Kentucky Fish and Wildlife welcomes game warden recruit Class 31

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2026) — The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division welcomed Class 31 of game warden recruits at the new, permanent home of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Game Warden Recruit Academy at Green River Lake near Campbellsville, Kentucky, on Sept. 8, 2026.

Out of 1,179 applicants, nine recruits were selected to join a long tradition of conservation law enforcement in the Commonwealth. Class 31 will be the first to complete their entire academy training at the Green River Lake facility, leased from Kentucky State Parks. Classes 29 and 30 were the first to receive partial training at the facility in 2025.

The recruits will complete a comprehensive training program designed to prepare them for the unique responsibilities of serving as Kentucky game wardens. Training includes the 14-week Game Warden Recruit Academy and the 20-week Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy in Richmond, Kentucky.

Following academy training, recruits will complete 12 weeks of field training, working alongside experienced game wardens before being released to perform their duties independently.

"The men and women of Class 31 represent the future of the Law Enforcement Division," said Lt. Bryan Hill, training coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement. "Their commitment to service is a powerful reminder of the honor, integrity, personal courage and selfless service embodied every day by Kentucky game wardens."

Kentucky game wardens carry forward a law enforcement tradition that spans generations. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is recognized as the oldest state law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth. Today's game wardens continue that legacy by protecting Kentucky's wildlife and natural resources, enforcing conservation laws and supporting public safety across the Commonwealth's waterways, forests and fields.

“We are gratified to continue to make advancements in our law enforcement recruitment, training and retention,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division Director Col. Jeremy McQueary. “In addition to a new permanent home for the Game Warden Recruit Academy, the number of game wardens has increased 37%, from 84 in 2018 to 115 now, and the average salary of sworn-in game wardens has grown by 78%, keeping them competitive with surrounding states wildlife law enforcement agencies.”

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources remains committed to developing professional, dedicated game wardens who serve with integrity, protect the public and safeguard Kentucky's natural resources for future generations.

Information about a career as a Kentucky game warden is available on the department’s website (fw.ky.gov) on the Career in Law Enforcement webpage.​​