Fish and Game honors reservist for work

JEROME - For Lanny Ames, Warren Wallace, Earl Wise and Gene Wright hard work has always been part of their lives. Unlike many people after retirement that head off to the golf course, these four men joined the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Reservist program. Beginning in March of 1991, reservist program volunteers have donated 29,000 hours in the Magic Valley towards improving habitat, monitoring animals and helping sportsmen in Idaho. "We could probably get along with out the program when it comes to managing wildlife," said Jerry Baltazor, Fish and Game Enforcement Investigator and reservist coordinator. "But we wouldn't be able to complete the number of projects we currently do. The department would be in a bind financially without all these dedicated volunteers." "In order to complete many of the projects, it would take a large infusion of funds and that is something that's not going to happen." The projects reservists have worked on, include: turkey trapping near the Big Cottonwood Wildlife Management Area, repair fence, plant sagebrush, creel census on area lakes, trap and count sharp-tailed grouse, count sage grouse and dozens of other things. "I just enjoy being out and working with other people and the wildlife," said Reservist Gene Wright. "I just enjoy that type of stuff, running a check station, planting grass or fixing fence." Wright has been a reservist since the program began, today at nearly 69-years-old and over 13 years with the program he is still going strong. "Before I retired I didn't have the time I do now and sometimes it was hard to work volunteering into my schedule," he said. "I really think the time I donate benefits both the department and the wildlife." "I have been an avid hunter and fishermen for over 50 years," he said. "I think the volunteer work we do as reservists helps preserve the things I enjoy for future generations." Besides giving back to wildlife, Wright believes he has also benefited from the program. "I have gained a lot of knowledge about wildlife, how the officers work and how the department works," he said. "Now I know a little more about how they operate and the things they do to help the wildlife. "Being a reservist has been well worth it to me." For Lanny Ames, Warren Wallace, Earl Wise and Gene Wright their service has not gone unnoticed. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game named them Co-Reservists of the Year for 2003. "It was hard to just select one of them for the honor," said Baltazor. "Each of them have donated so much time and help to the department and wildlife." Each of the four men honored this year donated over 300 hours to the department: Ames totaled 330.5 hours, bringing his total reservist time to 1,449; Wallace had 394 hours for a total of 1,478; Wise worked 795 hours for a total of 1,373, with Wright working 403 hours for a total of 3,648.5 hours. Statewide, Idaho reservists donated 14,958 hours in labor, a cost savings of $245,363 from just 146 reservists. In the Magic Valley, reservists donated 3,239 hours, which totaled $52,946 in labor from 27 reservists. Anyone interested in joining the reservist program can call Jerry Baltazor, at 324-4359. Others awards and honored for this year, include: 10-years of Service Award - Dennis Chambers, Warren Kell, Earl Johnson and Warren Wallace 1,000-Hour Awards - Jenny Ferguson, RB Higgins and Earl Wise 750-Hour Awards - Walt Charles and Earl Wise 500-Hour Awards - Norma Charles, Cloyce Edwards, Russell Beams, Carl Nellis and Charles Stevens 300-Hour Awards - Mike Cochran and Cloyce Edwards 100-Hour Award - Kyle Hartley