Protectors of Our Natural Lands: Indiana’s K-9 Conservation Teams

Each year, DNR’s K-9 officers and their handlers from the Division of Law Enforcement save lives and protect our natural resources. From tracking missing persons to sniffing out poachers, the impact K-9s leave on our public lands is vast.

Since the program’s inception in 1997, K-9 teams have been involved in more than 7,500 cases in which they helped find poachers. K-9 teams locate illegally taken game that’s been hidden, as well as guns and shell casings, to find poachers. Several K-9s have helped find evidence that leads to convictions.

Each K-9 is trained to detect and give alerts for species that are specific to its region, and all learn to detect waterfowl, deer, wild turkey, and ginseng.

“Ginseng is a highly valuable plant that has monetary value, and Indiana is one of its largest producers,” said Conservation Officer Jeff Milner, DNR’s K-9 coordinator. “It cannot be harvested on state or federal property; however, many illegal diggers will dig almost year-round.

“The K-9s assist us in tracking and catching thieves in the act. If diggers hide ginseng, the K-9s can find it.”

K-9s also help search for lost or missing persons, particularly in situations in which timing is crucial because of inclement weather or the condition of the person. They have rescued individuals with dementia, autism, or those who lose their way while exploring nature.

Becoming a DNR K-9 team is a serious commitment. The K-9s and their handlers participate in an intensive nine-week school taught by the Division of Law Enforcement, and training continues after that beginner course. Teams train until the K-9 retires. Most of the K-9s serve 10 years before retiring.

Graduates of Indiana’s K-9 conservation training course pose in front of the Indiana State House.

Indiana’s K-9 program has been so successful over the past 24 years that natural resources officers from all over the United States travel to Indiana for training.

“The school and Indiana’s program have received national recognition on numerous occasions,” Milner said. “We have helped many states develop a program.”

Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia representatives have attended the school. In 2022, two handlers from Zambia, Africa will participate.

Not only do handlers come from various states to learn in Indiana, but the dogs that go through the training also come from various backgrounds and experiences. Some of the dogs have been adopted at birth and others are rescues that were found at shelters or given up by previous owners. One thing they all have in common is their amazing ability to track and perform tasks that humans could not do on their own.

You can help support Indiana’s K-9 teams by donating to help fund things that fall outside of the operational budget but are much needed for the safety and well-being of the K-9s. Veterinary expenses, GPS tracking units, and heat alarms for the vehicles are just a few.

Your donation will help Indiana’s K-9 teams continue to protect our state’s natural resources. Be sure to select “K9 LE” in the dropdown menu when making your donation.