Your County Wildlife Officer

[TheLBLman]

Seems I'm often reading posts "bashing" a wildlife officer, and I've certainly done some bashing myself of the TWRA (the "agency" as well as the "commission") but seldom a county wildlife officer.

Most county wildlife officers are great guys (a few are great women) who work very hard, and provide us great services, especially CONSIDERING THEIR LACK of "RESOURCES".

The biggest LACK of "resources" is man-power, as there is typically only a single wildlife officer assigned to each of TN's 95 counties. Obviously, they cannot be everywhere in the county at once, and they do need to sleep a few hours nightly. But they're also "on call" 24/7, and most seldom get 8 hrs straight of "off" time without a work-related call.

Having a county man-power force of ONE (1) is certainly a very different situation than say a typical county sheriff department, which may have many deputies simultaneously "on the clock" at all times, and patrolling in multiple patrol vehicles all over a county simultaneously.

But one aspect of a county wildlife officer's job description many are not aware:

In Tennessee, county wildlife officer are 1st Responders.
This means they are often called to accident scenes, home invasions, and armed robbery locations whenever they just happen to have the good fortune of being closer than some other law officer or paramedic.

Our county wildlife officers are "back-up" to the Sherriff Dept. and the paramedics. Of course, will have to give credit to the county sheriff departments in their backing up a county wildlife officer any time a wildlife officer requests from concern of his being in a particularly violent or threatening situation (which can be often).

As but one example of a wildlife officer's day, and why he might not be available to come investigate a poaching, there was a State Trooper shot multiple times yesterday in Kentucky. A Kentucky wildlife officer was the 1st Responder, and transported the wounded trooper to a hospital, where he was treated until being taken to a different hospital with a trauma center.

Just saying, sometimes we need to walk a mile in the moccasins of those we might be about to criticize for . . . . . . .

https://www.foxnews.com/us/kentucky-state-trooper-shot-police-say

 

[backyardtndeer]

I don't know our current warden yet. The warden we had retired a few years ago, had nothing but respect for him. He was or is an all around good guy. Sure hated that he retired.

I heard about the trooper in Kentucky being shot, but hadn't heard about a wildlife officer being the first responder in that shooting. Hope the trooper pulls through, last I heard this morning, I think the reporter said he was in surgery.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

What about when your "wildlife officer" actually works another job instead of his TWRA job and everyone knows it? What about when he tells people that he doesn't care anymore because you can't change the culture? Neither he nor his family can go to town without getting harassed so I get it. Our judge actually does do a good job with poachers but you just can't change the culture, you can at least make poachers worry about getting caught. I agree with our warden on the culture but don't agree that you should just retire in place and work another job while drawing that state paycheck also. If he isn't willing to work, then we need another warden, plain and simple. What worries me most of all is, where is the supervisor? Is there no supervisory level person actually making sure this guy is working his state job and not another job?

 

[41Magnum]

For the most part I've had good relations with our local wildlife officers. Always been helpful and personable. We had one in an adjoining county that was, well, let's say he would have made a great prison guard. Worst attitude I've ever seen for a wildlife officer. He moved on some years ago.

 

[TheLBLman]

Tennessee has 95 counties.
I'm sure the situation is a bit different in each one.
But I know most county wildlife officers are just like most professionals in that most are dedicated.
Same can be said for most law enforcement officers, regardless of title or role.

Occasionally, just like in all other professions, there is a bad apple in a barrel of good ones.
All I can say is I particularly would not want to be a county wildlife officer in Fentress County, where the "culture" of wildlife poaching greatly exceeds the "resources" of any assigned wildlife officer.

 

[muddyboots]

I have no problem with the local officers. The higher ups is where the problem is to me.

 

[ronnycl]

my experience wardens great
commissioners - absolutely clueless

 

[Wrangler95]

my experience wardens great
commissioners - absolutely clueless

You can say that again!

 

[Ski]

I usually get along great with them, and 100% am pro wardens. Tough job that's largely thankless. Either people accuse them of being crooked or they accuse them of not being good enough. I sure wouldn't want that job.

 

[RobDooley]

and some are overzealous. Best game warden I ever had the pleasure of meeting and handling an issue on Willamette Paper Company land was Bill Fortner in Perry County. Common sense type of guy....kinda like Andy.

 

[Acorn]

Both in my County are top notch guys and great outdoorsmen.

 

[Andy S.]

