Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement officers are seeking information on the shooting of a peregrine falcon found severely injured in Floyd County, near the Interstate 64 bridge in New Albany on Dec. 22, 2010.
The injured bird, identified as a captive-bred female, was brought to the Hardy Lake Raptor Rehabilitation Center by Indiana Conservation Officer Gary Pennington. The center’s personnel took the falcon to a local veterinarian, and a subsequent x-ray determined the bird had been shot. Despite efforts to save the falcon, it died on Dec. 31.

According to the DNR’s non-game bird biologist, John Castrale, the falcon, which he banded and released in Evansville in 1994, had not been reported since 1995. The bird was named Phoenix, and may have been in the New Albany/Louisville area where peregrine falcon pairs nest on tall buildings and under bridges.

Most peregrine falcons are banded as nestlings and later, identification of adults is possible if the birds can be approached. The biologist said the bird was relatively old for the species. The oldest he’s aware of in the Midwest lived to age 19.

Peregrine falcons were removed from the federal endangered species list in 1999 but remain a state endangered species in Indiana. Anyone with information about the shooting should call 800-TIP-IDNR (847-4367) or go online to www.TIP.IN.gov

Lt. Mark Farmer, public information officer for DNR Law Enforcement, said combined federal and state penalties for a conviction could result in a fine of $15,000, six months incarceration and loss of equipment.

Wilson named new DNR Law Enforcement director

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has appointed Scotty Wilson as the new director of the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, to replace Col. Mike Crider, who retired on Dec. 31.

“Indiana conservation officers provide a tremendous service in protecting and conserving our state’s wonderful natural resources for public enjoyment and recreation,” Daniels said. “Scotty’s years of experience as a field officer, a district commander and, more recently, as a member of the Law Enforcement executive team make him a natural fit to fill this leadership role with the DNR.”
By statute, the governor appoints the chief on the recommendation of the DNR director. Wilson’s promotion to the rank of Colonel was effective Jan. 1.
“I’m delighted that Governor Daniels has made this appointment,” said DNR Director Robert E. Carter Jr., who preceded Crider as head of DNR Law Enforcement. “Scotty is a proven leader with an impeccable résumé and will continue where Mike left off.”

Wilson, 54, has been a conservation officer for 25 years and spent the last 10 months as the division’s Executive Officer, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  As the new division director, he will oversee 214 conservation officers and 40 civilian employees.

“I have great respect for the position, and I am humbled,” Wilson said. “I worked hard as an officer and enjoyed it immensely. I seized the opportunities that came my way, and those opportunities over the course of 25 years have now given me this opportunity to be the director.

“I’ve been working with Mike long enough that I’ve got a pretty good hook on things. I have a multitude of good people to surround myself with, and I look forward to being the leader of this division and keep us going on the right course.”

Wilson joined the DNR in 1985 after being elected class president of that year’s conservation officer recruit school. He spent the next 16 years as a field officer in Knox and Perry counties before being promoted to Lieutenant for District 7, a 10-county area of southwestern Indiana. He transferred to the DNR central office in 2006 to become logistics officer.

He has served in many capacities beyond his primary duties, including being an instructor in advanced scuba, river rescue, hunter and boater education, serving as recruit school drill instructor, sonar operator and covert operative and developing the DNR’s K-9 program.

Wilson is a 2003 graduate of the FBI National Academy and was elected by his peers as class president. In 2005, he participated in an FBI Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C., and in 2009 was elected president of the Indiana chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources management from Oakland City University and an associate’s degree in general studies from Vincennes University. Wilson served four years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and two years of inactive service, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Crider is retiring after 30-plus years with DNR Law Enforcement, with the past four years serving as division director.

“Boy, I’ve had a wonderful career,” Crider said. “I got do to some things that were just amazing, and I watched and experienced the advancement and significant steps forward, particularly in areas of technology and the policing world.

“When I started, we had only one or two walkie-talkies in the district, and they were about the size of a small briefcase. Nobody had a cell phone or had even heard of them. Nobody even had computers.”

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.