AGFC Investigator Receives Wildlife Officer of the Year Award

“It is a great honor,” Smith said. “I mean words can’t even describe it. I grew up hunting...I started turkey hunting when I was six years old, and I wanted to be a game warden ever since I was 13 or 14, and to be here in this building and convention, I mean it is just amazing.”  

Smith received the Wildlife Officer of the Year Award at the 49th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. 

The Wildlife Officer of the Year Award is given to individuals who have excelled and demonstrated exceptional performance in the following areas: teamwork and innovation, attitude and leadership, and achievements and accomplishments. 

Smith's superiors never question his ability to follow policy and procedure, and his strong moral compass ensures that proper decisions will always be made.  

Smith works in Cleburne County, which is one of Arkansas’ busiest counties for game wardens during hunting seasons. As the leading officer in his district, Smith has assisted with numerous cases, including 20 turkey hunting violation cases. These included incidents such as five hunters using bait, five hunting out of season and five hunting without permission, among others.

His dedication as an AGFC law enforcement officer is shown as he assists multiple other counties in his district. During youth season, Smith arrived at a site early after receiving information about a hunter in a baited area. This investigation required multiple hours of surveillance and interviews, resulting in a citation for hunting turkeys over bait and out-of-season.   

Smith also assisted wardens in Sharp County on a case involving three bait cites located on a property. The case resulted in two citations for hunting turkeys over bait and a warning for hunting without permission. He is working on an ongoing turkey violation case.

Smith is a strong investigator that uses a variety of methods to gather information relating to illegal activities. Smith’s efforts over the past year have resulted in 180 officer violator contracts.  

Smith’s favorite season has always been turkey season, both as a game warden and an outdoorsman. His passion for turkey enforcement goes beyond his job description, which is evident through his devotion, appreciation and passion for wild turkey conservation. He’s an active member of his local NWTF chapter and of his local bass club.  

He always upholds his reputation as an honorable member of the community by helping with hunter education and boater’s safety classes and serving as an instructor for a basic survival class taught at an elementary school.  

He also attends multiple high school trap tournaments and assists with the annual fishing derby held on the Little Red River. He has spoken to elementary classes, assisted with the Arkansas Game and Fish Youth Shooting Sports Program at the AGFC Batesville Shooting Range and participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event in his district, bringing Christmas cheer to underprivileged youth. 

Smith has truly dedicated his individual love for the wild turkey to his work with AGFC. His dependability, professionalism, attitude, enthusiasm and more resulted in several noteworthy cases made this past year, all evidence of his integrity as an AGFC officer. 

“Brady’s love for the outdoors is evident in his diligent work catching poachers and those who do not follow the rules that ensure the sustainability of our natural resources,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Whether it is hosting hunter’s education courses, assisting in youth shooting sports programs or catching poachers, Brady’s work ethic represents the conservation of wildlife and sharing the life-changing power of the outdoors.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation 
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.