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Wildlife Technician Wins National Honor RALEIGH,
N.C. (April 19) – C. Victor “Vic” French
has been named the Wildlife Manager of the Year by the National
Wild Turkey
Federation.
French, a 28-year veteran of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission received the honor with co-winner James Craft of West Virginia at the federation’s annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, in February. French was honored for his many years of turkey restoration activities, including improving habitat and relocating wild turkeys. “Vic French has been a monumental force in assisting the trap-and-transfer efforts in North Carolina,” said James Earl Kennamer, the federation’s senior vice president for conservation programs. Since 1978 when French was promoted to crew leader at the Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender County, he has directed management on public game lands toward wild turkey habitat improvement and looked for creative ways to fund projects. For example, he launched three separate federation projects, totaling more than $12,000, on the Bladen Lakes State Forest Game Land where he had management responsibilities. “Working with turkeys has been one of the highlights of my career and I’ve enjoyed all aspects of the job,” said French. “He has been particularly adept at educating the public about the wild turkey and garnering support for wild turkey restoration projects within his work area,” said Mike Seamster, the Commission’s upland game bird biologist. “His ability to solicit cooperation and support from key private landowners and gain entry to trap birds has been instrumental to relocating turkeys in the southern coastal plain.” Over the years, French has trapped and relocated several hundred wild turkeys, often on a tight time frame and in areas with low turkey populations. He captured birds for restoration sites not only within his work area, but for other sites across the coastal region as well. His colleagues regard him as one of the best turkey trappers in the state. The Burgaw resident is an avid bow hunter, trapper, turkey hunter and taxidermist. He was one of the first sportsmen in the state to take two wild turkeys with bow and arrow. “Turkey restoration benefits three generations—those who remember when turkeys were fairly common, those who have known the lean years and the current generation,” said French. “Now grandparents, parents and their children can go turkey hunting together in North Carolina. It’s been great to be a part of that.” French graduated
from North Carolina State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in wildlife biology. He is
a native
of Rockingham
County. |
