The International Hunter Education Association–USA (IHEA-USA) recently expanded the western reach of its specialized officer training by conducting its first Western Basic Hunting Incident Investigation Academy® in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Hosted by WDFW and coordinated by Officer JoLynn Beauchene, the Academy brought together 28 officers representing state, tribal and federal agencies. Participants included:
- 17 WDFW officers
- 10 wildlife officers from the Colville, Spokane and Kalispel tribes
- 1 officer from the Bureau of Land Management
The diverse group of participants marked an important step in strengthening relationships among agencies that share responsibility for investigating hunting-related incidents throughout the western United States. The Academy also created valuable opportunities for officers from different jurisdictions to exchange knowledge, compare investigative practices and build professional connections that can support future cooperation.
The three-day Academy is designed to prepare wildlife officers to properly investigate hunting incidents, identify and preserve critical evidence, and thoroughly document investigative findings for their respective agencies. Training topics included:
- Agency policies
- Investigation planning
- Investigative tools and evidence kits
- Bullet-path reconstruction
- Ballistics
- Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Evidence collection
- Scene diagramming
- Hunting incident investigation methodology
- Treestand falls
- Scenario-based exercises
Upon completing the program, participating officers received a certificate of completion for the IHEA Basic Hunting Incident Investigation Academy®.
"This Academy represents more than an expansion of our training into the western United States—it reflects the value of building strong working relationships among state, tribal and federal partners," said Megan Fedrick, Director of Operations for IHEA-USA. "Hunting incidents do not always fit neatly within jurisdictional boundaries. Bringing officers together for consistent, specialized training strengthens investigative capabilities and supports a more coordinated approach across agencies."
IHEA-USA appreciates the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Officer JoLynn Beauchene and each participating agency for helping make this inaugural Western Academy possible.
IHEA-USA is excited to continue expanding the reach of the Academy and making this specialized training available to all agencies responsible for investigating hunting incidents. Through partnerships with state, tribal and federal agencies, and working to strengthen professional standards, improve the documentation of hunting incidents and support consistent, thorough investigations nationwide.