Randy Browning

At A Glance:

* Received his Master of Science degree in Forestry with an emphasis in wildlife and a Bachelor of Science in Forest Game Management with a minor in Agriculture, both from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. The title of his master's thesis was Censusing Whitetail Deer with Infrared Trigger Cameras.

* Professional interests include working with private landowners, state and federal agencies and other private organizations to enhance and restore wildlife and fisheries habitat, particularly restoring longleaf pine. Other interests include control and/or eradication of non-native invasive plants and the establishment and management of food plots for deer, turkey and quail.

* Personal interests include hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

* Recognized Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society.

* Formerly worked for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for nearly 7 years as a district biologist in the 10 coastal counties from Hattiesburg south. He handled eight wildlife management areas covering 225,000 acres, and directly or indirectly supervised between 20 and 25 employees. Browning provided technical assistance for up to 75 hunting clubs participating in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and gave many presentations on habitat, food plot development and deer management.

* Browning resides in Purvis.

Up Close:

Browning’s job is a partnership between Wildlife Mississippi and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is based out of Hattiesburg and covers South Mississippi.

According to Ray Aycock, Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “Browning’s position will allow him to work with private landowners to accomplish three major objectives. The first objective is to promote longleaf pine management on private lands. Second, Browning will utilize programs like Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Wetlands Reserve Program, Conservation Reserve Program and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, where possible, to aid landowners’ efforts to conserve fish and wildlife habitat.” And, lastly, Aycock concluded, “Browning’s third objective is to encourage landowners along the scenic river systems of South Mississippi to manage for better water quality and fish habitat.”

According to James L. Cummins, Executive Director of Wildlife Mississippi, “The Service and Wildlife Mississippi have a mutual interest in protecting, restoring and enhancing natural fish, wildlife and plant resources. This unique partnership facilitates specific habitat improvement projects on private lands mutually approved by the Service, Wildlife Mississippi and the landowner.” Cummins concluded by stating “Browning also works with area landowners in learning about tax-based, incentive conservation programs that include, but are not limited to the Mississippi Reforestation Tax Credit and conservation easements (income and estate tax based).”

“Randy Browning is the perfect person for this task. He has just the right balance of technical expertise, experience in working with private landowners and a strong desire to help them meet their land management objectives,” continued Cummins.

Browning spends 90 percent of his time working with private landowners to cooperatively manage the habitat and wildlife within the longleaf and coastal savannah ecosystems. He offers technical advice for forest management, prescribed burns and food plot management, along with making recommendations to manage a diversity of species of wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, black pine snake and black bear.

According to Browning, “I’m excited about this opportunity to spend quality time assisting Mississippi landowners to enhance, restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on their property.”

As a field biologist of Wildlife Mississippi, duties include: assisting in developing goals and objectives of Wildlife Mississippi’s field operations; assisting in soliciting field project grants; coordinating all field operations in South Mississippi; assisting in preparing an annual report; encouraging members to participate in field programs; maximizing efficiency of field programs; working with the media to publicize projects; providing technical assistance to landowners; encouraging members to participate in field programs; implementing special projects; conducting workshops and seminars; making presentations to children’s groups, civic clubs and/or hunting/fishing clubs; representing Wildlife Mississippi at meetings; and establishing and maintaining new projects.

He is a member of The Longleaf Alliance and is also an official Boone and Crockett Scorer, Magnolia Records Scorer and Longhunters Scorer.

He has published numerous articles in such publications as Wildlife Issues, The Wildlife Society Bulletin and Wildlife Mississippi.

He has given numerous presentations to garden clubs, civic, school, conservation and community groups as well as hunting and fishing clubs.

E-mail: rbrowning@wildlifemiss.org

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