T H E O FFI CI A L PU B L I C AT I O N O F H O US TO N S A FA R I CLU B • CO N V EN T I O N 2 016
THE LEGEND
257” 264”
423”
Fall 2015 509”
391”
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TABLE of
CONTENTS
CONVENTION 2016
Cover Artwork: Jumbos Are Coming, oil on canvas, by David Langmead, HSC Artist of the Year.
FEATURES
16 EAST AFRICA: DONE & DUSTED By Michael Ambrose
22 FOREVER MEMORIES By Susan Kalich
28 SKY HIGH FOR ST. JUDE: SPORTING CLAYS
TOURNAMENT HELPS FUND PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH
By Jennifer Palladina
32 HOW TO PREVENT & TREAT MALARIA By Kevin Helm, Global Rescue
38 REFLECTING ON SPORTSMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS: NATIONAL HUNTING & FISHING DAY
By Jeff Crane
16 46
42 MOVING BEYOND WHERE WE ARE NOW: NRA’S FIGHT TO SAVE HUNTING
By Melanie Pepper
46 EUROPE: DON’T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER By Denise E. Welker
52 BLACK DEATH HIDING IN THE MIST By Craig Power
62 THE SECRETS OF LEADERSHIP By Shane Mahoney
66 COLD WEATHER COMFORT By Scott Leysath
74 2015 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
2016 HSC CONVENTION 84 CHAIRMEN’S MESSAGE 89 YOUTH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE 96 HSC ARTIST OF THE YEAR: DAVID LANGMEAD By Todd Wilkinson
102 CONVENTION ART PREVIEW 106 THE GAZELLE’S LUNCHEON: AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
108 FRIDAY NIGHT SILENT AUCTION PREVIEW 109 CONVENTION LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW 113 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 114 CONVENTION EXHIBITORS 4 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
52
96 89
UPCOMING EVENTS 102
JANUARY 15–17 Annual Convention and Worldwide Hunting Expo
MARCH 2 Monthly Meeting at The Hess Club with guest Jeff Crane, President, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
MAY 13
66
Sporting Clays Tournament @ Greater Houston Gun Club
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 5
OUR MISSION Preserving the
sport of hunting through
education,
conservation and the
protection of
hunters’ rights.
6 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
2015–2016 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB OFFICERS Kevin Ormston, President Mark King, President-Elect Kevin Comiskey, Immediate Past President John Bowers, Vice President Prentiss Burt, Vice President John Pepper, Treasurer Jerry Henderson, Secretary HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB DIRECTORS 2014–2016 Cope Bailey JD Burrows Deb Cunningham Scott Scheinin 2015–2017 Linda Cunningham Harold Inman Mitzy McCorvey Shaun Nelson Matt Pyle HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Elizabeth Fersen, Marketing and Events Manager Andrew Henley, Membership Coordinator Jessica Welch, Office Manager Linda Cunningham, Advertising Vic Williams, Editorial Consultant Twist Creative Group / Keith Conforti, Design Consultant Alliance Printing and Graphics Hunter’s Horn is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club 9432 Katy Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77055 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@houstonsafariclub.org www.houstonsafariclub.org © Copyright 2015 Houston Safari Club
Houston Safari Club welcomes contributing articles, photos and research. Houston Safari Club reserves the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, organization and punctuation and to abridge length. Houston Safari Club reserves the right not to publish submissions. Content may not be repurposed without the express written consent of the author and publisher. Please submit materials with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned. Houston Safari Club is not responsible for lost or unsolicited submissions. Digital submissions are preferred. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Houston Safari Club, its members, employees or affiliates.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 7
8 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE KEVIN ORMSTON, HSC PRESIDENT
I
n my opinion, this is the most exciting time of the year. Deer season is open, duck season is open, football season is well underway, and there’s finally been a cool breeze blowing through Houston. Yes, fall is here and it has me excited. As a hunter, I am sure you are too. The HSC staff and this year’s convention chairs, Mitzy McCorvey and Anna Morrison, have been very busy putting our upcoming convention together. This is our big final push to have everything set up for our convention. You have probably heard by now, the theme of our convention this year is “Commitment to Tomorrow.” I chose this theme because I believe it is important for us to pass along our hunting heritage to the next generation and it is extremely important we continue to support good conservation practices to protect the future of the wildlife we love so much. Joe Betar and I travelled to Washington, D.C. earlier this fall in order to promote Houston Safari Club and its efforts. We met with Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Kevin Brady, Sen. Ted Cruz’s staff, Louis Ghomert’s staff, Rep. John Culberson’s staff, and Ron Regan, Executive Director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. We went to D.C. and met oneon-one with these influential legislators and their staffs to let them know where we stand as a club on certain issues and our concerns for current and future issues. These meetings were all scheduled back-to-back on the same day. Another reason for our trip was to attend the annual Congressional Sportmen’s Foundation fundraiser later that evening. We squeezed the CSF Chairman’s luncheon in between all of our meetings. Jeff Crane from CFS was a gracious host and really appreciates the support from Houston Safari Club. CSF is the largest bipartisan
caucus on Capitol Hill and the sportsman-conservationist “watch dog.” The dinner fundraiser that night was larger than I expected. I heard there were about 700 attendees that evening and I believe there may have been even more present at the event. I also had an unexpected surprise when I bumped into NRA’s Wayne LaPierre in the hotel lobby. We had a few minutes to do a quick download on HSC and how he has been doing. He is genuine in his passion for the Second Amendment. With his crazy schedule, I was appreciative that he spent a few minutes with me. I was also able to spend some time that evening with Chris Cox of NRA ILA. I encouraged both Chris and Wayne to attend our upcoming convention. They both said they were trying to so we will see. It is really nice to have such a good relationship with these folks and all of the legislators we met with during our trip. The flight back to Houston gave me a chance to catch my breath and time to reflect on the D.C. trip overall. It really makes me proud to see how far Houston Safari Club has come not only in recent years but going back to 1972 when we were founded. To be able to have access to elected officials such as the ones listed above and have them greet us with a smile and say “welcome back” was truly amazing. Our reach and influence are growing with every passing year. In closing, I hope you too are enjoying this time of year and looking forward to our upcoming convention “Commitment to Tomorrow.” I look forward to seeing you there. Sincerely, Kevin Ormston HSC President
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 9
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
W
hat a year for your Houston Safari Club! Our membership has grown. We have launched a growth campaign and implemented an ongoing marketing awareness effort, in numerous magazines, maintaining a top of mind presence in the outdoor community. HSC has been actively spreading our message via social media, growing our Facebook presence from 5,000 to over 26,000 “Likes” in the past two months and launching new social media channels. We welcomed new team members. Multiple new opportunities for members to join together were held including an archery night, dove hunt and waterfowl hunt (look for more to come!) in addition to great speakers at monthly meetings and our annual events (sporting clays tournament, crawfish boil and more). Our magazine received a face lift and we launched a twice monthly digital Bush Telegraph. A new website has been launched. New programs have been implemented including the HSC Legacy (Planned Giving) Program, Life Member Appreciation Program, HSC President’s Circle and several member appreciation initiatives. Legislatively, HSC has been extremely active. A new Legislative & Legal Committee was formed to address ongoing legislative, wildlife policy and legal issues, led by Dennis Cain, Ray Petty and Gene Human. HSC was actively involved in the campaign to obtain voter approval of Proposition 6 in Texas, adding a state constitutional amendment to protect the right to hunt and fish for future generations. HSC was involved with formally opposing the airline ban by Delta, American and United on the transport of legally harvested animals, renewal of the Land & Water Conservation Fund, the SHARE Act and Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, the Resilient Federal Forests Act, Strategic Growth Policy for the National Wildlife Refuge System, Wildfire Disaster Funding, and more. HSC has also been active in the American Wildlife Council Partnership (AWCP), developing proposed wildlife and natural resources policies for the next Presidential administration and Texas Outdoor Partners (TOP) for state legislative and natural resources issues. In addition, we were afforded the opportunity to meet and discuss policy with several legislators, agencies and NGO’s during our annual visit to Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation gathering.
Through the American Conservation and Education Society (ACES) HSC was able to provide 24 scholarships totaling over $100,000 to students currently involved in the study of Wildlife Management and/ or Range Management. Since the program’s inception in 1999 over 350 scholarships have been awarded to well-deserving students totaling over $1.5 million. HSC has also provided over $100,000 in funding, through grants, for efforts in conservation, hunters’ rights, veterans programs, youth programs and outdoor education. Why are all of these achievements important to you? Your membership and continued support make it possible to accomplish our mission through these efforts. Let’s continue to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the protection of hunters’ rights. We are greatly looking forward to the 2016 Convention. You will be pleased to know we have added over 50 additional exhibitor booth spaces upstairs and numerous new interactive opportunities this year. We would love to hear your feedback following Convention and recommendations for future events. My sincere thanks to you for your membership, to our committee chairs and volunteers for their servant’s heart, and to our Board for their leadership throughout the year. I would also like to acknowledge our office team-Jessica Welch, Elizabeth Fersen and Andrew Henley, for their tireless efforts and boundless enthusiasm. Without them, HSC would not be what it is today. Here is to an even better 2016! Yours in Conservation,
Joe Betar
10 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
appr
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Charles Albright
Michael Felt
Paul Miller
Tom Ambroson
Matthew Garrick
Brandon Mitchell
Margaret Ambroson
Mark Guetling
Reed Morian
Ryan Anthony
Shannon Hall
Richard Munguia
Bill Bramblett
Kyle Hand
LtCol Oliver North
Mark Brodie
Mathew Hardy
David Putegnat
Trevor Burrows
Samuel Harryman
Kathy Rainey
Dalton Burrows
Leroy Hullum
Elliot Rose
Katie Charlton
R.O. Hunton
AJ Schill
James Conner
Ronald Jankowiak
Carter Smith
Richard Cullen
Michael Jobe
Oscar Taylor
Caitlin Curry
Kirk Killingsworth
Derek Wiley
Lynn Dempsey
James Kraus
Sean Yancey
Charlie Desautels
Jerry Kruszka
J. Pierce Young
David Dibben
Kyle Lehne
Michele Downey
John Leonard
Scott Ducoff
Billy Manning
John Edwards
Chad Matherne
Tom Egner
Bonnie McKinney
thank you Thanks to Pierre Vorster for another great adventure! -Ann & Randy Fowler
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 11
appreciation ads.indd 6
11/9/2015 12:06:00 PM
HSC LIFE MEMBERS Randy Fowler
Bob Abernathy
Barbara Cavender Lewis
John Abraham
Preston Cavner
Nathan Foyil
Richard Alexander M.D.
Chris Caywood
Bobby Frederick
Shannon Alston
Tracey Cearley
Aaron Freeman
Michael Ambrose
Alan Cegielski
Warren Gallant
Skip Avara
James Clark
Scott Garrett
Dannine Avara
Steve Clark
Zachary Garrett
Jacob Avara
Craig Clendenin
Tanya Garrett
Anne Avara
Stephen Coale
Paul Geiger
Kenneth Bailey
Randall Coleman
Frank T. Giacalone
Cope Bailey
Russell Coleman
Gary Glesby
Camp Bailey
Joe Collett
Carl Godfrey
Freddie Bailey Jr.
Dwayne Collier
William Gouldin
Jack Barksdale
Frank Comiskey
Sandra Green
Wendy Barnhart
Kevin Comiskey
Kevin Gregory
L. Irvin Barnhart*
Alan Cooke
Edward Guinn
James Bell
Rocky Cooper
Dodd Hackman
Lyndel Berry
Dian Cooper
Clayton Hagerman
Tony Bessette
George Councill
James Halley
Joe Betar
Steve Crawford
Greg Harvey
Charlotte Betar
Kenneth Crockett
Charles Head Jr.
James Biggerstaff
Gary Crouch
Mark R. Herfort
Craig Boddington
Ralph S. Cunningham
Heinert Hertling
Werner Boeer
Deb Cunningham
Robert Hibbert II
Jay Bonano
Ford Cunningham
Steven Hill
Greg Bond
Linda Cunningham
Greg Hill
E. Tay Bond
Ralph Daigle
Edward L. Hoffman
Pete Bonora
Mandy Daigle
William Holder III
Jeri Booth
Joe Davis
Bill Honza
Frederick Anthony Box
Armando De Leon IV
Gene Human
James Braus
Laurent Delagrange
Terry Hurlburt
J. Downey Bridgwater
Armando DeLeon III
Tanya Hurlburt
Jack Brittingham
Jennifer Desautels
Harold Inman
Joe Bruno
Elliot Desautels
Keith Itzel
Robert Burke
Charlie Desautels
John J. Jackson III
Matt Burke
Perry Dillon
Jack Jensen M.D.
Quint Burris
Randy Donato
W.A. Jentsch Jr.
Grady Burris
Barry Donoho
Todd Johnson
Byron Burris II
Tim Doucet M.D.
Clay Johnson
Prentiss Burt
James H. “Red” Duke*
Robert D. Jones III
Daniel Yturria Butler
Jan E. Duncan
Harris Junell
Turner Butts
Scott Daniel Duncan
Darrell Kainer David Kalich
Don Byrne
Bruce C. Edwards
C. Jack Cagle
Robert N. Elkins
Kirk Kanady
Dennis Cain
Walton “Butch” Eller
John Kelsey
Thomas E. Cain Jr.
Susan Ellerbeck*
Gaye Kelsey
Rick Callison
Gary E. Ellison
Mark King
Alex Campbell
Will Ellison
Julianne King Robert Kneppler
Bill Carter
Shaun Essery
Ivan Carter
Travis Findley
Philip Koehne
Paul Carter
Charlene Floyd
George Kollitides
Ben Case
Tommy Fogle
Phil Koonce
12 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
HSC LIFE MEMBERS George Kopecky
Melanie Pepper
Tom Snyder
Keith Lake
Timothy J. Peter
Dr. Norman Speer
Wayne LaPierre
Bryce Phillips
Larry Stifflemire
Joel Pat Latham
Carson Phillips
Mark Ducros Stouse
Kyle Lehne
Dusty Phillips
Randy Strickland
Richard Leibman
Wilson H. (Woody) Phillips Jr.
H. Allen Stuart
John Lindholm, Jr.
Thomas Powell
David Swan
Tom Lipar
Kevin Poynter
Dr. Lloyd B. Swiedom
Bryant Littlefield
Andrew Pratt
Sally Swiedom
Mark Livesay
Kymberly Pratt
Peter Tam
Ricardo Longoria
Charles Prince Jr.
Larry Tatom
Ricardo Tomas Longoria
Sharon Propes
Terry Taylor
Doug Luger
Carlos Ramirez
Mark Terpstra
Paige Manard
Lawrence Rearick
Heidi Thomas
James L. Masten
William Reed Sr.
Robert Thomas
Chad Matherne
Dr. Gayle M. Rettig
J.B. Tinney
Wyatt McBride
Keith Riggs
Ted Trout*
Tony W. McCorvey
John Robberson
Hal Tryon
Mitzy McCorvey
Larry Robinson
Don Turner
Ed McCrory III
Mike Robinson
Phillip Veale
Vickie McMillan
Robert J. Rod
Thom Venus
Travis McWilliams
Chuck Rod
William T. Vick
Gerald Meinecke
Stephen Rogers
Amanda Vick
Lewis Metzger
William J. Rohrbach
Glenn Vincent
Greg Mills
William Roosevelt
Pierre Carl Vorster
Brook Minx
Gary Rose
Joshua Walker
Howard Monsour
Jerry Rubenstein
Greg Walla
Paul Montealegre
Chris Ruhman
Rob Walsh
Forrest Montealegre
Gerald Russell
John Waltz
G.L. Jerry Moore
Byron G. Sadler
Dana Weber
Reed Morian
Sandra Sadler
Rick Weber
Tommy E. Morrison
Michael Sample
Larry L. Weishuhn
Ron Mostyn
Scott Santana
Brian Welker
Dustin Mykyte
Scott Scheinin
Denise Welker
Shannon Nash
Robert Scherer
Robert Wells
Bob Neese
Wade Schindewolf
Lawrence West Bruce Whitmire
Rob Neilson
Wayne Sheets
Scott Nelson
Richard Shepherd
Bill Wilkinson*
William Newlin
Jason Shrieve
Steve Willenborg
Rudy Nix
William Simmons
Ron Willenborg
LtCol Oliver North
Travis Simpson
Gregory Williamson
Kerry O’Day
Mike Simpson
Alan Winslette
Carol O’Day
Weston Simpson
Robby Winstead
Charles Onstead
Autumn Simpson
Kurt Wiseman
Kevin Ormston
Austin Simpson
John Wood
Neal Overstreet
Jacob Simpson
Bill Woodall
John Painter
Tristan Simpson
Patricia Woods
Michael Park
Jody Simpson
J.D. Woods Jr.
Michael D. Parr
Sam Skipper
Preston Young
Steve Pate
Carter Smith
Debi Young
Trevor Penny
Steve Smith
Brian Zaitz
John Pepper
Jason Smith
*DECEASED CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 13
14 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B
COR POR ATE MEMBER S TH A NK YOU F OR SU PPORTING HSC
South Texas Ranches – Ruple Properties www.southtexasranches.com
Sullins, Johnston, Rohrbach, & Magers www.sjrm.com
Brush Country Studios www.brushcountrystudios.com
UVC Powersports www.uvcountry.com
Safari Specialty Importers www.importinghuntedtrophies.com
Rose Industrial Management www.roseindustrialmgmt.com
Champion Ranch www.huntchampionranch.com
El Carmen Land and Conservation Company www.cemex.com
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 15
East Africa
16 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Done & Dusted (Di a mond in sight) BY MICHAEL AMBROSE
S
ince I started hunting Africa in 2007 I have enjoyed six safaris to Tanzania. I booked my seventh with Harpreet Brar of Rungwa Game Safaris during the 2014 Convention. The
idea this time was to go to an area in Western Tanzania and hunt the swamps and low-
lands for East African species I had not taken. As Harpreet did not have an area with these
species, he made arrangements with Robin Hurt Safaris to hunt their Luganzo block. I flew direct from
my ongoing contract job in Thailand as I was going to use Harpreet’s two Austrian-made Hambrusch Custom rifles, in 416RM and 300 Win. Mag. This trip would include another difference to my previous safaris as Harpreet was also going to hunt a number of species he had not taken as well.
Opposite Page: The author with new SCI #4 Jacksons Hartebeest in Uganda.. Left: Harpreet Brar with his white-bearded wildebeest bull in Tanzania. Above: Author with an East African Roan taken at long distance in Tanzania.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 17
EAST AFRICA: DONE & DUSTED : BY MICHAEL AMBROSE After my 2 a.m. arrival I was taken to Harpreet’s home in Arusha and got some much need shut eye in the guest quarters. An early lunch and we were off on a three hour charter flight to far Western Tanzania. As we landed on the airstrip we could see herds of Topi, and after unloading the plane and gear into the hunting trucks we proceeded to load the magazines of our rifles. We were about 1.5 hours from camp, and both had Topi on license with plenty of daylight left. The next two hours were used for hunting, with both of us taking gold medal bulls. We passed one of the large swamp areas on the way to camp, taking time to familiarize ourselves with Machan locations that pre-scouting had determined were the best locations. Turning in early to recover from the long trip allowed me to be rested and refreshed when we rose at 3:30 to head to the Machan. A beautiful dawn greeted us over the expanse of swamp and movement was noticed in an opening in the papyrus. We needed more light to be able to determine exactly what we had seen. Another 30 minutes and we saw that it was a mature bull; a single shot from the 300 made my hunt for one of the most elusive animals in Tanzania seem simple. We spent the rest of the day getting familiar with the concession and spotted E/A Roan, hartebeest and E/A Defassa waterbuck. All of the animals seemed very spooky and stayed well out into the
Above: Author with Defassa Water Buck from Luganzo Western Tanzania. Right: A poachers snare on Sitatunga.
