July 10, 2006

Burley, Idaho - Tim Ferguson was honored as Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2005 this past week.

"I'm at a loss for words," said Ferguson 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. In some ways, this award is in recognition of all the hard work by both enforcement and non-enforcement personnel in the state and region."

Ferguson has worked as an Idaho Department of Fish and Game conservation officer in the Burley area for the past 15 years. His nomination letter from Director Steven Huffaker states, "Tim is dedicated to wildlife management and wildlife law enforcement which are demonstrated in his well-rounded approach to his duties."

Some of his accomplishments sited in the letter include:
- has contacted over 8,300 sportsmen and detected 1,388 violations
- helped teach 65 Hunter Education classes
- has rehabbed and successfully released 116 injured raptors into the wild
- has given over 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 Club International 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."