NCJ Number
148763
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (July-September 1993) Pages: 209-226
Date Published
1993
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Data from interviews with 31 current and retired game wardens in Louisiana in 1991 and 1992 formed the basis of a descriptive analysis of the most dangerous aspect of the job of game warden: the apprehension of poachers.
Abstract
The analysis focused on the game wardens' responses to several guiding questions regarding the characteristics that distinguish poachers in terms of probability of apprehension. These characteristics include experience in poaching, the number of people with whom the poacher works, remaining reclusive, geographic mobility, and hunting in a familiar area. Additional questions were intended to aid the description of the law enforcement aspects of the game warden's job. Findings revealed that those who are caught poaching do so because they are either inexperienced or talk to a person who later acts as an informant. Results also indicated that game wardens work in an environment that is as dangerous as any of those working in the inner city. Compounding that danger is the reality that game wardens normally work alone. The lack of recognition of the important role of the game warden results from its being a rural occupation in an urban society. 32 references (Author abstract modified)