Russell County will be getting one of the state’s five newest conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Charles Houk, who previously served in law enforcement in Taylor County, will serve locally as a new conservation officer. Conservation officers are sworn law enforcement officers with statewide jurisdiction and a primary focus on hunting, fishing, and boating laws.
Conservation officers serve all 120 counties in Kentucky, working to ensure compliance with hunting and fishing laws and ensure that the state’s waterways are safe places for all to enjoy by utilizing a two-pronged approach consisting of education and enforcement.
The total number of sworn officers on staff with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife now stands at 118, plus 10 more recruits nearing completion of their training.