GA’s CPL. Craig Fulghum Honored With Waterfowl Officer Of The Year Award
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — -(AmmoLand.com)- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division recently honored Cpl. Craig Fulghum with the Rocky Wainwright Waterfowl Officer of the Year Award for his outstanding efforts regarding waterfowl conservation over the past year. Fulghum is a Conservation Ranger on Lake Hartwell in Northeast Georgia. The award is named in memory of Conservation Ranger Cpl. Rocky Wainwright, who was dedicated to the conservation of waterfowl.
“Cpl. Craig Fulghum has gone above and beyond the call of duty in relation to waterfowl protection,” says Division Chief of Law Enforcement Col. Terry West. “He has performed an excellent job in enforcement, information and education efforts and he has an outstanding knowledge of waterfowl making him an exceptional candidate for this award.”
Cpl. Craig Fulghum, who holds an Associates Degree in Wildlife from Abraham Baldwin College and has been with the Division for almost eight years, has been a conservation ranger on Lake Hartwell since October 2004. Since that time, he has been one of the Region’s top waterfowl officers. He consistently shows that he is willing to do his best for his personal efforts and the efforts of his Region and beyond.
Fulghum participated in several information and education programs during the past year. Audiences included Cub Scouts, FFA groups and the local newspaper staff. Duck biology, importance of habitat and hunting are all regular topics during the program. He also taught at the most recent ranger basic instruction school. Part of his lesson – how to identify waterfowl – was given to 40 rangers. Instruction included classroom and after hours in order to best assist these recruits in their education.
Cpl. Fulghum’s outreach efforts show his passion for the conservation of waterfowl and his love for hunting. He initiates and coordinates an annual duck hunt for children that have life-threatening illnesses. He also works with the local high school FFA chapter on a wood duck project (funded using restitution monies for waterfowl violations). FFA students built the boxes and then accompanied Cpl. Fulghum on a field trip to install them in appropriate areas.
Fulghum works closely with other agencies, such as South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the local court system. He is a team player and willing to help out beyond his own work hours and work area – providing much needed and welcome support from others.
For more information on the Rocky Wainwright Waterfowl Award, call the WRD Law Enforcement Office at (770) 918-6408.