MDWFP appoints first female wildlife bureau chief, others take new roles

‘My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I’m doing.’

• Amy Blaylock has become the first woman to lead the wildlife division at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
• Blaylock, who joined the department in 2007, previously served as the assistant chief of the wildlife division.
• Blaylock comes from a family with a history in the agency and is an avid hunter.

A number of familiar names have shifted into new roles at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and among them is Amy Blaylock who is the first woman to lead the wildlife division.

“I feel honored and blessed,” Blaylock said. “I’m excited.

“I wouldn’t say it was necessarily a goal of mine. My goal was to be a biologist and be the best one I could be. I try to do the best I can do at whatever I’m doing.”

Blaylock joined the department in 2007 after receiving her undergraduate degree in forestry and master’s degree in wildlife science at Mississippi State University. It was an education and career path that came naturally for her.

Her father, Larry Castle, had a career with the agency as did an uncle, Bennie Herring.

“Of course, I love the outdoors and hunting,” Blaylock said. “I hunt as much as I can.

“My kids take up a lot of my time now, but deer hunting is what I do most of. I’ve grown up with the agency with my daddy and my uncle. I guess that encouraged my passion for the agency.”

New role as wildlife chief is not Blaylock’s first groundbreaking move

Blaylock began her career with MDWFP as a biologist with the deer program. She then moved into the role of East Central Region wildlife management area biologist where she oversaw management of 11 WMAs. During that time, she also served as wildlife restoration coordinator and was responsible for writing and managing grants that assisted in funding the Wildlife Bureau.

In 2017, Blaylock accepted an offer to become the assistant chief of the wildlife division. With that, she became the first woman to serve in a top role in the agency.

“I enjoyed being in the assistant chief position, and, so far, I love being in this position,” Blaylock said.

More position changes in MDWFP

Blaylock is not the only person to recently take on a new role at MDWFP. Russ Walsh left the position of chief of the wildlife division, which Blaylock assumed and is now the director of public policy.

Adam Butler also moved into a new position. Butler was previously the director of conservation programs and before that, he was the Wild Turkey Program coordinator. Butler was recently named the assistant chief of wildlife.

A lifelong outdoorsman and wildlife enthusiast, Brian Broom has been writing about hunting, fishing and Mississippi’s outdoors for the Clarion Ledger for more than 14 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.