Six candidates are under consideration to replace Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Cal Groen, who will step down effective April 1.
Four of the six candidates already work for the department. One is Deputy Director Jim Unsworth, who was appointed to his current position in 2008. Unsworth was the previous wildlife bureau chief and state big game manager for the department.
Candidate Virgil Moore is also a current department deputy director, overseeing field operations while Unsworth oversees programs. Moore is a former director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the former fisheries bureau chief for the Idaho department.
The current fisheries chief, Edward Schriever, is also up for consideration. Schriever has worked for the department for 27 years, working his way up from regional fisheries biologist to his current position. Assistant Director of Policy Sharon Kiefer, who has worked for the department for 24 years, will also be considered.
The two out-of-state candidates include a former Fish and Game director and an assistant director of wildlife management. Steve Ferrell was recently the director of the Wyoming Fish and Game Department and has 36 years of wildlife management experience. Michael Senn has worked for the Arizona Game and Fish Department for almost 23 years.
According to a news release issued by the Idaho department, Fish and Game commissioners will interview the candidates this month with the goal of replacing Groen by the end of March.
Groen announced his retirement in February. The announcement followed his guilty plea in December to an October trespassing charge, for which he was fined $500. Groen told the Idaho Statesman that the incident had no bearing on his decision to retire.
Groen became director in January 2007. The new director will be the fourth since 2000.
Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com
