EDGEFIELD, SC — The NWTF Kansas State Board has selected Kansas Parks and Wildlife Department Officer Scott Leamon as the 2023 Kansas NWTF Official of the Year.
“Officer Leamon has been and continues to be an asset to the state’s natural resources with his enthusiasm for protecting resources,” said KDWP Lt. Ross Uhrmacher. “Throughout his career, Officer Leamon has used his self-motivation and investigative skills to solve many cases involving the illegal trapping of turkeys. Officer Leamon is assigned to the southeast corner of Kansas and has many non-resident hunters, some of whom are trying to take advantage of the state’s most abundant resources. Scott’s investigative actions have added up to make a world of difference in protecting turkeys and natural resources in the counties he patrols.”
The NWTF Kansas Wildlife Officer of the Year Award is given to individuals who have excelled and demonstrated exceptional performance in teamwork, leadership and achievement.
In late 2022, the Kansas State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation solicited nominations for the 2022 Kansas Wildlife Officer of the Year Award. Leamon received the award along with his wife and two children at the Banquet of Kansas NWTF State Awards in Concordia.
To determine the award winner, Leamon was evaluated on numerous criteria, including involvement in the case, public relations, attitude, enthusiasm, professionalism, reliability, investigative skills, and support of hunting heritage. .
Leamon is a Ranger and Boat Control Specialist who has been with KDWP for nearly 16 years. He is responsible for Cherokee and Crawford counties in the southeast corner of Kansas. Leamon faces various law enforcement issues in his daily activities, including law enforcement in boating.
Leamon will attend the upcoming NWTF Convention in Nashville, where he will represent Kansas and be considered for the NWTF National Wildlife Officer of the Year Award.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.
2023 is the 50th of the NWTF the anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50 the anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.