Game warden worthy of accolades

Randy Lusetti is one of those people. He’s a quiet, unassuming man who grew up in the small agricultural community of Lund, which is situated about midway between Sunnyside and Ely on state Highway 318. As a youth growing up in Nevada’s rural landscape, Lusetti became an avid outdoorsman and developed a deep love and respect for the wild country and the critters that live there.

If you met Lusetti on the street, or somewhere about town, you would find him to be one of the nicest, most respectable people you’ve ever met. If you met him while hunting and fishing, you would think the same thing. Lusetti is one of those guys who would give you his coat if you were cold and put off his pursuits in order to give you a hand if you needed help. People who have met Lusetti while he’s on the job often describe him as firm but fair.

Just who is this masked man?

Lusetti is a game warden for the Nevada Department of Wildlife and is assigned to patrol one of America’s most remote landscapes — northern Washoe County. Everything he is, on and off the job, is contrary to the game warden stereotype perpetuated by stories told around campfires each fall. For his dedicated service to Nevada’s wildlife, and to the state’s sportsmen and women, the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association recognized Lusetti as the National Wildlife Officer of the Year. He was presented with the prestigious award during the association’s annual meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on July 20.

In his typical humble fashion, Lusetti expressed appreciation for the award but quickly pointed out that other wardens also are deserving of such recognition.

"I am honored by this award," he said. "When I consider the quality of guys that I work with in this state and other states, there is a ton of guys who go above and beyond. I work with great wardens who make me look good."

Lusetti also is quick to express gratitude for the support he gets at home.

"There are very few wives who would let their husbands be a northern Washoe game warden for 12 years," he said. "If there is anybody I recognize, the honest truth, it’s my wife and my kids, who make the personal sacrifices for me to be available to get the job done."

Of Lusetti’s award, Gov. Brian Sandoval said, "Nevadans can take pride that we have wildlife officers like Randy Lusetti at work in our state. The task of protecting wildlife through the careful and fair enforcement of our laws is an important part of a mission that also includes the promotion of hunting and fishing safety."

■ NEVADA BEAR HUNT — Despite protracted efforts by anti-hunting interests, Nevada’s inaugural bear hunt will get under way Saturday as scheduled and run through Dec. 31.

The tag allocation was limited to 45, but maximum harvest is no more than 20 bears. No more than six of those can be females; however, it is unlawful to kill a cub or a female with a cub. Baiting is prohibited.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.