Stories of the Past | 1984-2004 An Arizona Game Ranger Remembering the Outlaws

Sam Lawry grew up in Northern California where he earned a BS
in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State in 1981. He then
began a career with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)
where he held several positions over a 23 year period. During his
career with Arizona, he maintained a Law Enforcement
Certification enforcing State Fish and Wildlife laws. Sam served
as Chairman of the staff for the North American Wetlands
Conservation Council and Staff for the Pacific Flyway Council as
well as numerous committees for the Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies. Following his career with AZGFD he served
as the Coordinator for the Intermountain West Joint Venture ,
promoting bird conservation in 11 western states. He then joined
Teller Wildlife Refuge in 2006 as the Director of Conservation
and Education where he was involved with numerous Teller
projects before taking on a new role in 2010 as the Western
Director for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. After 6 years
the call to return to Teller fell upon him and in December of 2017
he returned as the Executive Director. Sam and his wife Gwen
reside in Hamilton where they have raised a family of four
daughters all of which have a passion for conservation.