International Group Honors Burley Conservation Officer

Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer Tim Ferguson was honored as Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2005 Monday, July 17. "I'm at a loss for words," Ferguson said upon receiving the award. "This is both an honor and a privilege to receive this prestigious award. There are many officers deserving recognition in the state and the Magic Valley Region." Ferguson has worked as a conservation officer in the Burley area for the past 15 years. "Tim is dedicated to wildlife management and wildlife law enforcement which are demonstrated in his well-rounded approach to his duties," department Director Steve Huffaker wrote in his nomination letter. Some of his accomplishments cited in the letter include: ¥ Contacting more than 8,300 sportsmen and detecting 1,388 violations ¥ Helping to teach 65 hunter education classes ¥ Rehabilitating and releasing 116 injured raptors into the wild ¥ Giving more than 70 wildlife and streamside presentations to school children "All too seldom do the fine wildlife officers receive the recognition and encouragement they so richly deserve for protecting and preserving our wildlife," said James Maddox, Shikar-Safari vice president in his letter to Ferguson. "We in Shikar-Safari Club International hope that by presenting this award each year, we can in this small way make a worthy contribution to this important work."