Missouri NWTF names MDC Agent Killian as Wildlife Officer of the Year

Written by Candice Davis, MDC

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) chose Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Ripley County Conservation Agent Darren Killian as Wildlife Officer of the Year for Missouri. Killian was presented the award on Feb. 16 at the NWTF’s national convention in Nashville, Tenn.

MDC Agent Darren Killian is congratulated
by NWTF Regional Director Larry Neal
on being named Missouri Wildlife Officer of the Year.

MDC Protection Regional Supervisor Gary Cravens, who is Killian’s supervisor, said Killian is known for making unique and quality wildlife arrests.

“Darren continually strives to improve the professionalism of wildlife law enforcement and has done a tremendous job in maintaining a well-rounded conservation agent program. He covers all aspects of assigned duties and he always places a strong emphasis on wild turkey regulation enforcement,” Cravens said.

Killian is in his thirteenth year as a conservation agent in Ripley County. He is consistently one of the top agents in the region for cases related to illegal turkey hunting, according to Cravens. During his tenure, he has cited more than 65 individuals for hunting turkeys during the closed season.

Killian is also involved with the NWTF JAKES program and the Kiwanis Club. He contributes to a monthly radio program and he plays an active role with the feral hog eradication project in Ripley County.

One of Killian’s other great characteristics is his ability to relate and work well with children, Cravens said. He enjoys training and teaching children about the outdoors. This year he gave presentations on gun safety at two JAKES events, helped instruct the clay bird shoot, and served as a judge in the youth turkey calling competition.

“Killian is one of our most respected officers in the Ozark Region with his approach and creativity in enforcement,” Cravens said. “Conservation agents look to him for guidance because of his effectiveness in building difficult cases. He conveys a humble attitude and is a shining example for all Department of Conservation employees.”

A Sikeston native, Killian earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Southeast Missouri State University prior to his training at the Conservation Agent Academy.

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Bowhunters of Missouri choose Henry as Agent of the Year

Written by Candice Davis, MDC

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry has received the prestigious United Bowhunters of Missouri Agent of the Year Award for 2012. Henry was presented the award at the recent United Missouri Bowhunters banquet held in Jefferson City.

Henry’s supervisor, Protection Regional Supervisor Gary Cravens, said Agent Henry is known for making unique and quality wildlife arrests.

This year he took advantage of the Telecheck system, had excellent public cooperation, and utilized Operation Game Thief to assist in investigating possible archery violations, Cravens said.

MDC Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry
received the prestigious United Bowhunters
 of Missouri Agent of the Year Award for 2012.

“Without a doubt, he had an outstanding archery season with many exceptional wildlife violation cases,” Cravens said.

Henry is an avid archery hunter and enjoys sharing his archery knowledge with the public. Henry was a pivotal member in the formation of the city of Ava’s first Mother/Son Outdoor Adventure event. He helped organize the seventh annual National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes event in Douglas County with an emphasis on a youth archery station. He assisted Ava school administration in setting up the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MONASP) at the Ava Middle School. He worked at the popular “Hootin’ and Hollerin” archery event in Ozark County, and conducted archery programs for events that reached those who might not otherwise be introduced to the sport of archery. Henry spent valuable hours this year in his local schools teaching youth the importance of firearms and archery techniques and safety, Cravens said.

According to Cravens, Henry’s resourceful law enforcement and effective balance of program responsibilities contributed to his selection of this honor. “Henry has developed a tremendous wildlife law enforcement and public relations program in Douglas County,” Cravens said. “He represents the MDC and his division well.”

Agent Henry’s home town is Fordland, Mo. He earned a degree in Animal Science from College of the Ozarks and joined the Department of Conservation in 2002. He held jobs with Wildlife and Forestry Divisions prior to being accepted into the conservation agent training class in 2005. After six months of intensive training, Henry was assigned to Douglas County.

For more information about conservation agent jobs in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

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