Delta Waterfowl’s Devney Reappointed to Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has announced the reappointment of John Devney, chief policy officer of Delta Waterfowl, to the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council. Spanning multiple presidential administrations, the Council advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture on critical policies affecting public lands, wildlife and habitat conservation.
“This appointment provides Delta the opportunity to give duck hunters a seat at the table with the leadership of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture,” Devney said. “Both agencies have a disproportionate impact on ducks, duck habitat and duck hunters.”
Managed by the USFWS, the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council is an advisory committee of subject matter experts working to benefit wildlife and habitat conservation; expand fair-chase hunting, recreational shooting sports, and wildlife-associated recreation opportunities; and policies that benefit national and local economies.
“This group of sportsmen and women will provide USDA and DOI vital insight in how we can strengthen wildlife conservation, expand recreational access, and promote rural economic development,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “They are a critical partner in preserving America’s wildlife and hunting heritage and advancing our work to protect our nation’s precious lands and waters.”
Devney was first appointed to the Council in 2018, serving as chair of the hunting committee.
“Delta sincerely appreciates the opportunities afforded by Secretaries Haaland and Vilsack to participate in the Council and continue working toward good outcomes for hunters, wildlife and habitat across the country,” Devney said.
A lifelong duck hunter raised in a small community northeast of St. Paul, Minnesota, Devney has been at the forefront of Delta Waterfowl’s mission since November 1998. As chief policy officer, he works to ensure positive outcomes for ducks and duck hunters at the local, state and federal levels. Notably, he’s advocated for expanded waterfowl-hunter access on national wildlife refuges, and partnered with members of the agriculture community to engineer Delta’s Working Wetlands program, an innovative, incentive-based habitat initiative that protects the best duck-producing wetlands.
“I am extremely humbled to work on behalf of all Delta members to ensure their voice as duck hunters is amplified to the highest policymakers in the land,” Devney said.
In addition to duck hunting, Devney enjoys fishing, training his black Lab and running hunt tests. He lives in Bismarck, North Dakota, with his wife, Carmen, and three children.
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group founded at the famed Delta Marsh in Manitoba, with its U.S. Headquarters in Bismarck, North Dakota. We work to produce ducks through intensive management programs and conservation of breeding duck habitat. Delta conducts vital waterfowl research, and promotes and protects the continuing tradition of waterfowl hunting in North America. Our Mission: To produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting.