WDNR Bureau of Law Enforcement FEATURE: New Rec Warden Assigned to Several Northern Counties
FOR ANTIGO TIMES
Former trooper fulfills 7th grade goal, is new DNR recreation warden for northern counties.
A farm kid whose construction-foreman dad taught him the value of honest, hard work and his mom the skill of talking with just about anybody is the new Wis. Department of Natural Resources’ recreation warden for several northern counties.
Justin Bender says the conservation warden career has been his goal since 7th grade – and he has witnesses, as any good investigator would.
“If you ask either of my parents, they will tell you that I never gave up on my dream to be a conservation warden in Wisconsin,” Bender said, also an enthusiastic silent sports athlete. “Not only am I proud and excited to have this opportunity, but we are a direct extension of our parents. So, it is refreshing knowing this also makes them proud.”
A University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point graduate with a bachelor’s degree in general resources management and a minor in environmental law enforcement, Bender went to work for the Wisconsin State Patrol where he excelled as an accredited crash/crime scene reconstruction specialist.
“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities and experiences to become an expert in the field of crash/crime reconstruction while working on the Wisconsin State Patrol’s Technical Reconstruction Unit.”
In addition to the passion for the outdoors instilled in him by his father, it was the Wis. State Patrol experience that fine-tuned his experience and steered him toward the recreation warden position.
Last May, the WDNR Bureau of Law Enforcement established a team of 10 recreation wardens. The primary roles of these positions specialize in training, enforcement, safety education and investigations related to recreational vehicles and hunting incidents.
Bender’s service area covers Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest, and Florence counties. To reach him, email: JustinD.Bender@wisconsin.gov He also encourages anyone who has information concerning a possible violation against the resources, wildlife or environment, to please contact the WDNR Violation Hotline, 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367.
Anyone with information regarding natural resource violations may confidentially report by calling or texting: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained staff relay report information to conservation wardens.
