News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
May 20, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT: 
Col. Jeffrey M. Gray, (603) 271-3128 
Jane Vachon, (603) 271-3211
May 20, 2005 


FISH AND GAME CONSERVATION OFFICERS RECOGNIZED 

CONCORD, N.H. -- Two Conservation Officers from New Hampshire Fish and 
Game have received international and regional awards for outstanding 
performance. Lt. Jonas Todd Bogardus, of Littleton, was selected as 
recipient of the 2004 Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year Award; and 
Conservation Officer Mark T. Hensel, of Sanbornville, received the 2004 
Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Officer of 
the Year Award.

"It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate these officers for being 
honored with these prestigious awards, which recognize their strong work 
ethic and exemplary job performance during the past year," said Col. 
Jeffrey M. Gray, Fish and Game's Chief of Law Enforcement. 

Awarded the 2004 Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year, Lt. Jonas 
Todd Bogardus has served as Team Leader for Fish and Game Law 
Enforcement's Advanced Search and Rescue Team for the past three years, in 
addition to his supervisory responsibilities. He has aggressively worked to 
enhance the training, equipment and advanced technology used by Fish 
and Game Search and Rescue Team members in carrying out the challenging 
and demanding missions they are routinely called upon to perform. 
Bogardus also has worked diligently with the U.S. Forest Service to develop 
and implement a comprehensive hiker safety education program called 
"hikeSafe." This initiative has quickly gained national attention, with 
several other states considering adoption of the program. 

Named the 2004 Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs 
Association Officer of the Year, Conservation Officer Mark T. Hensel has 
maintained a high level of law enforcement and public relations-related 
activity throughout the past year. In addition to his District patrol 
responsibilities, Hensel has proven to be strong performer on both the Advanced 
Search and Rescue Team and the Dive Team. He has also demonstrated a 
great personal initiative in working to develop a Fish and Game Law 
Enforcement canine program. Having spent countless hours training and 
working his black lab named "Poacher," Hensel successfully obtained a number 
of advanced canine certifications. Hensel and Poacher have quickly 
proven to be a capable team during search missions and in deterring the 
illegal taking of salmon through the ice. 

Each year, the Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs 
Association honors one of New Hampshire's Conservation Officers as their "Officer 
of the Year." 

The Shikar-Safari Club International is a worldwide organization 
dedicated to the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife, with 
particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species. The club 
encourages and promotes the enforcement of conservation laws and regulations 
around the world.

New Hampshire Fish and Game's Law Enforcement Division is responsible 
for the enforcement of all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to 
fish and wildlife. Conservation Officers prosecute all of their own cases 
involving offenders of wildlife law. They also are responsible for 
search and rescue operations and for enforcing off-highway recreational 
vehicle regulations.

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Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.