Fall 2023 Issue Now Available
Read a complimentary Article
GAME WARDEN FOP LODGES:
SERVICE to FRATERNAL MEMBERS
and the COMMUNITY
by Tim Wade, AGRL Treasurer and Kurt Bahti,
AGRL Vice President, retired Arizona Game Rangers
Anyone in law enforcement is aware of the existence of Fraternal Order of Police Lodges for traditional police forces but there are only a few lodges in the country solely representing conservation law enforcement officers. The Arizona Game Ranger Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #71 (AGRL) is one of those lodges and has been in existence since the early 1990’s. The Lodge had a bit of a rocky start, but the end result was a tremendous win for the Arizona Game Rangers. Prior to the formation of the Lodge, the Arizona Game & Fish Department (Department) had Wildlife Managers (Game Rangers/Game Wardens) under two different retirement programs, the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS for commissioned officers). Officers working for the Department recognized that due to the differing benefits in each of the systems, serious inequities existed, not the least of which was the line of duty death benefit.
Read the complimentary Article
International Game Warden Magazine
IGW is a growing trade magazine dedicated to serving the professionals in natural resource and wildlife law enforcement. In our early years, primarily serving US and Canadian conservation officers, IGW became known as “THE trade publication of the profession” In North America.
Illinois Conservation 0fficer Don Hastings and his family launched IGW in 1984. although the idea had been percolating for years. Part of our founders’ vision was to create a means for officers to communicate with one another. Don credits a brave 1000 officers for IGWs early success _ they subscribed to the concept, and supported the effort, well before the first IGW Magazine was Published. In 1999, after producing 58 issues of the
magazine over 14 years. the Hastings retired for the second time and sold the magazine to Creative Street. The North American Wildlife Enforcement 0fficers Association (NAWEOA) took over with the fall 2002 issue and continues expanding with the gracious support of this profession and the public’s fascination with conservation heroes.
IGW has truly entered the international conservation arena. First, we are broadening our content to better reflect global conservation concerns. Second, we are actively expanding our international subscriber base to reach more conservation professionals. especially in areas where resources and training opportunities are limited.
IGW works closely with the US and Canadian concerns of NAWEOA, Federal Wildlife Officers Association. International Association of Natural Resource Crimestoppers and Canada National Park Warden Association in addition to state and provincial associations and agencies. We have recently forged a relationship with International Ranger Federation, an active force in advancing this profession throughout the world.
Our Focus
Our content is specific to the work and interests of Conservation enforcement. Regular columns include:
- firearms training
- communication
- parktrols
- game warden book reviews
- a comprehensive digest of case investigations
- work outside North America
Longer Features address topics such as:
- dangerous animal or poacher situations
- forensics
- professional commentaries
- officer assults
- animal human conflicts and trends
- a history of the profession
Each issue we publish detailed stories of big cases and busts- both to acknowledge officer’ good work and serve as training reference for other wardens and rangers.