Tell me about Wisconsin...

[Bonasababy]

I've considered Nebraska, but the pay is quite a bit less and property taxes get pretty high in some counties. I haven't put any thought into the Dakotas.

Spearfish area has looked intersting to me. Suspect real estate isnt cheap there though.

 

[hank4elk]

Best be a bit more purple or should I say Red ,White and Blue if you choose a LE degree. It's a non partisan position and stance you have to take.
I managed to navigate the waters of a LE degree to stay under the murky waters of the Feebs or staties by choice of where I lived and stayed. The choice had downfall of slightly less pay and statis over not being transferred halfway across the country or state, on a whim.

You have little choice over whom to save or make the day bad for. If your honorable.

I wound up working all over the same county and moved away by my choice. After retirement.
The pay wound up being as good or almost, as staties or Feebs and the pension better in many ways.
I got another 3% COLA this year, again.

 

[F250]

As a new Warden in most states, you will not have a choice in your first assignment. I certainly wish you the best in your future career, be careful of putting the cart before the horse. If you really want to begin a career as a Warden, you may want to consider applying to several states that you would consider living in.

 

[fwagner]

Treeshark, Seeth, Nick... I appreciate your guy's input. I've chatted briefly with you before I deleted my old account last year.
My goal would be to buy 20-30 acres. Nothing huge. Run a few cows/goats, maybe have a little food plot. It would be awesome to have my kids run around in actual green grass. The west side of the state is priced really reasonable in comparison to Wyoming. There is like 6 million acres of public land, so I can't imagine having a hard time getting away. I frequently put on 10-15 daily for elk hunts. Im glad to hear the schools are good and there is a sports community. I want my kids to be involved in some way. I definitely want to avoid anything east of Tomah. But again, it would depend on where the openings are. I have enough college credits to apply for next year's April hiring cycle and we plan on taking a trip out there in early April to explore. I've never been, but have always wanted to go.

I've lived in the heart of the driftless region for over 20 years. Game warden positions very rarely open up and it's a who do you know situation all the way to your first paycheck. I seriously doubt you'll even have the opportunity to pick a warden position in this area as easily as you think. Most of these counties are very highly sought after my other in state wardens, that will be your first hurdle. Public land hunting is decent but for whitetail it's usually pretty crowded, minus bow season. Good luck...

 

[beagle001]

Wyoming to Wisconsin? No. mtmuley

There’s a girl in town with WYO2WI (or something along those lines) as her license plate

Each part of the state (minus Milwaukee) has something to offer. The Driftless area is pretty, the north woods are great, plenty of good outdoor rec along the Wisconsin River.

Let us know where you end up, I’m between Green Bay and Wausau if you get posted up this way

 

[Wyomufhunter]

There’s a girl in town with WYO2WI (or something along those lines) as her license plate

Each part of the state (minus Milwaukee) has something to offer. The Driftless area is pretty, the north woods are great, plenty of good outdoor rec along the Wisconsin River.

Let us know where you end up, I’m between Green Bay and Wausau if you get posted up this way

Thank you. Im excited to visit up there this spring. I'll let you know, appreciate the info.

 

[schmalts]

I skimmed over this thread but wonder if you really think the driftless area is cheap? 4-6k per acre in not uncommon. I really don't know how that compares to Wyoming but I think it's pricey for hunting land these days.

 

[Nick87]

I skimmed over this thread but wonder if you really think the driftless area is cheap? 4-6k per acre in not uncommon. I really don't know how that compares to Wyoming but I think it's pricey for hunting land these days.

does 4 to 6 even exist anymore?

 

[Wyomufhunter]

I skimmed over this thread but wonder if you really think the driftless area is cheap? 4-6k per acre in not uncommon. I really don't know how that compares to Wyoming but I think it's pricey for hunting land these days.

Im most likely priced out of the driftless area on one income, plus it doesn't sound like positions are available there often. Im hoping for north east of Eau Claire, maybe the Ladysmith area. Ill make wherever work. Most people dont understand how expensive Wyoming is. 5 acre lots in sub divisions with HOAs and desert are going for 200k. 30 acre bare lots of desert go for 250k. 10k an acre of usable land is a blessing.

 

[wihunter12]

does 4 to 6 even exist anymore?

Most listings I see are definitely above $4-6k per acre. Might be able to get something not listed with an agent for that price.

