Casey Krueger's dream of being a game warden leads to the top spot in Wisconsin DNR enforcement

Casey Krueger is a decisive sort.

Take his career choice. He knew he wanted to be a Wisconsin game warden the first time he saw one.

Born and raised in Langlade County, Krueger said he made his mind up after a warden gave a presentation at his Antigo grade school. Krueger was just 10 years old at the time.

"I became fascinated with being a warden and working to protect the state's natural resources," Krueger said Thursday in a phone interview. "I knew that was where I wanted to be."

After earning a bachelor's degree at UW-Stevens Point in natural resource management with minors in environmental law enforcement and natural science, Krueger made good on his goal in January 1998 when he was hired as a field warden by the Department of Natural Resources.

And after a couple of other steps up the ranks, 22 years later he will assume the job as Wisconsin's chief warden.

Krueger, 44, will be sworn in as the top cop in the DNR's enforcement division Thursday at the Capitol. He will succeed Todd Schaller, who is retiring after more than 30 years of public service, including the last six as chief warden.

Krueger served for 10 years as a field warden in Oconto and Columbia counties. In 2008 he was promoted to lieutenant/warden supervisor of the Park Falls warden team based in northern Lincoln County. In 2012 he was promoted to captain of the South-Central Region in Fitchburg, a position he held until the latest advancement.

Reflecting on his career path, Krueger said his parents, who owned a construction business, instilled both a work ethic and a love of the outdoors.

"They were dedicated to the business, no doubt about it, and I spent a lot of time spreading gravel as I worked for the family business," Krueger said. "But in our free time everything revolved around the outdoors."

Krueger said as a youth he learned to fish, hike, camp, hunt, canoe, snowmobile and ride ATV's.

When he was in college Krueger sought and obtained an internship with the field warden in Antigo. Ride-alongs on weekends and a "boots-on-the-ground" view of life as a warden. reinforced the notion he had as a grade-schooler.

"I wanted to be a warden more than ever," Krueger said.

Krueger said one of the things he's learned over the years is the wealth of resources available to Wisconsin citizens.

"From north to south and east to west, the outdoor opportunities in the state are incredible," Krueger said.

He's also learned that the public wants the natural resources to be protected.

Krueger will lead a force of 211 wardens, including 21 in training, according to DNR figures. Ten positions are also vacant.

Krueger said wardens are most effective when they work with members of the local community.

"The warden force is really a tool for the public," Krueger said. "We come in and work with the partners and figure out what’s going on and how to address it."

Krueger said it's best when a violation can be averted beforehand, but sometimes a citation is needed.

"In my mind, if you have a collaborative approach, mending and binding with the public, that’s when you have the most success," he said.

Krueger's swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Assembly Chamber.