Larry L. Lewis, Wildlife Technician V and Fish and Game Peace Officer, began working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on the Kenai Peninsula in 1993 and has served with ADFG’s Division of Wildlife Conservation since 1995. Over the years he has gained extensive experience working with and around brown/grizzly and black bears, moose, wolves and other Alaskan wildlife and the people who interact with them.
Working for the Area Wildlife Biologist in Game Management Units 7 and 15 and covering an area of roughly 8,400 square miles, his primary duties consist of by responding to wildlife situations involving human/wildlife interactions and wounded, injured or otherwise incapacitated wildlife; explaining and enforcing Alaska fish and game statutes and regulations; investigating Defense of Life or Property (DLP) shootings and fatal and non-fatal bear maulings and interviewing those who have survived attacks; working with local governments, community groups, businesses and other non-governmental organizations to develop community-based wildlife mitigation programs and other long-range wildlife related planning efforts; providing pro-active wildlife safety, site assessments and force-continuum training to agency, industry and private sector groups and assisting in and leading field research and capture operations. He is an ADF&G firearms instructor, Taser Master Instructor and Armorer, Alaska Hunter Education Instructor, 4-H Shooting Sports and NRA certified Rifle Instructor and NRA Range Safety Officer. He served three-terms as president of the Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Safari Club International and served on the board of directors for over fifteen years. He is currently serving as both a Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young Club trophy measurer and as a member of Safari Club International Foundation’s international Conservation Committee and Grants Committee. He is a hunter, trapper and fisherman and is always eager to not only teach, but to learn from others. He feels that if he is able to share what he’s learned from both personal experience and the experiences of others, he can help people to become safer, more ethical and law abiding when interacting with wildlife.