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National Wild Turkey Federation honors two DNR employees for conservation and enforcement work
Summary
At the March 12 meeting the National Wild Turkey Federation’s state chapter presented its 'Making Tracks' award to wildlife specialist Heath Miles and the 'Sharp Spur' award to natural resource police officer Cody Smith for habitat work, translocation research support and enforcement successes.
The National Wild Turkey Federation’s West Virginia state chapter recognized two Division of Natural Resources employees on March 12 for conservation and enforcement achievements.
Cully Mccertie, district biologist for the NWTF state chapter, presented the ‘‘Making Tracks’’ award to wildlife specialist Heath Miles for habitat-building and research support, noting Miles’ coordination of trapping and telemetry work in Mason County and contributions to turkey and elk restoration efforts. Mccertie summarized Miles’ role in clearing invasive cover, maintaining food plots and coordinating trapping that led to 24 hens trapped and transmitted in 2024 and 14 in 2025.
The NWTF also presented its 'Sharp Spur' award to natural resource police officer Cody Smith for enforcement work in Wayne County, including training and use of K9 Hutch to detect illegal baiting and other enforcement evidence, resulting in citations and confiscations during the spring 2025 turkey season.
Director Brett McMillion and commissioners thanked the NWTF and the award recipients, and the commission noted the importance of partner organizations in supporting habitat projects and enforcement programs.