18 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Hunting proved to be challenging in this environment. We spent a lot of time on the ground in order to get in r ange of the wary animals. large expanse of flat plains. They were on the move at the first sight or sound of the vehicle. Although this is a Wildlife Management Area and was to have no human inhabitants, there were many fishing camps throughout the area and people were plentiful as one of the legal fishing seasons was in full swing for those with permits. Unfortunately there was also a lot of cattle and herders and much evidence of farming and cultivation. I was able to take a very nice E/A Defassa waterbuck late that afternoon, with a long shot on a lone bull. The next morning found us in another Machan with Harpreet manning the rifle this time. We spotted a couple of females,then a male in the early light. Before we could determine its age and
trophy quality, another bull appeared. This led to comparison, which delayed a decision until, suddenly, both bulls disappeared into separate sections of the papyrus swamp. For the next hour we thought we had missed our opportunity when I noticed some movement about 150 yards out. This was also a bull in very thick and tall cover with only horns and horn tips visible for the longest time. Finally the bull stepped into the open long enough for us to deem it mature and a good trophy — only to disappear again into the reeds. Luckily he reappeared in a few minutes and Harpreet made a great shot to collect his Sitatunga. It was clear that everyone was not a fisherman, even though they all claimed to be when questioned. Most were here illegally and there was apparent poaching, causing the animals to be very wary. Over the next couple of days we located a number of snares. We discussed our distress with the camp manager, who said they were trying to get some action from the local ranger station, but with the rains upon us it would be next season before anyone could get in here. Hunting proved to be challenging in this environment. We spent a lot of time on the ground in order to get in range of the wary animals. Long shots of 250 to 350 yards were required but we took our Roan, and Harpreet also managed a great old common sable bull, Lechtenstien Hartebeest, and E/A
Waterbuck. E/A Greater Kudu was also on my wish list, but in five days we had only caught a glimpse of a couple females and a few young running in thick cover. As Harpreet was checking with his camp manager in his Lolkisale concession in Masiland as to the availability of a Kudu tag there, we spotted our first buffalo crossing the road in front of us. The phone was quickly disconnected and we were on the trail. The small herd entered the plain and then turned to look at us at about 40yard distance; a mature, closed boss bull of about 36 inches in width stared a bit too long and will now be getting a Texas driver’s license. As luck would have it there was a Kudu tag available in Lolkisale, so arrangements were made to have the charter pick us up the next day. We would spend a day in Arusha with Harpreet conducting some business at a new shopping center he was building, and then we were off on the four-hour drive to camp. What a huge contrast in the two areas. Lolkisale and Lobo, both open areas, contain a huge number of Masi herdsman with many hundreds of cattle, but huge quantities of impala, Cokes Hartebeest, Grants and Thompsons Gazelle, fringe eared oryx, buffalo, elephant, lesser kudu and other species, all very relaxed. Harpreet has anti-poaching teams on all his concession year round, and the difference in animal behavior is striking. E/A Kudu are not called the grey ghost for no reason, but on day two, I was able to connect with a very nice 50-inch bull. The only animal I have not taken in Tanzania is the Roosevelt Sable, which exists in the Selous Game Reserve, but as the rainy season was in full swing, going there was not an option. At the HSC convention in January, I talked to my good friend James Jeffrey of Lost Horizon Outfitters and then to Bruce Martin of Lake Albert Safaris in Uganda. We determined there were seven East African species I had not taken and Bruce put together a March plan to try to change it. March 1 found me arriving at Entebbe early in the morning. I traveled to Kampala that day to spend time with Bruce over a meal and some wine before we would head up north the following day to Karinga and Karamoja. A half hour out of camp on day one, we ran into one of the oldest buffalo I have ever taken and the only one of the Nile species I had ever
Top: Uganda Lake Albert camp. Center: Accommodations at Lake Albert Uganda camp. Right: The author and his gold medal Nile Bushbuck in Uganda.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 19
EAST AFRICA: DONE & DUSTED : BY MICHAEL AMBROSE
Top: Very Old Nile Buffalo taken in Uganda. Left: Harpreet Brar and his East African Roan in Tanzania. Right: The ellusive Guenthers Dik-Dik from Karamoja Uganda
seen. He was extremely old, worn horns, in taking a top 20 of the species. Africa Status, and three of them could be Back to Karinga for the night and char- taken in Congo where I was heading in thinning hair and was absolutely what I had come to Uganda in search of. The next ter flight to Entebbe next day, a drive to July. Even if I was not successful here on day found us sorting through many dif- Kampala and another lovely evening, this the second Sitatunga species required, I ferent herds of Jackson’s hartebeest until time with Bruce’s wife and daughters, and had the Western Sitatunga on license in we finally located a lone bull. He turned we were ready for the next portion of the Congo. On my last day I became convinced that was how I would have to out to be the new pending #4 SCI of this adventure the following morning. A four-hour drive took us to Kaboya accomplish my new goal as we finished species. We had to do some traveling the next day near the Kenya and Sudan bor- where Bruce has a Safari Lodge, which another unsuccessful drive at about 4:15 ders to hunt the mountain reed buck, and also services photographic adventures p.m. The Sesse Islands is as much a forest due to the influx of nomadic tribes from in the National Park part of the season. as a swamp animal; driven hunts in the both countries, following grass and water Here was a lovely five-star resort on Lake forest near the swamps is the preferred with their cattle, we were required to have Albert, simply teeming with game and our method. I was resigned to not finding armed guards furnished from the local next two targeted species, Uganda Kob one when Bruce insisted on one more army outpost. and Nile Bushbuck. We stayed for two drive, although we were going to have to When we finally got to the mountain nights and enjoyed the resort’s luxuries hurry to get it in before dark. As the sun we found it had recently been burned. while taking our time in finding mature was sinking over Lake Victoria, the dogs We spent a few hours glassing the bar- kob and bushbuck. They were extremely began barking, the drivers began yelling ren landscape and spotted a couple of reed plentiful and we looked over literally hun- and the noise of breaking brush increased. buck, but there was no way to make a dreds of kob and more than 30 bushbuck Near the water’s edge appeared what I had clandestine approach, so we just headed before collecting them and heading back not seen all week. As he broke from cover back to camp. A three-hour drive the next to Kampala. and slowed to look in my direction, his day to Karamoja, the stomping grounds A Thai massage, a good meal and a huge horns silhouetted against the calm of the famous elephant hunter Karamoja night’s rest and we were off to Sesse waters of the lake, I found his shoulder Bell, found us hunting the antithesis of Islands for the last of the species, the Sesse in the open sights of my Blaser. Next, I am off to the Congo, with seven the elephant in the tiny Geunthers Dik Islands Sitatunga. During our time on Dik. They proved to be plentiful but try- the ferry I began to realize that in the species on License. Two of these will leave ing to get one to stand still long enough eight years of hunting Africa, I was only me only four species shy of my new quest, took some time. Eventually we succeeded seven species shy of achieving Diamond Africa Diamond. ★ 20 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 21
FO R E VE R MEMORIES BY SUSAN KALICH, HUNTING WITH HEROES COMMITTEE
22 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
O
ur first Heroes hunt of the season turned out to be one of the most memorable. The reasons are hard to articulate. How do you describe heartfelt awe at the accomplishments of those who served our country and paid a very high price for the privi-
lege? How do you measure the emotional returns of this outstanding HSC service? Our website says we are “Giving Back,” but by my way of thinking, we are the ones “Receiving.” Matt Pyle, my husband David and I arrived at the beautiful Flying A Ranch on Sunday, September 20 in preparation for a three-day Hunt with Heroes Chris Crump, Michael Beeson, Josue Lopez and Garland Jennings. Also joining us was organizer and escort David Bradshaw of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), along with escorts Coe Coker and Armen Gamalyan. Both Coe and Armen had been hunters with us just two short years ago. They continue to share their hunting enthusiasm by volunteering with PVA. Michael had the company of his lovely wife and caregiver, Roxanne, and Garland was joined by his wife and caregiver, Janey, and their son John. We started at the shooting range to confi rm equipment was in good order. When hunting with our servicemen, you’re guaranteed a very brief visit to the shooting range. Rifles will be “0” on, and center targets easily hit at both 100 and
Roxanne Beeson shares this special experience with husband Michael.
200 yards – and sometimes, much farther! After confi rmation at the shooting range, our hunters began their individual quests. It wasn’t long before Michael was arriving at the cleaning shed with his Axis trophy. And, although he was obviously excited about his prize, he was even more excited about having a freezer full of the exceptionally delicious venison. As the sun was setting over the Texas hill country, next in was Josue with his excellent Sika. This being his first “deer” hunt, he was stunned by the beauty of an animal he had never heard of before this trip. Josue was so very grateful and proud of this opportunity. The next day brought the anticipated success for our remaining two hunters. Chris came back quickly with a very tall antlered axis, and a smile that never left his face for the rest of the day. His first trophy, and it will not be his last. Chris hopes to join HSC and wants to volunteer
Bottoms up — the quest for the perfect trophy photo!
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 23
FOREVER MEMORIES : BY SUSAN KALICH with our Youth Activities program. He’ll be an excellent role model for our kids, and an asset to the program. Then there was Garland, a very determined paraplegic, a beautiful man in heart and mind. We were all rooting for him, all wanting him to succeed. On the afternoon of the second day, and with the assistance of the fantastic staff at the Flying A, Garland took a gnarly, huge Texas Dall ram. His specially built techno equipment made this possible, and his face-stretching smile told it all. There was the added bonus of Garland’s wife, Janey, saying that this had been the most relaxing couple of days she’d had in some time. Hunting wasn’t the only activity on this trip. With the direction of Michael, a Master Gunsmith, each warrior contributed to the building of an AR rifle, which has been donated for our 2016 Convention Saturday night auction. This will be a most unique, one-of-a-kind firearm, as it was built by our Hero hunters in appreciation of our Hunting with Heroes program. A rare opportunity! HSC’s Hunting with Heroes program is well supported by the membership. It could be this support is provided by those of us who lived thru the Vietnam era, and are motivated by the shameful treatment of the returning servicemen and women of that time. Or, it’s the empathy of those who served more recently in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, or Afghanistan. Perhaps we have been tragically touched by the loss of a loved one who nobly served our country. Whatever the motivation, we can take pride in our actions. HSC has chosen not to sit on the sidelines. We are involved.
24 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
HEROES... Abdul
Mathew
He was a soft-spoken, gentle man, but over the long weekend shared with tears his painful experiences in Iraq. Severe head injury had been his disability, resulting in migraines, memory loss and diminished motor skills. He had never been hunting, but when asked what the trip meant to him, he answered with a huge smile, “When that first duck fell, I knew without a doubt, I’ve still ‘got it’!”
He was 21 years old when we met him. In Afghanistan only three months on his first deployment, he had lost his leg to an IED (improvised explosive device). He had always loved to hunt as a teenager back home in Michigan, and this was his first hunt since joining the Marines. He had his heart set on a nice whitetail deer, but totally lost that conviction when several huge Aoudad rams came in to view, walking towards the stand. His excitement was palpable. When asked, “Are you sure you want a whitetail?” He whispered, “Can I have one of those – paaleeeeeze!” What would you have done? He has the most amazing mount!
FOREVER MEMORIES : BY SUSAN KALICH
It’s likely that any of the personal impact on our Heroes will never be known. However, occasionally we do get some feedback . . . James
Charlie
Omar
We had to manage his hunt a little differently. He needed special hearing protection after recently having his left ear reconstructed; one of 24 surgeries he suffered over three years as the result of critical and disfiguring burns from a fire caused by an IED. He was highly susceptible to infections. But, he was determined to have a good time. We made sure he had just that. His hunt was successful. For our part, his trust in talking with us about what he called his ugly injuries and scars was our success.
As a sniper, he suffered multiple back and neck fractures when a RPG (rocket propelled grenade) hit his setup, throwing him down a three-story stairwell. He had never really spent much time hunting, but now finds it to be his therapy. Constantly seeking knowledge and information, he continues to hunt often and shares his passion with other veterans. Although he lives out of state, we talk often, and are proud to call him friend.
This is a very personal and private story. PTSD and broken knees were his injuries. All we will say is this: he had never been hunting before. He had never shared his military experiences with anyone. After the HSC Hero Hunt, his wife called to tell us that her husband – her real husband – had finally come home. He is now having a better life with his wife and children, and has become an avid hunter.
Top: "We The People" - That for which they fought and gave so much. Far Left: Always protect your hearing, but who needs ear plugs! Left: Focused - on point - zero'd in. Right: Josue's Sika Success! In more ways than one.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 25
FOREVER MEMORIES : BY SUSAN KALICH
Top: And we leave, having made new friends. Left: Michael with his Axis trophy.
HSC membership should take pride in the active support of these heroic warriors, providing a source of rehabilitation not found on a prescription pad…
26 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Several hunting and fishing events for wounded and disabled veterans have been organized by HSC’s Hunting with Heroes Committee for 2015 and 2016. There will be fishing for speckled trout in the bay off San Leon. Seadrift will host a group for a “Blast and Cast,” a seasonal duck hunt and bay fishing. Several trips to hunt exotics in the hill country are on the schedule, along with a few turkey hunts as well. All sponsored by our Houston Safari Club. These events can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. However, the excitement, the smiles, the laughter, and the pride make it seem straightforward and trouble-free. Realizing renewed pride and confidence makes it breathtaking. HSC membership should take pride in the active support of these heroic warriors, providing a source of rehabilitation not found on a prescription pad and affirming that their service and sacrifice is sincerely appreciated and not forgotten. ★
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 27
Sky High For St. Jude: Sporting Clays Tournament Helps Fund Pediatric Cancer Research
L
BY JENNIFER PALLADINA ocated in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world leader in developing new and improved treatments for pediatric cancer. Its
research and programs have helped increase the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 4 percent in 1962 to over 94 percent today. Just as amazing, the hospital never charges patients or parents a dime despite a $2 million a day operating budget. The adjacent housing facility, The Ronald McDonald House, is also free of charge and provides a home away from home for patients and their families while receiving treatment. Sky High for St. Jude strives to impact this daily operating budget by hosting year-round events benefiting both the hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.
Former St. Jude patient Hailey Meche on an Adventures hunt with Sky High for St Jude’s Advisor Jeff Ostmeyer. 28 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Junior shoot team at a Sky High Event.
Sky High for St. Jude strives to provide an opportunity to bring communities together to fund research, provide comfort and save lives at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. The organization was founded by Abbeville, Louisiana, native and former Miss Acadiana, Brittany Hebert. During her tenure as Miss Acadiana, Brittany wanted to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by holding a fundraiser. Growing up hunting, fishing and shooting, Brittany decided to host a sporting clays tournament. It began with the inaugural Louisiana Sky High Sporting Clay Shoot in 2007, which had a goal to raise $10,000, yet earned a net profit of $50,000. What began as a small clay shoot hosted by young women fresh out of college in Lafayette, Louisiana, grew to become a multi-million dollar fundraising organization and a true labor of love. Today, with the support of their generous sponsors and the efforts of their beloved board of directors and volunteers, Sky High for St. Jude is able to host three major sporting clay tournaments and concerts in Louisiana and Texas benefiting children and families in treatment. The
San Antonio shoot is one of their standout events, raising over $750,000. The Houston & Lafayette shoots aren’t far behind raising over $300,000 each. Shortly after the year’s final event comes to a close, Sky High for St. Jude board members, volunteers and sponsors travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to present their donation and host a Mardi Gras Carnival at the Ronald McDonald House for more than 250 families. “The carnival is what keeps us going,” said Hebert. “When we see the impact we are making on these kids and their parents, it encourages us to do better, raise more money and save more lives.” Sky High for St. Jude donates more money per year to the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis than any other third-party fundraiser in the nation. Sky High also offers its Sky High Adventures program, which takes patients on hunting and fishing excursions across the United States. For some patients, who may have been limited to the indoors
during treatment, this is a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor adventure. Past trips have included turkey hunts in Kansas, duck hunts in Louisiana, fishing trips in Texas and Louisiana, and deer hunts in Texas. Sky High Adventures Committeeman Jeff Ostmeyer says, “These adventures provide the youth an opportunity to experience excellent hunting and fishing trips where they can escape the routine of treatment…if only for a little while. Their excitement, joy and determination is beyond description. It is an honor to share in their adventure and witness their infectious zest for life.” Whether sponsoring or volunteering at an event, or donating gear to one of their patient hunts, Sky High would love to have your support. Visit them at the 2016 Houston Safari Club Convention, Booth No. 23, for more information or visit www.skyhighshoot.org. ★
Sky High Board with St. Jude survivors.
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30 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 31
HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT
MALARIA View of the Zambezi River from Global Rescue flight
32 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
BY KEVIN HELM GLOBAL RESCUE
M
alaria is responsible for hundreds of thousands deaths every year. The disease is found most often in Africa, Southern Asia, Central America, and South America, and is relatively rare in the United States.
With another African hunting season coming up, it offers a good opportunity for hunters to review the facts about malaria. Malaria is caused by a bite from a parasite-infected mosquito. Symptoms of malaria can include fever, chills, sweats, body aches, and muscle pain. Fever that goes away and comes back is fairly common. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, backache, and dark urine are also possible symptoms. More severe forms involving altered mental status and organ involvement typically require hospitalization. Left untreated, malaria can be fatal. Recent malaria statistics include: • The World Health Organization reports that 3.4 billion people live in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 106 countries and territories. • According to the latest WHO estimates, released in September 2015, there were 214 million cases of malaria in 2015 and 438,000 deaths. • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 1,500 to 2,000 cases of malaria are reported annually in the United States. Almost all of these are in recent travelers. Dr. Phil Seidenberg, who spent five years living and working in Zambia as Global Rescue’s African Regional Medical Director, has treated many malaria patients in the course of his career. He points out that significant global progress has been made with malaria over the past decade, with better control of malaria and fewer deaths from malaria for multiple reasons. Dr. Seidenberg responded to five common questions that hunters may have about the risks, prevention and treatment of malaria.
1. How do I know if malaria is a concern in areas where I am traveling?
For updated information on countries with malaria, use the resources available through either the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). Both of these organizations have maps with malaria risk levels indicated by country, and for regions within countries as well. Global Rescue members can contact Global Rescue for specific malaria advice. Travelers headed to Africa should be aware that, while progress has been made in controlling malaria on the continent, an estimated 91% of deaths from malaria in 2010 were in the African Region (CDC). According to the WHO, in recent years, four countries have been certified by WHO as having eliminated malaria: the United Arab Emirates (2007), Morocco (2010), Turkmenistan (2010), and Armenia (2011). It is important to consider the time of year of your travel. If a country has malaria, there is usually some seasonality to it. Typically malaria follows the rainy season, and is particularly active in the middle to the late part of the rainy season when water is pooling in areas; standing water allows malaria-carrying mosquito larva to populate. Another consideration is how rural will your travel be, because in general malaria is much more common in rural areas. In locations around the world where there is greater control, such as in capital cities, travelers will likely face far less risk. However, if travelers are planning on rural travel and there is malaria in these countries, they need to be well informed and take preventive measures.
Anopheles mosquito (Photo credit: James Gathany. Content Providers: CDC)
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 33
2. Who are the people at the greatest risk?
malarial strain. This medication cannot be used by pregnant Anyone who is not native to an women. Malarone is more expensive than the other options, and area certainly faces an increased susceptibility to malaria. There is since it is taken daily, cost could a level of tolerance that develops be a factor for some, especially on longer trips. over time in those who are born and live in areas with malaria. A third option is mefloquine, A look at global statistics shows or Lariam. It is preferred by some people because it is taken that greater than 75% of people who die from malaria are kids on a weekly, not daily, basis. under five years old. If you are Lariam, which is safe for pregthinking of bringing kids along nant women, must be started at least two to three weeks before to areas with malaria, it is not a definite no-no but it is something travel, and continued for up to to weigh carefully because the four weeks upon completion of kids are the ones who do more travel. While it is less expensive Global Rescue personnel inspecting aircraft in Africa poorly. The elderly are the next than some other options, Lariam at-risk population, and the third has been shown to have more side effects than any other anti-malarial drug. However, many travelclass of traveler at an increased risk is pregnant women. ers use Lariam and are just fine. People always ask about Lariam 3. If I go to a malarial area, should I take medication? because they hear about people reporting crazy dreams. Psychotic There are anti-malarial prophylactic medications (preventative side effects are anecdotal, never really proven, but there is enough therapies) that one can take. It is important to note, however, anecdotal evidence that typically I suggest other options first. that none of these treatments is 100 percent effective. You should seek advice from your regular healthcare provider, or a provider 4. Are there other steps I can take or products to help experienced in travel medicine to help decide which of these protect against malaria? Definitely. Take precautions such as wearing long sleeves, using medications might be best for your individual health profile. The primary recommendation I usually give is to choose a sim- DEET repellants to ward off mosquitoes, and sleeping under ple option such as Doxycycline, which is available everywhere. netting. Most countries typically have mosquito nets in stores It needs to be taken only one to two days prior to travel, and the and even supermarkets, but if you’re concerned that you won’t dose is just 100 milligrams once a day. It is contraindicated for be able to find them, it is a good idea to buy them in advance. kids younger than eight, mainly for cosmetic reasons because The insecticide treated nets are really the ones to use. People it stains teeth. Doxycycline is not a first choice medication for sometimes pre-treat their clothing, too. pregnant women, but may be okay to use during pregnancy in It is important to know that the two peaks for malaria transcertain situations. The major side effect with its use is sun sensi- mission are right at dusk and then right before sunrise. These are tivity. It causes a small number of people to burn really quickly times when the mosquitos are a little bit more active and more and often the locations with malaria are sunny and tropical. people are in contact with active mosquitoes, which is probably Doxycyline can also be used for skin infections and, among why transmission occurs most frequently between those two other things, as treatment for some types of pneumonia, so it is periods. Be especially cautious at these times. in many ways useful to have in a travel case. Malarone is another great option. It is a very good, safe medi- 5. What do I do if I am traveling and I think that I may cation and very well-tolerated, although a little bit more difficult have malaria? to find outside of travel clinics. Malarone is taken daily, and The first step is to determine if you have malaria. In most African needs to be started only one to two days before travel. Side ef- capital cities, you can go into almost any pharmacy and pick up a fects are minimal. Importantly, Malarone consists of a two-drug Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). It involves a simple finger prick, punch that greatly reduces the chance of contracting a resistant a few drops of blood, and a 15-minute wait for results. RDTs are
34 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
South African landscape. Standing water allows malaria-carrying mosquito larva to populate.
part of the reason that malaria is under control, because we are no longer indiscriminately treating kids and people with fevers that are not malaria. Be cautious about the expiration dates, however, and do not buy anything that has expired. The RDTs are no different for kids versus adults. Another option is to go to a clinic. Almost any clinic operating in malarial countries will be able to do a quick blood smear or a Rapid Diagnostics Test, too. What do you do if you have malaria? Most hospitals in malarial countries are more than capable of diagnosing and treating malaria. For treatment, the WHO recommends Artemisinin Combination Therapy, or ACT. However, do not assume that ACT is necessarily what you will receive. Absolutely ask for ACT by name. Most healthcare providers should know what that means, even though there are different trade names in some parts of the world. It is worth knowing that for almost all simple malaria, even complicated malaria, artemisinin compounds are the ones to use. Those that only have single artemisinin are, over time, quite bad for our malaria treatment options because the parasite develops resistance early. (Emerging artemisinin resistance is a major concern in areas of the world, according to the WHO.) The combination therapy hits the parasite with two active medications working against it. For severe malaria, usually defined by altered mental status
or organ dysfunction, in some places they are starting to do artemisinin IV drips. This approach has been shown to be better than good old quinine, which still is very effective. But typically if someone were hospitalized with severe malaria, quinine versus artesunate are the only real options for treatment. It is extremely important to be vigilant upon returning home. First, if travelers are taking a prophylactic that requires them to continue to take it for a few weeks afterwards, they must make sure to do that. Second, and even more dangerous in my view, is that it is hard to get malaria diagnosed in the States unless someone really thinks about it. In fact, this happened to friends of mine when they came back with their kids from Africa. It is an easy thing for a lab to take a look at a blood smear under with a microscope, but when medical professionals don’t ever see malaria that often, they’re not going to think about it. So, if someone comes back, gets sick and they’re worried about malaria, they need to really be careful that they tell whoever is seeing them, “By the way, I was in Haiti. Can you check me for malaria?” It could be a couple of months before travelers should consider themselves no longer at risk after returning home. Again, it is always a good idea for travelers to check with their primary care provider or a travel medicine professional before traveling for a detailed discussion of their risk for malaria. ★
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 35
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 37
REFLECTING ON SPORTSMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS
National Hunting & Fishing Day BY JEFF CRANE, PRESIDENT, CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION
O
n Saturday, September 26, hunters and anglers of all ages and levels of expertise gathered at events around the country to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day
(NHFD). Established in 1972, NHFD recognizes the time-honored
American traditions of hunting and angling and the countless contributions made by sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding.
