T H E O FFIC IA L PU B LIC ATION O F H OUS T ON S AFARI CLUB • CONVENT I ON 2 0 1 8
The Legend
TABLE of
CONTENTS
FEATURES
2018 HS C CON V EN TION 17 CONVENTION
30 A MESSAGE FROM
18 CONVENTION
32 COMMITTEE
20 YOUTH WILDLIFE
34 HSC’S ARTIST OF
CHAIRS MESSAGE
52 DAN L. DUNCAN 2017
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
SPONSORS
66 HSC CELEBRATES 45 YEARS! 68 SPORTSMEN AND NATIONAL
CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
MONUMENTS: IT’S COMPLICATED AND THAT’S OK
By David Allen, Miles Moretti, and Jeff Crane
24 THE VOLUNTEER PIN STORY: WHAT’S IN A PIN?
72 SAFE TRAVEL IN FOREIGN LANDS By Global Rescue
76 MOZAMBIQUE SAFARI: A LESSON IN
By J. Earle Freeman
26 2018 HSC
PRESIDENT’S RIFLE
TRUE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
By Tommy Morrison
By John Pepper
SAFARI CLUB LEGEND
By Tommy Morrison By Tim Herald
86
94 LEAP OF FAITH: PART 2 OF 3 By Shane P. Mahoney
100 RETRO RECIPES
By Scott Leysath
106 THE BALLISTIC CALCULATOR FOR THE SERIOUS SHOOTER
By Shaun Steingold
110 FULL YOUTH HUNTING By John Sutton
114 GIRAFFE CONSERVATION By Lewis Metzger
122 THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS
SUPPORTED BY HSC/ACES GRANT THROUGH OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
By Scott McClure
123 HSC STAFF UPDATES 126 CRUISE THE WORLD WITH
WEST UNIVERSITY TRAVEL
COVER ARTWORK:
The One That Got Away, Oil on canvas, by Jaco Van Schalkwyk Image provided by Call of Africa, www.CallofAfrica.com
4 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
GAZELLES
CHAIRPERSONS THE YEAR: JACO VAN SCHALKWYK
By Todd Wilkinson
40 LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW
44 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 44 HUNTING AWARD SPONSORS
45 EXHIBITORS
84 BILL CARTER: A HOUSTON
86 A REJUVENATED SAFARI DESTINATION
CONVENTION 2018
76
34
84
100 114
24
26 CONVENTION 2018 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 2018
2017-2018 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB OFFICERS Tommy Morrison – President Mark King – Immediate Past President Mitzy McCorvey – President Elect Patrick Bryan Anderson – Vice President Shaun Nelson – Vice President John Pepper – Treasurer Jerry Henderson – Secretary HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB DIRECTORS 2017–2019 Michael Van Ambrose Jeff Birmingham Linda Cunningham Travis Simpson Matt Mann 2016–2018 Monica Williamson JD Burrows John Bowers Darrell Kainer HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Dawn Fuselier, Office Manager Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Abby Rapp, Membership & Youth Education Manager Nancy Oka, Events Manager Charlotte Betar, Advertising Sales Vic Williams, Editorial Consultant Nate Silva, Allyson Preble, Design Consultants 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 2017 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.
