Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Headlines - Region 3
Respected Gardiner Game Warden Retires from FWP
Long-time Gardiner Game Warden Randy Wuertz will retire
from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on September 15, 2005, after 26 years
of outstanding service to the citizens of Montana.
Wuertz began his career with the department in 1979 in the Fisheries
Division and became a game warden shortly thereafter when he was assigned as
the first warden at the Rosebud Battlefield in 1981. Wuertz subsequently
became the game warden for the Gardiner district in 1987 and the first to
live in the Gardiner area.
Wuertz’s accomplishments are many and include receiving the prestigious Game
Warden Association Excellence award in 1992, voted on by his peers in the
game warden profession for his outstanding service and effort. In 1997,
Wuertz received the Shikar-Safari Award for the state of Montana.
“Randy’s integrity and dedication extend far beyond what is required of a
game warden,” said Sam Sheppard, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 3
Warden Captain. “His ability to both protect the wildlife resources of
Montana and foster positive relationships with sportsmen and women,
landowners, and outfitters is a standard we should all strive to achieve.”
Wuertz faced many challenging and contentious issues during his tenure in
Gardiner including early bison hunts in Montana and ongoing bison
management. Wuertz also worked tirelessly on issues such as the
reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 and 1996,
grizzly bear management, and late season elk hunts. During the winter after
the 1988 fires burned in and outside of Yellowstone, Wuertz worked long
hours managing significant elk and bison migrations out of the park and into
Montana.
Wuertz also played a critical role in many high-profile wildlife-poaching
investigations that contributed to the long-term protection of wildlife in
the Gardiner area.
“Randy is one of the finest wardens in the state,” said Pat Flowers, Montana
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 3 Supervisor. “Over his career he has
exhibited a rare combination of talent and commitment that will be sorely
missed.”
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