DNR Conservation Warden Early 2023 Highlights

An article from WWA’s Words From The Wardens.

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s May, 2023 eNewsletter. 

The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association members already know the DNR Conservation Warden Service is dedicated to keeping safe all those who enjoy waterfowl hunting seasons and the quality of the state’s waterbodies and aquatic habitats. For a change of pace this month, we’re sharing a few photos highlighting some of the other community service, education and service duties wardens have handled so far this year in addition to protecting natural resources.

A Sorrowful, Respectful Farewell

The DNR Wisconsin Warden Honor Guard performs in split-second unison, carrying the United States and Wisconsin flags, to pay tribute at events honoring living and deceased law enforcement officers. Their participation in services comforts the survivors of the deceased current and retired officers at a time of intense sorrow. The Warden Guard traveled to Cameron on April 15 to lead a multi-agency honor guard at the joint visitation and funeral service for two police officers killed during a traffic stop on April 8. The wardens are wearing green uniforms at the front. The services honored Chetek Police Officer Emily Breidenbach and Cameron Police Officer Hunter Scheel.

Early Breakfast With Tomorrow’s Champions

DNR conservation wardens enjoy time with tomorrow’s conservation and environmental leaders – also known as children. “It’s people week!” one Eastside Elementary School student said as he entered the cafeteria where DNR Conservation Warden Ryan Caputo was serving a wide smile along an array of nutritious choices. And so started the 7:20 a.m. breakfast run Monday, March 6 of National School Breakfast Week at the Sun Prairie School District. The annual week, held the first full week of March, celebrates the importance of the morning meal for a student’s educational success.

Bullseye On Learning At NASP

More than 1,500 youth competitors and their friends and families filled the Woodside Sports Complex at Wisconsin Dells March 24 – 25 for the 2023 National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Wisconsin State Tournament.  The DNR sponsors the largest NASP tournament in Wisconsin and helps staff the two-day event. Students in fourth grade through high school compete in teams from public and private schools. In addition to experiencing teamwork, the students also learn valuable daily life skills – including how to focus, practice self-control and have patience with themselves and others.  The DNR also ran an educational booth where fans and archers had fun as they learned hunter safety from Major April Dombrowski, Outdoor Skills Trainers and R3 staff.   

Morning Commute Rescue

It wasn’t a typical start of the day for DNR Lt. Jacob Cross and three fast-thinking bystanders who rescued a passenger from a burning car at about 6:45 a.m. on March 22. Warden Cross encountered a three-car collision seconds after the Langlade County Sheriff’s Office dispatch radioed that a wreck had occurred on Highway 45 near County Road D in Langlade County. Lt. Cross sprinted and joined three citizens to pull an injured woman from the vehicle’s driver’s side, where a fire was underway in the front compartment. The woman was in pain, had a visible severe leg injury and couldn’t move. The team got her out of harm’s way and into a bystander’s vehicle until emergency medical providers arrived to transport her in the ambulance. Lt. Cross also assisted another accident victim who complained of dizziness and a possible concussion until emergency medical responders took over. There were no fatalities, and county authorities investigated the accident.

Not Just Any Fish!

DNR Lt. Robert Stroess led a full-day training about the Mississippi River commercial fishing industry . . . from fish swimming in the river to harvest by commercial fishers to hauling away by oxygenated hauling vehicles to wholesale processors to the grocer and ultimately to the dinner table. Students included law enforcement wardens, fisheries biologists and technicians, customer service staff, a federal officer, and a local prosecutor.

Speaking Of Commercial Fishing… Wardens Meghan Jensen of Trempealeau County and Trevor Tracey of La Crosse County were on patrol when they checked on some commercial fishing nets on the Mississippi River.       

Welcoming New Wardens: DNR Secretary Adam Payne addresses the nine new conservation wardens and the audience of family, friends and colleagues gathered for the April 7 ceremony in the Assembly Chambers at the Wisconsin State Capitol.