U PCOMING EV EN TS JANUARY 26-28
Annual HSC Hunting Expo & Convention; George R. Brown Convention Center
FEBRUARY 17
European Style Tower Pheasant Shoot; WGO Outfitters; Waller, TX
MARCH 22-25
HSC Weekend at SAAM Shooting School
APRIL 14
Spring event; Crawfish Boil
APRIL 6-APRIL 8
HSC Turkey Hunt at the DEA Ranch
MAY 11
HSC Annual Sporting Clays Tournament; Greater Houston Gun Club
JUNE 7
Worldwide Trophy Adventures presents: Understanding the Tag Process
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8 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TOMMY MORRISON, HSC PRESIDENT
H
unting season is winding down all over North America and has concluded in most of Africa. Hunters are now focusing on the upcoming 2018 season and the destination they will choose for their next adventure. I encourage all of you to make your first stop at Houston Safari Club’s 2018 Convention. The convention is full of discoveries to assist in selecting your next trip location, new rifle or hunting equipment that you have been considering. It is also a great place to find that perfect gift for your special loved one. Yes, it is convention time again and our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make this convention all it can be. I am constantly in awe of the continuous determination that our staff and convention volunteers have in getting the job done and feel compelled to mention their names. It is important to recognize these fundamental people who are most responsible for launching this event. Both the staff and convention volunteers are organizing a new and exciting convention location at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Relocation to the GRB convention center will certainly be challenging and have a few glitches, but it will be the start of a new era for the Houston Safari Club. We have already increased the exhibitors to 261 with a total of 390 booths, which sold out the hall for 2018 and hopefully gives us the ability to soar in 2019. This growth will bring on greater challenges and needs, not only for the hard-working staff and volunteers, but you as members, to support our agenda with not only your time and money, but your support in recruiting new members. New members mean growth and progress for our club and the life blood of greater things to come and the ability to impact the hunting world and to reach the non-hunters with our message. Because of the move to the George R. Brown Convention Center we will move our banquet functions to the Hilton Americas Houston across the street from the convention center, giving us great facilities and extra staff for our events. The enhanced size of the convention center highlights the need for even more exhibitors, donors and certainly more people and companies as sponsors to add to our already impressive group of supporters. Your help in asking your familiar outfitters and hunting related companies to become exhibitors or sponsors will make a vast impact on our growth. We have planned a wonderful weekend. I trust you have arranged your lodging at the Hilton-Americas Houston to spend the weekend enjoying Houston Safari Club’s exhibits and evening activities. If you are not staying the weekend, drop by to visit the exhibits and attend the Saturday night banquet and auction. Hopefully you have enjoyed the new schedule of interactive events this year. These are a direct result of the survey conducted in 2016, where the majority of you requested something different. We are always searching for new ideas, so all suggestions are welcome! Give us a call or send your visions/thoughts via email. Our dove hunts would have had great results, but unfortunately the difficult weather made that impossible. Hopefully we can reschedule for next year. Our 45th Anniversary party was a success with a good time had by all and some great door prizes. This spring we have a good lineup of events and gatherings that I encourage all of you to attend and enjoy the friendship and camaraderie of the members.
The big move to the George R. Brown comes with another important change for the Houston Safari Club, for whichthe Board of Directors approved several historical changes. By now you will have received a ballot to change the name of our 501 (c)(3) organization, ACES, to the Houston Safari Club Foundation. This includes moving the operations (conventions, staff, membership, etc.) from Houston Safari Club a 501 (c) (4) organization to the Foundation. These measures will allow us access to large donors, sponsors, etc., because of the ability to make tax deductible contributions. This will also give us better tax advantages and the ability to apply for grants and other programs available only to 501 ( c) (3) organizations. The Houston Safari Club 501 (c) (4) would then become the legislative branch and act on issues that affect our hunting and fishing activities. I hope you have voted for these changes by sending your ballot to the office. We need your votes to get these measures passed. Finally, and most important, the best way to make our 2018 Convention a huge success is for you, the members, to attend the show, have a great time, shop and purchase at the exhibits and bid high and often at the silent and live auctions. It’s time and money well spent, which will go a long way in saving our “Sport of Hunting.” Sincerely,
Tommy Morrison HSC President
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 9
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
H
appy Convention Season! Many of you are planning for the holidays and then it’s time to hit the road. Most industry and conservation expositions are held in January and February. This time of year, is always extremely busy, as we represent HSC at these conventions and are in the final stages of planning our own annual Hunting Expo & Convention. I cannot think of a more exciting time for Houston Safari Club. Our Expo will double in size this year as we move downtown and there some very exciting new activities. Be sure to read the updates from our Convention Chairs, Mark and Julianne King, in this issue. Order your banquet tickets now on our website or call the office. Also, volunteers are always needed to help with this great event! If you are interested, please contact the office to sign up. We are looking forward to a great weekend of fun and fundraising. Convention is our largest fundraising effort of the year and is critical to continue our scholarship program, youth and military events, conservation programs and legislative work. This event does not happen without you! If you are a voting member, you should have received a letter requesting your vote on the plan to change the name of ACES to Houston Safari Club Foundation and to update our bylaws. These measures, approved by the Board of Directors, will allow HSC to better serve the purpose for which it was formed. Your vote is critical. Please return your ballot as soon as you can. In September, I was in Washington, D.C. as part of the annual Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation banquet. While attending the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Chairman’s Club meeting, I spoke with US Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Secretary Zinke announced plans for a Secretarial Order that would address many long-time priorities for sportsmen and women. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, was the keynote speaker. Secretary Perdue and Secretary Zinke are both outdoorsmen and strong advocates for hunting and fishing sports. D.C. was incredibly busy with tax reform, DACA, hurricane relief, etc., so keeping appointments was a challenge for legislators. I met with legislators and/ or their legislative counsel and other decision makers including Senator Ted Cruz, Representative Louie Gohmert, Land Tawney (President/CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers), Jeff Crane (President, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation) Lacey Biles (Deputy Director of State & Local Affairs, NRA-ILA), and Chris Cox (Chief lobbyist and principal political strategist, NRA-IL). Some of the key legislative activity in which HSC is involved includes the SHARE Act (www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/ house-bill/2406). The SHARE act or “Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act” was written to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting. (HSC was one of 25 other leading wildlife conservation organizations that signed on in support of the SHARE Act, urging advancement of the bill to the House floor). There are many more outdoor-related legislative items up for consideration this session. Updates will be provided in upcoming issues of Bush Telegraph. 10 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
HSC also hosted the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Texas event in October. More news from the HSC office: We are pleased to welcome Nancy Oka as our Events Manager. Many of you know Nancy from the Woodlands Waterway Marriott where she was our Event Manager for Convention for many years. She will be our lead for Convention and HSC member events. Nancy may be reached at nancy@houstonsafariclub.org or 713.623.8844. Abby Rapp will continue to manage membership in addition to taking on YWCE at Convention and an enhanced youth outdoor education and shooting sports program. HSC is also proud to announce our new branded merchandise line, in partnership with FRIO Coolers/Visual Promotions. You will see that these is a very broad line of products being offered. FRIO Coolers is the official cooler of HSC. HSC has a new online store at HSCgear.com. Order your merchandise now for great holiday gifts. You will be able to see new convention-branded merchandise at the Convention store in the Expo hall. Stop by! There are many great HSC member events upcoming. Look at the schedule on page 7 and be sure to sign up today! We hope to see you all there as we network, learn and have fun! This issue of Hunter’s Horn features some great articles. Be sure to check out our 2017 scholarship recipients and Convention auction preview! We hope you enjoy this issue of Hunter’s Horn and look forward to seeing all of you at the 2018 HSC Hunting Expo & Convention. Get your tickets today! Yours in Conservation,
Joe Betar Executive Director
Get Sporting Classics at a very special Houston Safari Club Price: Only $23 for eight, great issues!
V
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Sporting Classics is about all those things you love most about hunting and fishing: the game, the places, the craftsmen... and the way we pay homage to them. You’ll find feature-length stories on classic and modern firearms, knives, archery, and high-tech optics. You’ll read grand stories by the greatest writers from both yesteryear and today. You’ll see intensely interesting articles about sporting artists and authors, carvers, call-makers, and every form of sporting collectible.
You’ll also enjoy columns on Rifles, Shotguns, Gundogs, Fishing, Books, Conservation, Sporting art, Craftsmen, Travel and Collectibles – written by knowledgeable, talented writers who altogether have authored dozens of books. You might think Sporting Classics is expensive. It’s not. Compared to other outdoor magazines, Sporting Classics is an exceptional value. You’ll get eight big issues for only $23! That’s about half the newsstand price! Sporting Classics is dedicated to The Heritage, The Romance, The Art of Hunting & Fishing. And it is designed and written for sportsmen who love to read. This magazine makes an excellent gift for other sportsmen too, arriving eight times during the year and reminding friends, family and clients of your thoughtful generosity.
