Photo Information Promoting safety and conservation on Marine Corps Base Quantico while performing their duties as Conservation Law Enforcement Investigators, game wardens on base have kept poaching in check while also assisting the Marines in their respective missions. Photo by Ida Irby Download Details Share Game warden’s new name, a new aim 10 Sep 2015 | Ida Irby Marine Corps Base Quantico PRINT SHARE Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Marine Corps Base Quantico hired its first game wardens in the 1970s. Over time, game wardens here have received a new title and more obligations to reflect their jobs as a Conservation Law Enforcement Investigators. The game wardens patrolled the 60 thousand acres of unfenced woodlands surrounding the base. The open traffic allowed many civilians to legally and unlawfully take advantage of the natural resources here. Wildlife enthusiast, Euel Tritt, chief of the Conservation Law Enforcement Investigators, worked as an enlisted military police officer as a young Marine. His 26-year career as an investigator here is inspiring.“In 1981, the game wardens were notified of a huge deer poaching problem on base,” said Tritt. “I was a young Marine who learned to track night hunters and illegal poachers as part a joint team. That year we reported more illegal hunters from right here on the instillation, than in the entire state of Virginia.” The tragedy of 9/11 resulted in the closing of many gates on post and restricted entry points. Today, people continue to come aboard the base and poach. As peace and safety officers, many investigators work on and off base in coordination with the Provost Marshal’s office and The Fish and Wildlife Service. Over time responsibilities have changed to prosecute people violating criminal law of the U.S. pertaining to the fish and wild life. “The hardest thing to hunt on base is a human poacher,” said Tritt. Experience has given the investigators here tools to catch people who blatantly disregard state laws to illegally hunt fish and other wildlife. More than 10,500 hunting trips and 65,000 hours were logged with the Quantico Natural Resources and Environment Affairs team this past fiscal year. Approximately 60 federal citations were issued for violations of game and wildlife laws. “Accidents do happen,” said Tritt who credited most people on base for having good intentions. “We find Marines and civilians unknowingly walking into restricted areas or accidentally hunting an animal out of season.”Educating the public about game laws and protecting the natural environment here is just a fraction of what investigators do from day-to-day. They also help to enforce the Archaeological Resource Protection Act, which protects Quantico’s Native American land, Civil War sites and National Cemetery. “Our job is different every day; from sitting and speaking to 3rd graders on career day, to conducting surveillance. This is a fun and exciting career. We always try to give back to the community and veterans,” said Tritt as he described a glimpse of investigators activities. The investigators here created an annual hunting trip for wounded warriors with the help of local volunteers. Comradery and friendship among veterans is created during the event. According to the agency, servicemembers have the opportunity to do things they never thought possible. The event for some is therapeutic and even life changing. The Fish and Wildlife Services is a competitive and growing industry. Most investigators have college degrees. Inspectors must have certification through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Approximately 40 officers throughout the Marine Corps hold the esteemed honor.— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com Tags Fish and Wildlife Service , game wardens , provost marshal’s office , Quantico Natural Resources and Environment Affairs , Conservation Law Enforcement Investigators