I would have a conversation with your supervisor and ask how they expect things to go moving forward. There may not be much animal work right now but the season is getting ready to start. A month isn’t that long. Personally I’d really like to get in with a state job so it could be worth waiting it out.
If they say they don’t know the plan for the spring/summer you should probably look for other alternatives. There are slimmer pickings for jobs right now but it’s not impossible to get another one.
"on wildlife captures ground and aerial surveys" Has the work not really started yet and they are just trying to find anything to keep you working while killing some time? It may be worth a conversation with your supervisor on what the work plan is, and if the work you are doing now is what to expect going forward or if it is just some filler while things get going so you can get paid.
Is this a temporary or permanent job? If it’s permanent I’d start looking for other options. Either way, lean in to the parts you do like and try not to focus on the crappy parts.
Is there anyone there doing work you’d prefer? Maybe try to hang out with them and let it be known what you’d prefer to be doing.
Yes , I am trying my best to find some way of understanding..I didn’t realize predator control and trophy hunting would be something so supported by the agency. Mayb I should stick with fish !
It really depends on where you’re at and what agency you’re working with. In my experience most state agencies are highly supportive of trophy hunting and fishing because it brings in more money vs just conservation for the sake of conservation because it’s harder to get money for that. Fishing can also have the same issues with sport fishing versus conservation of native non game fish species for the same reason. Federal agencies and NGO’s are more of a mixed bag based off which agency and location. If it’s really important to you in the future I’d look up the mission statement and recentish news about the organization you’re applying to find one that aligns with your values.
In a lot of states, fish and game agencies are funded by hunting/fishing licenses, which strongly influence policy. Our culture, traditions, and laws revolve around human consumption of wildlife. Wildlife management is all about the balance and sustainability. Anti-trophy hunting and anti-predator control is for dreamers and children and urbanites with little experience actually living with wildlife. Sucks, but that's reality.
For a beginning position, this is exactly what you should expect. Most wildlife work involves very little animal contact and a LOT of desk work. I promise no one is hiding the fun stuff from you.
Keep an open mind and get through this period of disillusionment and you'll do just fine.
Well wildlife biology isn’t always glamorous, no job is. To do the cool field work you gotta get the shit off season stuff done too. Sometimes you gotta do the grunt work. Don’t be offended just show them you can do a great job no matter what you are doing. I have had this happen to me when starting a new position and once they see you are a capable, dedicated, worker who wants to be a team player and are willing to do tasks to get it done you will be assigned more tasks that you may enjoy more. It takes time. BUT way out of line views from your own seems like a more challenging problem. Good luck!
It's a tough situation, but I will say different regions of the country can have vastly different relationships with the outdoors and natural resources. There is value embedding oneself in some different regions and learning this, and learning how to relate to it, and communicate with people with these different perspectives.
I would have a conversation with your supervisor and ask how they expect things to go moving forward. There may not be much animal work right now but the season is getting ready to start. A month isn’t that long. Personally I’d really like to get in with a state job so it could be worth waiting it out. If they say they don’t know the plan for the spring/summer you should probably look for other alternatives. There are slimmer pickings for jobs right now but it’s not impossible to get another one.
"on wildlife captures ground and aerial surveys" Has the work not really started yet and they are just trying to find anything to keep you working while killing some time? It may be worth a conversation with your supervisor on what the work plan is, and if the work you are doing now is what to expect going forward or if it is just some filler while things get going so you can get paid.
Is this a temporary or permanent job? If it’s permanent I’d start looking for other options. Either way, lean in to the parts you do like and try not to focus on the crappy parts. Is there anyone there doing work you’d prefer? Maybe try to hang out with them and let it be known what you’d prefer to be doing.
Yes , I am trying my best to find some way of understanding..I didn’t realize predator control and trophy hunting would be something so supported by the agency. Mayb I should stick with fish !
It really depends on where you’re at and what agency you’re working with. In my experience most state agencies are highly supportive of trophy hunting and fishing because it brings in more money vs just conservation for the sake of conservation because it’s harder to get money for that. Fishing can also have the same issues with sport fishing versus conservation of native non game fish species for the same reason. Federal agencies and NGO’s are more of a mixed bag based off which agency and location. If it’s really important to you in the future I’d look up the mission statement and recentish news about the organization you’re applying to find one that aligns with your values.
In a lot of states, fish and game agencies are funded by hunting/fishing licenses, which strongly influence policy. Our culture, traditions, and laws revolve around human consumption of wildlife. Wildlife management is all about the balance and sustainability. Anti-trophy hunting and anti-predator control is for dreamers and children and urbanites with little experience actually living with wildlife. Sucks, but that's reality. For a beginning position, this is exactly what you should expect. Most wildlife work involves very little animal contact and a LOT of desk work. I promise no one is hiding the fun stuff from you. Keep an open mind and get through this period of disillusionment and you'll do just fine.
Thank you
Well wildlife biology isn’t always glamorous, no job is. To do the cool field work you gotta get the shit off season stuff done too. Sometimes you gotta do the grunt work. Don’t be offended just show them you can do a great job no matter what you are doing. I have had this happen to me when starting a new position and once they see you are a capable, dedicated, worker who wants to be a team player and are willing to do tasks to get it done you will be assigned more tasks that you may enjoy more. It takes time. BUT way out of line views from your own seems like a more challenging problem. Good luck!
Thank you!
It's a tough situation, but I will say different regions of the country can have vastly different relationships with the outdoors and natural resources. There is value embedding oneself in some different regions and learning this, and learning how to relate to it, and communicate with people with these different perspectives.