Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Wildlife and game hunting has been an important part of life in the history of Polk County. Whether we go back to days when the Cherokee roamed our mountains or the entry of European settlers into the Appalachian region, wild game has been a critical food source for humans.

On Tuesday, January 11th the Polk County Historical Association will sponsor a program on Game Wardens in Polk County. The presentation will feature two speakers, Frances Pack McCain, daughter of long time game warden Arthur Pack and current game warden Toby Jenkins of the NC Wildlife Commission. The program will start inside the Polk County Historical Museum at 2pm.

The beginning of the talk will discuss fishing and hunting in the early days of wildlife management including a few colorful stories. McCain remembers her father’s work as the Wildlife Protector with the NC Dept of Conservation and Development beginning in 1941. Arthur Pack served in Polk County and a few nearby counties for 34 years.

Wildlife Officer Toby Jenkins will give an idea of how the role of the game warden has changed. He will present a Powerpoint on the local wildlife scene and will give participants an opportunity to ask any questions about wildlife in the Polk County area. According to McCain, she is hopeful people will come with lots of questions about deer, black bears and any other pressing wildlife concerns.

All PCHA programs are free to the public. The museum is located at 60 Walker Street in downtown Columbus. It will start at 2pm on January 11th.

Submitted by John Vining