Kansas Governor Brownback signing a National Hunting & Fishing Day Proclamation
38 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Nebraska Governor Ricketts signing a National Hunting & Fishing Day Proclamation
In order to recognize the important role that sportsmen and women play in the conservation of fish and wildlife resources, 28 of the country’s governors have signed proclamations in support of their states’ sportsmen and women, declaring September 26 as a day dedicated to enjoying their states’ great outdoors. The hunting community initiated this System with the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act), 77 years ago, which dedicated excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to a fund to be used for conservation purposes. Revenues from hunting and fishing license sales were permanently linked to conservation though the establishment of this program. Shortly thereafter, the program was expanded to include the fishing, boating, and archery communities. Hence, the American System of Conservation Funding is known as a “user pays – public benefits” program. In order to recognize the important role that sportsmen and women play in the conservation of fish and wildlife resources, and as economic drivers in their states, 28 of the country’s governors, many of which are members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, have signed proclamations in support of their states’ sportsmen and women, declaring September 26 as a day dedicated to enjoying their states’ great outdoors. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and its conservation partners across the country have been instrumental in communicating the importance of these proclamations on behalf of the sportsmen’s community. Proclamation signing ceremonies took place recently in Kansas, Nebraska, and
Alabama, where the governors joined state legislative sportsmen’s caucus members and state fish and wildlife department representatives for this historical moment. Additionally, several state legislators from the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) published editorials recognizing the contributions made by hunting and angling in their states and encouraging residents to celebrate the day with their communities. NASC Executive Council President Senator Robin Webb (KY), and state sportsmen’s caucus members from Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Utah and Washington all took this opportunity to communicate their support to their constituencies. In order for more of the country to appreciate the outdoors and abundant fish and wildlife resources it has to offer, it is important for the current generation of hunters and anglers to pass our traditions along to friends and family and to our children. September 26 served as an opportunity to teach and share these traditions. Groups like CSF and Houston Safari Club will help advance the interests of the sportsmen’s community in the halls of government, and ensure that policies aim to keep access to public lands open, and that anti-sportsmen groups do not diminish the significant contributions that sportsmen and women give back to conservation. ★
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 39
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 41
NRA Hunter ’s Leadership Forum
Moving Beyond Where We Are Now NRA’s Fight to Save Hunting
BY MELANIE PEPPER, CO-CHAIR, NRA HUNTERS’ LEADERSHIP FORUM NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE
I
f you are reading this, you likely are a hunter. And like me, you have a great passion for the tradition of the sport, an understanding of the important role we play in wildlife conservation, and the knowledge that our hunting heritage,
traditions and rights are in danger like never before. Hunting faces well-funded attacks daily from animal rights and anti-hunting groups. But the greatest threat we face is our inability to stand united within the community of hunters. Houston Safari Club, along with the NRA and other partner organizations, can reverse the damage done to our hunting culture. Because we stand for the same principles, we must stand together. That’s where the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum comes in. 42 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
The NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum is, at its core, a circle of leaders in their professions and in the field who are committed to promoting and defending hunting and the hunter. These leaders are committed to aggressively meet these attacks head-on. The Forum determined that a new strategy was needed to move beyond what we are doing now so that we can effectively respond to the rapidly evolving demographic, cultural, political and technological challenges to hunting
and wildlife conservation that face us in the 21st century. The Forum aims to unify like-minded individuals and organizations like Houston Safari Club. We are all too familiar with the saying, “Divided we fall...”. The Forum gives its members the opportunity to have a strong voice of influence on critical issues in the protection of our hunting traditions and scientific wildlife management. Now is the time to set goals, join forces with organizations that have the
same-shared values and turn the tide of public opinion. It’s time to make headway, be proactive and engage in the culture war that has been waged against us. Houston Safari Club is on board and we intend to help the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum win the battle. The list of threats to hunters’ rights is long, and the road to resolution is even longer. But in this article I will try to outline what we are up against, what organizations like Houston Safari Club and the NRA are doing, and how you can help. We must know our adversaries and learn to counter them and change the trajectory. Animal rights and anti-hunting groups are waging an all-out war to impose their ideology on all Americans. And Americans are falling for it. New laws, regulations, ballot initiatives and propaganda efforts are designed to erase hunting from the American way of life. These groups are no longer radical fringe groups, but instead are celebrity driven, media and politically savvy, and mainstream. They are having are a serious and growing effect on our culture and our hunting heritage. They are influencing the views of future leaders in this nation. More dangerously, they are unified and the Humane Society of the United States is leading the pack. We also face the erosion of our hunting heritage. The challenges and opportunities for youth today are enormously different. Hunting and spending time outdoors is no longer a prioritized interest for young people. Hunting has to compete against other sports, many of which are more cost effective and less time consuming, as well as competition from the expanding world of electronic entertainment. It’s not just young people who aren’t hunting. Fewer adults are taking to the field for many of the same reasons. Commutes are longer, weekends are turning into work days, and parents are tied up with a full menu of school, sports and activities. New hunter recruitment is critical to our future. If we continue to lose ground, we will lose an entire generation of hunters. As we all know hunters are America’s number one wildlife conservationists and the stewards of our rich hunting heritage. Each year, over 15 million hunters take to the field in the United States and exercise their right to hunt. But while the
population of this country is growing, the number of licensed hunters remains mostly static and was on the decline for the 30 years prior to 2012. Another major challenge to hunting is the erosion of access to private and public lands. Private lands that were once open for hunting are now paved with concrete, turned into housing developments and shopping malls or have been posted “No Hunting” because of anti-gun/antihunting sentiments or for fear of liability. Access to huntable lands is a challenge, and thousands of acres have been closed to shooting because of a lack of proactive management by the Federal agencies and poor behaviors on the part of some shooters. If there are no places to practice, sight-in, or be introduced to shooting, the bridge to hunting collapses. What is NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum’s effective strategy and plan? Communication is key to winning this fight. We must effectively communicate the benefits of hunting as a means of wildlife conservation and the economic and ecological value that goes with it. We must deploy an effective communication strategy that utilizes all of the pathways that come online. We must have clear and credible messages and timely responses to counter misinformation, misdirection, and unscientifically supported statements that are a daily fare of animal rights and anti-hunting groups. The NRA has taken the lead in the development of a comprehensive communications strategy to counter attacks against hunters. The NRA will provide
From left to right, NRA President Allan Cors; CEO of Cabela’s, Tommy Millner; NRA Women’s Leadership Forum CoChair, Susan LaPierre and NRA Executive Vice President, Wayne LaPierre attend the 2015 NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum National Symposium.
The NRA must educate through communication. Getting the public to understand the critical role hunting plays in wildlife conservation is the first step.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 43
MOVING BEYOND WHERE WE ARE NOW : BY MELANIE PEPPER
Top: NRA President Allan D. Cors with a member of the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum at the 2015 NRA HLF National Symposium in Fairfax, Virginia. Bottom: NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox addresses attendees of the HLF National Symposium about the Political Future of Hunting.
In order to keep public lands open, hunters need to take ownership of their actions on public lands and understand the consequences of poor stewardship. 44 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
the tools for use of today’s social media. Hunters will now have the same tools to “spread the word” that have been used so effectively by the enemies of hunting and wildlife conservation. This coupled with a rapid response social media mechanism where hunters, or ambassadors if you will, respond with our message while the topic is hot will have an immediate effect on the public discussion. In other words, the NRA is uniting hunters the same way that the NRA unites gun owners to speak with one voice in defense of the Second Amendment. Now hunters can speak with one voice and provide a uniform and compelling pro-hunting message. We must educate through communication. Getting the public to understand the critical role hunting plays in wildlife conservation is the first step. By and large, the American people are not familiar with the real outdoors, or the precepts of the North American model of Wildlife Management. And far too many American hunters do not understand that the threat to international hunting by global animal rights groups will use the same attacks to eliminate hunting right here in our own back yard. The NRA’s Hunter Services department is dedicated to encouraging mentorship of new hunters with the Make-a-First program, NRA Outdoors and developing online hunter education training and testing criteria. This creation of contemporary, interesting, fun and free courses caters to the new hunter, making it easier to take that fi rst step into the world of hunting. Removing some of the
roadblocks for a first-time hunter allows the opportunity to create lifelong stewards of our hunting, firearms, outdoor and conservation heritage. On a larger scale, organizations like ours must partner with colleges and universities to support scientific studies related to hunting issues. Today’s young adults only know what they are taught. More than 150 higher education institutions have animal rights law programs. We must counter that with scientific studies on the role of hunting in conservation and wildlife management. Efforts to insert ourselves in the academic world will produce leaders who can educate and recruit new hunters and help change perceptions — perceptions that have been created to assault the reputation of hunting as a sport and a conservation tool. Another important component to saving hunting is increased lobbying and political activity at all levels — federal, state, and most crucial, local. It will take a massive grassroots effort to protect the sport we love from the ground up. Partnering with the NRA and the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum is a vital step in the protection of our hunting freedoms. With five million NRA members and 14 million American hunters, elected officials cannot ignore us. In order to keep public lands open, hunters and shooters need to take ownership of their actions on public lands and understand the consequences of poor stewardship. Equally as important, they need to get involved in Federal planning processes for land that they depend upon for recreation. All decisions regarding land use are made through the planning process. Those who show up and get involved are the ones who help steer the ship. It is the only way to protect access and assure that hunting and shooting are managed as legitimate and historic public uses on Federal lands. There are historical lessons to be learned. It has been a long fight, and it’s not new. If we concede ground on one battle we will lose it all. This initiative is about unifying all hunters. This is not a short fight. It is long and will be continual. Get involved and stay involved. Save our hunting heritage. It is important. Do your part in this fight. United we stand… ★
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Europe
DON’T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER
BY DENISE E. WELKER
S
ince 2006 my husband, Brian, has taken me hunting all over the world on adventure after adventure. I must say that hunting Europe never appealed to him as he had been there so many times for his business. He basically always said, “there wouldn’t be any good places to hunt, just big cities and people galore.” Far from being deterred, though, I’ve always searched for some way to get there.
46 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Denise, the author, with possibly the biggest Alpine Ibex ever taken in Switzerland.
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Top: Denise with a huge Pere David deer Right: Denise and Kevin Downer and her Muntjac Below: Denise and Anthony and her Alpine Chamois Next Page: The high altitude of Alpine Ibex country.
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The chance finally came in 2014 when our hunting consultant, and good friend, Olivia Opre with World of Hunting Adventure, talked to me about just this opportunity in 2015. Brian was not really thrilled about it, but he booked a hunt for September, which started in England, then proceeded to France, and ended in Switzerland. He basically booked the hunt for me, and with a grumpy attitude said he only wanted to shoot Roe Deer and maybe an Ibex in Switzerland. Once booked, I was very excited in the months that preceded our hunt, but Brian was less than excited. As the beginning of this year rolled on, he listened to what Olivia was telling him about the opportunities to hunt Europe, believe it or not, just an hour or so from London and Paris. He could not believe it and about a week before we left, finally started to get excited about this hunt (thanks to Olivia), even though he tried to hide it. Upon landing in London we met up with Kevin Downer, our guide. Kevin is a ball of energy and over the few hours we drove to our destination, we realized he would deliver on a spectacular hunt. We arrived at the 17th century Woburn Estate, home to the Duke of Bedford; I would hunt some animals in the estate, as well as free range Muntjac and Chinese Water deer in surrounding areas. Kevin has exclusive rights to hunt Woburn and can provide the opportunity to hunt some huge, pure blood animals of many species. The biologist at Woburn takes great pride in genetically pure animals of all species — no cross breeds here. Another unique opportunity Woburn provides is the largest herd of Pere David deer on earth. In fact, Woburn has given “starter herds” back to China in their hopes of reestablishing them there (anti-hunters take note). Kevin guided me to some incredible animals, including Fallow, Japanese and Machurian Sika, Hog deer, Pere David deer, Soay sheep, Chinese Water deer and Muntjac. Our next stop was France where we first hunted with PH Alexandre Grabowski at his Domaine Chateau Du Faucon. What a place this was, another 17th century estate, beautifully renovated with meals beyond compare. My first hunting opportunity came when Alex was able to get me on a huge, wild boar in a driving rain. His next priority was to get me an opportunity at a big red stag and a roe deer. He
was successful — I took the largest red stag ever taken at his estate, as well as a very nice roe deer. We also tried to take a huge Mouflon ram, but he was too skittish in the rain. These massive Mouflon are just like whitetail deer, nothing easy about them. At this point we left Domaine Chateau Du Faucon for the French Alps to hunt with Ovini Expeditions and owner Anthony Ovini. We also met up with our friends Olivia and Tom Opre. Tom was filming Olivia for one of his episodes of “Eye of the Hunter,” for her hunt of the Alpine Ibex and his hunt for the Alpine Chamois. My PHs were Anthony and Alex Houlette (with Club Faune). Our goal was to hunt the mountains for two species of Chamois. Words are very hard to put together for this hunt, and breathtaking country (remember “The Sound of Music?”). The Vercor Mountains are as beautiful as anyplace you can imagine in the world, as long as you like high, steep and craggy. The hunt for my Vercor
Chamois was by far my most physically demanding ever (that is definitely another story), but Anthony was successful at encouraging me up Vercor Peak to the point where I could make a good shot on a gorgeous specimen. When a hunt like this comes to an end, you just want to stop and lay down, and enjoy the incredible beauty of your surroundings. Absolutely takes your breath away, physically and emotionally. Next we left for another set of mountains, not quite as steep but still very challenging, for the Alpine Ibex. Anthony and Alex found a very nice Alpine Chamois the very first day; we set up on it and took a successful shot. It fell and rolled down the mountainside into a very steep shelf that only an experienced mountaineer would tackle. Well, out come the rappelling ropes — Anthony and Alex are experienced mountaineers. After they got back down where I waited, we admired this animal and enjoyed this beautiful country and what it offers.
When a hunt like this comes to an end, you just want to stop and lay down, and enjoy the incredible beauty of your surroundings. Absolutely takes your breath away.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 49
Top: Denise and her support crew with the first Ibex with broken leg. Below: Awesome French ranch country lunch before we leave for Switzerland.
As this hunt came to an end and we neared our long drive to Switzerland, we stopped by a nice ranch to eat lunch and try for a Mouflon. After lunch outside on the porch, we went out and found a ram for me. Then began an 8- to 10-hour drive to Switzerland the incredible Alpine Ibex. When we arrived at our hotel at 11 p.m., we checked in and met with the game wardens that monitor all hunting activities. After this late meeting ended around midnight, we all crashed hard for an early rise around 4:30 a.m. Short night indeed! After a quick breakfast and cup of coffee, we were all off to our hunting area with our guide and game warden. I went 50 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
one direction, Brian another, and Tom and Olivia still another. Once we were in our area to hunt, the glassing started. Several bands of Ibex were spotted, but we were looking for a really big one. Once my guide and game warden found “the one,”, off we went up the mountain in pursuit — and up, and up. Positioning for a shot and not alarming this huge Ibex was not the easiest thing, but we eventually got in position for a good shot. The game warden noticed another Ibex with a severely broken leg. He was not the biggest one we had been looking at, but he was still over 12 years old and huge to me. He asked me if I would mind shooting the injured Ibex instead of the big one. I immediately
said I would as to me, he was still a gorgeous trophy. We repositioned, I took the shot, and down he went. There was much celebration on that mountain. As we approached we could see his severely broken leg would not have allowed life much longer, and now he was going into my trophy room. A bit later, we found out via cell phones that Olivia and Brian had been successful too in getting their Ibex. Everyone had completed this dream hunt. We all got back to the hotel and relaxed and talked about our hunts, a great time. As we were chatting, Anthony and Alex came in and asked me how I felt, and if I was ready to go again. I said I felt great, but what did they mean, I had my Ibex ? Anthony had gotten permission for me to go after a giant Ibex in return for shooting the broken leg Ibex, if I wanted to. I discussed it with Brian and he said, “if he was given this opportunity, he would do it.” That was all I needed to hear — I was in. One more restless night. Next morning brought the same routine — breakfast and hike to the top of the mountain. Once we found “the giant,” we spent careful time getting into position for a decent shot. My second Ibex went down. Once officially recognized it will be the biggest Ibex ever killed in Switzerland. For a hunter that is not all hung on in score and usually likes to get as old an animal as possible, that is a nice bonus. What a great end to an incredible European adventure, and getting to share
the last part with our friends, the Opres, was a blast. It’s always tough to leave; the word “bittersweet” perfectly describes the feeling I had. You want to stay, but you also want to be home, and be able to get in your own shower — and bed. I would like to add three things. First of all, in Europe the meat from every animal is for eating, whether it’s in someone’s home or more than likely, a restaurant. It’s all used quickly, no rules saying it cannot be used in restaurants in the EU. How great is that? Secondly, that guy with the attitude in the beginning (my husband) — he had a great time too. He ended up taking the roe deer, wild Boar, the “cool deer with fangs,” plus a few others, and yes that awesome Swiss Ibex! Brian says we will definitely go back as he is hooked on the roe deer wants to hunt all the other countries and species as possible. Lucky me! Third, I would like to give a huge, sincere thanks to Olivia and World of Hunting Adventure for setting us up on this great time and adventure — we both loved the trip and look forward to working with them, and hunting with them, the next time. ★
Trophies taken with Kingham Safaris: JAVAN RUSA
Typical: 9 of the top 10 Non-typical: 9 of the top 10
MOLUCCAN RUSA
Typical: 7 of the top 12 Non-typical: 10 of the top 10
SAMBAR 8 of the top 16 HOG DEER 7 of the top 10 AXIS 8 of the top 10 BLACKBUCK 10 of the top 10
Ralph Cunningham Javan Rusa
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 51
BLACK DEATH
HIDING MIST IN THE
BY CRAIG POWER PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAT POWER
52 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
T
he white rhino, with her calf, just seemed to materialize out of nowhere, like a David Copperfield illusion. She was some 80 yards in front of us. That 80 yards represented our maximum visibility in the early morning East Cape fog.
