OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission accepted a $50,000 donation supporting a recent land purchase and honored several Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation employees during its regular August meeting.
Laura McIver, a regional representative with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, presented the donation for a land acquisition at Drummond Flats Wildlife Management Area.
Justin Cooper, state director of USDA Wildlife Services, also updated commissioners on Oklahoma’s Feral Swine Control Program.
Much of the meeting was devoted to recognizing Wildlife Department employees for their work during the past year.
Aaron Dossey was named the 2025 Wildlife Division Technician of the Year. Dossey joined the department as a wildlife technician in 2014 and is stationed at Ouachita Wildlife Management Area.
The department credited Dossey with building strong relationships within the community, repairing equipment and managing bear harvest check-ins during both daytime and nighttime hours. His supervisor praised his work ethic and attitude.
Jay Rouk was recognized as the 2025 Wildlife Biologist of the Year. Rouk joined the department in 2013 as coordinator of the Oklahoma National Archery in the Schools Program and now serves as the central region’s senior biologist.
During 2025, Rouk assisted with several events, including state archery shoots and a beginner waterfowl hunting course at Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area. He also participated in major prescribed burns throughout the central region, helping conduct burns on more than 2,800 acres at Okmulgee WMA and more than 1,700 acres at Deep Fork WMA.
Ethan Lovelace received the 2025 Fisheries Division Professional of the Year award. Lovelace was hired in 2017 and promoted to fisheries biologist at Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area in 2022.
Lovelace oversaw several infrastructure improvements at Blue River during 2025, including a box culvert project that restored a crossing damaged by historic flooding. He also led prescribed burns and other habitat improvements that contributed to a record deer harvest in the area during the 2025 season.
Blaine County Game Warden Jaylyn Flynn received the Shikar-Safari Club International Game Warden of the Year award.
Flynn’s investigations during 2025 uncovered three guide services accused of hunting waterfowl over bait and two fishing guides operating without proper licenses.
Flynn also conducted mock interviews for students at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, assisted with entrance interviews for the university’s Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement program and served as director of the Wildlife Department’s youth camp.
Jeff Pennington, central region wildlife supervisor, received the 2026 Spirit of ODWC Award. Pennington was recognized for fighting invasive species, improving wildlife habitat and assisting employees throughout the department.
ODWC Director Wade Free said Pennington has never been afraid of hard work and “portrays the true spirit of ODWC in everything he does.”
The eight-member Wildlife Conservation Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets Wildlife Department policy and oversees the state’s fish and wildlife conservation efforts. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the John D. Groendyke Wildlife Conservation Building, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City.