Best game warden I ever had the pleasure of meeting and handling an issue on Willamette Paper Company land was Bill Fortner in Perry County. Common sense type of guy....kinda like Andy.

Did Bill work in Perry County back around 2003? Drive a TWRA SUV, like maybe an Explorer or Expedition?

 

[smyrnagc]

Every time I see one out in public I thank them for their service just like I do military men and women in uniforms. Sometimes all they deal with is the bad and the negative...

 

[coffeebuck]

Giles County must not be over worked. He has time to walk private property, turning off trail cams, so you don't know it's him on your land.

 

[Acorn]

Giles County must not be over worked. He has time to walk private property, turning off trail cams, so you don't know it's him on your land.

If these guys are on your property there is a reason why. Someone has reported something or a neighbor has killed a deer with corn in it and is concerned that someone may be poaching deer over corn piles or feeders. It sucks when you do work all year on your property for deer habitat and food plots to have a neighbor killing them over corn. We have people that come in from out of town that do this a lot. I'm a land owner and have to deal with this from time to time. If I kill a deer with corn in it I report it to them and they will check it out.

 

[Biggun4214]

Seems I'm often reading posts "bashing" a wildlife officer, and I've certainly done some bashing myself of the TWRA (the "agency" as well as the "commission") but seldom a county wildlife officer.

Most county wildlife officers are great guys (a few are great women) who work very hard, and provide us great services, especially CONSIDERING THEIR LACK of "RESOURCES".

The biggest LACK of "resources" is man-power, as there is typically only a single wildlife officer assigned to each of TN's 95 counties. Obviously, they cannot be everywhere in the county at once, and they do need to sleep a few hours nightly. But they're also "on call" 24/7, and most seldom get 8 hrs straight of "off" time without a work-related call.

Having a county man-power force of ONE (1) is certainly a very different situation than say a typical county sheriff department, which may have many deputies simultaneously "on the clock" at all times, and patrolling in multiple patrol vehicles all over a county simultaneously.

But one aspect of a county wildlife officer's job description many are not aware:

In Tennessee, county wildlife officer are 1st Responders.
This means they are often called to accident scenes, home invasions, and armed robbery locations whenever they just happen to have the good fortune of being closer than some other law officer or paramedic.

Our county wildlife officers are "back-up" to the Sherriff Dept. and the paramedics. Of course, will have to give credit to the county sheriff departments in their backing up a county wildlife officer any time a wildlife officer requests from concern of his being in a particularly violent or threatening situation (which can be often).

As but one example of a wildlife officer's day, and why he might not be available to come investigate a poaching, there was a State Trooper shot multiple times yesterday in Kentucky. A Kentucky wildlife officer was the 1st Responder, and transported the wounded trooper to a hospital, where he was treated until being taken to a different hospital with a trauma center.

Just saying, sometimes we need to walk a mile in the moccasins of those we might be about to criticize for . . . . . . .

https://www.foxnews.com/us/kentucky-state-trooper-shot-police-say

Every wildlife officer has a different personality just like everyone on here. Different situations trigger different reactions.
I had an answering machine that said if this is a wildlife call please call 800-332-0900. The usual response was I know this is your home phone but…..
When we got cell phones I think half the county had my personal number and the other half had my state number.
Not only me but my wife would get stopped by the public and asked questions. Couldn't go anywhere without hearing stories or being asked questions.
After being retired for almost 3 years ihe calls and being stopped still continues just not as often.
A little something to think about.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

If I encounter an officer out, and in uniform, I don't mind stopping and asking a question if I have on, but if they're in civilian clothes, they're off duty, and are to be left alone, unless it's just a "howdy, how you doing today". I've always had good luck just calling the region office for questions and having them answer, transfer the call to someone who can, or getting a call back.

 

[Sako]

What about TWRA sergant Chris Combs who was busted for hunting with his kids hunting over bait for Turkey... and they did nothing to him and he still has his Job.... Way to go TWRA

 

[budro2]

Every wildlife officer has a different personality just like everyone on here. Different situations trigger different reactions.
I had an answering machine that said if this is a wildlife call please call 800-332-0900. The usual response was I know this is your home phone but…..
When we got cell phones I think half the county had my personal number and the other half had my state number.
Not only me but my wife would get stopped by the public and asked questions. Couldn't go anywhere without hearing stories or being asked questions.
After being retired for almost 3 years ihe calls and being stopped still continues just not as often.
A little something to think about.

