Texas Parks & Wildlife Department – TPWD
Texas, the second largest state in the US, has one of the most diverse landscapes out of all 50 states. To illustrate, there are hundreds of miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, 15 rivers, five verdant state forests in the eastern part of the state, millions of acres of arid desert terrain in the western part, rugged mountains, and the southernmost part of the Great Plains rolls gently down the state from north to south. Just as the geography of Texas is widely varied, so are the animals. Armadillos, prairie dogs and prairie chickens, cougars, black bears, jackrabbits, and deer, the list goes on. In the many bodies of fresh water, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, there are countless fish and mammals, and birds abound statewide. If you enjoy spending most of your time outside, working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) offers endless opportunities and experiences. If you’re thinking about becoming a Game Warden, Texas might be a good choice.
Sponsored School(s)
If you would like to be a Game Warden for the TPWD, you should first determine if being a Texas Game Warden is the job for you. It best suits those who love the outdoors and enjoy spending most of their time outside. It is a Peace Officer position, so Game Wardens wear uniforms, carry weapons, and uphold federal and state laws, most of their focus being on the laws that protect fish and wildlife in the state; however, if they are needed to support other areas of law enforcement, then they do so. We’ve put together a list of recommended schools, degree’s, and game warden requirements.The day to day job of Game Wardens is never stagnant-the scenery is ever changing, as are the animals and people a Texas Game Warden interacts with each day.
Once you’ve determined if a job with the TPWD is for you, then you need to know how to become a Game Warden in Texas and the qualifications for working at the TPWD. Much like other states, Texas requires a four year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in order to become a Game Warden. Although they do not specify that the degree is in criminal justice or in a wildlife- or conservation-related field, those with degrees in these subjects will have an advantage over those who do not. Also, you must be 21 years old on or before entering the Game Warden Training Academy, which is located near Hamilton, Texas. Cadets will live at and attend the Game Warden Training Academy for 30 weeks. The TPWD offers numerous other positions for those who are interested in working in the field of parks and wildlife: Fish and Wildlife Technician, Park Manager, Park Specialist, Park Ranger, Game Warden, and Natural Resource Specialist (Wildlife Biologist, Fisheries Biologist). The education requirements for these positions range from a high school diploma or GED to Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife sciences or other related fields. The lowest paid beginning yearly salary (Park Ranger) is about $20,832 to $30,192, while the highest paid beginning salary (Fisheries Biologist) ranges from about $28,536 to $50,820 per year with opportunities for advancement in all positions. As with any job, the more relevant education and experience you possess, the more of an advantage you have over applicants with less education and experience.
Texas Game Warden Training Center
TX Game Warden Training Center
4363 FM 1047
Hamilton, TX 76531
Phone: 325-948-3301
TX Game Warden Job Postings: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/postings/game_warden_cadet
Texas State Parks & Historical Sites
- Abilene State Park
- Acton State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site/National Museum of the Pacific War
- Atlanta State Park
- Balmorhea State Park
- Barrington Living History Farm at Washington-on-the-Brazos
- Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center
- Bastrop State Park
- Battleship Texas State Historic Site
- Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Part of the World Birding Center)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park
- Big Spring State Park
- Blanco State Park
- Bonham State Park
- Brazos Bend State Park
- Bright Leaf Park – Operated by the Austin Community Foundation
- Buescher State Park
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
- Casa Navarro State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Cedar Hill State Park
- Choke Canyon State Park
- Cleburne State Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Cooper Lake State Park
- Copano Bay Fishing Pier – Operated by the Aransas County Navigation District
- Copper Breaks State Park
- Daingerfield State Park
- Davis Mountains State Park
- Devils River State Natural Area
- Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Eisenhower State Park
- Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Estero Llano Grande State Park (Part of the World Birding Center)
- Fairfield Lake State Park
- Falcon State Park
- Fannin Battleground State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
- Fort Boggy State Park
- Fort Griffin State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fort Lancaster State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fort Leaton State Historic Site
