March 3, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Wildlife Federation has named Sgt. Mark Cagle, a native of Greenville now stationed in Plymouth, as its Wildlife Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2007.

Cagle, an 11-year veteran with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, received the honor on Feb. 23 at the 46th annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards banquet at Research Triangle Park.

T. Edward Nickens, chairman of the N.C. Wildlife Federation’s Awards Committee, described the numerous additional hours Cagle devoted to his job, knowing that poachers aren’t on the clock.

“Sgt. Mark Cagle leads a team of four officers that patrol three northeastern counties,” said Nickens, an editor-at-large for Field and Stream and a contributing editor of Audubon magazines. “Since becoming sergeant in August 2006, Cagle has voluntarily worked more than 420 hours beyond what is required simply to get the job done. Many of those hours began at 3 a.m. as Cagle worked illegal hunting sites, all the while keeping up with his administrative duties and supervisory responsibilities.”

Cagle and his team were able to end a notorious bear poaching ring that had been illegally killing black bear for the past several years. After working every day for a month on this case, sitting on bait sites and doing surveillance, five hunters were caught taking bear with bait, taking bear in closed season, trespassing, possessing firearms by convicted felons and possessing stolen firearms. The team also netted 43 bear baiting and nine closed-season bear cases.

They also netted 22 duck baiting cases, seven night deer hunting cases, 13 over-the-limit waterfowl cases, 30 over-the-limit fishing violators, one over-the-limit for doves where a man had 33 birds, 11 taking wildlife with the use of motor vehicles, and several other major waterfowl and deer cases. On one occasion, they apprehended 10 duck hunters with 96 ducks, 36 over the limit, and three untagged swans.

“Sgt. Cagle also saved a recently married couple in rough seas when their sailboat capsized,” Nickens said.

Cagle earned his bachelor’s degree in history from East Carolina University. An avid runner, the former basketball, cross-country and track coach enjoys hunting and fishing and time spent outdoors. For nine years he was stationed in Dare County, before being promoted to sergeant and transferred to Washington County in 2006.

“A large part of our success is the support and involvement from the great sportsmen of North Carolina,” Cagle said. “The strongest ally we have is people who care. Whenever someone reports a violation or calls the 24-hour toll free line – 1-800-662-7137 – it gets answered.”

The annual conservation awards are sponsored jointly by the Governor’s Office and the state chapter of the National Wildlife Federation, with the banquet held as an occasion to recognize those who have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conservation and an uncommon determination to safeguard the state’s natural resources.