There is a new Fish and Wildlife Officer in the area, and he may have some local insight into the valley.
Joa Markotic, son of Martin McSween and Yvonne Markotic, grew up in the valley and graduated from DVSS. He has returned home to assume his new posting.
“I was born in Drumheller and grew up in the area but have been living away for the past 10 years. I am thrilled to be back in the community where I grew up and hope I can make a positive impact while protecting the fish and wildlife populations in the area,” he said.
Markotic began working in Drumheller in November of last year.
He has been a Fish and Wildlife Officer for nearly two years, working in Whitecourt before being stationed in Drumheller.
“I also worked for the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services in Pincher Creek as a problem Wildlife Technician prior to becoming an officer. In that role, I dealt with human-wildlife conflict, including trapping dangerous wildlife such as bears and cougars, and investigating livestock predation by wildlife,” he said.
He is passionate about the outdoors and is an avid angler and hunter. He spends most of his free time outdoors, fishing, hunting, and exploring.
“A large part of the work Fish and Wildlife Officers do is to educate the public about our mandated legislation and on how to minimize conflict with wildlife,” he said. “I urge anyone who sees suspicious or illegal hunting and fishing activity, dangerous wildlife encounters, and serious public lands abuse locally to report it to Alberta’s Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.”
