Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley

Dave Hall is one of those extraordinary, “larger than life” people who typically make an impact in the world. Dave served as a special agent in charge for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in his home state of Louisiana, and I met him after his undercover work investigating international poachers was featured in the book Game Wars. Dave, with his Cajun blood and tall stature, was a daunting presence indeed. Dave taught me several important lessons about conservation law enforcement that I have never forgotten, including the importance of using every opportunity to promote wildlife management to the public. He never gave up on trying to reach people, even those he arrested. He also taught me robust law enforcement is as important to successful wildlife management as strong, science-driven regulation.

Undercover work such as Dave’s is a time-honored law enforcement technique. In recent years, we’ve added the use of DNA evidence to the investigative tool box, and our conservation agents often use DNA evidence to solve violations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. Learn more about their investigative efforts in CSI: Conservation — Missouri conservation agents use DNA evidence to solve wildlife crimes on.

While we’re grateful for our conservation agents (and USFWS special agents) for their passionate approach to conservation protection, we can all share the worthy message of conservation. You don’t have to be larger than life to make a real and lasting difference.

Sara Parker Pauley, Director