Bartlesville rancher Robert S. Hughes II is the newest member of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the governing board for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The Wildlife Commission establishes most state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities.

Hughes was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin and confirmed this past session by the State Senate. His eight-year term begins July 1. He will serve as the Commission's District 1 representative, which includes Ottawa, Delaware, Craig, Mayes, Nowata, Rogers, Washington, Tulsa, Pawnee and Osage counties.

Hughes is an avid quail hunter and sportsman.

"I consider it an honor to serve on the Wildlife Conservation Commission because of the love I have for the land and the wildlife of Oklahoma," he said.

Hughes was raised on his family's ranch - the Hughes Ranch - and he now partners with his father, John F. Hughes, in the Hughes Cattle Company. He has served on a number of boards of directors for organizations such as the National Livestock Credit Corporation, National Livestock Commission Association, Frank Phillips Foundation and Superior Livestock Auction. He also has served as a member and director of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, director of Arvest Bank Board, president of the Osage County Cattlemen's Association, director of the Bartlesville Community Foundation and Northeast District vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association. He has also been honored as the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association's appointment to the N.C.B.A. Young Leadership Program and as the BEEF Magazine Stocker Operator of the Year Award recipient in 2006.

Hughes received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science - Production from Oklahoma State University in 1983 and graduated in 1985 from Texas Christian University's Ranch Management Program.

Hughes and his wife, Michelle, live in Bartlesville and have two children - Jessica, who is working toward a career in nursing, and Sam, who is working toward a career in ranch management.

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Robert S. Hughes II of Bartlesville is the newest member of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, the governing board for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

News Contacts: Michael Bergin or Micah Holmes (405) 521-3856
Website: www.wildlifedepartment.com
E-mail: info@odwc.state.ok.us