He was an avid hunter, angler and accomplished Game Warden. Kurt Bahti garnered respect throughout the state and beyond for his strong leadership, extensive wildlife knowledge, and his dedication to furthering hunting education. Sadly, this remarkable outdoorsman lost his battle with cancer in October 2024.
To honor his memory, EJ’s Auction & Appraisal will conduct the “Patrol Captain Kurt Bahti Memorial Scholarship Fund Auction” at 12 p.m. PT on Friday, March 14. The consignor is the Arizona Game Ranger Lodge FOP #71, a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, which established the scholarship to honor the memory of a consummate game warden and outdoorsman.
The special online auction features 28 African animals and artifacts, including Cape Buffalo, Impala Antelope, Gazelle Antelope, Duiker, Wildebeest, Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Spotted Hyena, Kudu Antelope, a Zebra pelt rug, gourds, sculptures, steel and wood spears, and hand-carved bow and arrows. Bidding is open now at ejsauction.com.
His Legacy Will Live On
Kurt Bahti graduated with his wildlife degree from the University of Arizona and shortly thereafter started his career with the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1979 as a Game Ranger in the Pearce District (Unit 30B). In1983, Kurt was instrumental in establishing the Arizona Game Ranger Association (AGRA) since Kurt and others recognized that officers needed representation and a voice. Then in 2000, AGRA became the Arizona Game Ranger Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #71. With that change Arizona Game Rangers became part of the over 10,000 Arizona officers who comprise the Fraternal Order of Police lodges throughout the state. Kurt served as the Lodge #71 Region V representative and as President for eight years until his retirement. He then served as Lodge Vice President from 2021 to 2024 despite his long-term struggle with cancer.
AZ Game Ranger FOP Lodge #71 Treasurer Tim Wade said Kurt Bahti is greatly missed for his kindness, outdoor knowledge and professionalism, and his patriotic and Christian beliefs.
“Kurt loved spending time on horseback patrols and working with the local ranchers. He believed the most impactful thing he did in his career was investing time into hunter education instruction and talking about the various aspects of wildlife and habitat management with hunters, anglers and other constituents,” Wade said.
Kurt Bahti’s most precious legacy was his family. He left behind his wife, Karen, his companion and love for over 50 years, his son, Ben, and his daughter, Heather, who often were his hunting and fishing buddies, and two granddaughters, Julia and Emma.
About the Scholarship
AGRL will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student who wishes to secure a position with the AZGFD as a Wildlife Manager (Game Ranger) and $500 to a student who wishes to secure a position as a Biologist. Completed applications must be emailed by March 30 each year to agrl71treas@gmail.com with the subject line: AGRL Kurt Bahti Memorial Scholarship. Awards will be announced by May 1.
EJ’s Auction & Appraisal conducts online auctions at 10 a.m. every Saturday and specialty auctions at 12 p.m. every other Friday. Interested bidders can preview items Wednesday through Friday at the auction house, 5880 W. Bell Road, in Glendale, or request to see condition reports. For details, visit ejsauction.com or call 623-878-2003.
