Voyles to Lead Ariz. Game and Fish

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will fill its top job from within in March when Director Duane Shroufe retires after nearly 20 years.

Larry Voyles was tabbed to be the new director of the department by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its meeting Jan. 28, according to a news release issued by the agency.

Voyles has been with Game and Fish for nearly 35 years. He joined the department in 1974 as a wildlife manager, took over the wildlife enforcement program coordinator and then became the department's training coordinator. He is currently the Yuma region supervisor, a position he has been in since 1988.

"We're thrilled to hire someone with Larry's depth of experience and accomplishments," said Commission Chairman Bill McLean. "He brings more than three decades of experience in wildlife management to the director's position, as well as the respect of colleagues and the public."

More than 30 applications were considered for the position in a nationwide search. Six were interviewed and the final two were considered at a public meeting Jan. 28.

"We were fortunate to have several qualified candidates to choose from," McLean said. "The process has been arduous, but we've found what we're looking for — someone with a proven record of strong management skills and an in-depth understanding of Arizona's natural resource issues."

World Record Let Go?

Photos floating around the Internet show a giant blue catfish that was caught -- and released -- near Greenville, Miss.

An elderly man apparently caught the fish, had his wife snap a few photos, then turned it loose.

It's unknown just how big the cat was, but estimates put the fish in the 150- to 200-pound range.

Looking for Work? Look at Texas

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is hiring.

Heading into the new year, the department had 50 jobs posted and expected to add more to that list soon, according to a news release.

Most of the jobs are in the State Parks Division with jobs in Austin, its field offices and many of the state's 93 state parks.

"The combination of retirements and new positions is making for the best state park career opportunities that we've seen in 20 or more years," said State Parks Director Walt Dabney. "For people who love the outdoors, like working with park visitors and doing something that makes a difference in their quality of life, this is a wonderful time to consider a parks career."

Other positions to be filled are in the wildlife, fisheries and other divisions