- Fort McKavett State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fort Parker State Park
- Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site & Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
- Franklin Mountains State Park
- Fulton Mansion State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Galveston Island State Park
- Garner State Park
- Goliad State Park
- Goose Island State Park
- Government Canyon State Natural Area
- Governor Hogg Shrine – Operated by the City of Quitman
- Guadalupe River State Park
- Hill Country State Natural Area
- Honey Creek State Natural Area
- Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
- Huntsville State Park
- Indian Lodge
- Inks Lake State Park
- Jim Hogg – Operated by the City of Rusk
- Kerrville-Schreiner Park – Operated by the City of Kerrville
- Kickapoo Cavern State Park
- Kreische Brewery State Historic Site
- Lake Arrowhead State Park
- Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
- Lake Brownwood State Park
- Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
- Lake Colorado City State Park
- Lake Corpus Christi State Park
- Lake Houston Park – Operated by the City of Houston
- Lake Livingston State Park
- Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
- Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
- Lake Tawakoni State Park
- Lake Texana State Park
- Lake Whitney State Park
- Landmark Inn State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Lipantitlan State Historic Site
- Lockhart State Park
- Longhorn Cavern State Park
- Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
- Lost Maples State Natural Area
- Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
- Magoffin Home State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Martin Creek Lake State Park
- Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
- Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Meridian State Park
- Mission Rosario State Historic Site
- Mission Tejas State Park
- Monahans Sandhills State Park
- Monument Hill State Historic Site
- Mother Neff State Park
- Mustang Island State Park
- Old Fort Parker – Operated by the City of Groesbeck
- Palmetto State Park
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Pedernales Falls State Park
- Penn Farm
- Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site – Operated by the City of Port Isabel
- Possum Kingdom State Park
- Purtis Creek State Park
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park
- Resaca de la Palma State Park (Part of the World Birding Center)
- Rusk & Palestine Parks – Operated by American Heritage Railways
- Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- San Angelo State Park
- San Felipe State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
- San Jacinto Monument
- Sauer-Beckmann Farm
- Sea Rim State Park
- Sebastopol House State Historic Site
- Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
- Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
- South Llano River State Park
- Starr Family Home State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Stephen F. Austin State Park
- Texas State Railroad – Operated by American Heritage Railways
- Tyler State Park
- Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Village Creek State Park
- Walter Umphrey State Park – Operated by Jefferson County
- Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
- World Birding Center
- Wyler Aerial Tramway
- Zaragosa Birthplace State Historic Site
Texas Parks & Wildlife Facts
If you would like to be a Game Warden for the TPWD, you should first determine if being a Texas Game Warden is the job for you. It best suits those who love the outdoors and enjoy spending most of their time outside. It is a Peace Officer position, so Game Wardens wear uniforms, carry weapons, and uphold federal and state laws, most of their focus being on the laws that protect fish and wildlife in the state; however, if they are needed to support other areas of law enforcement, then they do so. We’ve put together a list of recommended schools, degree’s, and game warden requirements.The day to day job of Game Wardens is never stagnant-the scenery is ever changing, as are the animals and people a Texas Game Warden interacts with each day.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Contact Info
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Phone: 512-389-4845
Website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Texas Game Warden Training Center
TX Game Warden Training Center
4363 FM 1047
Hamilton, TX 76531
Phone: 325-948-3301
TX Game Warden Job Postings: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/postings/game_warden_cadet
Texas State Parks & Historical Sites
- Abilene State Park
- Acton State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site/National Museum of the Pacific War
- Atlanta State Park
- Balmorhea State Park
- Barrington Living History Farm at Washington-on-the-Brazos
- Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center
- Bastrop State Park
- Battleship Texas State Historic Site
- Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Part of the World Birding Center)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park
- Big Spring State Park
- Blanco State Park
- Bonham State Park
- Brazos Bend State Park
- Bright Leaf Park – Operated by the Austin Community Foundation
- Buescher State Park
