Law Enforcement Headlines

Learn to Hunt gives local youth an opportunity to learn what the sport of pheasant hunting is all about.

On September 21st and 22nd Conservation Warden Heather Gottschalk and safety instructor Paul Mayer coordinated the fourth annual Pheasant Learn to Hunt days.

Sixteen students to include one foreign exchange student from Germany participated in the two day Learn to Hunt, which was held at Royal Flush Game Farm. Each hunter was given four hours of instruction on Friday night. Speakers included Jeff Gaska from Pheasants Forever, Chris Cole from WI DNR, Paul Mayer and Marlin Spindler, Hunter Safety Instructors and Dodge County Conservation Warden Heather Gottschalk. During this educational portion topics such as hunter safety, gun handling, biology and habitat of the pheasant, rules and regulations, dog handling and training and support for the sport through local organization were discussed. Read more

Chief Cups Recognitions for Excellent Service

Several conservation wardens were recently recognized for their excellent service. On behalf of Chief warden Randy Stark, 'Chief's Mugs' were presented to the following wardens for their achievments. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your efforts to make Wisconsin a better place to live and recreate!

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Storm Story 2007

Residents in at least five Wisconsin counties will not soon forget the heavy August rains that occurred in southwest Wisconsin; some counties even set new rainfall records. These records are probably not something you'll hear most brag about because of the damage and tragic property losses that many suffered. With all that loss and damage occurring, conservation wardens from the West Central and South Central Regions were called to action to provide life saving search and rescue efforts, and to assess storm damage to homes and property. 

Home caught in mud slide.

Fortunately for some, Warden Shawna Stringham of Vernon County was dispatched to multiple rescue calls in Chaseburg at the request of the Vernon County Sheriff. At one point Stringham found herself rescuing a busload of elderly people surrounded by high water.  Also fortunately for the rescued, she had a boat and plenty of know-how to navigate through the dilemma.  Stringham also  rescued an elderly man in his home who passed out from noxious fumes coming from an oil spill in his flooded basement, and  she evacuated a disabled man from his home which was surrounded by flood waters.

Stringham's supervisor Steve Dewald (LaCrosse) stated that "Shawna  provided a most timely response at a time when the county needed the most assistance. Stringham and Conservation Warden Mike Cross (Crawford County) literally got down in the mud and water to help people.  Mike also assisted residents of Gays Mills with pumping out basements among other things."

Chief Warden Randy Stark says he's proud of the efforts provided by Conservation Wardens.  In a recent correspondence to Warden Stringham, Stark wrote, "Through your actions, you've been an excellent role model for our strategic goal of being  ready to respond and have represented the Department and the warden service well. Actions like yours serve to reinforce us as being the investment of choice for the public we serve."

Editors note:  The strategic goal mentioned by Chief Stark is one of six goals contained within the Bureau's five year strategic plan.  The goal states - Conservation Wardens will enhance public safety by being ready to respond to emergencies, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism.