Interested in a career as a Wildlife Damage Specialist? (State trapper) South Dakota Dept. of Game and Fish has a full time position available. The position is based out of Mobridge and covers Campbell, Potter and Walworth counties. A mix of habitat and terrain types, bordered on the west side by the Missouri River with excellent hunting and fishing opportunities.

For more information or to apply use the link below.

https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=J2

Deadline for applications is Monday 11/25/2024

I'd be happy to answer any questions if you want to message me.

Chris

Do they get many people to apply for a job like this?
It seems like a lot of skills that they want a person to have. Would the average trapper qualify for a job like this?
Do you ride along with another trapper for a while to get job training or are you just told to figure it out?

I see they raised the pay at least since when I was interested.

If only I was a little bit older.

Chris, Im curious of this as well? I applied for a posistion in the Phillip/Kadoka area in 2015. At the time, with 11 yrs of fur trapping expirience, in 2 states, and references like Carlis Stephens… I never got a call, nor any interest after following up with them.

If only I was 40 years younger

I emailed Chris to let him know some have questions on this thread. He said he's currently out of town and away from his computer. I'm sure he'll answer when he returns.

Good morning, Thanks for your patience.

v2k... excellent questions..

The number of applicants varies widely depending on the location of the vacancy. Positions in very remote areas with fewer job opportunities for wives, access to medical care etc.. understandably receive fewer applicants due to the family situations of individuals.

Will the average fur trapper qualify?

Guess it depends on your definition of “average.” If you have several years of coyote trapping experience and maybe some beaver, an understanding of their habits, a strong work ethic, self-starter, a passion for the outdoors and the work and a willingness to learn I’d encourage you to apply.

You are correct, there are a lot of different skills required to do the job effectively. ADC work isn’t fur trapping. However, unless we hire someone who’s been with another program for years, no one comes in with experience in all the aspects of the job. We have hired excellent trappers with little if any calling experience for example, the same with decoy dogs, or snaring. And certainly, very few have experience with M-44’s or aerial operations. No, you aren’t just thrown to the wolves or told to” figure it out.” You will be working with some excellent trappers who are very willing to help you and share information. If you want to learn you will find no shortage of people willing to help you. No one in this business knows it all, I’ve been at it for 50 years and the coyotes are still teaching me new things every year.

KSlongliner... I can’t speak to how the hiring was handled nine years ago as I’ve only been a supervisor for three years, but that is not acceptable in my view. More importantly we have an entirely new administration and supervisory structure in place now and that’s not the way it’s done. Personally, I call every applicant who receives an interview but isn’t hired to give them my thoughts... what they need to improve on, how they can better their chances next time etc... To me, if a person is going to take the time and expense to travel here for an interview they deserve to know why they weren’t selected.

man if I was younger

I've had some questions regarding the bachelor's degree in biology.

This is standard language in most Dept positions. If you're an experienced hard working trapper who wants a career in ADC I encourage you to apply.

I don't have a degree nor do most of our staff. If you are the best candidate and also happen to have a degree that's great. If not so be it. I'm looking for trappers not biologist.

So, Chris, I'm 17 and looking at potential jobs for the future. I'm not saying right out of high school or anything. Would you recommend going to school for another 4 years to get a bachelor's degree in biology if this was something I was sure I wanted to do?

Youth trapper I am not ChrisM. Ask yourself why would you pay 60,000 dollars to get a 28 dollar an hour job?

https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/student-loans/average-college-tuition

Youth trapper… I would never try to suggest that any young person shouldn’t go to college or some form of further education. Im only saying it’s not required in SD for this position. At one time a degree was required in some programs if you wanted advancement opportunities. Not sure if that’s still the case. For sure most careers in wildlife management require a degree.

As certain as you are that you want to do this job it may never come to be. This career has changed a lot over my 35 years. Politics, budgets, administrations and their priorities can change. Life has a habit of throwing us curve balls, you’d be wise to prepare your self for whatever the future may bring.

Having said that I certainly wouldn’t discourage you from chasing your dreams. I did.

I see where you're coming from and that makes total sense.

Thank you for responding. I'm trying my best to prepare myself for whatever may come. I just know that it would be a job I would enjoy if I did it. So that's where my dreaming comes in.

For The Youth Trapper, I met an ADC guy in Wisconsin who had the biology degree and a minor in criminal law. He told me learning to trap was easier than dealing with people, some who were trying to claim payments for livestock dead from natural causes.

It is a good outfit to work for