We were there in search of buffalo – not rhinos. Although my PH Stephen Tam would not have agreed, this desk-sitting city boy questioned the wisdom of searching for a 2,000 pound buffalo, with a nasty disposition, in such compromised visibility. We were already several days into this April 2015 safari. My wife Pat and I had been with TAM Safaris two years earlier and on that occasion I took a fantastic, dark-maned South African lion. This time we were accompanied by my hunting companion and taxidermist, Ron Gipson (Creations Unlimited Taxidermy in Porter, Texas), and his
wife Liz, both on their first African Safari. Ron had already taken an impressive Blue Duiker that will rank high in the record books, and a huge male Caracal. I had my “wish list” of animals for this trip, with Cape Buffalo and Sable at the very top. With the smallest of our desired animals (the Blue Duiker) collected, it was now time to direct our attention to the largest. Stephen had previously seen a couple of lone bulls in this area and knew they had the full, hard bosses and horn characteristics I was looking for. Real “Dagga Boys!” And, he estimated they carried forty
Author/hunter and wife, Pat, with cape buffalo.
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BLACK DEATH HIDING IN THE MIST : BY CRAIG POWER
Top Left: Young hillside buffalo. Middle Left: Hunting partner Ron Gipson’s record book Blue Duiker. Top Right: Hunter/Author with wife Pat (safari photographer) with nice sable taken after buffalo hunt. Above: Wandering Gemsbok. Next Page: Giraffe family in the wild.
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inches of heavy horn, so it was deemed worth the effort. We found very fresh tracks of one of the bulls in the sandy trail we were following. We would follow the tracks visible in the sand for a while, then they seemed to disappear across hard ground. I say “seemed to disappear” because Stephen and local tracker John found them, where I saw nothing. They were convinced the bull was just ahead of us, but despite our quiet stalk we never made visual contact. After more than a mile of hiking in search of the bull, Stephen decided we should move
to another location and try to get a look at some different buffalo. Following a short drive we were again on foot, this time approaching a densely wooded river bottom. The surrounding terrain was covered in loose rocks, making the stalk slightly less stealthy than at the first location. Periodically, Stephen would crouch down to look under the brush for black legs and patches of buffalo hide. Finally he froze, then maneuvered for a better perspective. Following some study he mouthed “cows, calves and bulls” and we
BLACK DEATH HIDING IN THE MIST : BY CRAIG POWER
tiptoed our way to a better vantage point. Despite the wind being in our favor, the several sets of eyes betrayed us, and we found an army of black bovines glaring at us. More than half of the herd was still concealed by the trees and brush, so we could not make out what and where all the potential targets were. While we were only about a hundred yards away from the herd, I took comfort knowing that they were across the river and we were up on top of a very steep bank, and I hoped they could not climb it quickly or easily. After staring us down for about two
minutes, part of the herd became nervous and stampeded away from us. When they broke free of the brush and commenced crossing open ground (toward another dense patch of brush), we identified one very large mature bull. We had no idea how many buffalo still remained at the river bottom and whether there were any good bulls there. Stephen sent tracker Gobanee to skirt the brush on the other side of the river to see if the remaining buffalo would show themselves. As the buffalo started milling around nervously we spotted a large,
I had my “wish list� of animals for this trip, with Cape Buffalo and Sable at the very top.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 55
Author with Nyala taken prior to commencing the buffalo hunt.
56 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
old bull worthy of closer study. But close study would have to wait because the remaining buffalo exploded like Fourth of July fireworks through the river bottom brush. They followed a different track than the first group, and the old bull held far behind the rest. He actually sauntered into the open and stared us down for at least a minute from the opposite river bank. Stephen announced him to be a good old bull with hard bosses and great horns, but I replied that his horns did not dip or curl low enough before coming back up for my taste. Stephen was justifiably frustrated that he had presented me with a great stationary target, just 120 yards away, and I would not capitalize on the
opportunity. This was one of many occasions over the course of our safari when he would comment, “You know, these things are not exactly on order, but we can check another aisle at the Walmart store.� This led Stephen to pull out his smart phone and display a photo of a hunter with a very nice bull. He showed the photo to me and asked if I would be happy with a similar bull. It had most everything I wanted and I said yes, I would be happy with that. He replied that the two Dagga Boys at the first location were similar and now that the fog had lifted we should go try that area again. On the way out of the river bottom area we came across a group of buffalo with
BLACK DEATH HIDING IN THE MIST : BY CRAIG POWER
They were convinced the bull was just ahead of us, but despite our quiet stalk we never made visual contact. several bulls standing on a hill. A number of them looked very good to me, but Stephen said all but two were too young with soft bosses. The two mature bulls looked great to me, but Stephen said the Dagga Boys we would be chasing were both bigger. So, we carried on. Back at the initial hunting location where Stephen believed the two Dagga Boys to hang out, we again left Pat, Ron and Liz with the hunting truck, as Stephen, tracker John and I began another hike and tracking session. Visibility was far superior to what it had been in the early morning fog; we studied Duikers and Kudu, but spotted no buffalo. After an hour of hiking and glassing at the perimeter of the dense brush we returned to the truck. Stephen spoke briefly with John and Gobanee in one of the multiple languages they speak — and I cannot understand — and soon we were all loaded onto the truck and driving to the far end of the brush patch. There we stopped long enough for the trackers to jump off the truck and I watched them wander into the brush and out of view. We then drove down past the opposite end of the brush and it became evident that the trackers were performing a bit of a “drive” through a dense brush in hopes of pushing out a buffalo bull, or two. Our truck was parked approximately 200 yards beyond the end of the brush patch and we studied the area for any sign of a departing bull. Suddenly, more than 2,000 pounds of black fury broke through the brush, charging toward our hunting truck. My buddy Ron was in the high seat and began tapping on the roof to get our attention in case we had not seen the bull running at us. Stephen started the truck and we began accelerating for a patch of brush several hundred yards away that Stephen believed the bull was heading for. Perhaps
Buffalo brothers.
Craig Power's buffalo with guide, hunter and trackers.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 57
BLACK DEATH HIDING IN THE MIST : BY CRAIG POWER
Top: The buffalo as he was stopping next to the hunting truck. Center: Hunting Partner Ron Gipson‘s Caracal Cat. Below: Dusk in South Africa Buffland. Next Page: The right side is the bank we stood on, with the buffalo at first in the trees across the river.
58 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
coincidentally – perhaps not – the angry buffalo stayed on our trail directly behind us the entire way. Fortunately we were able to increase our lead over the charging bull and were a few hundred yards in front of him when we reached the patch of brush. We quickly grabbed the rifle and shooting sticks and Stephen was off at a sprint to a location just inside the perimeter of the brush where he believed the bull would approach. Luck was with us, for the bull was still distracted by (or attracted to) the hunting truck rather than us, and he ran up to the truck and stopped. My wife Pat, sitting inside, froze and told everyone “don’t move” in fear that the bull might respond to movement like the T-Rex did in Jurassic Park. I was unable to see the stationary bull from my shooting sticks, but it was only a few seconds before he again was on the move. Whispered Stephen, “When he stops shoot him square through the shoulder,” but as the bull trotted past us he did not show any sign of stopping. Stephen whistled and the bull slowed a little bit, but still did not stop. Stephen modified his instruction to, “If you are comfortable take the shot,” and within a second of Stephen uttering the word “shot,” my finger pressed the trigger. At that point the bull was just 35 yards away and he fell
BLACK DEATH HIDING IN THE MIST : BY CRAIG POWER over at the impact. He quickly scrambled back to his feet and Stephen directed me to shoot again, but before I could, the bull scrambled off another 15 yards then fell over again. I was steady on the sticks and ready to shoot again if he regained his footing, but he never did. Shortly thereafter the death bellow told us it was safe to approach. The bull was very old with full, hard bosses and several scars. His horns showed substantial sign of wear – just what you would expect from an old Dagga Boy. He was one of the biggest-bodied buffalo Stephen had ever seen and we estimated he weighed much closer to 2,500 pounds than 2,000 pounds. Only a few minutes had passed from the time the bull broke out of the brush, ahead of the trackers, to the point where he met his demise, a mere 35 yards away from me. It all unfolded so quickly that I had no time to think about being nervous at the buffalo’s proximity, but as I posed for pictures I shivered once thinking how the outcome might have been different had the events played out in the dense, early morning fog with Mr. Black Death hiding in the mist. ★
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 59
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D-66
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D-6695_Modif Pub Hunters Horn_V2.indd 1
2015-10-23 10:38 AM
Secrets ofLeadership
The
I
BY SHANE MAHONEY believe that in this century, the great significance of conservation will be realized. With seven billion human beings demanding so much of one good planet, it is now inevitable that a collision between our numbers and our expectations will occur. The desire of peoples everywhere for a full and reasonable life have
placed unprecedented demands on natural systems. If this is true, then the great notion launched upon the world over 100 years ago that we term conservation will become the one idea that can truly save humanity. In its embrace will lie our future — one only possible if the great web of life upon which we and all creatures depend is protected and sustained. How was it that individuals like Theodore Roosevelt, George Bird Grinnell, Gordon Hewitt, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier were able to see so clearly the problems of excessive natural resource use and to predict such dire consequences for North American society? More importantly, how were these individuals able to instill these notions in the political and economic institutions of the time? How, on a continent with vast areas still unoccupied, with an extraordinary abundance of natural capital and very few people by today’s standards, did a movement centered on the conservation of nature and the wise use of renewable natural resources take hold? What are the secrets to their effective conservation leadership? It is natural enough that we should develop an impression that only individuals of social or political prominence were responsible for conservation’s success; that political influence is the essential runway for great ideas. Thus, it is not surprising that so many conservation organizations today focus on attaining political influence as a means to advance their programs. Furthermore, it would be ridiculous to suggest that engaging the political process in a democratic environment is without utility or impact. I suggest that if democracy has taught us anything, it is that the 62 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
President Theodore Roosevelt with John Muir at Yosemite in 1903.
wishes of the people, when expressed, will override any other political agenda. Despite this silent truth, the conservation movement has, to a large extent, moved away from an agenda of trying to convince society of its social, cultural, and economic value. To what end, we should certainly ask; for this was the truck and traffic, indeed the very raison d’être of our birth and founding. It was the rallying cry of our leaders and the great hope of our visionaries. It was the
dialogue in our meeting halls and our back rooms, in our pubs and our restaurants, in our clubhouses and offices; in the parlors and storefronts, the newspapers and magazines of our earliest and, I would argue, our greatest time in conservation. Regrettably, this trade for public influence has been set aside. We no longer strive for the hearts of our nation’s publics. We have replaced this with an emphasis on membership rosters and obtaining political influence, both often emphasizing specific issues that can hardly be viewed as being of the greatest public value or concern. The result has been an indifferent public, by and large, and one totally uninformed about conservation issues and the relevance of hunting in modern times. Isn’t it time for this to change? Isn’t it abundantly clear that the elephant in the room for hunting and for conservation generally is the public we have failed to engage? Isn’t it time to delve into the true nature of conservation leadership and adopt those principles for moving our agenda forward? Isn’t it time to remember that just as a man must draw back to leap, so too must a society or intellectual movement? If one studies the progress of ideas — indeed the very nature of progress itself — this conclusion is inescapable. I am prepared to argue that we have been
Left: Sir Wilfrid Laurier speaking to non-voters circa 1907. Above: George Bird Grinnell collecting stories from Cheyenne Indians circa 1908.
treating the issues of hunting’s relevance and conservation’s importance as though they were marketing slogans for the advancement of our organizations, rather than matters of profound significance to the quality of our lives and the essential worth of our nations. Yet this worth was precisely the message of those great founders of our conservation movement. It is important for us to remember that individuals like Roosevelt and Laurier viewed conservation not only as a matter of national concern, but also a matter of national relevance. Relentless citizens, they sought to improve the inherent worth of their countries and recognized that prudent use of natural resources and the conservation of wildlife were signatures of progressive leadership. Yet, regardless of their political influence or personal prestige, these wise leaders understood that no such turn of society’s wheel could be made without the hands of the public upon it. Conservation pioneers knew that to carry the great ideas forward, they needed more than an influential office, a few political allies or a devoted club membership. They understood that in democracies something greater than the individual exists, regardless of how significant the individual is. They understood the mechanics of change. Yet, paradoxically, these men also recognized that nothing moves beyond the conceptual unless an individual or group decides to accept the yoke of leadership and take action. They imparted to essential truths: First, that while the individual and his allies may incite, only the masses may ultimately succeed. However, on the other hand, the masses must be
catalyzed to action. The good news in all of this, it seems to me, is that the public’s current indifference may be the greatest of all opportunities for ideas to take hold. In some regards, the most fertile ground is always that which lies unfurrowed. Indeed, I suggest this is in part why Roosevelt and company were so successful in their time, bringing a new idea to the national focus of proud and emergent North American nations. What then are the true lessons from our conservation past? How did the legendary heroes of conservation accomplish what they did, against such improbable odds? Was it all a matter of size, influence, and power? I should think not. Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and George Bird Grinnell were probably three of the most successful conservation leaders of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Between them, they launched the wilderness movement and the North American wildlife conservation success story that we benefit so extravagantly from today, and which together encircle one of the greatest achievements of modern society. The vision they crystalized and the pathway to progress they engineered are lessons in success. I suggest we study them closely. In doing so we will discover that size, influence, and power are not the real wings of leadership, as significant as they might be. Discovering and discoursing with the public and delivering to them the ideals we believe to be of importance and value — this is the hallmark of leadership. This is what Roosevelt, Muir, and Grinnell excelled in, and why they and Laurier, Hewitt, and all those other conservation rebels devoted their energies to
public engagement. For if our efforts are not directed to the good of society, rather than to our personal or organizational largesse, can we really defend our efforts as an exercise of the national interest? Isn’t our goal to ensure a future for our national treasures of wilderness and wildlife, or cherished cultures and traditions such as hunting and all that incredible experience entails? I believe our conservation organizations are getting off track, though our motivations may be beyond reproach. Believing that more members or warm handshakes from the political insiders will give us more influence, have we forgotten the true mission of our leadership as well as our best chance at accomplishing it? We seem to believe that more of the same will lead to the change we seek. I do not believe this. It is like constantly redesigning the car when what we really need is an aircraft. Like true leadership, the winds of change also require wings — not bigger wheels. No matter how improbable or chaotic, these wings will be fashioned in the hands of common people. Our movement must get back to a dialogue with them. ★
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Shane Mahoney is a leading international authority on wildlife conservation. A rare combination of scientist, hunter, angler, historian and philosopher, he brings a unique perspective to wildlife issues that has motivated and inspired audiences around the world.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 63
Thank You Houston Safari Club For Bringing Us Together! The Baileys & Barnharts
2016 NSSA
May 20th-23rd / Briley Blue Goose
September 2nd-4th / Best of Texas
NSCA
March 11th-13th / Diamond Classic September 24th / Grand Prix
NSSA/NSCA January 23rd / 2016 Buckle Race Series Leg #1 12GA February 13th / 2016 Buckle Race Series Leg #2 20GA June 18th / 2016 Buckle Race Series Leg #3 28GA July 23rd / 2016 Buckle Race Series Leg #4 12GA Doubles November 12th / 2016 Buckle Race Series Leg #5 20GA December 3rd / 2016 Buckle Race Series FINALS 12GA
G R E AT E R H O U S T O N G U N C L U B www.grea terhous tonguncl ub.com • 281/ 437- 6025 64 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Spey Creek Hunting New Zealand
Pierre Vorster Safaris
Kingham Safaris
Sporting International
John & Wyatt McBride
James & Andrew Webster
Pierre & Amanda Vorster
Tommy Morrison
thank you Matupula Safaris
Tim Ellement & Mark Butcher
The Cunningham Family thanks these four outstanding outfitters for four amazing hunts! CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 65
Cold Weather
Comfort
BY SCOTT LEYSATH THE SPORTING CHEF
66 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
W
hen the weather gets nasty, hunters don’t seem to mind at all. We’re prepared for any type of weather and, given the choice between a bluebird day and a bone-chiller, most of us would much prefer the latter. Ducks just don’t fly and deer aren’t nearly as active when it’s
warm and sunny. The odds of a successful day in the field are greatly increased by inclement weather and, as much as we appreciate the warmth of today’s cold weather gear, it sure is comforting to be greeted at home with a warm bowl of hearty stew. A stew is simply a combination of meat and vegetables that are simmered in liquid in a covered pot. That leaves the door wide open and doesn’t really require a recipe. Stews transform otherwise tough cuts of game meats into something that is tender and delicious. As a general rule, it’s best not to waste primal cuts on slow-cooked soups and stews. Big game shoulders, necks and lesser parts of the hindquarters are best cubed into stew meat. Waterfowl legs and thighs can be simmered until the meat pulls easily off the bone for shredding into a savory duck or goose stew. One of the best parts about making a stew is that it can be a single pot dish. Heat a light coating of oil to a stock pot, brown the meat, toss in some vegetables and stock and simmer until the meat is tender. If, after a few hours, the meat is still a little chewy, keep cooking. Even the toughest cuts of meat will eventually tender up after bathing in liquid for several hours.
TAKING STOCK
The foundation of any great soup or stew is the stock. Starting a delicious game stew with salty bouillon cubes might be convenient, but it hardly compares to a homemade stock. Using the parts of an animal that are way too often discarded to make an aromatic stock is the not only the most flavorful start any soup or stew, it also makes use of the whole animal. Anyone who has enjoyed soup made from a picked over Thanksgiving turkey understands the difference between the homemade version and turkey soup
dumped out of a can. So why not do the same thing with your harvested wild game? Far too many hunters discard animal parts that could be used to make a flavorful base for soups, stews and sauces. It’s a common practice among waterfowl and upland bird hunters to remove the breast fillets and dispose of the legs, thighs and carcasses. Antlered game hunters rarely keep the marrow bones that, once roasted and simmered, are the making for a rich stock. Making stock is simple, but it does take some time. Place bird carcasses or split venison marrow bones into a roasting pan. Throw in the stem ends of celery, carrots and onions. Toss the contents of the pan with a light coating of olive oil. Place the pan into a preheated 400° oven for 11 ⁄2 hours or so, turning contents every 20 minutes until evenly browned. Add the contents of the pan into a large stock pot and cover with cold water. Add a tablespoon of peppercorns and hardy fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Add a few bay leaves as well. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for several hours. Remove the larger bones and pour what’s left in the pot through a colander. Discard the colander scraps and larger bones. Line the colander with cheesecloth (or two-ply paper towels) and pour the liquid through the colander into another container. Season to taste with salt or, if a more concentrated stock is desired, return the stock to a pot and simmer for a few hours more and then add salt to taste. Stock can be cooled and frozen in freezer-safe zipper-lock bags.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 67
STOUT WATERFOWL STEW
Loaded with rich, malty flavor, this is a recipe for fork-tender waterfowl. The ingredients include cubed boneless breast, but this dish can also be made with quartered bone-in ducks and geese that simmer until they practically fall off the bone. INGREDIENTS
4 cups boneless duck and/or goose breast fillets, cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces 3 ⁄4 cup flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 ⁄2 teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups onion, coarsely chopped 11 ⁄2 cups carrots, sliced into 1- to 2-inch slices 2 cups celery, sliced into 1- to 2-inch slices 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 quart beef broth or game stock 12 ounces stout beer 1 15-ounce can tomato puree 2 bay leaves 2 cups small red potatoes, cut into wedges
1. Toss duck/goose pieces in a bowl with flour, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large, heavy stock pot over medium heat. Add floured meat and brown evenly on all sides. Add next four ingredients and cook until onions are lightly browned, about 5–7 minutes. 2. Add remaining ingredients except potatoes and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 11 ⁄2 hours, then remove lid to reduce liquid and simmer for another 20 minutes to thicken sauce. If sauce becomes too thick, add additional beer or broth. 3. Once meat is tender, add potatoes and cook until they are just done, but still a little firm. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. 6 to 8 Servings
UPLAND GAME WHITE BEAN STEW
This dish can be made in the oven or on the stovetop. The beauty of it is that it isn’t necessary to remove meat from the bones and it uses the tougher parts, like legs and thighs, of upland birds, rabbits and other small game. INGREDIENTS
4 strips thick bacon 4 pounds upland bird leg and thigh sections, quartered rabbits, any other small game (about 2 quarts) 1 cup flour 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons paprika 2 tablespoons butter 1 large onion, roughly chopped 3 stalks celery, diced 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced 1 green bell pepper, seeded and roughly chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (seeds may be intact or removed before slicing) 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup dry white wine 1 quart chicken broth or game stock 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomato, with liquid 2 cups cooked white beans
68 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
1. Brown bacon in a stock pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until evenly browned. Remove bacon, crumble and reserve, leaving grease in the pot. In a medium bowl, combine flour, Kosher salt, pepper and paprika. Lightly dredge game pieces in flour, shake off excess and brown in bacon grease, a few pieces at a time. Remove browned game and reserve. 2. Add butter to pot and increase heat to medium-high. Add onions, celery, carrot, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. 3. Add wine to pot and scrape bottom to remove bits. Add broth or stock and diced tomato. Return browned game pieces to the pot, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 90 minutes. If preparing in the oven, transfer contents of the pot to a lightlygreased oven-safe baking dish and place in a preheated 350° oven. 4. Check meat for doneness. It should pull away from the bone easily, but not fall off the bone. Add diced tomato, white beans and reserved crumbled bacon. Continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. 6 to 8 Servings
VENISON AND MUSHROOM STEW
Rather than grinding tough parts into burger, try cubing and slow-cooking into pot roast-tender morsels while you are out in the field. And, really, how comforting is it to walk into a house with the wafting aroma of a simmering stew? INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 ⁄4 cup olive oil 3 pounds (about 6 cups) venison, cut into 11 ⁄2 -inch cubes 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 4 cups beef broth or game stock 1 pound small mushrooms, stems trimmed 1 ⁄2 cup sour cream 1 ⁄4 cup fresh parsley, minced 6 to 8 cups warm creamy polenta or mashed potatoes
1. In a large bowl, combine flour, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add venison to bowl and toss to coat. Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add venison and brown evenly. 2. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add beef broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Remove lid and simmer for another 15 minutes. 3. Add mushrooms and cook for another 15–20 minutes, uncovered. Stir in sour cream and season to taste with additional salt and pepper. 4. To serve, mound polenta or mashed potatoes in shallow bowls and ladle stew over. Top with parsley. 6 to 8 Servings
Delicious Dishes Above: Stout Waterfowl Stew Top Right: Upland Game White Bean Stew Right: Venison and Mushroom Stew
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 69
thank you Michael and Suzanne Ambrose would like to thank PH Vian Roux and the entire staff of Congo Safaris, for a great Central African Safari for Bongo, Dwarf Forest Buffalo and Yellow Back Duiker. Spot and Stalk Bongo and Buffalo, nowhere else is this possible, great hunt.
