Page 4 - ODO 2024 JanFeb online version

Off the Beaten Path

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

NOTES ON WILDLIFE • OUTDOOR TIPS • READERS’ LETTERS • ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
COMPILED BY DON P . BROWN

WADE FREE STEPS INTO ROLE AS ODWC INTERIM DIRECTOR

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission
PHOTO PROVIDED announced the promotion of Wade Free to the role
of Interim Director of the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation.
Free, who served as ODWC’s Assistant Director
of Operations for 12 years, began his career as a fish
hatchery assistant in 1983 after earning a Bachelor of
Science degree in wildlife ecology with management
option from Oklahoma State University. In 1986, he
became a Wildlife Area Biologist in the Game Divi-
sion (now called Wildlife Division).
In 1993, Free was promoted to Assistant Chief of
the Wildlife Division. In 1996, he chose to return to
the field as Northwest Region Wildlife Supervisor,
where he was able to help share the perspective from
the field with administrators while also being able
to raise his children in the rural environment that his
family wanted to experience.
In 2011, Free was promoted to Assistant Director
of Operations and returned to work at ODWC head-
quarters. HE also served as a reserve Game Warden
for 20 years.
Free becomes Interim Director after the Dec. 6
resignation of J.D. Strong, who served as ODWC’s
On Dec. 11, 2023, Wade Free became the Interim Director of the Oklahoma Department of Director since 2016.
Wildlife Conservation. An avid hunter, Free has devoted 40 years working for the wildlife,
sportsmen and sportswomen of Oklahoma.
FORMER DIRECTOR GREG DUFFY REMEMBERED

A celebration of the life of former Wildlife Depart- 38 years. He held various positions including fish
ment Director Gregory Dean Duffy was held Dec. 15, hatchery technician, waterfowl biologist, wildlife and
2023. Duffy, 72, died Dec. 8, 2023. He was remem- lands biologist, Assistant Chief and Chief of the Wild-
bered as a conservationist, hunter, fisherman, farmer, life Division, before becoming the agency’s director
leader, Christian, family man, and a true outdoors- in 1993. The Tulsa World once wrote, “Greg Duffy is
man. One of his favorite sayings was, “Nothing beats to Oklahoma’s fish and wildlife as Barry Switzer is to
a day outdoors.” OU football — only in a quieter way.”
Duffy was born in Kingfisher County on April 9, 1951. He retired from his “dream job” in 2009 as one of
He grew up hunting, trapping, and fishing with his dad, the longest-tenured Wildlife Directors in the country.
brother, future brothers-in-law, cousins, and friends. He In 2021, SEOSU gave him a Distinguished Alumni
Greg Duffy
graduated from Lomega High School in 1969. Award for his lifetime of service to Oklahoma's citi-
In 1973, he earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife zens, and fish and wildlife resources.
management from Southeastern Oklahoma State Duffy had a strong faith, taught Sunday School, and
University in Durant. served on his church board. He was elected to the Pied-
Duffy’s career in the Wildlife Department spanned mont School Board in 2018, serving until his death.

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