Arkansas Wildlife Officer Wins NWTF Award

First posted on 02-04-2010

Cpl. Jay Hagans with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation for his efforts in conserving America’s wildlife.

Hagans, of Scotland in Van Buren County, will be recognized as the NWTF’s Arkansas Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during its 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show to be held Feb. 18 to Feb. 21 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The NWTF initiated the State Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in 2000 to acknowledge top officers, such as Hagans, across North America. “Not only is Jay a conscientious officer dedicated to catching violators,” said Gary Watts, NWTF Arkansas state board of directors member, “but he is also a lifelong turkey hunter who loves to share his sport with youth and adults who have no hunting experience.”

By earning the State Wildlife Officer of the Year award, Hagans and other state winners are eligible for the NWTF’s National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, which will be presented during the NWTF’s Awards Banquet Saturday, Feb. 20, during the convention.

The National Wild Turkey Federation is a national nonprofit conservation organization that is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, raised and spent more than $306 million, and conserved nearly 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.