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
- Casa Navarro State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Cedar Hill State Park
- Choke Canyon State Park
- Cleburne State Park
- Colorado Bend State Park
- Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Cooper Lake State Park
- Copano Bay Fishing Pier – Operated by the Aransas County Navigation District
- Copper Breaks State Park
- Daingerfield State Park
- Davis Mountains State Park
- Devils River State Natural Area
- Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Eisenhower State Park
- Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Estero Llano Grande State Park (Part of the World Birding Center)
- Fairfield Lake State Park
- Falcon State Park
- Fannin Battleground State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site
- Fort Boggy State Park
- Fort Griffin State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fort Lancaster State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fort Leaton State Historic Site
- Fort McKavett State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Fort Parker State Park
- Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site & Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
- Franklin Mountains State Park
- Fulton Mansion State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Galveston Island State Park
- Garner State Park
- Goliad State Park
- Goose Island State Park
- Government Canyon State Natural Area
- Governor Hogg Shrine – Operated by the City of Quitman
- Guadalupe River State Park
- Hill Country State Natural Area
- Honey Creek State Natural Area
- Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
- Huntsville State Park
- Indian Lodge
- Inks Lake State Park
- Jim Hogg – Operated by the City of Rusk
- Kerrville-Schreiner Park – Operated by the City of Kerrville
- Kickapoo Cavern State Park
- Kreische Brewery State Historic Site
- Lake Arrowhead State Park
- Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
- Lake Brownwood State Park
- Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
- Lake Colorado City State Park
- Lake Corpus Christi State Park
- Lake Houston Park – Operated by the City of Houston
- Lake Livingston State Park
- Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
- Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
- Lake Tawakoni State Park
- Lake Texana State Park
- Lake Whitney State Park
- Landmark Inn State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Lipantitlan State Historic Site
- Lockhart State Park
- Longhorn Cavern State Park
- Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
- Lost Maples State Natural Area
- Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
- Magoffin Home State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Martin Creek Lake State Park
- Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
- Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Meridian State Park
- Mission Rosario State Historic Site
- Mission Tejas State Park
- Monahans Sandhills State Park
- Monument Hill State Historic Site
- Mother Neff State Park
- Mustang Island State Park
- Old Fort Parker – Operated by the City of Groesbeck
- Palmetto State Park
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Pedernales Falls State Park
- Penn Farm
- Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site – Operated by the City of Port Isabel
- Possum Kingdom State Park
- Purtis Creek State Park
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park
- Resaca de la Palma State Park (Part of the World Birding Center)
- Rusk & Palestine Parks – Operated by American Heritage Railways
- Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- San Angelo State Park
- San Felipe State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
- San Jacinto Monument
- Sauer-Beckmann Farm
- Sea Rim State Park
- Sebastopol House State Historic Site
- Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
- Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
- South Llano River State Park
- Starr Family Home State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Stephen F. Austin State Park
- Texas State Railroad – Operated by American Heritage Railways
- Tyler State Park
- Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site – Operated by the Texas Historical Commission
- Village Creek State Park
- Walter Umphrey State Park – Operated by Jefferson County
- Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
- World Birding Center
- Wyler Aerial Tramway
- Zaragosa Birthplace State Historic Site
Texas Parks & Wildlife Facts
If you would like to be a Game Warden for the TPWD, you should first determine if being a Texas Game Warden is the job for you. It best suits those who love the outdoors and enjoy spending most of their time outside. It is a Peace Officer position, so Game Wardens wear uniforms, carry weapons, and uphold federal and state laws, most of their focus being on the laws that protect fish and wildlife in the state; however, if they are needed to support other areas of law enforcement, then they do so. We’ve put together a list of recommended schools, degree’s, and game warden requirements.The day to day job of Game Wardens is never stagnant-the scenery is ever changing, as are the animals and people a Texas Game Warden interacts with each day.