The Origins Foundation Podcast – Episode 611

Guest: Doug Schoenrock, Director, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Date: December 9, 2025
Title: New Vision for AR Game and Fish – A Visit with Director Doug Schoenrock

Overview

This episode dives deep into conservation leadership with Doug Schoenrock, the newly appointed Director of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. A seasoned executive from the food services industry (Sara Lee, Savannah Food Company) and former president of Ducks Unlimited, Schoenrock shares insights from his transition into public conservation leadership. Key topics range from wildlife crises (notably bear and mountain lion encounters), transformative management in fishing and hunting, engaging youth in conservation, to balancing tradition and science-based policy in Arkansas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Doug Schoenrock’s Unique Background & Appointment

• Transitioned from a 41-year for-profit career (Sara Lee, food services) to Ducks Unlimited and now state wildlife management.
• First Director of a wildlife agency from the for-profit sector, bringing a business perspective to state conservation strategies.
  • "Not only did they hire a guy that didn't come from the space, they hired an old guy. Okay. Who had already retired." – Doug (09:41)
  • Emphasis on staff empowerment, blending passion and professionalism:
    "If you can work your passion, I think you have better employees." (10:52)

2. Why he took the Job: Reluctant but Passionate Leader

• Not seeking a career move or further step up; accepted role out of conservation passion.
  • "I'm kind of unique in that I'm doing this because I want to do it." – Doug (15:43)
  • Describes a near-retirement life in Michigan interrupted by recruitment.

3. Early Tenure Challenges: Bear Incidents

• First four months saw Arkansas' first two fatal black bear attacks in over a century.
  • Details both incidents—one bear had brain lesions but no rabies; second involved a bear returning repeatedly to a campsite.
    • “We knew the bear wasn't right… But you know, in defense of the bears, this cub was 70 pounds.” (18:36, 18:50)
• Response: Extensive necropsies, increased surveillance, and a nuanced, science-based public education campaign rather than fear-mongering.
  • "We're not going to go there... We are gonna try to step up education." (25:00)
  • “We want people to be more bear wise.” (24:12)
• Bear management details:
  • Arkansas set a harvest goal of 400 out of ~8,000 bear population.
  • Regulations: Baiting allowed on private land, not in WMAs; bear tags included with deer licenses.
  • (22:07–22:54)

4. Managing Public Perception, Politics, and Conservation Science

• Handling accusations and misconceptions (e.g., about “importing killer bears/mountain lions”).
  • “We had emails… they thought it was their house cat that was sparring with this 160-pound mountain lion.” (31:07)
• Notable comedic moments reflecting on odd wildlife encounters and the variety of quirky messages from the public.
  • Schoenrock journals these for a possible future book titled “You Can’t Make This Up.” (31:44)

5. The Bear Conservation Success Story

• History of reintroducing and collaring bears, now leading to thriving populations across the state.
  • “That effort is probably one of the greatest conservation stories in the state of Arkansas.” (25:49)

6. Mountain Lions and Wildlife Monitoring

• Recent confirmed mountain lion sightings and data tracking; all confirmed cats are transient males, not resident breeders.
• Using a national DNA database to track animal movements (mostly originating from South Dakota).
  • “There's a DNA database of these predators similar to what law enforcement has for human beings.” (28:51)
• Contextualizing large migrations of apex predators and Arkansas’s role as habitat.

7. Exotic Species Challenges

• Unusual cases: six-foot monitor lizard in Little Rock, a 27-foot Burmese python discovery due to illegal wildlife trade.
  • “Social media is a great tool to patrol to see where some of these are.” (33:21)

8. Fishery Management Crisis & Response

• Severe trout hatchery die-offs (millions lost) at federal facilities due to environmental changes (heavy spring floods, altered water temperature and chemistry).
  • “That hatchery will probably not put another fish in the water in Arkansas for at least 10 to 16 months.” (36:50)
• Emergency regulations: Extended catch-and-release zones, lowered creel limits to two from five on affected rivers.
  • “We felt like taking that nuclear option initially was the best thing.” (38:28)
• Engagement and support from fishing guides and local communities.

