DFG News Archive

DFG Warden Nominated for National Wild Turkey Federation Recognition

The National Wild Turkey Federation named Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Warden DeWayne Little as the 2005 Wild Turkey Award nominee for California.

The award recognizes the 19-year veteran game warden for his contributions to fish and wildlife enforcement, and highlights his efforts as one of the state’s roughly 300 wardens. The honor praised his unique contributions to applied technology and his success with area stakeholders to enhance hunting opportunities.

The turkey federation is a 521,000-member, grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 15 other foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.

“I’m surprised and extremely honored by the recognition from the National Wild Turkey Federation,” Little said. “It’s a nice feeling to know people appreciate your efforts and the sacrifices you make and your family makes for this job.”

Little’s first assignment was in Solano County after serving as a reserve game warden. Fifteen years ago, he transferred to Tehama County, where for several years he has been the sole warden responsible for that area in DFG’s Northern California–North Coast Region.

“The Turkey Federation is a highly respected organization, and I truly value its efforts in habitat restoration, increasing of the state’s wild turkey population, and the promotion of hunter safety and ethics.”

Wild turkey populations are heavily impacted by high mortality rates, and Little was determined to slow the poaching of beardless hens during the spring season, over bag limits, and turkeys killed outside the open season.

As part of the award, Little is credited with a wildlife decoy operation that spread across Tehama and Shasta counties for both wild turkeys and deer. During one year, he was involved in more than 70 decoy related violations. Five years ago, he introduced a unique wild turkey robotic decoy that used a remotely broadcast recorded turkey call to enhance the realism.

“DeWayne had the recorder set so that whoever was operating the remote control could make the decoy appear to gobble or cluck, or make whatever sound he wanted,” said Lt. Scott Willems, Little’s squad leader.

Additionally, Little worked with local courts and established a decoy restitution fund so that decoys damaged by violators could be replaced at no cost to DFG.

While Tehama County remains wildly diverse geographically, Little was commended for his responsiveness to the community that he serves as a fish and game warden. He has established positive contacts with many of the ranchers throughout his district. During his off-duty time, he serves as a volunteer cross-country and track coach. He also participates in local school’s job shadowing program that allows students to understand what a warden experiences as a member of the state’s “Thin Green Line.”

“I commend DeWayne on his overall work ethic for the Department; one of the hardest working wardens that I’ve got,” said Willems. “He has an intimate knowledge of his territory and a familiarity of the people who live there. He has an exceptional talent of knowing where everything happens at any given time.”

DFG, in its nomination, cited Little as the area’s primary source of hunting and fishing information for the local and visiting sportsman. Throughout his career, Little has consistently volunteered to represent DFG at public relation events, high school career days and county fair information booths.

Little’s supervisor describes him as “avidly pro hunter/angler and anti-violator, and does his best to encourage a positive hunting and fishing experience for all those he contacts.”