FINDLAY, OH - Jay Harnish, state wildlife investigator for northwest Ohio, was recently named Ohio Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
"Jay has an excellent reputation amongst the sportsmen and women and conservation officials whom he works with as a wildlife investigator," said Steven A. Gray, chief of ODNR's Division of Wildlife. "He is known for his firm, fair and consistent manner dealing with wildlife enforcement."
Gray further cited Harnish's leadership among his fellow officers. Harnish is an instructor for the ODNR Division of Wildlife's firearms training team as well as a member of the labor contract negotiation team.
A 20-year veteran with the Division of Wildlife, Harnish served as the Sandusky County wildlife officer prior to his promotion as state wildlife investigator in 2003.
Harnish is a native of Seneca County and holds a degree in natural resources from Hocking College. He now resides in northwest Ohio with his family.
The Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952 by an international group of hunters interested in exchanging ideas about the sport. Each year the club sponsors an award for the wildlife officer of the year in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and the territories of both nations. In 1966, the Shikar-Safari International Foundation was formed to support various wildlife conservation projects with funds raised by club members.