Georgia DNR Names Ranger of the Year
OutdoorHub 11.29.11
Social Circle, GA – The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division selected RFC Tim Butler, a conservation ranger for Pulaski/Bleckley counties, as the 2011 State Ranger of the Year.
Runner-up to the Ranger of the Year award, RFC Tim Hutto of the Southeast Georgia Region, received the 2011 James R. Darnell Award.
This award is titled “The Fawn” and is a James R. Darnell sculpture.
“The State of Georgia is fortunate to have people such as RFC Tim Butler and RFC Tim Hutto who dedicate their lives to protecting our natural resources,” says Col. Eddie Henderson, Wildlife Resources Division’s Chief of Law Enforcement. “I commend both honorees for their dedication and contributions toward Georgia’s conservation enforcement efforts.”
RFC Tim Butler has been a conservation ranger for only six years, but his reputation for accomplishing hard work and his dedication to a job well done have earned him the respect of his peers and the public. His accomplishments this year include conducting 16 special details to detect resource violations such as illegal duck shoots, fish shocking and night deer hunting.
Butler is best known for his night foot patrols and scouting for illegal baiting and night hunting offenders. He also employs online satellite imagery and tax records to gather intelligence, study topography and formulate tactics to address unlawful activity before it occurs.
Butler easily transitions from working with fellow conservation rangers to assisting and cooperating with other agencies, whether they are local, state and federal levels in investigative work. His public outreach includes conducting information and education programs, participating in local cleanup efforts, promoting Wildlife Resources Division at various venues, and being an after-school mentor and instructor for the local CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Activities & Methods Promoting Safety) program.
Earlier this year, Butler also was recognized as the 2011 Waterfowl Officer of the Year honor and twice previously has been nominated for Ranger of the Year by his work section.
In the process of determining the Ranger of the Year, WRD selected one nominee from each of the seven DNR Law Enforcement regions. They were:
- Region 1, Calhoun – Cpl. Shawn Elmore
- Region 2, Gainesville – Cpl. Adam Loudermilk
- Region 3, Thomson – Cpl. Derrell Worth
- Region 4, Macon – RFC Tim Butler
- Region 5, Albany -RFC Bob Holley
- Region 6, Metter – RFC Tim Hutto
- Region 7, Brunswick – Cpl. Chris Ridley
For more information on becoming a WRD conservation ranger, visit http://georgiawildlife.com/enforcement/law-enforcement-section .
