This is the second post in a four-part series looking at Wildlife Management in Michigan from the perspectives of a Natural Resources Commissioner, Conservation Officer, and statewide Biologist.  The last part of the series will look at how these positions overlap, work together and outline the regulatory aspects of deer management.

I want to thank Paul for taking the time to connect with me and share more about his background and purpose. Paul Fox is a Conservation Officer serving and leading in Northeast Michigan. Paul is a man of integiry and has a strong moral compass. He is very clear on his role and purpose working to protect our natural resources. I am thankful for Paul, and Officers like him who work in our state upholding regulations that were designed to protect the wild critters and spaces we value so deeply.

Tell us about your background. What experiences growing up influenced your desire to pursue the job you have now?  

I grew up in the Thumb of Michigan and from an early age was introduced to the outdoors, hunting, trapping, and fishing.  My dad is a large animal veterinarian and loves the outdoors and wildlife, so animals and biology were a large part of my upbringing.  I’ve always had a love for the outdoors and our natural resources. 

When I was 11 years old, I attended a hunter safety class at our local sportsman’s club.  At that class, two Conservation Officers came for a day and spoke to the class about their job and what they do.  At that point, I was hooked!  From then on I always wanted to be a “game warden”.  After high school I attended St. Clair Community College and later transferred to Ferris State University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  I worked for almost two years as a police officer in the Thumb area before being hired by the Michigan DNR in 2014.  When I graduated from the DNR recruit school I was assigned to Presque Isle County as a Conservation Officer.  Currently, I am the Area Law Supervisor (sergeant) for Presque Isle, Montmorency, and Alpena Counties and oversee our law enforcement staff and operation in that area.  I still reside in Presque Isle County with my wife and children. 

What is your role in wildlife management policy and regulations?  

The law enforcement division is the backbone of resource policy as it upholds and enforces the regulations set forth by the NRC, our legislature, and our own departmental administrative rules.  Without effective enforcement, our fish and game regulations would be meaningless.  We patrol our natural resources to ensure people are being safe and that our resources are not being abused.  This ranges from recreational vehicle use to hunting and fishing activity to general criminal activities on our public lands.   

I work with other DNR divisions, such as Wildlife, Fisheries, Forest Resources, and Parks and Recreation on crafting some of our regulations and field operations.  We are often the face of the DNR and interact with the public the most.  We work with various user and constituent groups. 

What is something you wish hunters understood about your role?  

There are many things. But if I had to pick one, I’d say I wish people understood the value of our role.  We don’t make the laws (another thing I wish people were more familiar with), but we are sworn and obligated to uphold them, which is not always popular.  Regardless of people’s feelings and opinions, at the end of the day our natural resources would not be in good shape if Conservation Officers didn’t exist or do their jobs.  In recent years, political voices and social media have been challenging our ability to communicate and operate within the public trust.  There are a lot of angry people right now and many do not see the value of our agency or of Conservation Officers. 

What keeps you motivated during challenging times?  

For me, my greatest source of strength and motivation comes from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I believe that treating people well and staying the course will persevere challenges and social trends.  I still have a desire to give it my all and do what’s best for our citizens and the natural resources of this state, even if it goes contrary to popular opinion. Despite the negativity or challenges, there are many positives to build off of for the future. 

Can you share a time when you went above and beyond because you cared deeply about the outcome?  

I think it’s tempting to give some grand example of how we caught a poacher or made some big case or saved someone’s life.  But honestly, that’s what people expect from us.  That’s what our job is and what we get paid to do.  And yes, that is very important for us to do.  But to me, going above and beyond is taking that phone call when you aren’t working, answering those questions at the grocery store, or helping that elderly person who lives way back in the woods and has no one to look after them.  I can think of so many examples where our officers do things like that.  They said yes when they could have said no.  No one told them to do it, and no one ever knew.  No story.  No press release.  No social media announcement. 

What part of your job gives you the greatest sense of accomplishment?  

When people shake my hand and smile. 

What kind of impact do you hope to make in Michigan?  

I want our natural resources and our people to be in better shape when I leave than when I arrived.  Maybe that’s a few more Brook Trout rising to the surface of a stream, an extra woodcock to dance in the sky, a bull elk bugling through the fall air, or a child who was inspired by our natural world. 

What excites you about the future of wildlife management in Michigan?  

Our natural resources are getting better in many respects.  Yes, you’ll always have ups and downs and localized changes, but overall, our resources are diverse, and we have so many opportunities to recreate in the outdoors.  Our wildlife management has also shifted over the decades from species management to ecosystem or landscape-oriented management.  This views wildlife management in the greater context of how it all fits withing it’s ecological context, not just “how do I make more of a specific animal.”  To think where we’ve come from the early 1900’s is quite remarkable. Back then the forests had all been cut.  Elk, turkey, otter, beaver, pigeons, and grayling were wiped out.  Our streams were destroyed and waters polluted. Our resources are in much better shape now.  

How do you stay engaged and continue learning in your field?  

We have regular and ongoing training that our agency provides for us.  This ranges from enforcement operations and tactics to investigations.  I also enjoy working with my other division and agency partners, such as Wildlife, Fisheries, and Forest Divisions and the USFWS, USDA, and USGS.  

What advice do you have for hunters who are looking to engage in managing our wildlife?  

Get involved with area sportsmen’s clubs, organizations (such as MDA, RGS, or PF), and yes, even your local DNR.  It may be submitting survey data or dropping off deer heads for testing.  Starting local co-ops with neighbors can be an effective way to manage local wildlife.  And my best advise……take a walk!  Look at every tree, bird, plant, and track.  If you can’t identify it (even if you can), learn what it is, its life history, and how it interacts with the environment it lives in.  If you can do that, you’ll have a far greater knowledge of managing our resources….and appreciating them. 

Read Part 3 here.