An Oklahoma native and graduate of Oklahoma State University/Stillwater with a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management, Tell Judkins, is the state’s new upland game biologist and “quail coordinator.”
Judkins, who grew up on a ranch with bobwhites and has experience with prescribed fire, has worked for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma in stream quality monitoring, studying water quality, invertebrates and fish species before becoming a state game warden for five years. He began his new assignment on Jan. 1. He will represent Oklahoma with the National Bobwhite Technical Committee and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative.
“I have always had a passion for outdoor education, informing people about why we as conservationists do things the way that we do and helping them learn what they can do to help,” said Judkins. “This position me from working with a smaller group of people on a broad spectrum of wildlife issues, and puts me with a larger group of people on a smaller number of issues. This really allows me to focus on the major issues facing upland game and potentially make a larger overall impact. I enjoy working with groups, individuals, and organizations learning from them, and giving them the tools or ideas that they need to really make an impact on their properties. With a nationwide issue like the decline of our quail populations, I think education is the key, making sure people know the best practices of management and providing assistance as much as possible.”
Judkin’s wife, Megan, is the director of the Grey Snow Eagle House, a rehabilitation, housing and educational facility for bald and golden eagles in Perkins, OK. Judkins enjoys hunting, fishing, reloading, fossil and mushroom hunting, and leather-work and traditional native bead-work.
Judkins can be contacted at tell.judkins@odwc.ok.gov or (405) 301-9945.
