost completing your degree and having a successful football career!  That’s very exciting!

Some folks call me a consulting wildlife biologist.  It’s really no different than a wildlife biologist.  I research and share my results.  Some wildlife biologists work for government agencies. I work primarily for private landowners, but have worked for corporations and government agencies.  

Thank you for asking God to bless my family!  That’s a huge blessing to me!  

Enjoy creation and listen to where God wishes to use you!  

grant

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Parker,

I’ve known several wildlife biologists that went to school for two years at ABAC and finished their wildlife degree at the University of Georgia!  I agree with your father – that’s a fine program!  

Wherever you go take each class seriously and be intentional about your career objectives.  For example, take the written and speaking communication skills classes very seriously. These skills are essential to all professions!  School choice is important, but not as important as each student’s desire to learn and participate in activities that will benefit their career.  

We rarely accept candidates for our intern program unless they are a junior or more advanced in college.  Our internship program is designed to last a college semester.  Most schools give credit for such field experience.  

I hope you will consider doing an internship with us at you progress through a wildlife degree program!

Enjoy creation,

grant

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Since first grade I’ve been fascinated with deer. I found a poached fawn at the farm where I lived.  Literally ever since that day I wanted to work with deer.

My undergraduate and master’s degrees were in zoology with an emphasis in wildlife. My Ph.D. was in forest and wildlife resources.

I started consulting with landowners and companies to help them with deer and habitat management while I was in grad school.  After graduating I continued that same work. My firm, Woods and Associates, Inc. has been incorporated 25+ years.

I believe God literally designed me to be a deer biologist and I’ve never strayed far from that path.  I strongly encourage you to seek God’s will in your life and follow that path.

Grant

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Colin,

Thank you for the kind words!  I think the key to being successful in any field is to have a passion for the line of work and seek the best information and training to prepare.  To be a wildlife biologist that focuses on deer management, I strongly suggest you find ways through internships, volunteering, etc., to gain experience and make relationships with practicing deer managers.  I consider gaining experience just as important as the coursework associated with obtaining a degree.  One without the other will leave some gaps in your preparation.  I’ve addressed different aspects of this before and those comments can be found by searching the Ask Grant and blog entries on this site.

I look forward to working with you someday soon!

Grant

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Ryan,

A heavy load of the sciences (biology, botany, forestry and wildlife) are a given.  However, it seems many students that desire to enter the wildlife field don’t realize the amount of writing and oral communication necessary to be effective.  I strongly suggest you, through course work or practice, attempt to become a very effective written and oral communicator.  I am very confident communication skills will improve your life no matter the profession you choose.

Growing Deer together

Grant

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Matt,

I’ve addressed several questions about becoming a wildlife biologist.  You might check out my answer to Getting Involved and use the search feature to find more answers.  I strongly believe that most folks can be successful at any occupation that they are passionate about.  That doesn’t mean entering or advancing in that occupation will be easy or profitable.  You should know that passion about hunting is not the same as passion about being a wildlife biologist.  The two certainly complement each other.  However, many wildlife biologists (including myself) spend more time helping other hunters and landowners than we do hunting.  My strongest suggestion for you would be to spend a summer as an intern with a wildlife biologist that works in a specific area of your choosing.  Spending a summer, even on a volunteer basis, is much less expensive in terms of dollars and time, then changing your degree and finding out that it was a bad choice.  I believe that internships or similar programs are extremely beneficial to folks deciding which career path to take.  I volunteered a summer through the Student Conservation Organization when I was a junior in college.  I worked for the Bureau of Land Management at the Elko, Nevada District.  I was only paid $25 per week and provided a small trailer for living quarters.  It was a fabulous experience.  My best counsel for you is to do an internship and see what being a wildlife biologist is really like before making a huge change in your degree program.

Experience is the best teacher!

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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Gaines,

I’d start by defining your objective.  If it is to gain employment in the wildlife field, then your objective needs to be further defined.  Do you wish to work specifically with deer or in the wildlife field in general?  If you wish to work with deer, then what type of habitat do you wish to work in?  A degree from south Texas may prepare you very well for working in that habitat type, but some of what you studied may not apply to work in Alabama.  The deer management principles will be the same, but the plants, soils, etc., will be substantially different.  The wildlife field is very competitive, so you need to refine your objectives and take a targeted approach.  I schooled in Missouri, Georgia, and Clemson and worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada.  The diversity of my education was as much of a benefit as any course.

