Virgil Moore, the current deputy director for field operations ad the Idaho Fish & Game Department, has been named the department's new director. Moore, 59, will replace Cal Groen, who is retiring. Click below to read an announcement from Fish & Game.
 

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Thursday, March 31, appointed Virgil Moore as the new director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

“Virgil is best equipped to maintain the positive momentum that is currently present at Idaho Fish and Game,” Commission Chairman Wayne Wright said. “He is a highly capable leader who is best able to implement the commission’s vision for the future.”

Moore, 59, is the current deputy director for field operations at Fish and Game and will replace Director Cal Groen, who is retiring.

“I am excited to take over as director of Idaho Fish and Game and to work with the strong team we have in place,” Moore said. “Working with the commission we can continue priority programs and develop new ideas and visions for wildlife management in Idaho.”

Moore has 34 years of experience in wildlife management. Before taking his current position in 2007, he worked as the director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He was hired by Oregon Fish and Wildlife in 2006 but returned to Idaho after less than a year for family reasons.

Moore has held numerous executive management positions within Idaho Fish and Game, including fisheries bureau chief, information and education bureau chief and various management positions within the fisheries bureau. Moore holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Science degree in zoology from Idaho State University.

He was selected from a list of six individuals, all with strong backgrounds in conservation and wildlife management relevant to the needs of Idaho.