Dogs that work with federal wildlife officers need the capabilities of a top–notch police service dog—and more.

They must be able to “work all day around gunfire and still make a compliance check with a waterfowl hunter, or work a beach with 300 people and still be ready to assist with an emergency arrest,” says Darryn Witt, national coordinator of the National Wildlife Refuge System canine program and an officer in Illinois at Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

The Refuge System has eight canine officers, each assigned a dog because they expressed interest. The Refuge System is aiming to add one to two canine teams each year. “We need continuity among our individual canine teams,” says Witt, “as well as consistency in dog selection, training and the way the dogs are deployed.” New canine teams will be established based on officer and field station interest, funding and local need.

Canines are taught to protect officers and locate contraband—from narcotics to antlers, ginseng and waterfowl or game over the limit or out of season.

“If we have to search for something, I can do it in a fraction of the time with a dog compared to four or five officers,” says federal wildlife zone officer Eddie Brannon in Florida, the first refuge law enforcement officer to request a dog in the 1990s. Brannon says he and German shepherd A.J. have helped locate lost hunters, children and people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Witt’s canine, Rudi, can smell marijuana in a tackle box; he can also sniff out heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. Division of Refuge Law Enforcement deputy chief Rich Johnston says groups of narcotics smugglers have abandoned their drugs and run in the presence of a dog. Dogs also have detected illegal, hidden lead shot.

Protecting Officers

Federal wildlife officers usually work alone and often in remote areas. Dogs can be a force multiplier. “If I show up alone,” says Witt, “I have my own presence. When I bring Rudi with me, it’s a different level of officer presence. People have a lot of respect for the canines.”

Most law enforcement dogs used in the United States are bred in Europe. German and Dutch shepherds and Belgian malinois are considered the best all–around breeds. Refuge System dogs are purchased from American vendors that provide training with handlers after the dogs’ initial law enforcement training. Dog and handler attend 40 hours of refresher training each year. The dogs are certified annually by national accrediting organizations. They must be high–energy but also playful enough to perceive the search for evidence as a game with a possible reward. They are trained to work in extreme heat and cold, in boats and on rugged terrain.

Law enforcement dogs develop a relationship with their handlers. “It’s 24/7 care of a very expensive piece of government equipment,” says Witt. He refutes the presumption that these are “edgy dogs waiting for a fight. They can be friendly, but on command, they can apprehend someone.” In fact, Witt says, Rudi can be extremely social, so he insists that all those friendly people on the beach not pet Rudi so the dog knows he is working.

Johnston calls the canine program “a field initiative that needs to be supported by Headquarters. It directly helps protect the officers and the natural resources of the Refuge System.” And he quotes Refuge System Chief Jim Kurth: “If we can’t put more boots on the ground, we can put more paws on the ground.”

Canines like Rudi, whose handler is federal wildlife officer Darryn Witt at Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, are skilled at protecting officers and sniffing out contraband. (Eric Tomasovic/USFWS)

Karen Leggett is a writer–editor in the Refuge System Branch of Communications.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge are offering an exciting program called Jr. Stewards. Our mission for this program is to inspire children and their families to connect and be engaged with the natural world. Does your child have a curious fascination with nature? If so, than this program is for you.

This free program is open to ages 9 – 14+.  There are only 16 spots open and it is first come first served.  We meet the first Saturday of each month, beginning March 1st, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. through December 2014.  Registrations must be received by February 15th.

Some of the sessions are:  Discover Life Down Under; Mosquito Hawks, Trip to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, and Migration Sensation to name a few.  If you would like more detailed information and download a registration form, click on the Jr. Stewards tab and you will find the form there along with the 2014 Schedule.  Contact Pam at the refuge office at 815-273-2732, ext. 116 for more information. Space is limited so don’t wait too long.

Monitor the boxes

Bald Eagles have arrived in record number at Lock and Dam 13, just north of Fulton, IL. Over 1,100 eagles were counted in mid-December. Early snow fall and freezing temperatures in the North have pushed the eagles earlier this year, which allows excellent viewing opportunities. Many of these eagles will continue to travel south following the Mississippi River. Grab your camera and binoculars and head out to your favorite spot or better yet, signup for an eagle tour.

Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge (SUMRR) will be hosting several bald eagle viewing trips on each Saturday starting on January 11 through January 25^th.  February trips will be on: Friday the 7^th, Sunday the 16^th and Friday the 21^st.  We will leave the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center promptly at 9:00 a.m. and travel to various locations along the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge returning by noon.  February 16^th will be an afternoon trip starting at 2:00 p.m. and turning by 5:00 p.m. There is no fee, but seating is limited so reserve your space today. You may register by sending an email to stewardsumrr@gmail.com or call the center at 815-273-2732.  The Center is located at 7071 Riverview Rd, Thomson, IL 61285.   More information on additional tours and webcam viewing can be seen at www.Stewardsumrr.org.  

January 4, 2014 (Please see flyer for specific times)

Please plan and join us at the Clinton Community College, Clinton IA for a fun day of learning about our National Emblem. The National Eagle Center from Wabasha, MN will present two programs and will also have a time set aside to get your picture taken with the Eagle.  Rudy Vallejo, Kickapoo Eagle Dancer will be here to honor the American Bald Eagle. These programs are free and excellent for the entire family. 

A free shuttle bus will be available to take you to the Lock and Dam north of Fulton, IL to watch the eagles.

You won’t want to miss.

A special Thank You goes to all the Businesses / groups that have donated to make this event possible.

If you want more information please contact Pam Steinhaus at  815-273-2732 or email at pam_steinhaus@fws.gov

Download and share the 2014 Brochure14

Due to inclement weather we have cancelled the owl prowl that was scheduled for November 16.  We have rescheduled it for Friday, November 22nd at 5:30.  Same Location.

Hope you will be able to join us at the Thomson Causeway as we learn more about our nocturnal friends.

Get Hooked on Fishing

Local area youth, ages 5-12, are encouraged to pre-register now for Kids Fishing Day at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. A youth fishing clinic will be held at Frog Pond on September 7, 2013 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Children 6 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the day. The Service will provide poles (for those that do not have their own), bait, lessons, and some good ‘ol fishing fun. Following an exciting day of fishing, there will be a “shore lunch” hot dog cookout.

Contact the District Office, at (815) 273-2732, to register your child or volunteer to help. Registration ends September 5 at 4 pm. Please bring your own fishing pole, if you have one.

The Office is located at 7071 Riverview Road Thomson, Illinois. Participants will meet at the Frog Pond parking lot, which is located 1.5 miles south of Savanna on RT. 84. Look for the banners along the road. Listen to WCCI FM 100.3 for cancellation notice.