Conservation agents are assigned to each county in the state and are responsible for carrying out a wide range of wildlife-related law enforcement duties. Patrols by vehicle, boat and foot are routine. Agents depend heavily on help from local citizens to report violations. Although law enforcement is the division's primary function, only about half of an agent's time is devoted to that activity. Numerous surveys, censuses and special field studies are conducted for state and federal fish and wildlife research personnel.
Many special programs require personal contact with individual landowners.
Preparation of land-use plans, delivery of seed and wildlife plantings, inspection of developments and periodic progress reports are involved in wildlife habitat improvement and fish stocking programs. Frequently, community interest and participation in department projects designed to provide or increase local recreational opportunities result from encouragement or initiation by agents. In addition to fish, wildlife and forestry program duties, many agents present regularly scheduled informational or educational programs on radio and television. A number of newspapers in the state carry weekly outdoor columns prepared by conservation agents. Conservation agents, along with volunteer instructors, have completed hunter education training for another 348,598 persons since 1988.