Ohio’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) honored a pair of Lawrence County conservation volunteers, the Department of Natural Resources’ wildlife officer in Jackson County, and Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative’s local section of “Country Living” magazine at its Seventh Annual State Awards Banquet, held Jan. 21 in Columbus.

Southeastern Ohio fared well in the awards program, with several local county chapters receiving honors for NWTF fund-raising efforts, sponsorship of Wheelin’ Sportsmen, Women in the Outdoors, and JAKES events, and business partnership programs.

Individuals were also singled out, including one who was tapped to compete at the NWTF national convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Lee Van Allen earned the state chapter’s prestigious Wildlife Officer of the Year award. Van Allen is the conservation enforcement officer in Jackson County and a member of Buckeye REC.

His district manager, Jim Marshall, said Van Allen has been with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for over 10 years, having started with the Division of Forestry. He has been the officer in Jackson County since becoming an enforcement officer.

Van Allen’s work in wildlife law enforcement and wild turkey conservation was singled out by the state NWTF chapter.

“Lee has made quite a few arrests in recent years involving the illegal taking of wild turkeys,” noted Marshall.

Van Allen’s record of arrests includes persons hunting turkeys over bait and even a hunter who shot a turkey from a vehicle in violation of Ohio game laws.

“He’s been a real effective law enforcement officer, but Lee is also much involved with the Jackson County chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation,” Marshall added.

Van Allen has been active with the annual Appalachian Longbeards’ Super Fund Banquet, Women in the Outdoors events, and JAKES youth hunts on Meade property. At Cooper Hollow Wildlife Management Area, he has assisted with various wild turkey management projects.

“We are extremely proud of Lee,” said Marshall.

Two other BREC members were among winners of awards honoring outstanding local chapter volunteers. Earl “Buddy” Fry and Robert Burcham, both of the South Hills Longbeards Chapter in Lawrence County, became recipients of “Barry Cowan” awards for their efforts in organizing and coordinating chapter events, raising money, and supporting partnerships between NWTF and governmental agencies and businesses on t

he local level. Fry, outgoing State NWTF Chapter president, was honored by the regional directors for his service. They presented him with a framed print of artwork for the wild turkey stamp.

The Ohio NWTF Chapter also recognized BREC’s local section of “Country Living” magazine, the statewide publication of Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, for support of wild turkey conservation efforts through coverage of chapter events and stories about the NWTF and turkey hunting. BREC employee Steve Oden was named “Outstanding Outdoor Writer” for 2005.