Spencer Wesche is one of Idaho's many conservation officers. The Shikar-Safari club International recently named her as Idaho's 2023 Officer of the Year.
“From the time I was a kid, I knew I wanted to do something involving wildlife,” Weshce said. “I grew up back in the Midwest, and so most of my childhood was spent going out fishing on some of the big lakes.”
Wesche focuses on wildlife law enforcement and covers the Rexburg and Driggs areas. One of her main responsibilities is making sure locals and residents follow state laws regarding hunting, fishing, trapping and all outdoor activities. She also teaches hunter education classes and is involved in recruitment.
The Shikar-Safari Club International Award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.
“I've also done a bunch of recruiting events ,” Wesche said. “Particularly getting women into law enforcement careers. I did that a bunch last year.”
Wesche is incredibly committed to her work. Some of her hobbies
include being outdoors, hunting, fishing, reading, working out, traveling as well as spending quality time with family.
Wesche received a degree in biology with a focus on conservation and ecology from Franklin College in Southern Indiana. After college she was introduced to the idea of becoming a conservation officer in Idaho through her older brother.
“My oldest brother actually is a state trooper out here. So, he's been here for about 10 or 11 years,” Wesche said. “And so, when I was in college, I got to come out here and do a couple ride-alongs with the game wardens or conservation officers that he worked with.”
Wesche was born and raised in Indiana. But her passion for the outdoors sparked while visiting family in Minnesota.
“Every summer, we would go up there to the boundary waters area and fish and just kind of be out on the lakes,” Wesche said. “And so that was kind of where everything got started.”
Wesche is no stranger to uncomfortable situations when it comes to her work. Often, she uses violations as an educational opportunity to teach others about outdoor rules and regulations specific to Idaho. One way we can help her as a conservation officer is by regularly reviewing Fish and Game regulation books or reaching out to her or the regional office for any questions regarding hunting, fishing or trapping.