Wes is a native to the driftless area and was able to explore it fully due to his work with the Wisconsin DNR and many local landowners.  Wes has extensive experience working in a variety of natural resource settings.  His work has taken him from south Texas to Upstate New York with several stops in between.  Wes began his career as an urban wildlife specialist working with nuisance animals in suburban environments using a variety of techniques to mitigate damage.  He spent three years as a habitat technician in Texas and Wisconsin working to improve public and private land habitat to support both game and non-game species and promote recreation. This work allowed him to experience a wide range of methods with a focus on habitat manipulation by mechanical and chemical means.

Wes took his knowledge of Wisconsin Wildlife back to the WDNR to lead the largest Deer research project in state history where both he and his team were recognized for their hard work and dedication.  Afterwards he continued working with the State’s big game accepting a position as the Wisconsin assistant deer and elk ecologist.  He worked for a year with the State’s deer scientists, managers, hunters, and advisory committees before coming to Heartland to return to his passion for hands-on land management.