If you wish to learn more about white-tailed deer and habitat management, but are not seeking employment, then the QDMA courses are outstanding!  However, I doubt they are enough to qualify you for a job with most state agencies.  They are perfect for property managers in the private industry.

I’m not familiar with any online programs that truly prepare you to be wildlife biologist.  I believe the field portion of education is just as important as the bookwork.

Finally, the major professor/advisor you pick is just as important as the school.  Drs. Lynn Robins, David Guynn, and Larry Marchinton were very influential on my career.  All of them gave me a lot of room to grow and they strongly encouraged field experience.  I’m indebted to all of them.

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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Hunter,

You are on the right track!  I took a volunteer position with the Bureau of Land Management while in undergrad school and it was a great step in my career path!!  I have several habitat improvement projects planned for this summer.  However, I don’t have any funds designated to pay an intern to assist with this work.  If there are intern or project scholarships available at your school, I’ll be happy to review the program.  I can promise you that you would gain a huge amount of experience in wildlife and habitat management working with my team.  I enjoy working with graduate students and interns.  I’m very thankful for the opportunity my first volunteer position provided.  It was through the Student Conservation Association which is still a good organization.

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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Eli,

Wow, I wish I could hunt almost every day!  I think I want your job!!  My first job as a wildlife biologist was as a volunteer.  I applied through the Student Conservation Association and received a volunteer position with the Bureau of Land Management in Elko, Nevada as a wildlife technician.  I spent my summer identifying plants in areas where mule deer wintered and fighting fire.  It was a fabulous start to my career (30 years ago).

The same is true today.  For example I met Brad Mormann, one of my employees for the past five years, while giving a guest lecture at a local college.  I offered the students in that mammalogy class the opportunity to help in a prescribed fire the following Saturday.  Three students out of 30 showed up to volunteer.  Two worked very hard and both of them are gainfully employed in the wildlife field today (Brad currently works for me and Josh is employed by Bass Pro Shops).

There are usually opportunities to get where you want to go, but the route may not be direct.  Brad volunteered simply to gain some experience.  He’s now a published deer biologist that works on projects in several states assisting land owners and hunters with their deer and habitat management programs.  Find an opportunity to start in the wildlife field, even if it’s a volunteer position, and work hard.  I’m always amazed at what can be accomplished with hard work and determination!

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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Dustin,

If you plan to work as a wildlife biologist, especially if you wish to work with game species, then you would benefit from switching to a school that has a wildlife biology or wildlife management program.  The program at the University of Georgia has a great track record of their grads getting a job as a wildlife biologist.

I don’t teach any classes at the University of Georgia.  I have been blessed to work with some undergrad and graduate students there as an advisor.  At this point in my career, I strongly prefer field work to the classroom.  I enjoy leading field trips for wildlife classes where the students can actually see, touch, and smell the habitat and critters they’ve been studying in the classroom.

No matter where you attend school, remember that communication skills are critical to being a good wildlife biologist.  Your entire career will succeed or fail on how well you communicate your knowledge with your fellow wildlife biologists and resource users.  Make sure your oral and written communication skills are fine tuned!

Keep focused and seek chances to get experience.  Ask practicing wildlife biologists if you can assist with their field work.  Do an internship every summer if you can.  Attempt to work in different geographic areas so you can see different habitats and techniques.  Some internships don’t pay much now, but if you work hard they can pay great dividends throughout the remainder of your career.

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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Clint,

As far as I know, there are very few jobs where folks actually make a living hunting. The folks I know that hunt the most are folks that have worked hard at some career and have built up enough seniority/vacation time to have enough days to hunt. I have friends that are UPS drivers, train engineers, etc., and they hunt many more days a year than I do.

For example, most wildlife biologists I know are working during most of the hunting seasons. Many go into the profession because they enjoy hunting, but they often find they don’t make enough wages to afford hunts in faraway places, and don’t have enough time to hunt close to home.

You should accept that work consumes much of an adult’s life. I think the most important characteristic of a good job is doing something that you enjoy and which allows you to use your God-given talents. Honestly consider what you really like to do. As a criteria, what you would like to do when you are old or in harsh conditions? Eliminate what you don’t consider fun when days are not going well. If you don’t find it fun sometimes now, you will really dislike it when you do it daily for 20+ years. Next consider what skills you have naturally. Pair the always fun with natural skills and you will have a happy and successful career.

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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Byron,

Thank you for your service to our country!! I don’t currently know of any property manager’s positions. You are wise to continue staying in touch with folks in the industry. You might also consider attending events (such as the QDMA’s banquets, convention, etc.) to meet owners of properties managed for wildlife.

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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