STATE WILDLIFE OFFICER BEGINS DUTY IN HOCKING COUNTY

COLUMBUS, OH –State Wildlife Officer Christopher Dodge, 26, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio began active duty in Hocking County on October 9th, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Officer Dodge is a 2003 graduate of Madison Plains High School in Madison County.  In 2006, he received an Associate’s Degree from Hocking College in wildlife management and an additional Associate’s Degree in forest management.  He comes to Hocking County after being assigned to Athens County for the past four years.  Before becoming a state wildlife officer, Dodge worked at Deer Creek State Park and Deer Creek Wildlife Area.

"I’m excited about my new assignment,” said Dodge, “and I’m looking forward to working with the sportsmen and women of Hocking County.”

As a state wildlife officer, Dodge will be responsible for enforcing wildlife laws on public lands as well as private lands and providing assistance to other law enforcement agencies as needed.  He will also contact many Ohio sportsmen and women in the field, perform fish and wildlife surveys, advise on nuisance wildlife issues, and give presentations on wildlife management, hunter education, trapping, and fishing.
 
He will reside within the county.

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