Sounds like it really was not the job for you,
Didn't want to take calls , referred them to the 800 number , and didn't want to discuss issues when you met people in person .
Yes, I know it gets old but that what the job was about.

 

[BigDave12]

Seems I'm often reading posts "bashing" a wildlife officer, and I've certainly done some bashing myself of the TWRA (the "agency" as well as the "commission") but seldom a county wildlife officer.

Most county wildlife officers are great guys (a few are great women) who work very hard, and provide us great services, especially CONSIDERING THEIR LACK of "RESOURCES".

The biggest LACK of "resources" is man-power, as there is typically only a single wildlife officer assigned to each of TN's 95 counties. Obviously, they cannot be everywhere in the county at once, and they do need to sleep a few hours nightly. But they're also "on call" 24/7, and most seldom get 8 hrs straight of "off" time without a work-related call.

Having a county man-power force of ONE (1) is certainly a very different situation than say a typical county sheriff department, which may have many deputies simultaneously "on the clock" at all times, and patrolling in multiple patrol vehicles all over a county simultaneously.

But one aspect of a county wildlife officer's job description many are not aware:

In Tennessee, county wildlife officer are 1st Responders.
This means they are often called to accident scenes, home invasions, and armed robbery locations whenever they just happen to have the good fortune of being closer than some other law officer or paramedic.

Our county wildlife officers are "back-up" to the Sherriff Dept. and the paramedics. Of course, will have to give credit to the county sheriff departments in their backing up a county wildlife officer any time a wildlife officer requests from concern of his being in a particularly violent or threatening situation (which can be often).

As but one example of a wildlife officer's day, and why he might not be available to come investigate a poaching, there was a State Trooper shot multiple times yesterday in Kentucky. A Kentucky wildlife officer was the 1st Responder, and transported the wounded trooper to a hospital, where he was treated until being taken to a different hospital with a trauma center.

Just saying, sometimes we need to walk a mile in the moccasins of those we might be about to criticize for . . . . . . .

https://www.foxnews.com/us/kentucky-state-trooper-shot-police-say

Well, well said LBLman!

 

[Biggun4214]

Sounds like it really was not the job for you,
Didn't want to take calls , referred them to the 800 number , and didn't want to discuss issues when you met people in person .
Yes, I know it gets old but that what the job was about.

 

[FTP]

The Cheatham WMA guy... little man syndrome, a real prick, some of the the other fellows that work with him are pretty cool and will actually have a cordial conversation with you.
The TWRA Commission... worthless as tits on a boar hog. I mean they are right there with Nancy Pelosi. They don't listen to suggestions.

 

[Biggun4214]

Apparently it wasn't. I spent 37 years on call 24/7/365. I never said I didn't talk to people or answer my phone. One year I had almost as many incident numbers at dispatch than one of the other Regions total. There are times when you would like some peace and quiet. Not to mention the toll in takes on your family. In 2010 I was reprimanded for gettin out and answering calls by my Captain. I was involved in a car wreck and very banged up and could barely hobble around. I told lots of people that I would rather take ten bad calls as to miss one good one. Information calls were the worst. When the conversation starts "the guide says this, is that right." And the same person constantly asks, it gets old.
Oh btw the home calls and the contacts in public was on my own time not TWRA.
Best I can figure I gave TWRA about 10 years of free time.


So I guess it wasnt the job for me.

 

[Ski]

I kind of have to agree with budro2 to a degree. When you accept the job you accept a responsibility to the citizens of your jurisdiction. You need to be accessible. That said, I think it's bad etiquette to call a warden's home or when he's off duty. Call the sherif for an emergency and if he needs assistance from a wildlife officer it's him that will call. Sensibility from both sides would go a long way.

 

[FTP]

Giles County must not be over worked. He has time to walk private property, turning off trail cams, so you don't know it's him on your land.

The game warden is turning off your trail cams?

 

[TheLBLman]

I think it's bad etiquette to call a warden's home or when he's off duty.

Yet, YOU criticize him for not answering SOME of those calls?

Wildlife officers are typical "off-duty" when they are at home.
It's just that they remain "on call" 24/7/365.
That does not mean any member of the public should be calling them at home.
You call the TWRA numbers or 911 or the Sherriff's Department.

Think about this.
When you need a sheriff deputy,
do you call a deputy at home or call 911?

When you need a fireman,
do you call a fireman at home,
or call 911?

