Dr. James Dickson, professor of forestry and wildlife habitat management coordinator at Louisiana Tech University, has been recognized as one of the 25 most influential people in the nation in hunting and fishing by Outdoor Life magazine. The Outdoor Life 25 profiles those who have changed the face of hunting and fishing and have made major positive impacts on outdoor sports as nationally-respected wildlife and conservation advocates. “It’s rewarding to think that there are those that care about what I’ve done in this field,” said Dickson.  “The most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing my Louisiana Tech students learn and develop, and my graduates performing well in the field of natural resource conservation.” According to Outdoor Life, the honorees are grouped into four categories: Leaders, Innovators, Conservationists and Unsung Heroes.  Dickson was honored as an Unsung Heroes.  The 2010 group includes Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, and Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser. “The Outdoor Life 25 is one of the highest honors our magazine bestows,” said Todd Smith, editor-in-chief of Outdoor Life.  “We look for people whose work has had a real and lasting effect on the outdoor community, and this year’s list of honorees is an unbelievable example of the innovation, hard work, and good deeds that are taking place in the world of hunting and fishing.” Through December 31, readers of Outdoor Life will also have the opportunity to select a single honoree for the Readers’ Choice Award by visiting the magazine’s website and casting their vote at www.outdoorlife.com/OL25. In addition to his teaching contributions, Dickson has written more than 100 technical publications and presented at numerous conferences and symposiums, helping to define habitat relationships of southern wildlife.  He has also authored several award-winning books including The Wild Turkey: Biology and Management and Wildlife of Southern Forests: Habitat and Management, which received the Outstanding Book Award from The Wildlife Society. Dickson hopes that through his books and instruction, students will learn about game and nongame wildlife with a field-oriented emphasis and also some intangibles such as responsibility, credibility, work ethic, and getting along with others. “Although support for basic wildlife education has eroded in recent years, there is a lot of interest in managing systems and wildlife components,” Dickson said.  “The next generation of outdoorsmen should focus on maintaining fragile ecosystems, preserving natural resources and maintaining our right to hunt and manage game.”