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 71
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 73
Scholarship Recipients 2015
E
very July, the scholarship committee meets to select the annual Dan L. Duncan scholarship winners. It is a very tedious task, and each year the committee reviews ap-
proximately fifty resumes of students, with the number consistently growing. The students attend schools throughout Texas such as, Texas Tech University, Sul Ross University, Tarleton State University, Texas State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M University – Kingsville. Scholarships are given to undergraduates in their junior year or higher and graduate students in wildlife or range management programs. The student must be a hunter, and have a pro-hunting viewpoint toward land and wildlife management. The competition is great for these scholarships, each year more competitive than the last. While a 3.0 GPA is required, our winners often average above a 3.5! The students must exhibit good leadership skills, and are only eligible to receive the scholarship twice. 74 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Students are asked to supply packets including a cover letter, information sheet or resume, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a hunting photo,
Scholarship Sponsors
graduate students must also include a one page outline
LEGACY
of their thesis project. Why do we make the students compile such a
Mitzy & Tony McCorvey
packet? The goal is to engage the students, to get them
Edwin Smith
to think on their own, a way a line by line form applica-
Brook Brookshire
tion couldn’t. As a committee, we want to connect with
Byron & Sandra Sadler
these students on a personal level. Throughout the pro-
Ann & Randy Fowler
cess, committee members call them by phone to learn
Ralph & Deb Cunningham
more and get them to think on their feet. We ask their opinion of hunting, their opinion of
PATRON
hunting as a tool of wildlife management, where are they going to be in 10 years and finally what are they are going to do with the money. By personally interviewing the student, we get a better idea of who each student really is as an individual and as a member of the community.
Ellen & Hank Bachmann John & Melanie Pepper Cokinos, Bosein & Young
Twenty-five scholarships are awarded each year, totaling $125,000. All of our past scholarship winners are now employed across the nation in various state, federal, private, NGO, and land management positions. Since this
HOUSTON HOUSTON
•
•
DALLAS/FT. WORTH DALLAS/FT. WORTH
• •
SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO
• •
AUSTIN AUSTIN
program’s inception, Houston Safari Club has given over $1.1 million in scholarships. It is the largest scholarship program of its kind. HSC is truly making a difference. If you would like to support Houston Safari Club and the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship program, please contact the HSC office at 713.623.8844. CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 75
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Nicole Alonso
Mary Annala
Ryan Anthony
Title/Program: MS Candidate/ Range and Wildlife Science
Range and Wildlife Management, Master’s Candidate
Natural Resource Management
University: Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Project Title: Effects of Thermal Environment on the Growth and Health of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) During Summer Bio/Project Description: Whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), like all mammals, must maintain body temperature. High summer temperatures in South Texas negatively influence the growth of deer, but the magnitude of those effects is largely unknown. This study will help determine the effect of high summer temperatures on growth and food consumption of fawn and yearling deer. I will randomly assign fawns to either an ambient temperature treatment or a treatment in which they can access a cooler environment. I will record food intake, growth rate, behavior, and indices of health. The control group will be held in four 4.5- x 9.3-m pens in ambient temperature while the test group will be held in similar pens that have an area cooled by air conditioners. I will use video cameras to record the time and duration of feeding by each individual. I hypothesize the individuals with access to the cooled area will be able to dissipate digestive and metabolic heat more readily and therefore have higher intake rates, leading to higher growth rates and better health.
76 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Development of aerial surveys for large mammals on the East Foundation lands The East Foundation is seeking baseline data on the large mammal populations found on their ranches. I am flying aerial surveys on their four largest ranches to calculate population estimates on white-tailed deer, nilgai antelope, cattle, feral hogs, and javelina. I am testing out a technique that has not been used in South Texas called the “double-observer distance sampling technique” that should help improve accuracy of population estimates. Surveys were flown during November 2013, February 2014, November 2014, and February 2015. A fifth set of surveys will be flown either in November 2015 or February 2016. At the conclusion of the project, recommendations on how to best establish a long-term monitoring program for large mammals will be provided to the East Foundation.
Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University
Seed-bank and invertebrate dynamics of moist-soil management units in New Mexico and West Texas. My name is Ryan Anthony and I am working on wetland management projects in New Mexico and Texas. I am a former Army medic with 27 months of combat experience on the Iraqi front. Previously, I have worked with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the US Fish and Wildlife Service as an intern and fellow. Historically overbank flooding of rivers due to snowmelt created large areas of seasonal wetland habitat which corresponded to the migration of waterfowl and shorebirds. In recent history, these rivers have been drained and dammed to provide water for the ever expanding mild weather cities. I have three study sites in New Mexico and Texas where I will examine the seed-bank, invertebrate dynamics, compare them to waterfowl and shorebird use and make management recommendations. This study will help current and future refuge biologists to make informed decisions based on scientific research to restore historical natural wetland processes which in turn will provide habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife that utilize these refuges. I hope that my study will benefit hunters and wildlife users enjoy our public natural resources.
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Drew G. Arnold
Emily H. Belser
Andrea Bruno
M.S. Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management
Ph.D. Student/Wildlife Science/Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Texas Tech University
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Ph.D. Candidate, Wildlife Science, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
The Immunocompetence of Northern Bobwhites on the Rolling Plains of Texas
White-tailed deer behavior and feed use at supplemental feed sites
Northern bobwhite populations have been in decline across much of their natural range for the past several decades. Much of the decline has been attributed to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, along with other man-made disturbances, but in recent years, disease processes have been implicated in possibly playing a population regulatory role. Currently there are numerous ongoing studies investigating pathogen prevalence and intensity among bobwhite populations. More often than not biologists and ecologists are eager to explain and predict the transmission, dynamics, and distribution of pathogens amongst animal populations. However, these studies often overlook the importance of host susceptibility. My research focuses on remedying this problem by measuring the immunocompetence of Northern bobwhite quail. I am investigating how highly functioning bobwhite immune systems are and the factors that may have the ability to reduce immune function. Immune function is measured via a series of immunological assays and analyzed with environmental, morphometric, and demographic parameters to better understand the influences these factors may have on immune function and thus susceptibility to disease processes.
I am from Summerton, South Carolina, where I grew up hunting and fishing. I earned my Bachelor’s degree at Clemson University in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and completed my Master’s degree at the University of Georgia, studying cranial abscesses in white-tailed deer under the direction of Dr. Karl V. Miller. I am now currently working toward my Ph.D, studying white-tailed deer feed consumption and social interactions at concentrated feed sites under the direction of Dr. Dave G. Hewitt. I just completed my second summer of data collection, in which I determined fruit production of prickly pear cactus and mesquite, with only one summer left. This information will be valuable in comparing mast production across years and determining the importance of summer mast in white-tailed deer diets. I am currently analyzing blood and hair samples from deer in an effort to determine pelleted feed consumption by individual deer. I will complete my last video camera survey, and I am already analyzing videos from previous surveys in an effort to assign each deer’s standing in the social hierarchy within the enclosures through observing social interactions at concentrated feed sites.
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Northern Bobwhite Population Densities in Relation to Experimental Grazing Regimes Northern bobwhites in Texas are often managed on rangelands in conjunction with cattle operations. Though the details of this relationship have been studied before, research on the effects of different grazing regimes on bobwhite density is conflicting. My dissertation research will focus on monitoring bobwhite density through line transect distance sampling as well as monitoring vegetation structure pre- and post-grazing treatment implementation on an 18,000-acre treatment pasture and 3-4,000 acre reference sites within Jim Hogg County, Texas. Pretreatment surveys began December 2014 and will conclude December 2015. Subsequently, the treatment pasture will be divided into four grazing regimes (continuous and rotational each with a high and low stocking rate) and stocked with 460 heifers. Our primary objectives are to identify an optimal distance sampling survey design to estimate bobwhite density and compare bobwhite population densities and vegetation structure pre- and post-experimental grazing. Our results may be used to make management decisions on rangelands where cattle production and bobwhite conservation are integrated goals. (Cooperative support was provided by the East Foundation, the South Texas Chapter of Quail Coalition, the C.C. “Charlie” Winn Endowed Chair for Quail Research and the Richard M. Kleberg, Jr. Center for Quail Research)
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 77
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Courtenay Conring
Caitlin Curry
Michelle Downey
Graduate Research Assistant, Master of Science in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management
PhD Student, Interdisciplinary Program of Genetics, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Graduate Research Assistant / M.S. Candidate / Range and Wildlife Management
Texas Tech University
Identifying new breeding grounds and migration routes, assessing overwintering space use, and resource selection of the Lower Colorado River Valley population of greater sandhill cranes. I fitted 18 Lower Colorado River Valley Population (LCRVP) greater sandhill cranes (hereafter cranes) with solar-powered GPS transmitters on their wintering grounds in southern California and Arizona during January 2014. The transmitters record four locations for each crane daily and data from transmitters will be recorded through Fall 2015. Using statistical and geospatial software, I will assess the cranes’ overwinter space use and resource selection. In addition to overwinter study objectives, I will also identify and delineate migratory paths and new breeding areas. The results from my research will assist wildlife managers by providing areas of focus for crane management throughout their range, overwintering habitat types selected by sandhill cranes, and information regarding winter movements among resources. The results will be summarized and eventually compiled with existing literature to develop a revised management plan for the LCRVP of sandhill cranes.
78 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Texas A&M University
A Century of Conservation Genetics: Reconstructing Historic Population Size & Genetic Diversity of African Lions (Panthera leo) to Ensure their Future The true conservation status of the African lion is in question due to lack of knowledge about genetic diversity of the species and conflicting estimates of population size. With the recent proposal to list the lion as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and multiple organizations backing a CITES up-listing of the lion to endangered, reliable information is needed to make accurate conservation decisions for the species. The genetic architecture of African lions from both historic (more than 100 years ago) and modern populations will be determined across the traditional range states in Africa. Historic sampling will be accomplished by isolating DNA from well-documented museum specimens. The genetic structure of contemporary lion populations will be compiled from modern material and several recently published studies. Genetic diversity will be examined using DNA sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear markers. This study aims to 1) estimate historic population size of African lions across the species’ range, 2) directly compare levels of genetic diversity over time to provide a baseline for determining the genetic health of current populations; and 3) document regional differences in genetic diversity that existed in populations prior to the extensive management and translocation efforts of the last 100 years.
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Translocation of wild northern bobwhites into the Rolling Plains of Texas Northern bobwhite populations have been declining throughout Texas, which is particularly disconcerting in areas with apparently sufficient habitat such as the Rolling Plains. Translocation of wild bobwhites has been utilized in an attempt to restore populations in other parts of the bobwhite’s range but has yielded mixed results. Therefore, I am examining the efficacy of translocating wild-trapped bobwhites into recentlydepopulated habitat in the eastern Rolling Plains of Texas in an attempt to augment bobwhite population size. 202 and 207 wild bobwhites were translocated during March 2013 and 2014, respectively, from locations within the western Rolling Plains to two wellmanaged release sites (1,000 and 650 acres) in Stephens and Shackelford counties. Preliminary findings suggest these translocated bobwhites had high annual survival, high reproductive output, and moderate site fidelity. Translocation effectiveness will be evaluated based on population estimates derived from semiannual covey-call counts and helicopter surveys during 2013–2015. Results will guide future population restoration techniques aimed to augment population size. Funding provided by the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation, Park Cities Quail Coalition, Houston Safari Club, South Texas Quail Coalition, and the Richard M. Kleberg, Jr. Center for Quail Research.
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
John Edwards
Matthew Garrick
Katie Guntly
Ph.D. Research Assistant
M.Sc. in Range and Wildlife Management
Graduate Research Assistant / Master of Science (MS) in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management / Department of Natural Resources Management
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Habitat, climate, and raptors as factors in the northern bobwhite and scaled quail declines. I was born in Tyler, Texas and lived there until I moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma at 10. I graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2010 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and earned my Master’s in Natural Resource Management from Sul Ross State University in 2013. For my thesis project I studied the effects of wildfire on the vegetative and small mammal communities in the Marfa Grasslands of West Texas. My current dissertation project deals with aspects of northern bobwhite and scaled quail populations in relation to multiple factors. The project has two major focuses. The first is more local-scale, and based on current field data. It deals with the effects of an invasive grass, tanglehead, on bobwhite abundance and spatial distribution in the western Sand Sheet area of South Texas. The second focus of my project is concerned with the landscape-scale effects of a variety of factors on the declines of both bobwhite and scaled quail. In it I am investigating the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation as well as the influence of climate factors and raptor predation on population trends in quail.
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Nutrient reserve dynamics of female northern pintails wintering along the Texas Coast I grew up in New Zealand on a farm with a family of hunters. It was my father who instilled me with conservationist ethics, while also teaching me the importance of hunting as a management tool and a cultural past time. My passion for wildlife has only grown with my diversity of research and hunting experiences in New Zealand and throughout the United States, in places such as Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, and Texas. My thesis research is focused on studying nutrition of northern pintails. Unlike other dabbling ducks in North America, abundance of the northern pintail has remained below longterm average population levels and well below population objectives established by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. A large proportion of pintails in the Central flyway winter along the Texas Coast where changes in land use over the last few decades have greatly changed the capacity of the region to support wintering pintail populations. Our objectives are to investigate several aspects of nutrition and energetics of pintails during winter. Results from this research can inform land managers on how northern pintails are responding to their management regimes, and guide improved management decisions.
Texas Tech University
Black Bear (Ursus americanus) and Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawn interactions on the NRA Whittington Center Raton, New Mexico Predation by black bears (Ursus americanus) was determined to be the number one cause of death for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns on the NRA Whittington Center by a Texas Tech study team. Over seventy percent of mule deer fawns died within the first eight months of their lives and black bears were responsible for the highest number of fawn mortalities. Our objective is to capture and outfit black bears on the NRA Whittington Center with radio transmitters and monitor their movements to determine if they move to mule deer fawning areas and depredate mule deer fawns. Then, as fawns mature and are able to escape bears, do the bears move to other areas. In order to precisely associate bear and fawn relationships it is critical to have both fawns and bears tagged with radio collars to make credible linkages. Radio transmitters will allow us to determine movement of the bears and fawns. Scat collection from bears will be used for diet determination; coyote scat will also be collected as they were the number two predator of mule deer fawns.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 79
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Kyle Thomas Hand
Sam Harryman
Ronald P. Jankowiak
Graduate Research Assistant / Masters of Science / Forest Wildlife Management
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Natural Resources Management, M.S. in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management
Range and Wildlife Management; Natural Resource Management
Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University
Identifying habitat features supporting eastern wild turkey in east Texas One hundred forty-six eastern wild turkey hens were fitted with GPS/ radio-telemetry backpack units in 2014 and 2015. Transmitters were placed on both translocated and captured native hens. GPS units were programmed to take points hourly from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. and one point at midnight from 15 March until 31 July. Translocated hens were released onto four sites throughout east Texas in both the post oak savannah and the pineywood ecoregions. Native hens were captured with rocket propelled nets and released on site. Radiomarked individuals were monitored in order to determine nest initiation, incubation period, and brooding movements. During our study two hens successfully hatched and raised poults. Broods were monitored until 30 days after hatch. One location from the morning and evening GPS fixes was randomly selected to be sampled for each of the 30 days post hatch. At each location, habitat characteristics were measured in order in order to quantify habitat which promotes brood survival. With this data, we hope to evaluate TPWD’s current habitat suitability index for eastern wild turkey. This in turn will ensure that future translocations take place in areas possessing habitat features that promote survival and reestablishment of eastern wild turkey populations.
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Texas Tech University
Understanding the Ecology of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Conservation Reserve Program- Dominated Landscapes with Implications toward Lesser Prairie-Chicken Management in Texas I was born in Lubbock and have lived in west Texas for most of my life. However, I traveled all the way to the Pineywoods of east Texas to receive my B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University in Forest Wildlife Management. My work experience as an undergraduate included maintaining hare snare lure stations for black bear research in east Texas, measuring vegetation at greater sage grouse nests in Montana, conducting call-count surveys for Eastern wild turkeys, and banding mottled ducks and mourning dove on the Texas coast. My interests include upland game bird and big game management, and my career goal is to be a wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife or a similar agency. I am studying the ecology of lesser prairie-chickens in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands for my Master’s research. We know that males conduct mating displays in CRP fields, but knowledge is lacking about movements, habitat selection, and survival within the CRP-dominated landscape. My work involves placing GPS transmitters on prairie-chickens captured on leks, calculating daily movement distances and home range areas, and determining causes and timing of mortality. The results of my study will aid lesser prairie-chicken conservation efforts in Texas.
Sul Ross State University
A Comparison of Two Sympatric Desert Quail Species I’m in my last year as a graduate student at Sul Ross. My project is evaluating differences and comparing the ecologies of both Gambel’s and Scaled quail in the Trans-Pecos ecoregion of Texas. The research is focused primarily on the nesting ecologies of both species. Specific variables in nesting ecology such as clutch size, nesting success, hatchability, and selection of nesting substrate are being evaluated. Other aspects being assessed are summer survival, spatial distribution, and movements within the landscape. Currently, field research for my project is in the last phase and concluding. I plan to graduate with my Master of Science next spring or summer (2016).
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Anastasia Krainyk
John Leonard
Brandon Mitchell
Ph.D. candidate at Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Caesar Kleberg Research Institute
PhD Candidate, Wildlife Sciences
Graduate Research Assistant-Range and Wildlife Management
Development and validation of a Mottled Duck Decision Support Tool (DST) to Prioritize habitat for conservation in the Western Gulf Coast. I received the Houston Safari Club Scholarship in September of 2015. Not being overburdened with expenses I was able to meet deadlines for my dissertation research and expect to graduate in December. My dissertation focuses on the development and validation of a Mottled Duck Decision Support Tool (DST) to prioritize habitat for conservation in the Western Gulf Coast. The mottled duck is a focal species for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a priority species in the Texas and Louisiana Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans. The mottled duck is an extremely popular sport harvest species attracting many hunters from all over the United States to coasts of Texas and Louisiana. Population survey data suggests the WGC mottled duck population has experienced a long-term decline in Texas, stable or slightly increasing in Louisiana, and is declining across its entire WGC range. The conversion and degradation of nesting and brood-rearing habitats is believed responsible for declines; hence, conservation and management of important wetlands and grassland habitats is a priority concern for the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV) partnership. This project will support species through science-based conservation and provide hunters with healthy populations of harvest species. I am fortunate to be a part of a project that bridges conservation, management and the hunting community.
University: Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Habitat use, density, and MHC diversity of ocelots (leopardus pardalis) in the willacy population of south texas My project involves tracking sympatric ocelots and bobcats on the East El Sauz ranch, using GPS and radio telemetry, in order to understand habitat use, interspecific niche partitioning, and density. Using state-of-the art GPS collars, we have obtained an unprecedented insight into the finescale movement patterns of ocelots and bobcats. This research will ultimately shed light on how two similarly-sized carnivores can coexist, and may help us understand the extent to which ocelots and bobcats compete for the same resources. A second component of my research involves assessing the levels of functional genetic variation in the remaining U.S. ocelot populations through Next Generation sequencing of an important gene in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). The MHC codes for genes that are instrumental to the vertebrate immune response, and diversity of MHC alleles is thought to be essential for population resilience. Previous studies have already found reduced neutral genetic variation in remaining ocelot populations. However, neutral genetic variation is not always predictive of functional genetic variation. Understanding how MHC variation in ocelot populations has changed over time will give managers a better idea of the genetic health of these populations and may help guide future translocation efforts.
