https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-bounty-hunter

Updated March 11, 2023

Bounty hunting began in the days when local police forces didn't have the manpower or resources to track and apprehend fugitives, so they posted wanted posters offering a reward for the capture and return of the fugitive to police custody. Individuals who are critical thinkers, problem solvers, excel under pressure and are competent in defensive tactics may find a
career as a bounty hunter to be both exciting and rewarding.

In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about becoming a Bounty Hunter, including job requirements, average salary and frequently asked questions.

What does a bounty hunter do?

A Bounty Hunter is a professional who works on behalf of bail bond agents to locate and apprehend fugitives who have missed a court date or failed to uphold their responsibilities under the bail bond contract in some other way.

When a criminal defendant misses a court date, the judge issues a failure to appear and gives the bail bond agent a specific period of time to locate the defendant and bring them back to court. Because the bail bond agent's money is on the line, they hire bounty hunters to quickly find, apprehend and bring back the defendant.

Because Bounty Hunters work independently on behalf of the bail bond agent and not as state or federal agents, fugitives are not protected by the same constitutional rights that protect them from being apprehended by the police.

The rights of the bail bond agent to locate, arrest, detain and transport a fugitive are established through a private contract, and those rights are passed on to the bounty hunter by the bail bond agent. Bounty Hunters may use tactics like surveillance, forcibly entering the defendant's home without a warrant and apprehending the fugitive without reading them their Miranda rights.

Average salary of a bounty hunter

The average annual salary of a bounty hunter varies based on the total amount of bail for each fugitive and the number of fugitives they apprehend. Because bounty hunters are independent agents working on behalf of the bail bond agent, they are paid only when they successfully apprehend a wanted fugitive through a percentage of the overall bail amount.

Bounty hunters are usually paid between 10 and 25% of the bail bond's face value. This means bounty hunters must have a high level of motivation and competence to be successful in their careers.

How to become a bounty hunter

Follow these steps to become a bounty hunter:

1. Earn a diploma

Most bounty hunting positions don't have a required minimum education, but
you can begin your career by obtaining a high school diploma or GED
certificate.

2. Research your state's regulations

Rules for bounty hunters vary by state, so it is important to research and
understand the regulations of your state. If you will be crossing state
lines to track down fugitives in other states, it is also important to
be aware of differences in the regulations of the states you are working
in.

For example, some states require bounty hunters to be licensed, have
specific training, carry insurance or to use only certain techniques in
locating and apprehending fugitives.

3. Complete necessary training

Bounty hunting can be a dangerous career, so it is important for you to have a
good understanding of defensive tactics. Many states require bounty
hunters to have some level of professional training to become licensed
in their state. Other states leave the training up to the individual.

A comprehensive training program will cover topics like how to conduct
investigations, use research tools, arrest and control techniques, use
of reasonable force, surveillance and understanding the bail bond
industry in your state.

4. Become licensed, if needed

Some states require bounty hunters to be licensed. It is important to check
with your state's educational and experience requirements for becoming a
bounty hunter, as each state's licensure process varies. Common
requirements include a candidate being at least 18 to 21 years of age,
passing a criminal background and fingerprint check and passing an exam.

5. Gain relevant experience

Becoming a bounty hunter may be challenging if you don't have experience.
However, you can gain relevant experience in other criminal justice
fields, such as a law enforcement officer, security guard or private investigator.

Military experience is also relevant to the role of a bounty hunter. You can
participate in an apprenticeship program under bounty hunters who are
already professionals within the field to gain experience, develop your
skills and expand your network.

6. Network with bail bond agents

Bounty hunters are hired by bail bond agents. While some bail bond agents
regularly employ bounty hunters, many bounty hunters work as independent contractors

who accept assignments on a per-case basis. This means it is very
important to build strong professional relationships with bail bond
agents in your area if you want to become a successful bounty hunter.

7. Begin working as a bounty hunter

When you begin receiving assignments from the connections you have made with bail bond agents, successfully locating and apprehending the fugitives you have been assigned to is crucial to ensuring you continue to receive new assignments from those same bail bond agents.