My Path to the Badge
As a new warden, throughout my day-to-day patrolling, I have the opportunity to meet people who share my love of the outdoors. Some of these folks even have an interest in becoming a game warden.
My goal has always been to find my way to a career as a game warden. I always kept that goal in mind and availed myself to any and all opportunities to train for a life in that area of service.
For as long as I can remember, hunting and fishing have always been passions of mine. Whether I was out fishing with my dad, pheasant hunting with my uncle, or deer hunting with my grandpa, those are the things I've loved to do.
When I was in high school, I joined JROTC, eventually becoming Battalion Commander. The order and discipline just made sense to me, enough so that I went on to join the North Dakota National Guard as a military policeman...again following that path of service and order.
As high school graduation neared and I began checking out colleges, Dakota College at Bottineau had the best of all worlds – a school that offered a degree in Wildlife Management, an advisor who had the same passion for the outdoors as I did, incredible hunting and fishing opportunities, and all set in a beautiful landscape. Between semesters, I worked for the Forestry Service expanding my knowledge and love of the outdoors.
As graduation from DCB neared, the dream of being a game warden only became that much more real. After graduating from Minot State University with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, I felt ready for the world of Game and Fish – they just weren't ready for me yet. I worked for ND State Penitentiary as a corrections officer eventually found my way to the Bismarck Police Department. Each job held the allure to order, service to others, and the opportunity to enhance my trainings and skill set, but never letting go of the dream.
Finally, openings came up in for a Game Warden with the North Dakota Game and Fish and the rest is history. I've created a new home in Tioga with my family and get to spend every day outdoors, still close to the passions I've always held onto.
If I could give one piece of advice to someone interested in being a game warden, I would say follow your passions, embrace opportunities to learn, and always believe that your goal is never further than your next opportunity.
- Game Warden Joshua Hedstrom