A Game Warden's Duty Poem

I’m asked so many times while working, so what is it that you do

I explain it the best I can, but to most it just doesn’t get through

No, I’m not a Park Ranger or a Forest Ranger either

Both of them are important, but as to those I’m neither

You see I work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays too

Some days when I leave for work I never know when I’ll be through

I answer calls and complaints and look for things on my own

I do my job proudly and never gripe or moan

I protect all the wildlife, the fish, the turkey, and deer

So one day when I’m gone, there’ll still be plenty here

In the winter waterfowl season, I’m up and out in the morning by four

And in the summer fishing and boating season, that’s the time I’m usually walking in the door

You see I must work when others play, that’s the nature of the position

I’m off when others work and working while they’re hunting and fishing

I get asked so many times, why do you carry a firearm

I explain it’s for me and others, to protect us all from harm

You see I’m out in the middle of nowhere at two o’clock in the morning

I see a car pulled off the road or some other sign of warning

I exit my vehicle and you could say I go into the situation blind

My backup is not readily available, and I’m difficult most times to find

I patrol the woods and water, the creeks, the fields and lakes

I risk my life each and every day, for there are very high stakes

I get calls at three in the morning the voice saying “someone just shot a deer”

I race to the scene as fast as I can, in hopes they still may be near

I work drownings and other hunting and fishing related losses of life

I break the news to their children, parents, siblings, husband, or wife

I sometimes have to put animals down due injuries, for there’s no way they’ll make it

I have to end the life of something I swore to protect, yes their life sometimes I take it

Many times I run into other crimes that are not violations of fish and wildlife law

There are drugs, thefts, assaults, stolen property, and crimes related to alcohol

I don’t often call a city officer, sheriff, or even the state police

See, I’m trained to handle those as well; I’m a full fledged sworn officer of the peace

I’m accepted by other officers in my community, for we’re all one big brotherhood

It doesn’t matter the color of the uniform, we all work for the greater good

I work with a group of guys that are bonded together and I love them all like brothers

I trust them with my life and know we wouldn’t hesitate to die for each other

I donate hours of work each week, often there’s not enough time to get it all done

I can honestly say, I love my job and profession, to me it’s a lot of fun

I don’t do this job for money, fame, recognition, or even glory

I do it because I want to give back and that’s the end of the story

I’ve hunted and fished most all of my life thanks to a Dad who always made time

I want to pay that forward and teach it to the children that are mine

I want them to have opportunities like me, actually opportunities above and beyond

I hope I leave a lasting legacy one day, long after I’m dead and gone

For when my career is over and what I could be remembered for I could pick it

It would be people remember me as fair, respectful, and honest, but not afraid to write a ticket

You see I’m called many things in my job, Opossum Cop, Deer Detective, Squirrel Sheriff, and those are just to name a few

But I’m honored to be a Game Warden and I couldn’t be more proud of the work I do.

Written By: Officer Rufus Cravens Jr.

5/26/2013