 

[Bonasababy]

Best be a bit more purple or should I say Red ,White and Blue if you choose a LE degree. It's a non partisan position and stance you have to take.
I managed to navigate the waters of a LE degree to stay under the murky waters of the Feebs or staties by choice of where I lived and stayed. The choice had downfall of slightly less pay and statis over not being transferred halfway across the country or state, on a whim.

You have little choice over whom to save or make the day bad for. If your honorable.

I wound up working all over the same county and moved away by my choice. After retirement.
The pay wound up being as good or almost, as staties or Feebs and the pension better in many ways.
I got another 3% COLA this year, again.

Yep have to get along with all persuasions.

I have seen a few folks get the station they wanted. Usually in a place they grew up in thats not as attractive to others....or a child of a long time warden in an area.

Check out bennies too. Our COs can retire as early as 55 I think if they want to. Most of them pull the plug before 65.

 

[Wyomufhunter]

Yep have to get along with all persuasions.

I have seen a few folks get the station they wanted. Usually in a place they grew up in thats not as attractive to others....or a child of a long time warden in an area.

Check out bennies too. Our COs can retire as early as 55 I think if they want to. Most of them pull the plug before 65.

57 is my goal. Federal or state. I think that is the perfect age.

 

[Nick87]

Most listings I see are definitely above $4-6k per acre. Might be able to get something not listed with an agent for that price.

Yah I see closer to 8 to 10

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Most of the state outside the twin cities and Rochester areas is much more conservative than you think.

Yeah but its mostly just rocks and cows according to our masters in St Paul.

I skimmed over this thread but wonder if you really think the driftless area is cheap? 4-6k per acre in not uncommon. I really don't know how that compares to Wyoming but I think it's pricey for hunting land these days.

Yep. Some of the more expensive rural land in the WI/MN area for sure compared to other areas. It's all relative, might not be peak IA/IL row crop ground prices but its significantly more than East central/northern MN or NW WI.

 

[fwagner]

Im most likely priced out of the driftless area on one income, plus it doesn't sound like positions are available there often. Im hoping for north east of Eau Claire, maybe the Ladysmith area. Ill make wherever work. Most people dont understand how expensive Wyoming is. 5 acre lots in sub divisions with HOAs and desert are going for 200k. 30 acre bare lots of desert go for 250k. 10k an acre of usable land is a blessing.

Other than the hunting WY blows.... the average reading level is crayon.

 

[Nick87]

Other than the hunting WY blows.... the average reading level is crayon.

Yeah, because everybody wants to live in new hampshire.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Well other than counting way too many chickens before they hatch, I hope you're not set on WI. WI is great for sports cars on the back roads, cheese, hunting, beer like Spotted Cow, yeah, I don't drink that stuff and fishing. IMO, stick to the West side of the state and in 2 years no one can say how much things will be, but land is not cheap in WI on the West side due to lakes and hunting. I get that being a warden is a dream, but have you thought about a trade instead like aircon or electrician...etc..etc...those are where the money will be in 2 years IMO. It will be interesting to see this thread in 2 years time....

 

[IDiot]

You beat me to this thread I'm moving to Green Bay soon to be by the in laws and wanted to hear what people had to say about the state. I've been there enough to know about the packers, beer, brats, and cheese curds. I can't speak to much else.

Good luck with the warden thing. After being an MP I realized I didn't want to be in LE. I went the biology and management route instead. I like it but warden salaries and benefits are typically a lot better. One thing that steered me away from being a warden is I'd rather hunt myself than work crazy hours during season checking other hunters. That being said I still know plenty of wardens that get out to hunt.

 

[El Jason]

Spotted Cow is good beer.

 

[Wyomufhunter]

Well other than counting way too many chickens before they hatch, I hope you're not set on WI. WI is great for sports cars on the back roads, cheese, hunting, beer like Spotted Cow, yeah, I don't drink that stuff and fishing. IMO, stick to the West side of the state and in 2 years no one can say how much things will be, but land is not cheap in WI on the West side due to lakes and hunting. I get that being a warden is a dream, but have you thought about a trade instead like aircon or electrician...etc..etc...those are where the money will be in 2 years IMO. It will be interesting to see this thread in 2 years time....

I am a Master Journeyman in HVAC and a Master Journeyman in Refrigeration. It's not so much about the money for me at this point as it is doing a dream job and giving my wife the opportunity to retire so she can focus on her medical stuff. I don't need a mansion or 100 acres. Just a little hobby farm with a wrap around porch to call home and raise my kiddos like I was.