Law Enforcement Headlines

Chris Groth named as Conservation Officer of the Year by WTA

GREEN BAY -- Professionalism and a reputation for fairness were cited as reasons why Conservation Warden Chris Groth was selected “Warden of the Year – 2006” by the Wisconsin Trappers Association.

This statewide honor was presented to Warden Groth in a brief ceremony at DNR’s northeast regional headquarters in Green Bay.

Bryce Larson, Director of WTA District 8, made the presentation on behalf of the statewide Wisconsin Trappers Association. “Our members value the strong warden support and enforcement efforts of our 2006 award winner Chris Groth. Chris is an outstanding example of a highly qualified professional and a great asset to the trapping community.” Joining Larson in the presentation was WTA’s Brown County Director Rick Winans and WTA’s District 8 Trapper Education Coordinator Chris Bezio. The award was presented at a meeting of the DNR’s Green Bay Warden Team on Monday, November 13. (read complete article)

Nominations sought for statewide Ethical Hunting Award

Nominations for the 10th annual Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – La Crosse Tribune Ethical Hunter Award are again being accepted to recognize those hunters throughout Wisconsin who do good deeds and who set positive examples for all other outdoor users.

“When people enjoy the outdoors this fall, we want them to experience a safe and ethical hunt,” said Steve Dewald, La Crosse area warden supervisor. "To encourage this behavior in all hunters, we want hunters to acknowledge good behavior in other hunters when they see it."

Dewald and La Crosse Tribune outdoor writers Jerry Davis and Bob Lamb created the award in 1997 in an effort to bring attention to Wisconsin’s safe and ethical hunters. The theme for the award is "Hunters helping others, or hunters who are engaged in behavior that positively reflects on the tradition of hunting, rather than pursuing personal gain."
“We don't want to focus just on poachers and other unfortunate events,” Dewald said. “The general public needs to hear about hunters teaching outdoor traditions to our youth, hunters helping disabled citizens in enjoying the outdoors, and hunters actively working to protect natural resources for all to enjoy.

“These positive stories show everyone that positive hunter behavior is common among the majority of hunters,” Dewald added. Past award winners are excellent role models for all hunters in Wisconsin.

The following are requirements to be eligible to receive the Ethical Hunter award:

• The nominee must be a licensed Wisconsin hunter.
• The ethical hunting act must have taken place in Wisconsin during the 2006 calendar year.
• Written nominations should contain the name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of witness(es).

Written nominations should be sent to Warden Supervisor Steve Dewald at the Department of Natural Resources, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601 before Jan. 15, 2007.

Award recipients in previous years have been recognized for assisting a conservation warden who was dealing with a dangerous subject, restoration of hunting habitat, making private lands available to new hunters, providing opportunities for disabled hunters, and returning a 10 point buck to its rightful owner after it had fallen off a vehicle. Special youth awards are also given to youngsters who hunt ethically.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Dewald, Warden Supervisor - (608) 785-9970