Earl B. Pilgrim was born in St. Anthony in 1939. He received his early education in Roddickton, later studying Forestry at the College of Trades and Technology in St. John's.
He began his adult career in 1960 as an Infantryman in the Canadian Army, serving with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. While there, he became involved in the sport of boxing, eventually becoming the Canadian Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Following a stint in the Forces, he took a job as a Forest Ranger with the Newfoundland and Labrador Forestry Department. During this time, he came to recognize the plight of the big game population on Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula. After nine years as a forest warden, he became a wildlife protection officer with the Newfoundland Wildlife Service.
He is married to the former Beatrice Compton of Englee. They have four children, and make their home in Roddickton, Newfoundland.