New Deputy Game Wardens Announced for Northwest Region

| July 21, 2018

FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Three new deputy game wardens have been commissioned at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest Regional Office located at 1509 Pittsburgh Road, Franklin, Pa.

(Pictured above, left to right: Jerred A Hodak, of Corry, Erie County; Michael B. Wright, of Pittsfield, Warren County; and Vincent S. Dragone, of Fairview, Erie County.)

Pennsylvania Game Commission Northwest Region Director Richard T. Cramer said, “For the first time in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s history, our new officers are being commissioned as a deputy game warden rather than a deputy wildlife conservation officer or even older yet, a deputy game protector.”

The deputies were administered the oath of office by Northwest Law Enforcement Supervisor Clint J. Deniker on Wednesday, June 20.

Several family members and tenured state game wardens and deputy game wardens were present to witness the event.

Deputy game wardens function in all phases of game commission operations and assume the powers as authorized by the Game and Wildlife Code, subject to limitations established by commission policy and standard operating procedures. Deputy game wardens are the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Individuals selected for the positions perform their duties under the supervision of a district state game warden. Deputies are compensated on a per diem basis.

Deputy applicants must be Pennsylvania residents at least 21 years of age, possess a valid PA driver’s license and possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Applicants must be in good physical condition, have a good knowledge of hunting, trapping and other outdoor activities and be able to maintain a good working relationship with fellow officers and the public. Applicants must accrue 20 hours of ride-along time with a district State Game Warden and have a thorough character investigation conducted prior to taking the entrance examination, on which a minimum score of 75 percent must be attained. After completing one full week (96 hours) of training and extensive home study; a certification examination is administered. A minimum score of 75 percent is required by all candidates.

“The Deputy Game Warden program is a valuable tool in accomplishing the agency’s mission,” Cramer said.

“We welcome anyone 21 years of age and older to consider becoming a deputy. Individuals, age 40 to 50, should note that it is never too late to apply, as those individuals are often better able to handle the financial and time commitments necessary in becoming a deputy.”

“Their title may have changed a couple of time since the deputy program started 115 years ago, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the dedication and commitment our deputy game wardens exhibit. Without them, we simply could not accomplish the management missions of protecting the wildlife of Pennsylvania.”

The Northwest Region includes Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties.


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