State Wildlife Officer Matthew Roberts, who is assigned to Clinton County and also resides here, has been named Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Ohio Bowhunters Association (OBA), according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

“I congratulate State Wildlife Officer Matt Roberts on recently being recognized as OBA’s officer of the year. Matt possesses the qualities it takes to be a wildlife officer,” said Todd Haines, the ODNR Division of Wildlife District Five Manager. “Matt has extensive knowledge in conservation, hunting, fishing and trapping, and a great work ethic and willingness to promote the great Ohio outdoors.”

Roberts started his career with ODNR in 2003 at Rush Run Wildlife Area and also spent two summers working with Wildlife District Five’s fish management section as a creel clerk on Acton and Rush Run lakes.

In January 2005 Roberts entered the wildlife officer training academy and has served as the state wildlife officer assigned to Clinton County since July 2005.

Roberts received an associate’s degree from Hocking College in 2001 in fish and wildlife management and a second associate’s degree from Hocking College in 2002 in forest management.

Roberts lives in southern Clinton County with his wife, Jamie, and children, Jordyn, Tanner and Jillian.

The Ohio Bowhunters Association, Inc. was founded in 1967 to foster, expand and upgrade the practices of bowhunting in Ohio by creating a spirit of fellowship within the bowhunting community, educating youth in proper archery methods, and working with resource agencies and conservation organizations to conserve wildlife and its habitat. For more information, visit http://ohiobowhunters.net/.