(WFRV) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recognized two hunters who went above and beyond during the 2024 deer season.
According to a press release from the DNR, Eliot Babino of Platteville and Cody Kabus of Independence were awarded the 2024 Ethical Hunter Award for their honest and selfless actions in the field.
Pictured left to right: Vortex Optics sales specialist Ryan Muckenhirn, DNR Major April Dombrowski, Cody Kabus, Eliot Babino, DNR Conservation Warden Jane Voskuilen and Lt. Warden Renee Thok. Photo credit: Jerry Davis
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The awards were presented on April 17ths at Vortex Optics, the event’s sponsor and host.
The release says after helping two hunters trailer their boat at Yellowstone Lake, Babino later found two deep rifles left behind at the boat landing.
Believing they belonged to the hunters he just had assisted, the DNR says he contacted conservation warden Jane Voskuilen to help return the firearms safely.
Coby Kabus thought he had found and finished off a buck he had hit the day before, but after realizing another hunter had accidentally wounded the deer, he made sure the trophy buck was given to its rightful owner.
These ethical acts are real-life examples of how to hunt correctly and ethically, and it is very important to highlight and honor them.
Lt. Renee Thok, Wisconsin DNR hunter education administrator
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The press release states the Ethical Hunter Award has been given annually since 1997. Nominations come from the public and are judged by a panel of DNR conservation wardens and outdoor writers.
