Dave Howell, a wildlife professional, has spent his career dedicated to bobwhites, wildlife management, and conservation. He received a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University and a Master's in Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University's Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. His life's work began with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in 1972, where he served as a District Wildlife Biologist. Over his 15-year stint there, he wrote over 250 newspaper articles, produced a four-minute weekly wildlife radio program, supported wildlife research efforts, and provided technical guidance to private landowners regarding wildlife habitat. In 1982, he was presented an award of excellence by the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Quail Unlimited has been very fortunate to have him as part of the team for over 23 years. During this time, as a Quail Unlimited Regional Director, he has worked in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee, where he has guided the work of over 70 chapters, leveraging local dollars with state and federal monies along the way. Specifically, Dave has spearheaded bonus programs to enhance Continuous CRP practices in Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.

He also represents QU on state technical committees. Additionally, he assisted in Kentucky with the establishment of a bobwhite quail specialty license plate, and he manages a quail-friendly seed program. In his spare time, he conducts quail whistling count routes and fall covey call counts.

As if one job wasn't enough, he also serves as Ag/Wildlife Services Director for Quail Unlimited. He lobbies for quail conservation through the Farm Bill and has been involved in the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' CRP Working Group.

As a conservation leader, he has successfully secured thousands of dollars in grant monies. Some noteworthy grants include a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant geared toward the implementation of CP-33 and mid-contract management through interns in Kentucky. He landed a $125,000 grant through Duke Energy for native grass restoration/carbon sequestration in Indiana, and he was a key contributor to an NRCS-funded research project focused on mid-contract management in Illinois. In 2007, he was the front man on a highly competitive and successful $100,000 Doris Duke grant designed to create a Habitat Team for implementation of quail management practices in Kentucky.

He's been a trailblazer for public information and outreach in the area he serves. He initiated a Landowners' Quail Management Workshop to educate landowners and sportsmen about quail habitat restoration in Illinois. His work supporting field days and special quail management presentations in his assigned region is simply too extensive to enumerate. He continually meets with Quail Unlimited State Councils, educating them and guiding their activities. He's authored several popular articles promoting quail habitat management, including editing the Bobwhite Basics pamphlet for the National Bobwhite Technical Committee.

Young wildlife professionals, new QU employees, and volunteers have been tutored during field training workshops near his southern Indiana home. His friendly demeanor and on-the-farm manner ensures his message resonates with the audience. One couldn't identify a better spokesperson for bobwhite!

Dave supported the establishment of the Southeast Quail Study Group, now the National Bobwhite Technical Committee. He has served on its Steering Committee as Quail Unlimited's representative for the past 13 years and was recognized in 2008 with that group's annual award. Some other organizations/committees where Dave has represented QU include the Forest and Wildlife Working Group and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.