April 17, 2008

WATERBURY, VT - Kim Klein is Vermont's State Game Warden of the Year. A State Game Warden for 10 years, Klein was given the award by Governor Jim Douglas in recognition of his excellent work on April 16, in Montpelier.

"I want to thank you for your outstanding performance in protecting Vermont's fish and wildlife resources and serving the public," said Governor Douglas. "Your dedication, hard work and professionalism serve as an excellent example for us all."

"Kim is a hard worker and a highly dedicated professional," said Chief Game Warden, Colonel Robert Rooks. "He responds quickly and without complaint to a wide variety of incidents and potential violations. Warden Klein's district includes the towns of Brownington, Westmore, Irasburg, Barton, Albany and Glover."

Warden Klein maintains a professional appearance at all times and stays in top physical condition. His enforcement and public education efforts have enhanced the department s goals and objectives, protecting the wildlife of Vermont, public land stewardship, public relations, education, and public safety.

He has always strived to enhance his abilities to perform his duties and assist others. He has received many hours of specialized training in wildlife hair ID and is Vermont's expert in wildlife hair identification.

In 2002 Warden Klein became involved with the K-9 program and trained his dog "Z" in tracking and gun powder detection. Over the years, they have made a great team assisting other wardens and agencies with lost people, evidence recovery and man tracking. In 2006, they received advanced K-9 certification.

Warden Klein is certified in Wilderness First Aid and is often one of the first called to a search for a missing person due to his training, experience and physical endurance. In July, 2008 Warden Klein and "Z" helped search for a missing two-year old in St. Johnsbury, and in December he participated in a high elevation ground search for a missing Jay Peak skier. This past summer Warden Klein and "Z" assisted the Morristown Police Department with a missing person who had Alzheimer's and was hiding from searchers. He and "Z" were able to successfully track the individual, so that he could be found and treated.

In September 2006, Warden Klein and "Z" demonstrated their abilities in the annual Vermont "Iron Dog Competition." He and "Z" competed against over 40 K-9 teams from around New England and beyond. They won the "40-and-Over" category and placed "Second" overall.

Warden Klein has actively shared his knowledge and skills with the public through Hunter Education Courses, speaking to school groups, and at the Green Mountain Conservation Camp. He also provides excellent training to warden trainees and serves as an excellent role model.

Warden Klein s normal patrol area covers six towns containing of 9,787 acres of state and public land and 3,366 acres of boatable water. In addition, he covers an adjoining patrol area left vacant by the retirement of former warden, and newly appointed State Representative, Robert Lewis. He also serves as a valuable deterrent for illegal ATV use on state lands.

Warden Klein has a strong commitment to apprehend poachers. He varies his hours to catch the over-limit fisherman at 6:00 AM or the deer poacher at 1:00 AM. His cases are varied, ranging from the illegal taking of waterfowl over bait, fishing in closed spawning waters, to taking deer by illegal means.

This past fall at 12:30 a.m. a vehicle approached the field he was watching. Using a spotlight, poachers illuminated a deer and shot it. The subjects, who were experienced deer poachers, had shut their lights off while driving in the field. Warden Klein closed the distance with his vehicle, driving without lights. When he got close enough to the suspects he turned on his headlights and blue lights. His vehicle was within 15 feet of two shocked poachers. He arrested them and seized their vehicle. Inspection of this vehicle revealed two large spotlights, a radio scanner programmed to the fish and wildlife enforcement frequency, a list of warden names and radio call numbers taped over the scanner.

He investigated three littering cases in 2007. He cited one violator for the illegal dumping of construction debris. He also discovered a major asbestos dumping violation and is assisting the Department of Environmental Conservation with this investigation.

In two recent illegal hunting incidents Warden Klein and "Z" were able to connect the missing pieces to aid in the investigation. In one incident they utilized a new scent technique to track the victim of a shooting back to the scene so that evidence could be collected and evaluated. On another case they tracked the path of the shooter to where the victim fell. The shooter's cartridge casing was found on this path.

He also helped another warden with a deer case where he and "Z" tracked night poachers to determine that a deer was killed, located their bait site, and located parts from an illegal deer. These discoveries helped in obtaining confessions and the filing of multiple charges against four individuals.

Warden Klein regularly assists other agencies. While on foot patrol he initiated a felony marijuana cultivation case, leading to a search warrant and arrest with the Orleans County Sheriff s Department. He also solved an $88,000 dollar vandalism case for the State Police providing them with enough information to make an arrest. He assists the correctional facility with missing inmates or substances thrown over the fence. He also assisted the Coast Guard with early morning boat patrols of Lake Memphremagog to provide border security during the Montebello Summit, August 17 - 21, 2007.

Shikar-Safari Club International, a private wildlife conservation group, sponsors a warden of the year award in each state and Canadian province. Klein received a colorful framed certificate honoring his selection as Vermont State Game Warden of the Year, provided by Shikar-Safari Club International.