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Development of a Guide for the Placement of Constructed Roost Sites for Rio Grande Turkeys in the South Texas Plains The Wild turkey is an important component of the South Texas wildlife community. Wild turkeys typically use large trees such as live oak and hackberry for roosting cover. Unfortunately, many of these large trees have died throughout the region due largely to the recent five-year drought. The consequence of this may lead to a decrease in the survival of wild turkeys and/or the vacating of many areas where there is not sufficient roosting cover. Many landowners have previously constructed roost sites for wild turkeys using man-made structures, such as abandoned non-functioning windmills or telephone poles, with added appendages to the top of both to provide adequate roosting area. My project involves measuring the habitat components, such as brush cover and herbaceous cover, surrounding preexisting roost as well as examining the design features in order to determine the most suitable areas and designs for constructed roost sites.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 81
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Dakota Neel
Lindsey M. Phillips
Lindsay Roberts
Graduate Student, MS Wildlife
Graduate Research Assistant / Master’s of Science / Rangeland and Wildlife Management
Graduate Research Assistant, Master’s Candidate in Range and Wildlife Management
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Natural Resources Management Texas Tech University
Pronghorn use of fence modifications and water sources in South Central New Mexico The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and Texas Tech University (TTU) have collaborated on a two-year pronghorn translocation project in New Mexico. A total of 163 pronghorn were trapped in 2013 and 2014 on the UU Bar Ranch in Northern New Mexico and translocated to two study areas in South Central New Mexico. The objectives of this study are to 1) estimate survival rates of translocated pronghorn and determine cause-specific mortality; 2) determine pronghorn use of newly developed fence modifications on the Macho Wildlife Study Area; 3) investigate methods for accurately identifying pronghorn fence crossings; 4) determine pronghorn use of water sources; and 5) evaluate factors related to the locations of pronghorn fence crossings.
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The effects of varying white-tailed deer and supplemental feeder densities on the woody plant canopy cover, density, canopy volume, and mast production The objective of my research is to determine the impacts of different white-tailed deer and supplemental feeder densities on woody plant canopy cover, density, canopy volume, and mast production. I am testing the hypothesis that as deer density increases, the various woody plant components mentioned above will decrease. However, it is also hypothesized that as feeder density increases, the effects of deer on these woody plant components will decrease. My research is taking place on two ranches, each with six 80-ha enclosures surrounded by 2.5 m net-wire fence and the following deer and feeder density combinations: 0, 20, 40, and 60 deer with one feeder, 60 deer with three feeders, and 80 deer with four feeders. Woody plant canopy cover is estimated using the line intercept method, while woody plant density is estimated using the belt transect method. Woody plant canopy volume and mast production are estimated by sampling pairs of similar-sized plants, one of which has had an enclosure built around it so that deer cannot browse on one plant in each pair. Research is ongoing, but preliminary results show that what was predicted in the hypotheses is not actually occurring in nature.
Effects of White-tailed deer population and supplemental feeder densities on herbaceous vegetation My project objective is to determine the maximum number of supplementally fed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that can be supported in the southwest Texas thornscrub without causing a decline in palatable forbs or an increase in unpalatable forbs. Research was conducted in enclosures on two ranches in southwest Texas containing different deer densities and ad-libitum feeder and water sites. During June 2013–2015, I estimated canopy cover of forbs and grasses in pre-established vegetation transects. Each March and May during 2014–2015, I harvested standing crop of palatable and unpalatable forbs in paired caged and uncaged plots to determine the effects of deer density on standing crop of preferred species. Also, I monitored the survival of two palatable perennial forbs monthly during 2014– 2015. Preliminary findings contradict some traditional predictions about plant community responses to deer foraging and show that precipitation may cause greater short-term changes in herbaceous composition in this semiarid environment. By measuring the effects of deer browsing on preferred species of vegetation at different deer and feeder densities while taking into consideration climatic conditions, the effectiveness of providing supplemental feed to support large deer densities without degrading the habitat can be determined.
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
2015
Derek Wiley
Sean Yancey
Justin “Pierce” Young
Master of Science: Wildlife Science Aquatic Wildlands
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) / Doctor of Philosophy in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management / Natural Resources Management
Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management
Texas Tech University
Supplemental feed effects on bobwhite quail reproduction Supplemental feeding for quail is not a new idea. Several studies have focused on this aspect of quail management, however, using a feeding technique of broadcasting feed into roadside vegetation we have changed the way supplemental feed is administered. This allows for quail to feed without exposing themselves unnecessarily to predators, and prevents predators keying on immobile feeders. Previous research has shown that broadcast feeding helps in quail reproduction by allowing for larger eggs, therefore more healthy chicks, and allowing hens to nest over a longer period. My focus has been on reducing the amount of supplement administered to see if the same positive benefits are observed with a lower amount of supplement. So far the numbers have been encouraging. This study also includes a vegetation aspect by using cover over a nest and surrounding vegetation to help determine why that particular nest site was chosen. I am currently finishing my second and final field season and at the start of fall semester will begin organizing data and performing my analysis to determine the effects of reduced supplemental feed.
Texas Tech University
Survival, Movements, Habitat Use, and Reproductive Success of Northern Bobwhites and Scaled Quail Translocated from the South Texas Plains to the Rolling Plains of Texas and Acoustic Location Survey Techniques of Northern Bobwhite Quail I am originally from Northeast Kansas and this is where my love for the outdoors grew. Being in the outdoors with family regularly allowed me to grow an appreciation for hunting, especially upland hunting. The experiences from hunting helped pave a direction me in regards to academics. I received a Bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University in Wildlife Biology, and a Master’s degree from Texas Tech University. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. at Texas Tech University. My research focuses on two different scopes in regards to northern bobwhites and scaled quail. I translocated both species from South Texas to the Rolling Plains of Texas to examine the viability of supplementing areas where populations where hindered by effects such as drought. An effective translocation protocol for moving birds from an area with healthy populations to areas with low densities would have many inherent benefits. The second scope of my research focuses on different types of monitoring techniques for northern bobwhites to help provide new methods for monitoring populations across the landscape.
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
White-tailed deer population and feeder density effects on overwintering fawns in south Texas and responses of woody browse species to white-tailed deer densities in south Texas I grew up in Columbus, Mississippi, spending most of my time hunting. I received my B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Mississippi State University in May 2014. During my time at MSU I was able to research whitetailed deer under Dr. Steve Demarais. In June 2014, I started my M.S. in Range and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on the Comanche-Faith Study under Dr. Timothy Fulbright. My current research involves studying white-tailed deer population effects on overwintering fawns and woody browse species in south Texas. Starting in July 2014, I annually re-measure stems and thorns on blackbrush acacia, twisted acacia, and spiny hackberry in research enclosures with varied white-tailed deer densities. Each July and October I remove leaf and twig samples on different plants of the same browse species for nutritional quality analysis. My objective is to test the hypothesis that there may be a deer density at which optimal regrowth and nutritional quality of woody browse species can be maintained through browsing. In November each year, fawns are captured, tagged, and collared with GPS units to examine the effects of deer density and feeder availability on fawn survival, habitat selection, movement rates, and temporal activity patterns.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 83
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 85
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
CHAIR MEN’S MESSAGE
T
he year has passed by quickly and here we are just a month away from the convention. This has truly been a learning experience for us, but with the help of all of the committee chairs and everyone in the HSC office we are looking forward to a great “Commitment to Tomorrow”. Thursday night will be full of fun welcoming back old friends and making new ones at our Exhibitor and Volunteer Appreciation Party, followed by “Laissez les bon temps rouler” Friday night with a journey to “Mardi Gras” complete with Curtis Poullard and the Creole Zydeco Band. Pug Mostyn and Carole Henderson have put together an incredible silent auction and the Big Board has some great items this year: a pistol, rifle, Go Pro, two duck hunts and a youth four wheeler. Our special guest speaker will be Craig Boddington. Linda Cunningham and Carol O’day have been working diligently on the Gazelles’ Luncheon. Saturday morning is sure to be an exciting time with fabulous silent and live auction items for everyone. If you haven’t purchased your ticket, you need to do so soon, as the last two years have sold out. The Saturday evening black tie gala will be fi lled with awards, live auctions and a blast from the past with the Liverpool Legends! Our special guest speaker will be Shane Mahoney. Sunday afternoon is the raffle drawing and we have some great prizes lined up for the 2016 convention. Be sure and purchase your raffle tickets, if you haven’t done so already, and if you have, then purchase some more!!! We have some new additions this year that are sure to be fun and entertaining. There will be a photo booth upstairs complete with props for taking great candid photos. There will also be a special “passport” contest that will take attendees to many different vendors for “stamping”. Completed passports will go into a special prize drawing. There will be a three day silent auction sponsored by Diamonds in the Rough, a sporting memorabilia group, and a special appearance by Matt Hughes, who is a nine time UFC welterweight champion. We would like to thank Matt Pyle for his ongoing efforts on securing convention sponsors. We are pleased and excited to have continued support from Sonic Automotive, Capital Farm Credit, Enterprise Products, and S&B Engineering along with 86 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
our new sponsor, Safari Specialty Importers as of this writing. We are very fortunate to have such longtime and loyal sponsors. We would also like to extend our deep appreciation to the many underwriting sponsors and their commitment to the convention. There are many factors to organizing a successful convention. We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the following for their personal commitment: • Susan and David Kalich for all of their hard work on the Youth Wildlife Conservation Education Program (YWCE). This is the third year for this event and it has grown in the number of students each year. In addition to Shane Mahoney and Craig Boddington, Ivan Carter will also be a participating speaker, along with: Gary Rose, Michael and Roxanne Beeson of ROMTAG Riflewerks, Kelly Norrid from Texas Parks and Wildlife, Game Wardens Hennie Volshenk and Brandon Meinkowsky (Brandon happens to be an HSC Scholarship recipient) and Conroe Taxidermy. • Ralph and Deb Cunningham, along with Darrell Kainer for their ever continuing efforts on the live auctions. As usual, they have a fantastic lineup of items including an amazing array of art donations secured by Melanie and John Pepper. • Julianne King, for her ongoing efforts and exquisite decorating skills for the Friday and Saturday night events. It is always a pleasant surprise to see what she has planned for each event, and • Barrett Simpson, for his dedication and time that it takes to keep all of the evening events running smoothly. We would like to say a HUGE thank you to the HSC office staff, the Convention Chairs, and ALL of the volunteers for their ongoing support and assistance throughout the year and during the convention. “Commitment to Tomorrow” is sure to be a great success because of your contributions. It is our pleasure and honor to serve as Co-Chairs of the 2016 convention. We look forward to seeing you in January at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Laissez les bons temp rouler, Mitzy McCorvey and Anna Morrison 2016 HSC Convention Co-Chairs
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
SPONSOR S PR ESEN TING SPONSOR
PL ATINU M SPONSOR S
Capital Farm Credit
S&B Engineering
GOLD SPONSOR
Enterprise Products
Silver Eagle Distributors
SILV ER SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSOR
Carter’s Country
Safari Specialty Importers
U NDERW R ITING SPONSOR S
Daggaboy Hunting Safaris
El Carmen Land and Conservation Company
Conroe Taxidermy
NRA Women’s Leadership Forum
Danny McCallum Safaris
Brush Country Studios
State Farm Insurance
B&B Taxidermy Est. 1939
Prairie Mountain Studio
www.knappchevrolet.com
Knapp Chevrolet
Let It Fly Events
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 87
Thank you
Brenda and Larry Potterfield and Midway USA Foundation
91
for Sponsoring For Sponsoring Houston Safari Club’s ThirdHouston Annual YouthSafari Wildlife Club's Conservation Second Annual Youth Wildlife Experience Conservation Experience
88 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016 Hunter’s Horn • CONVENTION 2015
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5
The Houston Safari Club annual expo and convention continuously surprises, entertains and informs attendees. The up and coming 2016 event Commitment to Tomorrow is no exception. Friday morning, January 15, HSC’s Third Annual Youth Wildlife/Conservation Experience (YWCE), as part of the expo and convention, will introduce area high school students to the many possibilities their love of the outdoors can hold, whether participating in our honorable sport, as a career or in community service. Topics include Art of Taxidermy, Urban Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Law Enforcement, Wildlife Biology and Management, Craft of Gunsmithing, and Hunting Africa. Excellent presenters in each of these respective fields have graciously volunteered their time to discuss how their personal love of the outdoors brought them to their respective fields of endeavor. They will educate in the areas of community awareness, safe and sportsmanlike use of fi rearms, hunting ethics, and conservation of the wildlife and its habitat. In addition to the sessions, attendees will have an opportunity to not only visit with noted Wildlife Artist Vicki McMillan, who will demonstrate her remarkable artistic talents, but they will individually contribute to the painting of a canvas to be auctioned off during one HSC’s many auctions. Attendees will finish off a well-rounded experience with a visit to the HSC Exhibit Hall. HSC sincerely thanks our YWCE sponsor, Midway U.S.A. We appreciate their interest in our endeavor and grateful for their support. The collaboration of the hunting and wildlife businesses, organizations and community will assure that this experience will continue to gain momentum and achieve success. HSC members agree that this hunting and fishing life has given us a passion for the sport that extends into wildlife and habitat conservation, hunter education, and the desire to pass on our hunting and fishing heritage to the future. The Youth Wildlife/ Conservation Experience allows us to extend our reach into our community, have a presence and an influence. This is our legacy and our Commitment to Tomorrow!
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
ART OF TAXIDERMY
Conroe Taxidermy
HUNTING AFRICA
Ivan Carter, Professional Hunter, TV Host of Tracks Across Africa and Hornady’s Africa
URBAN WILDLIFE CONSERVTION
Kelly Norrid Texas Parks and Wildlife
WILDLIFE ARTIST
Vickie McMillan
WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT
Officer Hennie Volschenk Texas Parks and Wildlife
SPECIAL GUEST; OPENING ADDRESS
Shane Mahoney, Conservation Visions Inc. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
Gary Rose
SPECIAL GUEST; CLOSING ADDRESS
CRAFT OF GUNSMITHING
Michael & Roxanne Beeson Romtag Riflewerks, LLC
Craig Boddington, Hunter/ Journalist/Adventurer
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2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
COMMIT TEE
VOLU N T EER S 2016 CONVENTION CO-CHAIRS
ART DONATIONS
BANQUET & DECORATIONS
CONVENTION RAFFLE
Robert Thomas
John Pepper Melanie Pepper
Mitzy McCorvey Anna Morrison
CONVENTION REGISTRATION
Jennifer Palladina
Gene Human
CONVENTION SPONSORS
Matt Pyle
CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS
JD Burrows
PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
Matt Mann
CONVENTION HUNTING AWARDS
GAZELLES LUNCHEON CO-CHAIRS
YOUTH HUNTER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Jerry Henderson
Linda Cunningham Carol O’Day
FRIDAY NIGHT SILENT AUCTION
Carole Henderson Pug Mostyn
FIREARMS
EXHIBITS CHAIRMAN
LIVE AUCTIONS
Ralph Cunningham Darrell Kainer
Julianne King
CONVENTION ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN
Barret Simpson
Scott Garrett
Deb Cunningham
HUNTRESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Chrissie Jackson
HOUS T O N S A FA R I C L U B
Convention Volunteers Needed! Houston Safari Club is looking for volunteers to help exhibitors. The convention dates are January 15–17, 2016.
90 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Be a part of the convention crew! If you are interested, please contact Andrew Henley at andrew@houstonsafariclub.org or 713.623.8492.
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 91
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92 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
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CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 93
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thank you
Michael and Suzanne Ambrose would like to thank Phil Byrd owner, pilot of Arctic North Guides for another truly great Alaskan Adventure. This was one of the most rewarding Hunts I have ever been on as the Moose was called to within 10 yards in thick Spruce and Alder Forest. WOW! Fantastic.
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is Proud to be a Scholarship Sponsor of
The Houston Safari Club Enterprise is pleased to support The Houston Safari Club and its long-standing mission to preserve the sport of hunting, promote wildlife conservation and educate the public about these initiatives. A Fortune 100 company, Enterprise is the largest publicly traded partnership with an enterprise value of approximately $80 billion. With an integrated network of assets that includes more than 49,000 miles of pipelines, Enterprise is a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. By every financial measure, the partnership has grown significantly since its IPO in July 1998. During that time, total assets have increased from $715 million to approximately $48 billion. Enterprise is listed on the NYSE and trades under the ticker symbol “EPD.� For more information, visit Enterprise on the web at www.enterpriseproducts.com.
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 95
Morning Mists, 26 x 47 inches, oil on canvas
96 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
LANGMEAD’S
Wild Vision David Langmead, Houston Safari Club’s Wildlife Artist of the Year Paints Both to Inspire Us and Ignite a Call to Action for Africa BY TODD WILKINSON CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 97
A
rtist David Langmead doesn’t merely paint astounding scenes of African wildlife and landscapes. Flowing from his palette are the colors of hope.
One of Langmead’s reference points for optimism, making him believe that things can get better on his own troubled continent, is the 19th century American frontier. Bison, pronghorn, elk, deer, moose, beaver, trumpeter swans, grizzlies, wolves, cougars and other creatures were nearly wiped from the map of the West. Romantic painters ranging from Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran to Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, John M. Stanley and W.R. Leigh, among others, showed how powerful art can be as a force in elevating public awareness. Fine art fueled conservation and development of the North American Model of big game management championed by the likes of Republican President Theodore Roosevelt. As a result, in many corners of the West today landscapes have been “rewilded” with the species above, not only to profound ecological and economic benefit but in playing a crucial role in restoring human connections to nature. Langmead isn’t interested in celebrating a long-last past that may never be again and has no relevance in the lives of young people. He wants to give those who love Africa a reason to rally in its defense as elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetah and other iconic animals confront the biggest threats to their survival ever. It is appropriate that Langmead is Houston Safari Club’s wildlife artist of the year, given the passion of its members for supporting conservation. “It should go without saying that this is a great honor,” Langmead says. “Sportsmen and women were crucial in improving the fates of North American wildlife. I believe their voices will be deciding factors again in convincing the world to make wildlife conservation a priority for Africa because frankly there is no more time to waste.” From Langmead’s studio window in Nieu Bethesda, a haven for artisans in South Africa’s magical Great Karoo, the crushing blows being inflicted upon wildlife populations by poaching and habitat loss are never far away. “I don’t think anyone can refute the premise that given two artists of equal talent, the artist that lives, breathes and experiences his natural environment every day will re-create it better, in paintings, than the one who doesn’t,” says Ross Parker, co-founder of Call of Africa’s Native Visions Galleries, which will have a booth at Houston
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The Apprenticeship, oil on canvas
LANGMEAD’S WILD VISION : BY TODD WILKINSON
Above: Ivory Tower, 271 ⁄2 x 23 inches, oil on canvas Top Right: Moment Of Reflection, 181 ⁄2 x 321 ⁄4 inches, oil on canvas Lower Right: Morning Moves, 18 x 251 ⁄2 inches, oil on canvas
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LANGMEAD’S WILD VISION : BY TODD WILKINSON
David wants to give those who love Africa a reason to rally in its defense as elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetah and other iconic animals confront the biggest threats ever to their survival.
