President's Message

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has been a key organization in successfully advancing science-based management and protection of fish and wildlife resources for over a century, representing the collective voice of state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies.    These agencies, as conservation stewards, ensure enjoyment of natural resources by present and future generations.  Wild creatures know no political or governmental boundaries, and our Association provides a forum for our continued success together across jurisdictional lines. It is deeply humbling for me to lead this great organization. 

North America’s fish and wildlife agencies, staffed by incredibly committed and capable professionals, have a track record of phenomenal successes in restoration of wild species and habitats.  These agencies are funded almost entirely by hunters and anglers through license purchases and federal excise taxes on hunting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.  Yet the successes include many non-hunted species.  The recent removal of the Bald Eagle from the endangered species list is largely the result of hunter-funded restoration work at the state level.   We must continue our efforts to seek permanent, long-term funding  for all wildlife.
 
Lawful, ethical hunting and fishing enjoy a solidly high level of public support. Our Association and its member agencies, along with the mainstream hunting community, support the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation including the principle of fair chase so essential to this public support.  As a lifelong avid hunter and fisherman, I am deeply committed to the well-being of our natural resources. This passion for wild things carries over to my professional role as Director of the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

These are exciting times. The Association’s Conservation Education initiative, a collaborative effort with the Children and Nature movement, holds great promise for ensuring an informed, engaged citizenry supportive of fish and wildlife agency programs.  State-by-state, province-by-province, our relevancy to all the people will determine our future.  Responsive programs and effectively communicating our successes will ensure a bright outlook.

Society’s emerging concern with global climate change beckons that we look for workable ways to secure a healthy future for fish and wildlife species and habitats. It is our hope that, in addressing climate change, public policymakers will provide adequate funding for impacts to wildlife and habitats.

Hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching are enjoyed by some 87 million people in the U. S. with combined expenditures totaling $120 billion annually. Hunters and anglers provide about $1.8 billion every year to state natural resources agencies for critical on-the-ground work. Outreach programs aimed at continued high levels of participation in outdoor recreation are essential to provide continued funding for management and protection of fish and wildlife resources.

The staff, member organizations, and leadership of this great Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies rise to meet these challenges and opportunities.


President, Corky Pugh
Director, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division
Alabama Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

President Corky Pugh