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Washington state officer honored for record-setting enforcement, lifesaving efforts, and dedication to protecting wildlife and public lands
International Wildlife Crimestoppers (IWC), in partnership with Guidefitter, proudly announces Officer Blaine Corey of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) as the recipient of the 2025 IWC Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year Award.
Officer Corey received the award in early July during IWC’s annual conference at Winter Park Resort in Colorado. The award honors exemplary service and contributions to conservation law enforcement across North America.
In 2021, the IWC and award sponsor, Guidefitter, established the IWC Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year Award to recognize the accomplishments and deeds of individual game wardens across the United States and Canada. Nominations are sourced from conservation agencies industrywide, and nominees undergo a rigorous selection process conducted by IWC’s appointed Awards Committee.
“While there were multiple deserving candidates, Officer Corey stood out for his rapport with the public, dedication to duty, effectiveness and efficiency in diverse resource enforcement, use of technology, and overall demonstrated leadership,” said Patrick Walsh, president of IWC.
A $1,000 gear voucher from Guidefitter accompanies the award, continuing a tradition of supporting frontline conservation officers since the company became the award’s exclusive sponsor in 2022.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Officer Corey joined the WDFW Police in 2018 and quickly distinguished himself with an unmatched enforcement record. For five consecutive years, he has led the state in arrest activity—including 500 enforcement actions in 2024 alone—the highest total by any WDFW officer in more than a decade.
Officer Corey is also a leading member of WDFW’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program, logging more flight time than any other officer statewide in 2024. His use of drone technology has been instrumental in both enforcement operations and emergency response—including the nighttime location and rescue of a hypothermic hiker in remote terrain near Mount St. Helens.
His nomination, submitted by Captain Jeff Wickersham and supported by Chief Steve Bear of WDFW, highlighted not only his field work but his deep commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and cross-agency cooperation.
“Corey embodies the highest ideals of wildlife law enforcement,” Wickersham wrote in his nomination. “He leads by example, lifts up his peers, and serves his community with integrity and humility.”
The IWC Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year Award is presented annually at the IWC conference to recognize active commissioned officers who exemplify excellence in field operations, public service, and conservation ethics.
Congratulations to Officer Corey. Your unwavering commitment, professionalism and service continue to inspire the next generation of conservation officers across North America.
About International Wildlife Crimestoppers
International Wildlife Crimestoppers (IWC) is North America's leading anti-poaching organization, committed to protecting the continent's diverse fish and wildlife resources. IWC is a non-profit organization founded by wildlife resources officers that takes a comprehensive conservation law enforcement approach to combat poaching across the United States and Canada.
IWC operates within a network of anti-poaching agencies, sharing vital information to enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts. The organization is dedicated to promoting public education on the differences between sustainable use and poaching, with a particular emphasis on youth education, thereby creating a force multiplier for law enforcement charged with protecting these valuable resources.
In addition to its educational initiatives, IWC provides funding for specialized enforcement equipment and offers a cash reward program to assist its member states and provinces with major cases. The organization encourages individuals to be vigilant and report any poaching activity to their regional authorities, fostering a community-wide effort to preserve natural resources.
Based in Vassalboro, Maine, IWC is steadfast in its mission to halt the illegal hunting of wildlife, ensuring the continued diversity and beauty of North America's landscapes. For more information on how you can support the fight against poaching, visit www.wildlifecrimestoppers.org. Together, we can work to protect our wildlife resources for generations to come.
Media Contact:
wildlifecrimestoppers@gmail.com.
About Guidefitter
Guidefitter is the online community and marketplace for genuine outdoor industry professionals and other outdoor enthusiasts. We are pioneering the outdoor industry's first online experience where brands, true outdoor pros, and consumers engage in a common digital community, marketing, and e-commerce platform oriented around a shared passion for outdoor recreation and great gear. Industry pros have access to hundreds of pro purchase programs from a central location, tools to easily promote the brands they love, and a like-minded community to demonstrate their abilities and expertise. Consumer enthusiasts benefit from a community that understands their passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, access to thousands of outfitters through a comprehensive search engine, and opportunities to discover and purchase great gear based on the insights from people who know better than anyone else - true outdoor professionals. Over 300 outdoor brands, including Swarovski Optik, Crispi Boots, Weatherby, Jetboil, and Garmin, work with Guidefitter to promote their brand with authentic messages through large, managed audiences of genuine outdoor professionals. Guidefitter is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. For more information, please visit www.guidefitter.com, and follow us on Instagram.
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