The Arkansas Wildlife Officers Association was founded on August 22, 1994. The officers that were in attendance at the very first meeting which resulted in an association being formed and officers being elected were Matt Byrd, Fred Harrod, Todd Callaway, Doug Pearce, Don McSwain, Joe Hairston, John Day, Jeff Crow, Richard Rowlett, Vernon Morris, Robert Johnson, Bill Bridges, Rick Emerson, Monty Carmikle, Billy Brown, and Scott Woodward. Fred Harrod was elected President, Jeff Crow Vice- President, Todd Callaway Treasurer, and Scott Woodward Secretary. Various district representatives were also appointed from the districts that were represented at this initial meeting. The legalities of forming an association were handled by a family member of one of the officers who was an attorney and graciously lent his services pro bono because we did not have any money. Dues initially were $5.00 and we tried unsuccessfully to get a magazine contract with Brent Wyatt West.

Our first magazine was published in the Fall of 1995 supported by Steve Smith and the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. Later on with the help of Jock Smith, Mississippi Wildlife Officers Association President, we met with Paul Dinnerman and secured a contract with BWW for magazine publication, add sales, and etc. At this time we realized the association would not be able to survive without increased revenues so dues went up to $20.00. Their have been many changes in officers and district representatives in the past decade, as the by-laws say we re-elect officers every 4 years and district reps every 2 years, but the association has only gotten stronger with the continued support of all the Wildlife Officers across the state.