My dream as an elementary student was to become a game warden some day. (at my 30th H.School reunion some years ago, I was reminded of this by former schoolmates!) A person who made a difference in this decision was our local Pennsylvania Game Protector in Dauphin County. The year was 1965 or '66 when I was 13 or 14. My friends and I played ice hockey on a pond in the middle of a local game refuge, posted of course with many No Trespassing signs. The pond was about ½ mile inside the refuge. We found a dead deer, frozen into the ice, and thought that we should tell SOMEBODY...like the local game protector. Of course, I was chosen and made the call. Fully expecting to have him chew me out and show up at our home to arrest me as I 'confessed' our trespass, I was very happy to have a calm discussion with him. He thanked me for the information, advised me that it was dangerous to ice skate on such a remote pond where no one might ever find us if we got in trouble, and encouraged me in my love of the outdoors. I don't know his name and never met him. But, that day confirmed in my heart that I would become a 'game protector' too. I've never forgotten his even-tempered approach, calm demeanor, and desire to help a young man when he could have verbally let me have it. It took many years to attain that goal, but I believe his example has helped me as I have dealt with the public daily for the past 25 years.

Sincerely,
Captain Doug Huckins
Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game
Monterey, CA

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