CONSERVATION CORNER

Paul Ott Continues To Promote Conservation

by James L. Cummins

If there is someone in Mississippi other than the late Fannye Cook and Bill Turcotte that have spent more time promoting conservation in our state, it has to be Paul Ott.

Paul's radio show, "Listen to the Eagle," is the state's largest talk show forum to promote conservation, hunting and fishing. The show is conducted so that the callers set the tone of the show.

The Listen to the Eagle Network airs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday evenings. Through this network and through his numerous public speaking events, Paul has reached over one million people, spreading his conservation message. His program is also on several television stations twice per week.

Paul is trying to expand his show to become nationally syndicated. Paul is getting to know some of the networks and hopes to expand his show as early as next year. "We started with four stations five years ago," Paul said. "Now we have 30 and I am constantly doing live appearances."

Early in his career, Paul was to conduct Mississippi Power and Light's (Entergy) television and radio spots. The National Wildlife Federation, with its 50 affiliates, then hired him to spread the conservation message. He worked for them for seven years before he started his own radio show.

"I went on my own after doing contract work for companies and entertaining on my own," said Paul. "They let me start their network and when we went out of the state, started the "Listen to the Eagle" network and we paid them to distribute our show."

Carla Tigner, one of Paul's five children, is the co-host. Carla assists her father on every part of the show from obtaining sponsors to interviewing.

"Ever since I can remember he has been very concerned about our environment," Carla said. "Another love of his is the State of Mississippi. I think people have grown up with him and he's a household name."

Carla attributes her father's success of "Listen to the Eagle" to the "God, Family and Country" theme it has with the many listeners. With all that is happening in the world today, people are constantly desiring this type of programming. But on top of all that, Carla and Paul, and their entire production staff, are hard workers.

As Mississippians, we should all be proud of the valuable work that Paul and Carla are doing for the conservation of Mississippi's fish and wildlife resources. We need more people that are not afraid to take a stand to promote what they think is right.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.