I am Tyler Twichell, 2015 graduate of Paul Smith’s College, and this is my story.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources Conservation & Management. My original intention of ever going to college was to become a game warden. I grew up hunting and fishing, and had a strong belief that our wildlife resources must be protected for continual enjoyment. I decided to go to Paul Smith’s due to the strong reputation of the school along with the picturesque setting. After graduation, I immediately began searching the nation for jobs. However, I focused on the west because that is where I have always wanted to be; among the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and red-rocked deserts.
I applied to several states and had my application denied (Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, and Colorado), and went through the hiring process for both Texas and Wyoming and did not get hired. In October 2015, I applied for New Mexico Game and Fish, went through the hiring process, and finally got hired as a Conservation Officer Recruit! The following year involved a rigorous training process: basic firearms training, law block training, department recruit school, hunter education instructor class, a 16-week basic law enforcement academy, and several months working under a field training officer. After completing all of this in October 2016, I was promoted to district conservation officer, where I am currently in charge of the Tucumcari district, located in northeastern New Mexico near the Texas border.
There are several aspects of the job, the main duty being law enforcement, but I still get to do several other activities. Some of these include nuisance or injured wildlife calls, ATV patrol, big game surveys, poaching investigations, and public/community outreach. This is by far the best job I have ever had, and I wouldn’t be here without obtaining my degree from Paul Smith’s College. I know several of you are going to Paul Smith’s to become a game warden/conservation officer; if you have any questions about what it takes, the general hiring processes involved, our duties, or any general questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call or an email. Best of luck and thank you for reading my story!
Officer Tyler Twichell
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
(575) 725-9078, tyler.twichell@state.nm.us
