Working together to protect the resources

SEELEY LAKE – If you have been out on the lake this summer or plan to hunt this fall, chances are you will have the opportunity to meet the new game warden for the Seeley Lake area. Jake Barzen started as the new game warden in early July following Bill Koppen's retirement last year. Barzen looks forward to getting to know people in the community and working to protect the exceptional resources in the area.

"I want folks to be comfortable talking to me so everyone can take part in protecting our resources from folks who think it is okay to degrade it," said Barzen.

Barzen grew up in Wisconsin. While he started out pursuing sports medicine at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a conversation with a family friend who had recently retired from being a game warden changed his mind.

"It was the right conversation at the right time," said Barzen. "Since that day that is what I chose to do."

Barzen graduated from St. Olaf with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies tailored towards wildlife management. He was hired by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 2018 and was sent to the Law Enforcement Academy in Helena, Montana.

"My goal was not to be a cop. My goal was to be a game warden," said Barzen. "I felt that my interest and my strengths fit well into that."

Barzen loves hunting, fishing and being outside. He appreciates conservation but enjoys being out in the field rather than the research side of it.

While Barzen has some extended family that lives in Missoula, he had only visited the state a couple of times before being hired with FWP. When asked what brought him to Montana from Minnesota he said, "If you want to be a game warden, this is the dream - to be in Montana. I was fortunate."

Barzen was a game warden in Hardin, Montana before transferring to the Seeley Lake area this summer. He enjoys the variety of things he gets to do, working with people and being in the world of hunting and fishing every day.

"There is always something to learn," said Barzen. "I have a lot to learn and I learn every day. I hope it is always that way."

Barzen lives around Seeley Lake. His district covers north to Holland Lake, west to the Mission Divide, south to Greenough Hill and east to Ovando. His area extends into the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

"I enjoy taking the horses out and getting out into the backcountry," said Barzen. "That is part of what turned me onto the district."

Barzen enjoys seeing families out enjoying the resources responsibly and looks forward to promoting outdoor youth activities. He encourages people of all ages getting into hunting and fishing.

With hunting season just around the corner, Barzen reminds hunters that the biggest change is the tags will be printed on regular office paper instead of the waterproof paper.

"We will be very understanding but we do expect folks to make their best effort to protect that paper so that their animal can be identified for their own benefit," said Barzen.

He is also aware of other challenges in the area where people are not properly storing attractants, bears and mountain lions coming into town and feeding wildlife.

"Feeding wildlife is not acceptable," said Barzen. "Any reports will be followed up on."

Barzen encourages people to call him and report issues or violations.

"It is much better to talk to me because I know the area," said Barzen. "They don't have to tell me their name or they can tell me their name and say they want it to remain confidential. I respect that."

When he is not working, Barzen enjoys working with stock, breaking horses, hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. He is looking forward to cross country skiing this winter.

To reach Barzen directly call or text 406-210-1299, Koppen's old number. The public can also call 1-800-TIP-MONT.