Page 8 - 2018 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

Game Warden’s Journal

ACCOUNTS FROM THE FIELD BY THE PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHO ENFORCE THE FISH AND
WILDLIFE LAWS OF OKLAHOMA.

most experienced hunting incident investigators and foren-
sics experts to help teach law enforcement personnel the best
approach to hunting incident investigations. Topics such as
how to find evidence, how to document it, and how to report
it are covered. Oklahoma Game Wardens Marni Loftis Lt.
David Smith, Stephen Paul and Mike Baker attended the
academy along with wildlife officers from 17 other states.

The Big 5 Fishing Clinic was held over two weeks in April
in Madill. Children from several surrounding schools attend.
Some of them experience catching their first fish! And many
memories and friendships are made each year. With such a
large attendance, many area Game Wardens lend a hand.
Below, Game Warden Ty Runyan, based in Pontotoc County,
helps a young angler with a catch.

(Reports from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation-Game Wardens Facebook page.)
Recently, Game Wardens performed a controlled buy of
wildlife being advertised for sale in Altus. Game Wardens
had received information of the advertisement offering to
sell wildlife from an anonymous third-party source. Game
Wardens began an investigation and contacted the seller and
agreed to buy a fully caped mountain lion and a partially
caped bear rug.
An undercover officer met with the seller to buy the wild-
life items. Uniformed Game Wardens intervened and did not
find proper documentation. Citations were issued. Except as
otherwise provided for by law, no person may buy, barter,
trade, sell or offer, or expose for sale all or any part of any
fish or wildlife or the nest or eggs of any bird, protected by
law. Game Wardens would like to thank the citizen who
shared the tip along with the Altus Police Department for
their assistance.

Oklahoma Game Wardens were represented at the Inter-
national Hunter Incident Investigation Academy recently
in Arkansas, held by the International Hunter Education
Association. The IHEA academy provides training for inves-
tigators who work on hunter injury and fatality incidents.
Incident academies bring together some of North America’s

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please help make a difference! When violators break the law, they steal fish and wildlife from you! Report viola-
tions anonymously by calling Operation Game Thief at (800) 522-8039. You could earn a cash reward.

6 Off the Beaten Path