Bryan Jones

Bryan Jones of Cruger, Mississippi, built two long and successful careers - in banking and farming. In both, his recognition of cost efficiency, useful technology and dedicated service served him well. His discernment of these characteristics in Delta Waterfowl long ago led him to become a major donor.

But before all of that, Jones was a duck hunter in the Mississippi Delta, where he lives to this day.

"I started when I was 8 or 9 years old," he said. "My father was a deer and quail hunter, but he never was a duck hunter, and I always wanted to do that. My parents bought me six decoys when I was 10, but I didn't know what I was doing.

"Then in high school, at our deer camp, there was a big duck hunter by the name of Buck Dearman. He became a great friend and mentor. We were hunting the green timber back then and had lots of birds. I've been in love ever since. I'm retired now, so all I do is duck hunt - and get ready to duck hunt."

Jones' favorite species has always been mallards.

"We manage our place carefully," he said. "Any time we kill our mallard limit, we leave and don't try for the odd ducks. If we have chances on the way to our mallards, we'll take 'em, but we don't stick around to get them after. It helps keep ducks on our place."

Jones jokes about his schooling at Ole Miss.

"I was there at the same time as (star NFL quarterback) Archie Manning, so we had some good teams," he said.

But what did Jones study? "Nothing," he jested, though he earned a degree in business administration.

His first job was in Memphis, but soon thereafter he took a job with Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Belzoni, Mississippi, so he could return home to his hunting roots. Jones worked his way up, eventually leading the organization that became BankPlus - a major bank in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

His banking career covered 49 years, and for 20-plus years, he also operated the family farm in Tchula. Jones served as a commissioner for 10 years on Mississippi's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He's also a trustee with The Nature Conservancy and recently finished a term with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation.

Along the way, Jones married his wife, Sara. They have three children, including two sons who hunt as often as they can, and a son-in-law who hunts with Jones. There are eight grandchildren, two of whom are already sharing in his hunting heritage.

Jones has supported Delta so long that he isn't quite sure how he discovered the organization but knows he loved Delta's programs from the very beginning.

"Delta's different approach to making more ducks impressed me right away," Jones said. "As a turkey hunter, I knew how predators impact turkey hatches, and it made so much sense that Delta was going after those predators that get ducks on their nests."

As he became more involved, Jones grew even more impressed.

"As a wildlife commissioner, I got to see Delta's research work first-hand, and I can tell you, Delta doesn't throw money away. I like that," he said.

Jeff Howell, vice president of major gifts for Delta Waterfowl, applauds Jones for his contributions to waterfowl conservation.

"Bryan (Jones) is a great supporter of Delta and a strong champion of wildlife, hunting, and the shooting sports in Mississippi," Howell said. "He's the kind of old-school southern duck hunter every member of Delta should have the chance to hunt with at least once - and to thank for his incredible financial and promotional support of our work to make more ducks for all." -Bill Miller