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CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 11
HSC LIFE MEMBERS Bob Abernathy John Abraham Richard Alexander MD Crystal Allison Shannon Alston Michael Ambrose Skip Avara Dannine Avara Jacob Avara Anne Avara Kenneth Bailey Freddie Bailey Jr. Cope Bailey Camp Bailey Frank Baird Jack Barksdale Wendy Barnhart L. Barnhart * James Bell Lyndel Berry Tony Bessette Charlotte Betar Joe Betar James Biggerstaff Craig Boddington Werner Boeer Jay Bonano E. Bond Greg Bond Pete Bonora Jeri Booth Frederick (Tony) Box James Braus John Bridgwater Jack Brittingham Kathryn Brown Joe Bruno Robert Burke Matt Burke Byron Burris II Quint Burris Grady Burris Prentiss Burt Daniel Butler Turner Butts MD Don Byrne C. Cagle Thomas Cain Jr. Dennis Cain Rick Callison Alex Campbell Bill Carter Paul Carter Ivan Carter Ben Case Barbara Cavender-Lewis Preston Cavner 12 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Chris Caywood Tracey Cearley Alan Cegielski Steve Clark James Clark Craig Clendenin Stephen Coale Russell Coleman Randall Coleman* Joe Collett Dwayne Collier Frank Comiskey Kevin Comiskey Alan "Bink" Cooke Rocky Cooper Dian Cooper George Councill Steve Crawford Kenneth Crockett Gary Crouch Ralph Cunningham Deb Cunningham Ford Cunningham Linda Cunningham Ralph Daigle Joe Davis Laurent Delagrange Armando DeLeon III Armando DeLeon IV Gregory Desautels Elliot Desautels Charlie Desautels Perry Dillon Jr. Randy Donato Barry Donoho Tim Doucet MD James (Red) Duke MD * Jan Duncan Scott Duncan Bruce Edwards Robert Elkins Walton Eller Susan Ellerbeck * Gary Ellison Will Ellison Shaun Essery Travis Findley Charlene Floyd Tommy Fogle Randy Fowler Nathan Foyil* Bobby Frederick Aaron Freeman Warren Gallant Scott Garrett Zachary Garrett Tanya Garrett
Paul Geiger Frank Giacalone Gary Glesby Carl Godfrey Russell Gordy William Gouldin Sandra Green Kevin Gregory Edward Guinn Dodd Hackman Clayton Hagerman Cory Hall James Halley Greg Harvey Charles Head Jr. Jerry Henderson Mark Herfort Heinert Hertling Robert Hibbert II Steven Hill Greg Hill Edward Hoffman William Holder III Bill Honza Gene Human Terry Hurlburt Tanya Hurlburt Harold Inman Keith Itzel John Jackson III Jack Jensen MD W.A. Jentsch Jr. Todd Johnson Clay Johnson Robert Jones III Harris Junell Darrell Kainer David Kalich Susan Kalich Kirk Kanady John Kelsey Gaye Kelsey Mark King Julianne King Robert Kneppler Philip Koehne George Kollitides Tommy Kolwes Phil Koonce George Kopecky Keith Lake Fred Lamas Wayne LaPierre Joel Latham Kyle Lehne Richard Leibman John Lindholm Jr.
HSC LIFE MEMBERS Tom Lipar Bryant Littlefield Mark Livesay Ricardo Longoria Doug Luger David Mafrige Paige Manard John Martin III D Martin IV James Masten Chad Matherne Wyatt McBride Tony McCorvey Mitzy McCorvey Ed McCrory III Vickie McMillan-Hayes Travis McWilliams Gerald Meinecke Lewis Metzger Greg Mills Brook Minx Howard Monsour Paul Montealegre Sr. Forrest Montealegre G.L. Moore Reed Morian Tommy Morrison Ron Mostyn Dustin Mykyte Shannon Nash Bob Neese Rob Neilson Scott Nelson Shaun Nelson William B. Newlin Rudy Nix K. Nunnally Kerry O'Day Carol O'Day Charles Onstead Kevin Ormston Neal Overstreet John Painter Michael Park Michael Parr Steve Pate Trevor Penny John Pepper Melanie Pepper Timothy Peter Wilson (Woody) Phillips Jr. Bryce Phillips Carson Phillips Dusty Phillips Thomas Powell Kevin Poynter Andrew Pratt
Kymberly Pratt Charles Prince Jr. Sharon Propes Carlos Ramirez Lawrence Rearick William Reed Sr. Gayle Rettig MD Keith Riggs John Robberson Larry Robinson Mike Robinson * Chuck Rod Robert Rod Stephen Rogers William Rohrbach William Roosevelt Gary Rose Mark Rose Jerry Rubenstein Chris Ruhman John Rulon Gerald Russell Byron Sadler Sandra Sadler Michael Sample William Sample Jr. Michael Sandeen Scott Scheinin MD Robert Scherer Wade Schindewolf George Severence Wayne Sheets John Shelby Richard Shepherd Jason Shrieve William Simmons Travis Simpson Barret Simpson Mike Simpson Becky Simpson Weston Simpson Michael Simpson Autumn Simpson Austin Simpson Jacob Simpson Tristan Simpson Dawn Simpson Sam Skipper Mandy Smith Jason Smith Steve Smith Tom Snyder Norman Speer MD Larry Stifflemire Mark Stouse Randy Strickland H. Stuart
