Recognizing a slate of recent award winners occupied most of the agenda for the Aug. 5 regular meeting of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Award winners receiving accolades were:
- Randy Malson as ODWC’s 2024 Landowner Conservationist of the Year. The Roger Mills County landowner was nominated for his wildlife habitat development efforts.
- Marshall Reigh, game warden supervisor, as the 2024 Game Warden of the Year. Nominated by his peers, Reigh is based in Grant County.
- Mike Chrisman, ODWC License Section supervisor, as the recipient of the 2024 Spirit of ODWC Award.
- Eric Brennan as the 2023 Fisheries Division Professional of the Year.
- Dillon Good as the 2023 Wildlife Division Technician of the Year,
- Joey McAllister as the 2023 Wildlife Division Biologist of the Year,
- Various members in ODWC’s Communication and Education Division for taking nine national awards in competition at the annual meeting of the Association of Conservation Information.
Also, Commissioners viewed a presentation by group President Rick Nolan on the Oklahoma Hunters and Anglers and its 2024 Deer Conference set for Aug. 17 at the Reed Center in Midwest City.
In other business, the Commission:
- Received updates from Interim Director Wade Free the various activities among ODWC’s five divisions.
- Approved several emergency rule changes in Title 800 to align with the Oklahoma Wildlife License Modernization Act and a resolution for the conservation passport.
- Recognized Wildlife Division Research Supervisor Jerry Shaw for 30 years of service, and Game Warden Patrick Matlock, based in Okmulgee County, for 30 years of service.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The next regular Wildlife Commission meeting is set for Sept. 9, 2024, at The Cedar Gate near Kingfisher.