Top: Seat of Power, oil on canvas Above: Close to the Heart, oil on canvas Right: Golden Glow, 121 ⁄2 x 24 inches, oil on canvas Next Page: King of a Thousand Hills, 103 ⁄4 x 155 ⁄8 inches, oil on canvas 100 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Safari Club’s Annual Convention. “David Langmead’s vision is an outgrowth of him growing up in African bush and his cravings for it as an adult.” When Langmead was a teenager, he lived in the eastern highlands of what was then Rhodesia. The bush war that brought an end to colonial white rule and the creation of Zimbabwe had devastating consequences for nature in the wider region. Gorongosa National Park in neighboring Mozambique, once one of the premier wildland preserves in Africa, suffered devastating losses. Some thought the park could never recover. But today Gorongosa is undergoing a slow rebirth. When Langmead paints, he says, he does it as an act of faith to remind Americans and Europeans “not to turn their backs on Africa but to engage because it needs our attention more than ever.” And that’s why he gets his greatest satisfaction knowing that his artworks have become topics of conversation for grandparents, parents and children about the ethics involved in giving a voice to wildlife. In works such as “Ivory Tower” and “Delta Traffic” portraying elephants, “Morning Moves,” a moody portrait of leopard, “In the Spotlight” celebrating an egret, and “Golden Glow,” an homage to lion, you get a sense of his range. (Note: all of these works can be viewed online at www.nativevisions.com where you can also get preview of Langmead’s works that he’ll debut at Houston Safari Club in 2016). Langmead’s portfolio reads like an adventure travelogue. He’s painted in the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta of Botswana, Kruger in South Africa, Matobo and Hwange national parks in Zimbabwe; he’s observed elephants and lions up close in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools up along the Zambezi River and he’s made explorations with Parker into Malawi and Zambia. “I started collecting his work because authenticity pours out of it,” says Shawn DeRosa, a medical instruments entrepreneur from Florida, who owns two dozen Langmeads. “The first ones I purchased were little ten-by-ten-inch studies but size didn’t matter because they were very striking. David’s work has a way of getting inside you and becoming the kinds of scenes you
LANGMEAD’S WILD VISION : BY TODD WILKINSON
want to view every day in your home,” DeRosa says. “Eventually, I purchased larger works and their presence can fill up a room in the best possible of ways.” In recent years, Langmead and Parker have donated a percentage of sales from original artworks to wildlife rehabilitation centers aiding animals left orphaned by poachers and to preserves such as North Luangwa National Park, where game guards are engaged in a bloody battle to hold the line against daily poaching incursions. Langmead’s depictions of birds, bathed in evanescent light, have been judged into the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s prestigious Birds in Art Show in Wausau, Wisconsin, and some of those works have gone on a national museum tour. Meanwhile, his celebrations of the Big Five are coveted by collectors of sporting art. “We are now losing a thousand rhino a year to poaching,” Langmead says. “The populations are soon going to be unviable and extinction will be inevitable. Americans need to use whatever influence they have. We cannot exploit our planet, as we are doing, at the cost of our children’s future.” During a recent trip to Mana Pools, a park under siege, Langmead, Parker and friends still managed to enjoy its tranquility. They partook in several long distance walks and had close encounters with lions,
elephants, Cape buffalo, crocodile and hippo. Mana Pools is not only one of the wildest preserves in southern Africa, it is among the most dangerous and rewarding for an artist who dares leave the safe confines of a vehicle. Upon leaving, Langmead and Parker were fired up, refusing to be passive in allowing Mana Pools to suffer the same fate as Gorongosa. “A place shouldn’t have to be destroyed before you appreciate it. That’s why David’s art is important.” Fired up, Langmead emailed Parker the following note once they returned home: “I am back in the studio feeling really inspired after one of the best weeks I can remember,” he penned. “The bush was an absolute balm for the soul and I could just keep walking and never stop. As a lifestyle profession, this is like no other. It can be magical. I am truly blessed to have your friendship. Good mates are rare.” So, too, for that matter, is great wildlife art that speaks to our time on Earth— decoration that proclaims our values, leaves us inspired and compels us to want to make a positive difference. That’s what David Langmead’s paintings do.
“Not every corner of the planet has succumbed to human dominance or ruin. Fortunately, some animals are too fierce, too strong to have gone away completely. My paintings are for them.” —David Langmead
Todd Wilkinson has been a hunter and angler his entire life. He is author of the new critically-acclaimed book “Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek, An Intimate Portrait of 399, the Most Famous Bear of Greater Yellowstone” available at: www.mangelsen.com/grizzly CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 101
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Preview
Convention Art
Love, Life and Community, 40 x 36 inches, giclĂŠee print by Vickie McMillan
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Arrow of Life, 38 x 38 inches, original painting by Laurel Barbieri
Verdite sculpture by renowned Zimbabwean artist James Tandi
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Top of the World, bronze sculpture, 44 x 25 x 12 inches, by Lorenzo Ghilgieri
Too Much Bull, 24 x 12 inches, oil on Belgian linen, by John Banovich
104 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Big Boy, 12 x 9 inches, original oil by Peter Blackwell
The Guardians, original oil on Belgian Linen, 18 x 34 inches, by Cory Carlson
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The Gazelles Luncheon
CON V E N TION
Around the Campfire
D
o you remember going on your first camping trip as a child and looking forward to roasting marshmallows, telling scary stories and laughing so hard you cried as you sat around the campfire? Or, on your first safari to Africa, sharing the events of the day with fellow hunters as you gathered around the campfire? Or being exhausted from a long day of packing out your trophy, topping the hill and being relieved to see the glow of your campfire? These and so many more are fond memories we have experienced on many occasions. We hope you will join us as we gather “Around the Campfire” for the annual Gazelles Luncheon which promises to rekindle those fond memories of friendships and good times. As you enter our wilderness setting, you will soon discover the specialty items in our Silent Auction. We have a few surprises this year and you certainly will want to place a bid or two or three. The Wine and Liquor Pull has become a crowd favorite — buy a chance and take a pull, you’ll be surprised with what you get. Our Live Auction will be packed with wonderful hunting trips, beautiful art and distinctive items from around the world. The Luncheon Auction is the one you don’t want to miss out on! We will get back to our folk music roots as we listen to songs like “Bluegrass Breakdown,” “Tulsa Time” and “Old Slew Foot” played by the Lonestar Bluegrass Band, which has won “Best Bluegrass Band” three years in a row while their leader, Chris Hirsch, has won the Texas State Banjo Championship for three consecutive years as well. Linda and I have extended an invitation to the Texas Tea Party Republican Women and several notable political officials to attend our Luncheon. This year we are pleased to have as our “Special Guests” the Executive Director of Texas Parks & Wildlife –Mr. Carter Smith and Precinct 4 Commissioner — “Cactus” Jack Cagle. There is the possibility of a surprise appearance by a Presidential hopeful, but we will have to wait and see! Our Luncheon is made extra special by our generous sponsors, many of whom have supported this event for several years. They do this because the Luncheon is just so much fun! We greatly appreciate their continued support and extend a Texas Size “Thank You” to each one. This year we have our first ever Presenting Sponsor – CamoMe Couture. Founded by Kathryn Brown and Jody Simpson, CamoMe Couture has created their own line of women’s hunting and casual wear that is functional, fits well and looks fashionable. Thank you to Jody and Kathryn for their generous support! Linda and I have had a great time working with the ladies on the Luncheon Committee. We owe a big “Thank You” to each and every one of them for their hard work and support throughout the year. To us, “Around the Campfire” represents the end of the day, a time to reflect and remember, a time to laugh with friends, and a time to look to the future with hope that the next generation will have the experiences and moments of solitude in the wild outdoors that we cherish and remember. Carol O’Day & Linda Cunningham Gazelles Luncheon Co-Chairs
106 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
PRESENTING SPONSOR CamoMe Couture
GOLD SPONSOR Rod Family: Bob, Gay, Michelle, and Wyatt SILVER SPONSORS Melanie & John Pepper Mary Ann & Gerald Russell Major Creations Cheryl & Kevin Ormston Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Kerry & Carol O’Day BRONZE SPONSORS Ron & Estelle Mostyn Gene & Robin Human Ralph & Deb Cunningham JD & Angie Burrows Anna & Tommy Morrison Matt & Suzie Pyle Trey & Laurie-Leigh White
2 016 H S C C O N V E N T I O N
www.southtexaswildlifemanagement.com Our Services
HUN TING AWA R D SPONSOR S
HABITAT MANAGEMENT disking, shredding, wetland creation, food plots, brush control, chemical application WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT camera analysis, buck identification guides, harvest recommendations, predator and hog control RANCH MAINTENANCE filling feeders, blind upkeep, livestock maintenance, general ranch maintenance, security
Frank Comiskey Insurance
Want a better dove hunting experience? We specialize in habitat improvement around dove holes.
Prentiss & Helen Burt
Call or email us and we’ll visit the site free and discuss the job.
Mike Ambrose
southtexaswildlifemanagement @ gmail.com 361-720-9312
Herb & Marla Atkinson Fred Lamas Stephen Coale JD & Angie Burrows John Colglazier Ralph & Deb Cunningham CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 107
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FRIDAY NIGHT
SILENT AUCTION SAMPLE OF AUCTION ITEMS Turnbull Commander Custom 1911 .38 Super Pistol VALUE: $2600 DONOR: Legendary Arms Works WEBSITE: legendaryarmsworks.com
Four-day full service duck and goose hunt for two hunters in Manitoba VALUE: $6000 DONOR: Michitoba Outfitting WEBSITE: michitobaoutfitting.com/
Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet by artist Alton Bedonie set with a larimer stone
W
e’re cooking up a silent auction that you’ll want to savor on Friday night. The committee (Monica Williamson, David Smith, Stephen Nickelson and Shaun Nelson) has worked hard along with the HSC staff to bring you a great assortment. Finding items ranging from a Canadian Duck Hunt to a Rockport “Blast & Cast” to a Youth ATV, you’ll want to hire someone to help cart all of your treasures home that night. We’ll even give you a chance to take something with you to cook your fish in and more of … Your Favorite Things (to the tune of the famous Sound of Music song). Ammo and optics and cookbooks to guide you, Kids’ poolside lounge and a blind that will hide you, Jewelry and spa days and men’s custom shirts. These are a few of the things you’ll want most. You’ll find good books and fine art here, a long bow and good wine. Just show up and bid til your heart is content and you’ll surely have A GOOD TIME! Carole Henderson and Pug Mostyn 108 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
VALUE: $1450 DONOR: Leota’s Indian Art WEBSITE: leotasindianart.com
Family Membership to Bass Fishing Club VALUE: $605 DONOR: Private Water Fishing WEBSITE: privatewaterfishing.com/
.22 Membership to Redneck Country Club VALUE: $250 DONOR: Redneck Country Club WEBSITE: theredneckcountryclub.com
Antler Table Lamp with Rawhide Shade VALUE: $650 DONOR: Terry Wilson Antler WEBSITE: wilsonantlers.com
Design
Kudu horn table top candle holder
VALUE: $735 DONOR: The Arrangement Distinctive WEBSITE: thearrangement.com
Interiors
Custom Boot Gift Certificate VALUE: $500 DONOR: JB Hill WEBSITE: jbhilltexas.com
Four Man Team for Sky High for St. Jude VALUE: $500 DONOR: Sky High for St. Jude WEBSITE: skyhighshoot.org
Gift Certificate towards taxidermy VALUE: $1000 DONOR: Rhodes Brothers Taxidermy WEBSITE: rhodestaxidermy.com
and Game Processing
Two-day guided fishing trip for two anglers in Rockport, Texas VALUE: $2360 DONOR: Redfish Lodge on Copano WEBSITE: redfishlodge.com
Bay
2016
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Live Auction Preview
CON V EN TION AC Ranch acranch.net Three-day hunt Addax hunt in Eldorado, Texas for one hunter. $5,000
Baranof Jewelers baranofjewelry.com Ten carat tanzanite and diamond pendant set in white gold. $38,900
Carlson Fine Art Studios corycarlson.com The Guardians 18x34" original oil on Belgian linen by Cory Carlson $5,600
Acute Angling acuteangling.com Seven-day fishing trip in the Amazon region of Brazil for one angler to fish for peacock bass, payara, trairao, bicuba and giant catfish. $5,250
Baranof Jewelers baranofjewelry.com Eight carat tanzanite and diamond ring set in white gold. $34,900
Castle Valley Outdoors LLC castlevalleyoutdoors.com Two-day, three-night hunt for two hunters in Utah for pheasant, chuckar and quail. $6,400
Africa Maximum Safaris africamaximum.com 10-day safari for two hunters and two non-hunters. Includes trophy fees for one lioness, one crocodile, one blue wildebeest, one blesbuck, and one impala. $26,000 Alaska Fur Gallery akfurgallery.com Mink Knitted Wrap $3,500 Alaska Fur Gallery akfurgallery.com Fox Blanket $15,000 Algar Safaris algar-safaris.com Five full-day Argentina big game hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter including trophy fee for Red Stag. $7,300 Alpine Hunting Adventures alpinehunting.com Four-day Sika deer hunt for one hunter and one observer—North Island, New Zealand. $6,080 Aregentina Puelo Expeditions pueloexpeditions.com Three-day dove hunt in the hills of North Córdoba, Argentina, for three hunters. $6,750
Baranof Jewelers baranofjewelry.com Five carat tanzanite and diamond earrings set in white gold. $19,000 Blaser USA blaser-usa.com The 2016 Houston Safari Club President’s Rifle, a Blaser R8. Priceless Call of Africa, Inc callofafrica.com Golden Arches, 25x17", oil on canvas, by David Langmead, HSC 2016 Artist of the Year! $12,500 Call of Africa, Inc callofafrica.com Beautifully detailed verdite sculpture by renowned Zimbabwean artist James Tandi. $8,500 Cape to Cairo Safari huntinafrica.com Ten-day fully catered plains game safari for two hunters in Namibia. Includes $1,000 trophy fee credit per hunter. $11,000 Cardrona Safaris cardronasafaris.com Five day hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter in New Zealand. Includes trophy fee for stag up to 450" SCI. $15,000
Cazatur - Spain and Europe cazatur.com Four-day hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter that includes trophy fees for a Spanish red deer, European fallow deer or European mouflon sheep. $3,750 Cibolo Creek Ranch cibolocreekranch.com Three-day, two-night Aoudad ram hunt in West Texas for one hunter and one non-hunter. Guided by Executive Director Joe Betar. $10,340 Comre Safaris comresafaris.co.za Seven day hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Includes trophy fees for one Impala, one Blesbok-Brown, one Springbok-Common, one SpringbokBlack, one Grey Duiker. $8,710 Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail cottonmesawhitetail.com Three-day Texas whitetail hunt for one hunter. Includes trophy fee for one whitetail deer up to 170" B&C. $8,000 Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica crocodilebay.com Three-day Tower Boat offshore or inshore fishing package in Costa Rica for four anglers. $7,750
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Live Auction Preview
CON V EN TION Deborah Vaughn Designs dvjewelry.com Circa 1960 Capri gold and turquoise toned flower pendant and glass bead necklace with matching earrings. $850
France Safaris francesafaris.com Four-day hunt for one hunter and one observer in the south of France. Includes trophy fee for one bronze fallow deer. $5,750
Detail Company Adventures detailcompany.com Three-day high volume dove hunt in Cordoba, Argentina for four hunters. $6,480
Frontera Wingshooting fronterawingshooting.com Three-day high volume dove hunt in Cordoba for four hunters. $8,040
Diamonds in the Rough diamondsintheroughauctions.com John David Crow autographed full-size Texas A&M helmet. Priceless
FTW / SAAM Training ftwoutfiters.com Five-night, four-day SAAM Precision safari/hunt combo course for two hunters. Includes $1,200 trophy fee for each. $9,600
Double D Ranch Three-day quail, chuckar, pheasant and black bass fishing for four couples or eight singles at the Double D Ranch in Rosanky, Texas. $30,000 El Carmen Land & Conservation Co. LLC - CEMEX cemex.com Four-day mule deer hunt for two hunters in Brewster County, Texas $12,000 Esplanade Travel esplanadetravel.com New Zealand touring package for two, includes airfare and accommodations, and one excursion. $4,600 Flying A Ranch flyingaranch.net Three-day trophy European mouflon hunt for one hunter and one observer in Bandera, Texas. $3,000 Four Seasons Safaris New Zealand hunting-new-zealand.co.nz Four-day “hunter’s choice” safari for two hunters in New Zealand. Includes $1,000 trophy fee credit per hunter towards a free-range tahr, or red stag. $5,000 110 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Giuseppe Carrizosa- Spain giuseppecarrizosa.com Four-day hunt for one hunter in Spain. Includes trophy fee for one Cantabrian chamois. $7,700 Giuseppe Carrizosa- Spain giuseppecarrizosa.com $8000 credit for two hunters to tailor their trip in Spain. $8,000 Global Rescue globalrescue.com Family annual (up to 45 days) medical and security membership. $1,555 Gsell’s Whitetails gsellswhitetails.com Four-day hunt in Pennsylvania for two hunters and two observers. Includes trophy fee for two white-tailed deer scoring 150–160". $8,000 Gsell’s Whitetails gsellswhitetails.com Four-day hunt in Pennsylvania for one white-tailed deer scoring up 230" for one hunter and one observer. $14,000
Hartland Whitetails hartlanddeers.com Five-day hunt in Saskatchewan for one hunter. Includes $3,500 trophy fee credit towards any white-tailed deer scoring up to 299 SCI. $3,500
High Mountain Hunts highmountainhunts.com Seven-day hunt for one hunter and one observer. Includes trophy fees for one southern greater kudu, gemsbok, red hartebeest, Kalahari, springbuck and warthog. $8,000 Hunt Trip Spain by Francisco Rosich hunttripspain.com Four-day hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter in Spain. Includes trophy fee for one Spanish Fallow Deer. $9,740 Hunt with Heroes Custom AR10 6.5 Creedmoor with Schmidt & Bender Scope built by HSC’s Hunt with Heroes Veterans. Priceless Intrepid Safaris Africa intrepidsafaris.com Five day hunt for two hunters in Limpopo with a $1000 credit per hunter towards trophy fees. $6,400 John Banovich johnbanovich.com Too Much Bull, 24x12", oil on linen. $15,000 Julian & Sons julianandsons.com A beautiful solid walnut, octagonalshaped pedestal. $3,500 Kevin Downer Sporting Consultants Three-day hunt for one hunter and one observer in England. Includes trophy fee for either one roe deer, Muntjac or water deer. $4,500
2016
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Live Auction Preview
CON V EN TION Lake Albert Safaris Five day hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter in Uganda. $7,000 Laurel Barbieri Studios laurelbarbieri.com Arrow Of Life, original painting by Laurel Barbieri $7,000 Laurentian Wildlife Estates laurentianwildlife.com Three-day hunt for two hunters in Quebec, Canada. Includes trophy fees for two Gold Medal red stags scoring up to 409 SCI. $28,000
McGuire & Hines Studios mcguireandhines.com Photograph printed on canvas signed and numbered Limited Edition by James Gary Hines II $895
McMillan Fine Art Gallery and Studio vickiemcmillan.com Love, Life and Community (Herd of Elephants), 40x 36" giclee print. $1,800 McMillan Fine Art Gallery and Studio vickiemcmillan.com Original 16x20" plein-air painting of your choice by Vickie McMillan. $3,500
Limcroma Safaris limcroma.com Ten-day plains game hunt for one hunter in South Africa. Includes trophy fees for one gemsbok and one impala. $7,250
McMillan Fine Art Gallery and Studio vickiemcmillan.com Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience collaborative painting by Vickie McMillan. Priceless
Lost Horizons Outfitters & GBH Safaris lhohunts.com Four-day hunt in Santa Rosa, Argentina for two hunters. Includes trophy fees for one black buck antelope and one red stag. $8,000
MG Hunting mghunting.com Five-day red stag hunt in Argentina for one hunter. $7,000
Lost Horizons Outfitters and Warhawg Tactical lhohunts.com One-day pig, coyote and varmint hunt for four hunters in Anahuac, Texas. $2,400 Masterpiece Investments Charitable Division mpicharitable.com Top of the World, bronze sculpture, 44" h x 25" w x 12" d (edition size: 850); Lorenzo Ghiglieri. $31,500 McGuire & Hines Studios mcguireandhines.com Set of two original paintings by Jan Martin McGuire. $7,000
Northern Giants Trophy Ranch northerngiantsranch.com Three-day Saskatchewan hunt for one hunter. Includes trophy fee for one white-tailed deer scoring 170–220". $7,500 Pierre Vorster Safaris pvsafaris.com Seven-day unrestricted size trophy buffalo hunt in South Africa for one hunter and one observer. $35,500 Premier Ranch premierranchtexas.com Three day trophy whitetail deer hunt for one hunter. $7,250
Quagga Safaris quagga.co.za Seven-day safari in South Africa for two hunters. Includes trophy fees for one zebra, one wildebeest, one impala, one blesbuck, and one gemsbok. $12,500 Rancho de Sueños Weekend retreat for 14 women or 6 couples at Rancho de Sueños. Priceless Sadaka Safaris sadakasafari.com Five-day plains game hunt in South Africa for 2–4 hunters with $2000/ hunter trophy fee credit and $600/ hunter taxidermy credit from Conroe Taxidermy. $8,950–17,900 Safari Trails Mozambique, Chawalo Safaris safari-international.com Seven-day hunt in Mozambique. Includes trophy fee for one crocodile. $9,500 Salva Monforte - Spain Hunting Ibex spainhuntingibex.com Five-day Spanish Ibex hunt for one hunter and one non-hunter. Includes trophy fee for Beceite Ibex up to 69". $11,500 Scandinavian Pro Hunters scandinavianprohunters.com One hunter and one non-hunter wingshooting and sightseeing trip in Sweden. $6,375
Shikar Safaris shikarsafaris.com Hunter’s choice for capra species in Asia or Europe. $15,500 Shingalana Hunting Safaris shingalana.co.za Seven-day hunt for one hunter. Includes trophy fees for one kudu, njala and sable. $18,000 CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 111
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Live Auction Preview
CON V EN TION Shingalana Hunting Safaris shingalana.co.za Seven-day hunt for one hunter. Includes trophy fees for one white lion, and one sable bull. $35,000 South Pacific Safaris New Zealand huntingnewzealand.co.nz Five-day hunt in New Zealand for one hunter and one non-hunter, includes trophy fee for one Chamois. $8,125 Spey Creek Trophy Hunting New Zealand sctrophyhunting.com Five-day 400 Class Red Stag hunt for two hunters in New Zealand. Includes a day of fishing or waterfowl hunting $33,700 Spiral Horn Safaris spiralhorn.co.za Five-day South African hunt for one hunter. Includes trophy fee for one sable bull. $10,000 Sporting International and East Cape Hunters sportinginternational.com Seven-day South Africa plains game safari for one hunter and one observer. Includes trophy fees for one kudu, mountain redbuck,common springbok and impala. $6,680 Sporting International, Warwick Evans of Mapassa Big Game Hounds and Pete Stewart of Good Manners Dog School sportinginternational.com Jack Russell Terrier puppy. Priceless Tam Safaris tamsafaris.com Seven-day male lion hunt for one hunter and one observer in South Africa. $35,000
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Tam Safaris tamsafaris.com Seven-day sable hunt for one hunter and one observer in South Africa. $12,000 Thandeka Safaris thandekasafaris.co.za Seven-day lioness hunt in South Africa for one hunter. $9,500 Thormahlen & Cochran Safaris Namibia africatrophyhunting.com Seven-day safari in Namibia free range concessions for one hunter and one observer, with a $1000 credit towards any trophy fees. $6,800 Thormahlen & Cochran Safaris South Africa africatrophyhunting.com Seven-day South African safari for one hunter and one observer, with a $1000 credit towards any trophy fees. $6,500 Trophy Hunting Spain trophyhuntingspain.com Three-day mountain hunt for two hunters and two observers, plus one-day of wine tasting and/or sightseeing. $8,960 Tropic Star Lodge of Panama tropicstar.com Three-day/four-night deep sea fishing trip (black and blue marlin, roosterfish, yellowfin tuna and sailfish) for two anglers in Pi単as Bay, Panama. $9,248 Wanganui Safaris wsafaris.com Four-day hunt for three hunters and three observers in New Zealand. Includes one red stag for each hunter scoring up to 330 SCI. $15,000
Wildman Lake Lodge wildmanlodge.com Three-day sport fishing and wildlife tour on the Alaskan Peninsula for one adult and one youth. $8,500
Zander Osmers Safari zanderosmerssafaris.com Seven-day safari in South Africa for one hunter includes trophy fee for sable. $11,750
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14th 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Exhibitor Registration
Registration Booth
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Exhibitor & Volunteer Appreciation Party
Exhibit Hall
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15th 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Exhibitor Registration Cont.
