From time to time it seems in a post that the writer has insider insight regarding the ticking of a fish & wildlife agency. I'm retired from four such agenices;IN, KS, MO, and KY. Sometimes I frusrated my peers because I considered my self a bowhunter/biologist rather than a biologist/bowhunter -- priorties and perspective. Are there any other "DNR" folks (retired or current) among the fine traditional folks here?
Currently Im working for the IDNR...raising pheasants for controlled hunts. very interesting to see 40,000 pheasants at one time.
I'm a fish biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
I work for Florida Division of Forestry as a Forest Technician doing FIA research plots. Pay stinks, benefits are great, and I get to see alot of pretty woods and nasty swamps.
Bowwild should write a book...I know I would buy it. :D
Thanks for all your efforts everyone.
Used to be, temporarily. Worked in Maine for the USFWS for a few months as a Biological Aide, and in Iowa for the DNR doing similar work with wetlands and trapping birds and amphibians. Loved every minute of it and miss those jobs dearly!
- actually, it was because of the IDNR job that I got into trad archery in the first place (the guys I lived with shot compounds and I was more interested in shooting traditional and ended up meeting the local chief of police who showed me the ropes)...
I've worked as a tech. for the Dept of Fish and Wildlife on a temp basis for several years. In the past I've set my own schedule and used it as a very enjoyable break from building saddles and being couped up in the shop. I've worked as a habitat tech and a damage tech.
For the last four years I've spent about four months every winter hunting and trapping lions for the dept. Nice time to be in the high country.
I work for Maryland D.N.R. as the Coldwater Hatcheries Manager.
I'm a Wildlife Officer in Tennessee.
Excellent! I knew there were several traditional archers imbedded in the wildlife agencies.
I remember one time hearing a Wildlife Commissioner (like a board member) complain about bowhunters being too demanding and watchful of the regulatory process. I politely reminded the fellow that bowhunters are among the most avid of all hunters. Bowhunters spend more time, on average hunting, and they are far less likely to skip a hunting season. I also pointed out that the state bowhunting group, while not very numerous, was always ready to go to bat for conservation and the agency when called upon.
Of course I also recognize that some of the traditional folks are "way out there". I mean, gee whiz some of you guys use bows without the least hint of curve on the limb tips, four feathers with no index vane, and broadheads heavier than I can curl! LOL!
I'm with VA Dept of Game. I work as a district wildlife biologist. Get to do a lot of fun rewarding work. There are few days that I really hate to go to work. Pay ain't all that great but the job is fun enough to make it worthwhile.
I was a natural resource and forestry major from UW- Madison some 35 yrs ago and worked with the DNR on a regular basis as a county level land manager for my entire career.
Let's see... Field Tech. w/ US Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Specialist w/ the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Wetlands Specialist w/ the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Regional Information and Education Specialist w/ the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, District Manager of a county conservation district.
Now a Park Manager with the Oklahoma State Parks system. I have been a Trad Archer through it all.
OkKeith
Work as a fisheries research biologist for the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game. Started in 1984 as a college intern.
I've been a fisheries biologist in Cali and Idaho for the past 5 years working primarily with Green Sturgeon, and Salmonids. Currently (and for the forseeable future) in Northern Idaho working with salmon and steelhead.
Travis
I am a district wildlife biologist for Indiana fish and wildlife. I have the bowhunter/biologist label on me too, but in my defense I have only worked for IDNR for about 13 years and have been a bowhunter for about 25. Nate
I wish some of you guys could help me get a job with one of the agencies! I studied wildlife biology in college, and then I got an M.B.A. I've never been able to get in anywhere. How did you guys do it? I've just about given up on it. Trouble is, I know I would be great at the job...I just need somebody to give me a chance.
It is a rough one. It was 4 years for me after college before I started working. And then I was on the bottom rung of the ladder and have had to work my up.
I'm a wildlife biologist for the Us Forest Service. Spent alot more time in the woods when i was a tech! Now most of my day job is at a computer and my recreation is in the woods....
Meathead,
What district is yours? I was DB for District #1 (NW Indiana) from 1979-185 -- then on to Patoka Lake, Kansas, Missouri, and ended the career here in KY. I was IN's B.O.Y. in 1984.
I come back every bow season to hunt near Attica with my best friend who lives in Lafayette.
Jonsi,
Wildlife and Forestry are tough jobs to land. When I was graduating (Purdue-77) the expectation was that 1 in 3 would land jobs and in wildlife it was worse at 1 in 5. The keys:
1.Prayer
2. Be willing to move to the job. I moved through 7 positions during my career.
3. Be willing to start low, bug the dung out of who ever is doing the hiring.
4.Then, when you get a job try to be the best there has ever been at it so the promotions will line up - and so you'll end a career feeling great that you made a difference.
Jonsi,
One more thing. I cannot forget to report that because Prayer is number one on my list, I owe everything to Him.
Was a temp tech for a short while with North Carolina WRC.
Bowwild
I cover what now is district 11. It is east central Indiana. I replaced Ed Guljas when he retired. He would have had a couple years in by the time you left for greener pastures.
I knew Ed very well! A fine Christian fellow who could save you a fortune if you simply followed his buying habits -- I never met a more frugal, honest man.
I am a fish biologist in southeast Kansas.
Roy give me the where, when and what for your Kansas stint??
Bluegill,
Region Supervisor, Parks & Public Lands, Valley Center (now Wichita) office. I was there from 1989-1992. Loved it -- especially the fantastic fishing! People don't realize that Kansas is one of the finest crappie fishing states in the country! It seems as if every year (I preferred winter) 1-3 of the reservoirs were producing boatloads of 15+" specs.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources...it will be 20 years in December, much of it in fisheries management. Currently a working as a Habitat Restoration Biologist; rebuild blown out rivers and attempt to acquire sportsman's access on private land, oh, and other duties as assigned...
S.
Roy,
I joined up in 1995 and have been here ever since. The crappie keep on getting on.
Sean
Well Roy if you knew Ed you knew John Russell too. I have his old district now. Let me know if you have any dirt on them. I like to raz both of them whenever I get the chance.
I was a game warden for 15 years in Washington and Wyoming, then for a family reason changed to a habitat biologist with Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife. All total, will be 27 years the end of this month. I miss the warden position in Wyoming most, but have done a lot of neat things over the years. I was into trad bowhunting for a couple years in the mid 90's till I hurt my shoulder dragging a moose out of the river to see if it was poached. Just got back into it since last Christmas and am looking forward to hunting this weekend ( archery deer just opened today!)
John Russell!
I grew up in Richmond, IN - John was over my county. John is one of the funniest and smartest people I know. He used to be (?) a fanatic about motorcycles. He and Jim New (my mentor) were great cycle buddies - both retired. Jim and I were the bowhunters in the group.
A picture of him washing his motorcycle with a waterhose made the rounds. The hose was beside the far leg and you couldn't see it. All you could see was a mighty powerful stream of water coming from near Jim's waist hosing down the BMW Bike.
Sorry folks, I didn't realize this thread would bring up such terrific folks and great memories!
Conservation officer in MO
John is still riding. Just doesn't take the long distance trips anymore.
i worked a s fish tech for AK DF&G for quite a few years.... worked for chinook907 for a while, as a matter of fact.