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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – When Ryan Wood commences his duties as conservation agent in Dallas County, he will be working in a county he knows well. A native of Greene County, Wood spent much of his free time hunting and fishing in Dallas County.
On Oct. 1, Wood begins his new job as conservation agent for Dallas County. He will work alongside fellow Dallas County Conservation Agent Matt Hitchings. Wood replaces Jarrad Jewell, who transferred to Laclede County to fill the position of the recently retired Walt Hutton.
“I’m excited to be part of the Dallas County community and have the opportunity to protect its valuable fish, forest and wildlife resources,” said the Hillcrest High School and Missouri State University graduate. “Many of the areas I will be assigned to patrol are areas that are special to me on a personal level because I grew up hunting and fishing there.”
Wood has been with MDC full time for three years. Prior to his Dallas County assignment, Wood was conservation agent in Miller and St. Clair counties. He also worked with MDC’s Fisheries staff as an hourly employee while in college and was also a Protection Division volunteer.
Wood can be reached at Ryan.Wood@mdc.gov or at (417) 733-0286. Wildlife violations in Dallas County can also be reported to Hitchings at Matt.Hitchings@mdc.mo.gov or at (417) 733-3876. Individuals are reminded that game law violations can also be reported to the Operation Game Thief Hotline, 1-800-392-1111.