9. Forest and Waterfowl Conservation: Green Tree Reservoirs

• Discusses historical and current management of flooded timber (crucial for duck hunting).
  • "We did a good job getting water on them. We did a terrible job getting water off of them." (39:39)
• New strategies favor long-term regeneration vs. short-term hunting yield.
  • “Work we’re doing on GTRS today won’t manifest itself for 75 to 100 years.” (40:16)
• Shift from agricultural planting to “moist soil units” for healthier duck habitat.

10. Doug Schoenrock’s Vision for Arkansas Game and Fish

• Faster, More Efficient Government: Pushing the agency for timely, effective action.
  • “For one thing, coming from for profit, I’m not used to the speed of government… I challenge my team a lot to be more effective and faster.” (43:01)
• Youth Conservation Education: New state initiative with 65 schools (goal was 30) piloting K–12 conservation curriculum.
  • “We will make Arkansas the preeminent state in the nation for conservation education.” (43:40)
• Science-based, Transparent Decision-making: Grounding all policies in evidence, even when politically unpopular.
  • “Everything we do is science-based… not always popular because it’s not fast enough for a lot of sportsmen.” (44:37)

11. Hunting and Personal Passion

• Despite his high-profile role, Doug remains a public land hunter, emphasizing that conservation is about shared passion—not personalities or titles.
  • “It’s not about the person at all. It’s about the passion.” (45:27)
• Balancing visibility and personal enjoyment in Arkansas woods and waters.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On coming out of retirement:
  • “I’m kind of unique in that I’m doing this because I want to do it.” – Doug (15:43)
• On Arkansas bear management:
  • “We have about a population of about 8,000 bears… We set a harvest goal of 400.” – Doug (21:58)
• Bear incident response:
  • “We knew the bear wasn’t right… But you know, in defense of the bears, this cub was 70 pounds.” – Doug (18:36, 18:50)
• On mountain lion migration:
  • “The prior two [mountain lions] both came out of South Dakota.” – Doug (28:50)
• On the trout hatchery crisis:
  • “That hatchery will probably not put another fish in the water in Arkansas for at least 10 to 16 months.” – Doug (36:50)
• Conservation for the future:
  • “Work we’re doing on GTRS today won’t manifest itself for 75 to 100 years.” – Doug (40:16)
  • "The most selfless act that you can do is plant a tree that you know you'll never sit under." – Dan (41:01)
• Vision statement:
  • "I want to make sure our education initiative is rolling at warp speed... Everything we do is science-based." – Doug (43:40, 44:37)
• On public engagement:
  • “I have a book… the name of the book is ‘You can’t make this up.’” – Doug (31:44)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Doug’s appointment & unique background: 04:17–13:44
• Why Doug took the job (passion, not necessity): 15:18–16:03
• Bear incidents & response: 16:39–25:14
• Bear management regulations: 21:55–22:54
• Mountain lion sightings & tracking: 26:33–31:06
• Odd wildlife encounters (monitor lizard, python): 31:34–33:02
• Trout hatchery crisis & fishing regulation changes: 34:08–39:19
• Green Tree Reservoirs & duck habitat strategy: 39:37–42:39
• New vision for the agency (efficiency, youth, science focus): 43:00–44:37
• Personal approach to hunting, staff praise: 44:43–46:21

Tone and Style

Doug’s tone is genuine, pragmatic, and modest, often punctuated with humor and humility. The discussion remains conversational, candid about the challenges and opportunities within modern state conservation, and ends on a positive, future-focused note.

For listeners seeking the latest in conservation leadership, wildlife management challenges, and the future of Arkansas’ natural resources, this episode is both informative and inspiring.