Brandon Taylor has been named the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wildlife Officer of the Year for the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA).
The recipient of the award was announced by Darren Rider, TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division colonel.
Mr.
Taylor is a wildlife officer in TWRA Region II’s District 22 and was selected among other TWRA law enforcement officers to become the state recipient. A native of Nolensville, Mr. Taylor is assigned to Wayne County, but works throughout the district’s 13 counties. He will be recognized at the 73rd annual SEAFWA Conference to be held Oct. 27-30 in Hilton Head, S.C.
Also honored as TWRA region and district selections were Ray Garton, Region I and Chase Taylor, District 11; Dustin Deaton, District 21; David Holt, Region III and Tony Cross, District 31: John Ripley, Region IV and Brenden Marlow, District 41. These officers were selected for their efforts in teamwork, public outreach, innovation, attitude, leadership, achievements and accomplishments.
“It’s always a difficult situation when one officer is selected out of a group of officers that have all gone above and beyond the duty of ensuring Tennessee hunters, anglers and boaters are provided safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities,” Mr. Rider said. “All these officers are to be commended for their professionalism and efforts they displayed this year. All these officers had a fantastic year, but Brandon really excelled in all aspects of his job. His achievements and accomplishments were outstanding.”
Among Mr. Taylor’s activities during the year, he was involved with several events concentrating on youth fishing and hunting and also participated in other public outreach events. He also conducted three hunter education classes for 60 students.
“Brandon’s efforts in excellence and innovation were also great,” Mr. Rider said. “Brandon has worked tirelessly in TWRA’s wild hog eradication efforts by computer assisted trapping method in addition he partnered with the USDA to eradicate hogs using aerial gunning from a helicopter. He participated in a joint wild turkey research project between TWRA and the University of Tennessee.
His law enforcement efforts resulted in issuing 161 citations and inspecting 360 hunters and fishermen for compliance. He issued 100 boating-related citations which included insufficient life jackets, criminal littering, illegal drugs and alcohol violations while inspecting almost 3,900 paddlecraft on the Buffalo River.
Mr. Taylor is a TWRA Honor Guard member. He is a certified Advanced EMT for the Agency, and teaches new TWRA cadets CPR and first aid.
SEAFWA is an organization whose members are the state agencies with primary responsibility for management and protection of the fish and wildlife resources in 15 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.