William Vogel

Background

About William Vogel

I received a solid traditional education at MSU in Bozeman and spent my early career mostly in the Rockies conducting research. For several decades, my thesis (and later my Bulletin article) was on the required reading list for Big Game Management (an MSU graduate level class taught by Dr. Picton). I spent most of my time working on ungulate research and range/forestry. I also conducted waterfowl research including placing the first radio transmitters placed on wild canvasback. After several years of seasonal and permanent field work, I spent almost 6 years working in the Migratory Bird "family" in Washington DC in the regulatory program where they gave me tremendous freedom. I provided ground truthing support for the Canadian Wildlife Service during the early years of waterfowl survey in Ontario and also spent several years as the waterfowl consultant to the duck stamp judges. In late 1993, I was asked to relocate to Olympia Washington by the Regional Director to help establish a task force dealing with "owls vs jobs". This allowed me the pleasure of learning more about the industrial and nonindustrial private forest managers, including their challenges and constraints. I developed a special appreciation for the goals and constraints of tree farm owners. I was also tasked with numerous special assignments in other arenas when there was a need for trouble shooting / problem solving. I began my career being active in the MSU wildlife forum and have remained very active in TWS throughout my career. I have been Washington Chapter president on 2 occasions and have been on the Board several times. I developed a course called forestry and silviculture for wildlife biologists about 20 years ago and, in the last several years, it has been used as a foundation for several nationwide classes. I still enjoy educating biologists about forestry, as well as young students about conservation and wildlife ID. I look forward to increased participation in the forestry and wildlife working group.