Bush Named NWTF National Wildlife Officer of the Year

Feb. 22, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Wild Turkey Federation honored Arkansas Wildlife Officer 1st Class Audrey Bush with the National Wildlife Officer of the Year Award for her dedicated commitment to Arkansas’s natural resources. The award was presented to Bush this weekend at the 47th annual NWTF National Convention and Sport Show.

Bush is the first female NWTF National Wildlife Officer of the Year in the history of the award, dating back to 2000.

“I would like to start out by saying I am truly honored and beyond grateful for receiving the National NWTF Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award,” Bush said. “This achievement is a reminder that the dedication of hours, days, early mornings and miles officers endure contribute to their mission. Being a wildlife officer for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and a part of the NWTF has given me the opportunity to help protect and conserve in so many aspects! Growing up in the outdoors, creating memories and being able to pass on a family heritage my grandfather taught me to upcoming generations and my little girl is a blessing from God. Something to value! I sincerely thank everyone who has helped me achieve this goal and who has continued to dedicate their time to conservation!”

The Wildlife Officer of the Year Award is given to individuals who have excelled and demonstrated exceptional performance in the following areas: teamwork and innovation, excellence and innovation, attitude and leadership and achievements and accomplishments.

Bush is a five-year veteran of the AGFC and has excelled in the enforcement of the state’s regulations to protect its resources. Last spring, she put in 270 hours of work during turkey season, stopping multiple hunters in violation of the regulations, in addition to contacting 110 violators throughout the year that resulted in several larger cases. She is also a major proponent of outreach, having promoted conservation and outdoor/hunting education to several local schools and other youth-oriented events. She is a significant part of the state’s effort to recruit, retain and reactivate new and lapsed hunters, attending and speaking at various venues across The Natural State to advance the future of our outdoors lifestyle and promote safe and ethical hunting.

“Officer Bush is an exemplary wildlife officer and conservationist,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “She has illustrated a determination and compassion to conserve and enforce the laws of Arkansas’s natural resources. We are proud to recognize her efforts and all that she does for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.”

CUTLINES:

Bush at truck
AGFC Wildlife Officer 1^st Class Audrey Bush is a five-year veteran of the AGFC, is the first female to win the NWTF’s national Wildlife Officer of the Year Award.

Bush in field
In addition to excellent records with wildlife violation enforcement, Wildlife Officer Bush worked extensively with mentored hunts for youth and women in The Natural State.