Plunkett returns home to Wayne County

WAPPAPELLO — For 32 years, the radio call sign “764” in Wayne County was synonymous with retired conservation agent Mic Plunkett, and after two years with Hayley Honeycutt in that position, “764” is back in the family.

Mic’s son, Jacob Plunkett, has been a conservation agent in St. Francois County since he graduated from the Department of Conservation’s agent academy in October 2017. When Honeycutt transferred from Wayne to St. Francois County, he was given the opportunity to return home.

And now, he carries the same radio and badge number his father did for so long.

After two years as a conservation agent in St. Francois County, Wayne County native Jacob Plunkett has returned home to serve in the same position his father, Mic Plunkett, did for 32 years. DAR/Paul Davis

“It means the world to me,” said Plunkett. “There aren’t too many agent’s sons out there to begin with, and to be able to come back and get his old radio number is pretty cool.”

“It was neat,” the elder Plunkett said. “Protection Division administration agreed to allow Jacob to not only get my old radio number, they also allowed him to be issued my old badge number. They allowed me to surprise him and pin one of my old badges on him at a regional meeting, and it was a really proud moment for both of us.”

Coming home to Wayne County, Plunkett said, was a “dream come true.

Wayne County Conservation Agent Jacob Plunkett (right) checks Steve Fouts’ fishing permit at the People’s Creek fishing pier at Wappapello Lake. DAR/Paul Davis

“It was always my longterm goal, but I didn’t think it would happen this fast,” he said.

Plunkett and his wife, Holly, who is a teacher and has family in the area as well, moved back to Wayne County a couple weekends ago, and he started his duties there on Oct. 1.

“I’ve been trying to learn a few parts of the county I’m not familiar with, but it is nice to come in and immediately know where things are,” Plunkett said.

Jacob Plunkett (left) has returned home to fill the role of Wayne County Conservation Agent his dad, Mic Plunkett, held for 32 years before his retirement in 2017. DAR/Paul Davis

Knowing a lot of people in the county also has been helpful in the transition, Plunkett said, though he noted sometimes “knowing people has its positives and challenges.”

Still, “following in my dad’s footsteps, for me, is great. A lot of people know him,” he said.

Plunkett described Wayne County as “diverse,” with a lot of opportunities for outdoorsmen.

“Wayne County is such an exciting county to be an agent in because there’s so much public land,” he said. “It just has a lot of resources.”

Currently, Plunkett is the only qualified conservation agent in Wayne County since Honeycutt’s move, and the county’s other longtime agent, Alan Lamb, transferred to Madison County.

Drew Miller, who graduated from MDC’s academy Tuesday, reported for duty Wednesday, but won’t be turned loose on his own for a while.

“His field training started Oct. 9,” said Plunkett of the new agent, “so it will probably be close to December before he’s out on his own.”

While October tends to be a relatively slow month for conservation agents, Plunkett said, he knows with the firearms deer season and waterfowl seasons on the horizon, it will get busy quickly. Knowing he’s home, however, seems to take the pressure off and makes him happy.

“We’re setting our roots here, and I don’t really see us moving to a different county,” he said of himself and wife Holly. “We hope to stay for the next 32 years at least ... I think that’s how many years I have until retirement.”

Anyone needing to reach Plunkett for conservation-related issues can call him at 573-576-8533.