WILDLIFE OFFICER IN PICKAWAY COUNTY NAMED MISSISSIPPI FLYWAY COUNCIL’S OHIO OFFICER OF THE YEAR

COLUMBUS, OH – Ken Bebout, State Wildlife Officer assigned to Pickaway County, has been named Mississippi Flyway Waterfowl Protection Officer of the Year for Ohio by the Mississippi Flyway Council’s Law Enforcement Committee, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

“Officer Bebout is a truly dedicated officer who takes his conservation role to heart,” said David Lane, District Manager for Central Ohio.  “He has consistently enforced the waterfowl laws for the State of Ohio and continues to promote youth participation in waterfowl hunting.”

Bebout has been a State Wildlife Officer for 17 years, and prior to that, he served as a Park Officer for 5 years at Deer Creek State Park, and served 2 years as a Deputy Sheriff in Franklin County.  He started his career as a Conservation Worker at Alum Creek State Park in 1981.  He is a native of Knox County and a graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management.

The Mississippi Flyway Council recognizes full time law enforcement officers from each state, province and region, who make outstanding contributions to the protection of waterfowl.  Officer Bebout was selected as the Ohio recipient this year.  Specifically, Bebout works with his local Ducks Unlimited chapters to further participation and promote waterfowl habitat.  He consistently works with the wildlife management staff in the construction and upkeep of both wildlife habitat and handicap accessible duck blinds.  He is dedicated to the conservation of waterfowl and without fail issues citations for overbagging, the use of lead shot, and hunting without permission.

The Mississippi Flyway is composed of 14 states and three Canadian provinces.  The Mississippi Flyway Council was established in 1952 to coordinate the management of migratory game birds in the Mississippi Flyway and to promote those activities of its members that serve the long-term benefit to the resources and the flyway as a whole.

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