College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Retired Upland Game Bird Specialist, Michigan DNR

Biography: Al has both a professional and personal interest in upland game birds.  He has followed them for over 50 years.  He has had the opportunity to study them in Europe, Russia, Canada, Great Britain, Africa, Mexico, and the United States.  As the Upland Game Bird Specialist and Program Leader for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, he was responsible for statewide conservation and management programs for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse, quail, pheasants, and wild turkeys.  He has been involved with teaching wildlife management for Study Abroad classes in Africa and Russia.  He oversees the largest American woodcock chick banding program in the world and is the only person to have captured all the species and sub-species of wild turkeys.  He has contributed to international and national management activities for upland game birds and has received numerous awards for his contributions including the Teddy Roosevelt National Conservation Award from President George H. Bush and presented at the White House, MSU Outstanding Alumni Service Award, Henry S. Mosby NWTF Lifetime Achievement Award and Marv Cooley DNR Wildlife Division dedication award.  Al is a charter member of the Michigan Chapter of the Wildlife Society and is a past president.