None of us function long without sleep.

 

[BobbyII]

What about when your "wildlife officer" actually works another job instead of his TWRA job and everyone knows it? What about when he tells people that he doesn't care anymore because you can't change the culture? Neither he nor his family can go to town without getting harassed so I get it. Our judge actually does do a good job with poachers but you just can't change the culture, you can at least make poachers worry about getting caught. I agree with our warden on the culture but don't agree that you should just retire in place and work another job while drawing that state paycheck also. If he isn't willing to work, then we need another warden, plain and simple. What worries me most of all is, where is the supervisor? Is there no supervisory level person actually making sure this guy is working his state job and not another job?

I agree that the state wildlife officer should be doing what he's being paid to do by the state and be replaced if they refuse to do so. I don't know nor have ever seen any numbers to the effect, but would be willing to bet that the majority of our state's wildlife officers are just the opposite and are doing a good job with little or no positive recognition. Consider also that while out in the field doing their jobs, most everyone they have contact with are armed with some kind of weapon (mostly firearms) and a lot of this contact is during the dark of night, which is extremely dangerous for our officers. Another consideration for our officers is the fact they (like all law enforcement) are not being paid near enough for the work and dangers involved so therefore some need to work part time jobs or serve with the National Guard and/or reserves in order to make ends meet. Some of the money sent to other countries, that don't even want our help, should be spent here at home for funding for state agencies, etc.,etc. Maybe that way the state could pay our officers a little more and add enough officers that most counties would have more than 1 or 2 wildlife officers to cover the entire county !!

 

[Biggun4214]

I kind of have to agree with budro2 to a degree. When you accept the job you accept a responsibility to the citizens of your jurisdiction. You need to be accessible. That said, I think it's bad etiquette to call a warden's home or when he's off duty. Call the sherif for an emergency and if he needs assistance from a wildlife officer it's him that will call. Sensibility from both sides would go a long.

Yet, YOU criticize him for not answering SOME of those calls?

Wildlife officers are typical "off-duty" when they are at home.
It's just that they remain "on call" 24/7/365.
That does not mean any member of the public should be calling them at home.
You call the TWRA numbers or 911 or the Sherriff's Department.

Think about this.
When you need a sheriff deputy,
do you call a deputy at home or call 911?

When you need a fireman,
do you call a fireman at home,
or call 911?

None of us function long without sleep.

Thank you!!!

 

[megalomaniac]

Lot of respect for what the TWRA officers do, and they have always been professional and even pleasant with all my interactions with them. Been checked numerous times, only got a warning once (well actually not me, but I took a date skiing back in the day and I stopped at a spot to fish. She had never fished, but I gave her a pole to try... never crossed my mind to get her a license, and of course, the boating officer pulled up on us fishing for a water safety check, then license check... then it hit me oops. The officer must have known she wasn't the repeat offender type, and let her off with just a warning. We were both embarrassed, and she gave me heck for the next couple dates).

I don't have a problem with officers being on my land (I have no knowledge they have done so), but I would have a problem with them messing with trail cameras (I have a couple cams that if not shut down properly, the SD card will become corrupted and possible ruined). But I would think the officers would WANT to be caught on camera... that would send as strong a message to the hunter as anything!

My only complaint (this has never happened to me) would be the heresay reports of an officer checking a hunter on private property while in the stand. That terrifies me from a safety standpoint... officer pushes a deer toward the hunter while walking in, hunter shoots the deer, and the officer is in the line of fire unbeknownst to the hunter.

 

[Biggun4214]

Yet, YOU criticize him for not answering SOME of those calls?

Wildlife officers are typical "off-duty" when they are at home.
It's just that they remain "on call" 24/7/365.
That does not mean any member of the public should be calling them at home.
You call the TWRA numbers or 911 or the Sherriff's Department.

Think about this.
When you need a sheriff deputy,
do you call a deputy at home or call 911?

When you need a fireman,
do you call a fireman at home,
or call 911?

None of us function long without sleep.

To add to LBLman's post
How many of you would call your doctor at home and ask his wife medical questions if he wasn't home? Or stop her in public and ask her questions?

How would you react if a stranger followed you home or pulled in your driveway to ask questions?

You're at a sporting event to watch your kids play and you have numerous people come by to tell stories or ask questions.

After cell phones I "watched" numerous things my kids did with my wife giving me play by play over the phone while I was working.
Most of you don't have a clue.