Registration Booth
8:30 pm – 12:00 pm
YWCE Workshop
Woodlands Room
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Attendee Registration & Exhibit Hall Open
Exhibit Hall
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Hunting Awards Banquet/Live & Silent Auctions
Waterway Ballroom
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16th 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Attendee Registration & Exhibit Hall Open
Exhibit Hall
10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Gazelles Luncheon/Live & Silent Auctions
Waterway 4 & 5
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Appearance: Matt Hughes
Montgomery Foyer
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Appearance: Craig Boddington
HSC Membership Booth
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Appearance: Shane Mahoney
Montgomery Foyer
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Cocktail Hour
Waterway Ballroom
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday Night Gala/Live Auction
Waterway Ballroom
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17th 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Attendee Registration & Exhibit Hall Open
Exhibit Hall
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Appearance: Matt Hughes
HSC Membership Booth
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Appearance: Craig Boddington
Montgomery Foyer
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Appearance: Shane Mahoney
HSC Membership Booth
2:00 pm
Convention Raffle Drawing
Exhibit Hall
3:00 pm
Worldwide Hunting Expo Ends
Exhibit Hall
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Exhibitors
CON V EN TION AAA Africa Serapa Safaris • 107, 109 Tosca, North West, South Africa lionhuntingsafaris.com
Argentina Puelo Expeditions • 824 Villa Allende, Cordoba, Argentina pueloexpeditions.com
Buckbrush Outfitters • 702 Vermilion, Alberta, Canada huntbuckbrush.com
Able’s Sporting • 907, 909 Huntsville, TX, USA ableammo.com
Atascosa Wildlife Supply, Inc. • 722, 723, 724 Jourdanton, TX, USA awsblinds.com
Bush Africa Safaris • 522, 523 Ellisras, Limpopo, South Africa bushafricasafaris.co.za
AC Ranch • 46, 47 San Angelo, TX, USA acranch.net Acute Angling • 217, 219 Hillsborough, NJ, USA acuteangling.com Africa Maximum Safaris • 12 Swartruggens, NW Province, South Africa africamaximum.com African Elephant Hair Bracelets • 602 Santa Barbara, CA, USA safarijewelry.com African Tradition • 74 Casper, WY, USA africantradition.com Alamo Sporting Arms LLC • 904, 906 San Antonio, TX, USA alamosportingarms.com Alaska Fur Gallery • 22, 24 Anchorage, AK, USA akfurgallery.com Algar Safaris, Patagonia • 312 Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina algar-safaris.com Allison Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, PC • 823 Houston, TX, USA allisonaudiology.com Alpine Hunting Adventures • 61 Palmerston North, New Zealand alpinehunting.com Anna Irion • 82 Houston, TX, USA annairion.com 114 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Australian Outfitters Hotspur Outback Safaris • 606 Katherine, N.T., Australia australianoutfitters.net Ball and Buck • 34 Brooklyn, NY, USA ballandbuck.com Banovich Fine Art • 601, 603 Livingston, MT, USA johnbanovich.com Bar None Hunt Co. LLC • 37 San Angelo, TX, USA barnonehunts.com Baranof Jewelers • 412, 414 Park City, UT, USA baranofjewelry.com Bear Creek Hunting Adventures • 117 Denver, CO, USA coloradohuntingadventures.com Bearfoot Adventures LLC • 67 Wasilla, AK, USA bearfootadventures.net Bell Wildlife Specialties • 5 Harveyville, KS, USA huntingkansaswhitetail.com Big Game Big Country • 78, 79 Lexington, KY, USA biggamebigcountry.com Briley Mfg. • 911, 913 Houston, TX, USA briley.com Brush Country Studios • 714, 716 Cypress, TX, USA brushcountrystudios.com
C&C Outfitter • 80, 81 C. Caroyo, Cordoba, Argentina argentinawingshooters.com Calitz & Carter • 902 Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa Call of Africa • 619, 718 Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA callofafrica.com CamoMe Couture • 71, 72 Conroe, TX, USA camomecouture.com Canada North Outfitting • 617 Prince George, BC, Canada canadanorthoutfitting.com Cape to Cairo Safari • 422, 423 Roswell, GA, USA huntinafrica.com Capital Farm Credit • 616 Rosenberg, TX, USA capitalfarmcredit.com Cardrona Safaris NZ • 57, 58 Timaru, SC • New Zealand cardronasafaris.com Carlson Fine Art Studio • 807, 809 Ruston, LA, USA corycarlson.com Castle Valley Outdoors • 803 Emery, UT, USA castlevalleyoutdoors.com Cavner and Julian Inc. • 605 Port Alsworth, AK, USA huntingadventure.com Cazatur Spain & Europe • 302 Madrid, Spain cazatur.com
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
Exhibitors
CON V EN TION Cheetah Safaris & Sable Safaris • 400, 402 Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province, RSA cheetahsafaris.co.za Coastal Alaska Adventures • 52 Severance, CO, USA wehuntak.com Comre Safaris • 216, 218 Hurleyville, NY, USA comresafaris.co.za Conroe Taxidermy • 503, 505, 507, 509 Conroe, TX, USA conroetaxidermy.com Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail • 506, 508 Corsicana, TX, USA cottonmesawhitetail.com Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica • 705 Petaluma, CA, USA crocodilebay.com
Diamond Outfitters of Arizona • 7 Cortaro, AZ, USA azdiamondoutfitters.com
FTW/SAAM • 604 Barksdale, TX, USA ftwoutfitters.com
Dove Island Lodge • 816, 818 Sitka, AK, USA doveislandlodge.com
Garry Kelly Safaris • 209 Durban, KZN, South Africa gksafaris.co.za
E.A.R., Inc. • 214 Boulder, CO, USA earinc.com
Gems & Crystals Unlimited • 53, 54 Atlanta, GA, USA gemsandcrystalsunlimited.com
EAI Outdoors • 224 Fort Atkinson, WI, USA eaioutdoors.com
Giuseppe Carrizosa, Spain • 517 Madrid, Spain giuseppecarrizosa.com
Emilio Paris & Co. • 59, 60 Buenos Aires, Argentina emilioparis.com.ar
Global Rescue LLC • 707 Boston, MA, USA globalrescue.com
Ermilio Clothiers & Specialty Shop Ltd. • 18 Haverford, PA, USA ermilioclothiers.com
Global Safari Azerbaijan • 68 hunting.az
Crusader Safaris • 804 Bedford, EC, South Africa crusdersafaris.com
Esplanade Travel Service / Trader Keith • 520 Boston, MA, USA esplanadetravel.com
Daggaboy Hunting Safaris • 314 Windhoek, Namibia daggaboy.com
Explore Tessera • 66 Houston, TX, USA exploretessera.com
Dakota Prairie Lodge & Resort • 39 Kimball, SD, USA sd-pheasanthunting.com
Fausti Arms • 919 Marcheno, Brescia, Italy
Danny McCallum Safaris • 817 Arusha, Tanzania dannymccallumsafaris.com Deborah Vaughn Designs • 608 Scottsdale, AZ, USA dvjewelry.com Deep South Gun Cabinets • 70 Houston, TX, USA deepsouthguncabinets.com Detail Company Adventures • 417, 516 Houston, TX, USA detailcompany.com
Fishtail Ranch Outfitters • 108 Chama, NM, USA fishtailranch.com Four Seasons Safaris N.Z. • 610, 612 Darfield, Canterbury, New Zealand hunting-fishing.co.nz Frontera Wingshooting • 208 Cordoba, Argentina fronterawingshooting.com Frosch • 409 Houston, TX, USA frosch.com
Great Spanish Hunts • 703 Madrid, Spain greatspanishhunts.com Great White Holdings Ltd. • 305 Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada greatwhiteholdings.com Greystone Castle Sporting Club • 105 Mingus, TX, USA greystonecastle.com Gsell’s Whitetails • 614 Brookshire, TX, USA gsellswhitetails.com Guaranteed Guide Service • 55 Corsicana, TX, USA nofishnocharge.com Gunwerks • 912, 914 Burlington, WY, USA gunwerks.com Hartland Whitetails • 116 Briercrest, SK, Canada hartlanddeer.com Heritage Game Mounts • 304 San Antonio, TX, USA heritagegamemounts.com CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 115
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
Exhibitors
CON V EN TION HEYM/Double Gun Imports, LLC • 908 Dallas, TX, USA doublegunimports.com Hides of Africa • 19, 21 Pietermaritzburg, KWA-Zulu Natal, South Africa hidesofafrica.com High Mountain Hunts • 812, 814 Arlington, TX, USA highmountainhunts.com Home Decor Imports Inc • 41, 42, 43, 44 Houston, TX, USA hdigallery.com Hunt Trip Spain • 708 Rubio, Barcelona, Spain hunttripspain.com Hunters Namibia Safaris • 822 Windhoek, Namibia huntersnamibia.com Intrepid Safaris Africa • 921, 923 Alldays, Limpopo, South Africa intrepidsafaris.com
Kalahari Safari • 309 Gobabis, Namibia, Africa kalahari-safari.com
Kingham Safaris Australia • 813 Kilcoy, QLD, Australia kinghamsafaris.com Kississing Lake Lodge • 48, 49 Steinbach, MB, Canada kississinglodge.com Knives by Thomas & Debi • 101 Spring, TX, USA knivesbythomas.com Kobus Moller Studios • 76, 77 Rosharon, TX, USA kobusmoller.com La Gloria Land Company • 623 Sugar Land, TX, USA lgland.com Lategan Safaris • 624 Aliwal North, Freestate, RSA lategansafaris.com
Lochow Ranch Pond & Lake Management, LLC • 9 Bryan, TX, USA lochowranch.com
Lone Star Outfitters • 201, 203 McDade, TX, USA lonestaroutfitters.com Lost Horizons Outfitters • 800, 802 Barker, TX, USA lhohunts.com Madubula Safaris • 607, 609 Cascades, South Africa madubula.com Marromeu Safaris • 110 Grijo, Portugal marromeusafaris.com Matlabas Game Hunters • 119 Lephalele, Limpopo, South Africa matlabas.co.za/hunting McKenzie Knife Co. • 15 Sugar Land, TX, USA
Laurel Barbieri Studios • 16, 17 Portland, OR, USA laurelbarbieri.com
MG Arms Inc. • 900 Spring, TX, USA mgarmsinc.com
Laurentian Wildlife Estate • 404, 406 Boileu, Quebec, Canada laurentianwildlife.com
MG Hunting • 418 Olivos, Buenos Aires, Argentina mghunting.com
Jamy Traut Hunting Safaris • 65 Page, AZ, USA jamyhunts.com
Leaf River Lodge • 63 St. Henri, QC, Canada leafriverlodge.com
Michel Mantheakis Safaris, Ltd. • 205 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
JB Hill Boot Company • 113, 115 El Paso, TX, USA jbhilltexas.com
Legendary Arm Works • 917 Reinholds, PA, USA legendaryarms.com
Johan Hermann Safaris • 416 Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa johanhermannsafaris.com
Leo Van Rooyen Safaris Africa • 521 Pongola, KZN, South Africa leovanrooyensafarisafrica.com
Joshua Creek Ranch • 405 Boerne, TX, USA joshuacreek.com
Leota’s Indian Art • 313 Sugar Land, TX, USA leotasindianart.com
Julian & Sons • 4, 6 Heber Springs, AR, USA julianandsons.com
Limcroma • 525, 622 Groves, TX, USA limcroma.com
Italian Safari by World Hunting Society • 64 Turin, Italy italiansafari.com
116 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Michelle Decker, Wildlife Artist • 40 Parys, Free State, South Africa michelledecker.co.za Miles & Miles Outfitters • 114 Villa del Totoral, Cordoba, USA milesandmilesoutfitters.com Moore Security • 25 Houston, TX, USA mooresecuritysafes.com Namibian-Safari-Hunts/ORPA • 212 Conroe, TX, USA namibian-safari-hunts.com
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
Exhibitors
CON V EN TION New Mexico Professional Big Game Hunting, Inc. • 83 Quemado, NM, USA nmtrophyhunts.com Nhoro Safaris • 815 Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa nhorosafaris.com Nick Nolte Hunting Safaris • 712 Omaruru, Erong Province, Namibia nicknoltehunting.com Night Vision Rentals • 10 Owasso, OK, USA nightvisionrentals.com North Haven Resort • 316, 318 Pewaukee, WI, USA northhavenresort.ca Northern Giants Trophy Ranch • 301 Eckville, Alberta, Canada northerngiantsranch.com Otjandaue Hunting Safaris • 206 Omaruru, Namibia otjandauehuntingsafaris.com Outback Wildlife Feeders • 27, 29 Gilmer, TX, USA outbackfeeders.com Pampa High Adventures, SA • 51 Buenos Aires, Argentina pampaadventures.com
Precision Small Arms, Inc. • 915 Aspen, CO, USA precisionsmallarms.com
Russell Moccasin Co. • 701 Berlin, WI, USA russellmoccasin.com
Premier Ranch • 819 Mason, TX, USA premierranchtexas.com
Sadaka Safaris • 8 Thabazimbi, Limpopo, South Africa sadakasafaris.com
Private Water Fishing • 120 Richardson, TX, USA privatewaterfishing.com
Safari Specialty Importers • 14 Pine Bush, NY, USA safarispecialtyimporters.com
Quagga Safaris, 202, 204 Lepualale, Limpopo, South Africa quagga.co.za
Safari Trails Mozambique • 38 Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa safari-international.com
Quenton Elliott Jewelry Co. LLC • 303 Bellaire, TX, USA quentonelliottjewelers.com RecordBuck Ranch • 916, 918 Utopia, TX, USA recordbuck.com Redfish Lodge • 56 Rockport, TX, USA redfishlodge.com Reveille Hunting Ranch • 620 Okahandja, Namibia, Africa reveille-hunting.com Rhineland Cutlery PNW • 30 Bellingham, WA, USA rhinelandcutlery.com
Salva Monforte, Spain Hunting Ibex • 11 Castellon, Spain spainhuntingibex.com Scandinavian Prohunters • 805 Vimmerby, Sweden scandinavianprohunters.se Shannie Girl • 50 Houston, TX, USA shanniegirl.com Shaun Buffee Safaris • 709 Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa shaunbuffeesafaris.com Shikar Safaris • 713 Antalya, Turkey shikarsafaris.com
Parker Guide Service • 300 Sitka, AK, USA alaskaboathunts.com
Rhodes Brothers Taxidermy and Game Processing, LLC • 73 Kerville, TX, USA rhodestaxidermy.com
Patrick Mavros • 35, 36 Harare, Zimbabwe patrickmavros.com
Robin Hurt Safari Company • 45 Windhoek, Namibia robinhurtnamibia.com
Sister Stones Jewelry • 69 Alvin, TX, USA sisterstonesjewelry.com
Pierre Vorster Safaris • 502, 504 Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa pvsafaris.com
Rogue Wilderness Adventures • 524 Merlin, OR, USA wildrogue.com
Sky High for St. Jude • 23 Houston, TX, USA skyhighshoot.org
Prairie Mt. Game Rooms • 715, 717 Cypress, TX, USA brushcountrystudios.com
Ruple Properties • 13 Pleasanton, TX, USA southtexasranches.com
South Pacific Safaris New Zealand • 207 Kaikoura, New Zealand huntingnewzealand.co.nz
Shingalana Hunting Safaris • 700 Buckeye, AZ, USA shingalana.co.za
CONVENTION 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 117
2016
H S C
CON V E N TION
Exhibitors
CON V EN TION South Texas Tripods & Feeders Inc. • 901, 903, 905 Spring, TX, USA southtexastripodsandfeeders.com
The Arrangement Distinctive Interiors • 20 Houston, TX, USA thearrangement.com
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting • 704, 706 Kaikoura, New Zealand sctrophyhunting.com
Thormahlen & Cochran Safaris • 100, 102 Nelsphut, South Africa africatrophyhunting.com
Spiral Horn Safaris • 407 Thabazimbi, Limpopo, South Africa spiralhorn.co.za SportEAR • 319 Draper, UT, USA sportear.com Sporting Classics • 31 Columbia, SC, USA sportingclassics.com Sporting International • 613, 615 Channelview, TX, USA sportinginternational.com Stukel’s Upland Adventures • 106 Gregory, SD, USA stukels.com SYC Sporting Adventures • 518, 519 Grand Prairie, TX, USA sycsporting.com Tam Safaris • 306, 308 Cradock, EC, South Africa tamsafaris.com Terry Wilson Antler Designs • 26, 28 Kemp, TX, USA wilsonantlers.com Texas Ag Realty • 223 Richmond, TX, USA texasagrealty.com Texas Pistol & Rifle • 222 Whitewright, TX, USA texaspistol.com Thandeka Safaris • 315, 317 Lichtenburg, NW, South Africa thandekasafaris.co.za
118 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2016
Threeways Safaris • 419 Houston, TX, USA threewayssafaris.com Timberline Lodge/Big Country Outfitters • 922 Decatur, TX, USA timberlinetrips.com Tri-State Taxidermy / Save Safaris • 122, 123, 124 Houston, TX, USA tri-statetaxidermy.com Trompettersfontein Safaris & Hunting Lodge • 307 Pretoria, Fauteng, South Africa trompettersfontein.com Trophy Hunting Spain by Bruno Rosich • 403 Olerdola, Barcelona, Spain trophyhuntingspain.com Tropic Star Lodge of Panama • 112 Orlando, FL, USA tropicstar.com Two Hats Ranch • 1, 2, 3 Big Rapids, Michigan, USA twohats.com Uganda Wildlife Safaris • 62 Kampala, Uganda uganda-wildlife-safaris.com Ultimate Hunting • 75 Somers, CT, USA ultimatehunting.eu Un Pueblo • 103 Westminster, CA, USA unpueblo.com
Wade Lemon Hunting • 801 Holden, UT, USA wadelemonhunting.com Wanganui Safaris • 200 Wanganui, New Zealand wsafaris.com
Wildhunting in Turkey • 324 Adana, Seyhan, Turkey wildhuntingagency.com Wildman Lake Lodge • 408 Mt. Home, TX, USA wildmanlodge.com Wollaston Lake Lodge • 621 Saskatoon, SK, Canada wollastonlakelodge.com Woods & Water Taxidermy • 806, 808 Conroe, TX, USA woodsandwatertaxidermy.com Woody’s Furs • 322, 323 Houston, TX, USA woodysfurs.com WOW Africa • 719 Vryheid, Natal, South Africa wowafrica.com Xtreme Whitetail Adventures • 213, 215 McEwen, TN, USA xtremewhitetail.com Zander Osmers Safaris • 32, 33 Grauelotte, Limpopo, South Africa osmers.co.za
SPECIALIZING IN AFRICAN SAFARIS FOR OVER 48 YEARS From Plains Game to Elephant our outfitters are truly some of the Best in Africa
• True African Bush Safaris
• Wild Africa • No Fences
Consistently Taking the
LARGEST LEOPARD in Africa
From Alaska to the South Pacific, Truly the Best of the Best
☎: (281) 452-6223 • Fax: (281) 457-5412 • 15608 South Brentwood • Channelview, TX 77530-4018 E-Mail: sport@sportinginternational.com • www.sportinginternational.com
CONVENTION 2015 HUNTER'S HORN 3