Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries' Chuck Sykes talks about new job

After more than a decade leading Alabama’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Chuck Sykes is charting a new course as Executive Director of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports.  

In a recent interview with Black Belt News Network, Sykes shared reflections on his 12½-year tenure, the programs he helped build and his vision for expanding conservation through education and collaboration. 

Sykes, a wildlife biologist and lifelong hunter, emphasized that his leadership was grounded in protecting natural resources and empowering staff. “I was a hunter long before I was a biologist, and a biologist long before I was a director,” he said. “My job was to maneuver the politics and bureaucracies so my people could get things done on the ground.” 

Among his proudest accomplishments are the creation of Special Opportunity Areas and the Adult Mentored Hunting program, which introduced new hunters to the sport in a supportive environment. Cedar Creek SOA, the site of the state’s first mentored hunt, now bears Sykes’ name, a tribute he called “unexpected and overwhelming.” 

During his tenure, the state acquired more than 50,000 acres of public hunting land, much of it in the Black Belt region. “That’s public opportunity in perpetuity,” Sykes said. “It’s a legacy I’m extremely proud of.” 

Now based on his family farm, Sykes enjoys a slower pace, checking cows with his father, working remotely, and watching his dog Sid adjust to farm life. But his new role at CAHSS is anything but idle. The council, founded in 2010, works behind the scenes to promote hunting and shooting sports nationwide, supporting state agencies and nonprofits with training, metrics, and best management practices. 

“We’re a facilitator,” Sykes explained. “We help R3 professionals, those focused on recruitment, retention and reactivation, share strategies that actually move the needle.” 

The council’s board includes leaders from Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and six state wildlife directors, giving it a broad and influential reach. Sykes said the organization is exploring ways for private individuals to support its mission, with new opportunities expected by year’s end. 

Reflecting on his journey from Choctaw County to Washington, D.C., based leadership, Sykes offered a final thought: “Never say never. Trust that God has a plan for you and follow your passion.” 

Alabama’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division hasn’t announced a replacement for Sykes. 

For more information on Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, visit www.cahss.org or contact chuck@cahss.org.