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WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A life-long interest in the outdoors will help Zack Swindle in his newest assignment as a Missouri Department of Conservation Agent for Shannon County.
Swindle, a recent graduate of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Agent Academy, has started his new duties as Shannon County’s conservation agent. Swindle, who started Nov. 21, will work alongside fellow Shannon County Conservation Agent Brad Hadley. Zack replaces Jeremy Edwards, who transferred to Dade County in September.
Originally from Doniphan, Swindle graduated in 2014 from Hannibal-LaGrange University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He said his first full-time assignment with MDC will be fulfillment of a life-long dream.
“I enjoy hunting, fishing, baseball and spending time with my family,” Swindle said. “I have always wanted to be a conservation agent. There is no better job out there than this one. I get to conserve the fish, forests, and wildlife of the state of Missouri so that my children and grandchildren can enjoy the same activities I enjoyed as a young child.”
Though this is Swindle’s first full-time job with MDC, he has prior experience with the agency. He previously was an hourly employee at Duck Creek Conservation Area, Peck Ranch Conservation Area and worked in MDC’s Forestry Division.
Swindle’s new job continues a family tradition of working in the legal profession. His father is an associate circuit judge in Ripley County and his mother is a probation officer.
“Growing up with my parents being in the justice system sparked my interest in law enforcement and I knew very early what I wanted to do with my life,” he said. “I am looking forward to starting my career, getting to know my community and getting involved with the public.”
Swindle can be reached at Zachary.Swindle@mdc.gov or at (573) 230-6174. Wildlife violations in Shannon County can also be reported to Hadley at Brad.Hadley@mdc.mo.gov or at (573) 230-3706. Individuals are reminded that game law violations can also be reported to the Operation Game Thief Hotline, 1-800-392-1111.
