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Gov. Fallin Appoints Newest Member Of Wildlife Conservation Commission

Commissioner Barwick posing with a deer
Avid big-game hunter James Barwick of Edmond has been appointed to an eight-year term on the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. [PHOTO PROVIDED]

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has announced the appointment of James Barwick to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Barwick, of Edmond, is an assistant state attorney general, and he will retire from that position before beginning his eight-year term on the Wildlife Commission. His appointment still must be confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. Barwick is to take over the District 5 seat currently filled by Wildlife Commissioner Ed Abel of Oklahoma City, who has served since his 2009 appointment by Gov. Brad Henry and who previously served from 1994-2002. 

As an assistant state attorney general, Barwick served as general counsel to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for more than 12 years. In that capacity, he has attended more than 100 Wildlife Commission meetings. 

He is an avid sportsman and an active lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Pope & Young Club, the Bowhunting Council of Oklahoma (BCO) and Safari Club International (SCI), where he served as a former director of the Oklahoma Station Chapter. 

"In addition to being an outdoor enthusiast, Jim intricately knows the rules and regulations of the Wildlife Commission and has a vast working knowledge of the Wildlife Department's activities," Fallin said. 

Barwick has hunted around the world with numerous animals making the record books of SCI, Pope & Young, Rowland Ward and the Oklahoma Wildlife Department's Cy Curtis Awards. He has achieved the Super Ten of North American Big Game by harvesting at least one animal from 10 categories: bears, cats, deer, elk, caribou, moose, bison/musk ox, goats, antelope and sheep, which qualifies for entry in the Grand Slam Club/Ovis.

He also is a six-time BCO State Archery Champion (traditional class) and winner of four gold medals and four silver medals in archery in the Sooner State Games. 

"I look forward to serving on the Wildlife Commission and continue working on wildlife issues," Barwick said. "My experience of working with the commission will help me oversee the state's hunting and fishing regulations." 

After graduating from Oklahoma City University's law school, Barwick started his career in public service as an associate general counsel with the Oklahoma Department of Securities and then went into private practice, joining the Reynolds, Ridings & Hargis law firm. He then began a corporate legal career that spanned more than 22 years and served on the executive team of many well-known Oklahoma companies including LSB Industries Inc., Scrivner Inc., Fleming Cos. Inc. and Kerr-McGee Corp. 

The eight-member Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Members serve in an unpaid capacity as the Wildlife Department's advisory, administrative and policy-making body. The Commission's District 5 includes Cleveland, Garvin, Logan, McClain, Murray, Oklahoma and Payne counties.

Barwick and his wife, Brenda, live in Edmond. His two daughters are both Oklahoma lifetime hunting/fishing license holders.