A former fisheries bureau chief for Idaho Fish and Game, and former deputy director, will take over as department head beginning next month.

Ed Schriever will replace Virgil Moore Jan. 13 as the new Fish and Game director, putting his 35-year career in the department to work as the head of operations.

Schriever, 59, has been Fish and Game’s deputy director of operations since 2015, and was the fisheries bureau chief from 2008 to 2015. He held various other positions within the agency, including Clearwater regional fisheries manager, fish biologist and hatchery manager during his career with Fish and Game, according to IDFG.

“I am humbled to serve Idaho, lead the Department of Fish and Game, and ensure the traditional values ... are professionally managed and sustained,” Schriever said.

IDFG directors are employed by the Fish and Game commission to carry out its wildlife management policies and operate the department, oversee its 580 full-time positions and annual $125 million budget.

Schriever, who lives in Boise, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries from Oregon State University and started his professional career with Idaho Fish and Game as a fish culturist.

Upholding the state’s hunting and fishing legacy and making sure people have access to the state’s outdoor heritage is tantamount to the agency’s existence, he said.

“Our legacy of fishing, hunting, trapping and wildlife-based recreation is inseparable with Idaho’s outdoor heritage, culture and quality of life,” Schriever said. “Your Fish and Game department exists to provide these benefits in perpetuity.”

Schriever was selected for his history of leadership and knowledge from a pool of highly qualified candidates, according to the commission.“After careful consideration … we selected Deputy Director Schriever based on his long history of leadership within the agency and deep knowledge of Idaho’s fish and wildlife, as well as his understanding of the issues facing wildlife management,” commission chair Derick Attebury said.