Greg Stube David Swan Lloyd Swiedom Sally Swiedom Leah Symens Tyler Symens Peter Tam Larry Tatom Terry Taylor Mark Terpstra Heidi Thomas Robert Thomas J.B. Tinney John Tobin Pete Trammell Ted Trout * Hal Tryon Don Turner Phillip Veale Thom Venus William Vick Amanda Vick Juan Villaveces Glenn Vincent Pierre Vorster Joshua Walker Greg Walla Rob Walsh John Waltz Dana Weber Rick Weber Larry Weishuhn Brian Welker Denise Welker Robert Wells Brian Welsh Lawrence West Matt West Bruce Whitmire Bill Wilkinson * Steve Willenborg Ron Willenborg Gregory Williamson Alan Winslette Robby Winstead Kurt Wiseman John Wood Bill Woodall J.D. (Des) Woods Jr. Patricia Woods Preston Young Debi Young Brian Zaitz
*Deceased CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 13
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
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BUCK-A-TRAKT buckatrakt.com
Capital Farm Credit capitalfarmcredit.com
Champion Ranch huntchampionranch.com
Clay Time claytimebaycity.com
FRIO frioicechests.com
Hawkeye Hunting Club hawkeyehunting.com
Heritage Land Bank heritagelandbank.com
High Heel Huntress highheelhuntress.com
HomeLand Properties homelandprop.com
Liberty Land & Ranch libertyranches.com
Ruple Properties southtexasranches.com
S & ARC
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Saddle River Range saddleriverrange.com
Safari Specialty Importers safarispecialtyimporters.com
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TEMPER A S E M P E R A T U R E C O N TA T U RO E XW . T E X A S T L. C
R EO M
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Palletized Trucking Inc. palletizedtrucking.com
RM
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SIXSITE sixsitegear.com
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William Tandy Chief Executive Officer
Part of the Farm Credit System ASSOCIATION SUPPLEMENT – WINTER 2013
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Texas Temperature Control texastemperaturecontrol.com
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Patricia Allen Shaun Allison Alan Amos Preston Bearden Nicholas Belsher Aric Boullion Kermit Brence Daniel Brown Charlotte Burrows Robert Chandler Ross Couvillon Darrion Crowley Richard Davis Elisabeth Davis Leah Dyess John Edwards Cole Faetche Anthony Falk Andy Flack Gene Garcia Dennis Good Brian Harris Cody Harris Victoria Haynes Reese Henningsen Cole Henry Tim Herald Will Herrington Courtney Jasik John Kinsey Bradley Kubecka Jacob Lampman John Paul Lampson Joel Landis Taylor Landry
Marty Lanier Jim LeDoux Kaitlin Lopez Jake Ludwig Gayla McBee Dale McCook John Messerschmidt Kirk Minter Joe Napoleon Shannon O'Neill Yaziri Orrostieta Whit Peterman Larry Peters Bryan Ray Wes Reeves Adam Rhoades Bill Rhoades Donna Rhoades Ronald Rhodes Cody Rogers Ryan Rothstein William Sample Gael Sanchez Matthew Seligmann Cullom Simpson Justin Smith Joe Strack Jamie Talbert Nick Taylor Tyler Thomas Deborah Todd Justin Treadwell Jay Vonbank Rowan Zerf CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 15
16 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Convention Chairs’ Message
H
ave you heard the rumors? If you have, we can promise you it’s true…we are excited to announce our featured entertainment this year! The Bellamy Brothers will take the stage on Friday night followed by Roger Creager on Saturday night. The Bellamy Brothers are renowned country music artists who have been a fixture in the industry for more than 30 years. They have more than a dozen No. 1 hits that we all recognize including, “Let Your Love Flow,” “Redneck Girl,” “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me),” just to name a few. Their songs have been covered by the Who’s Who of the country music scene. Come sing along and dance the night away to all your old favorites. Roger Creager is a Texas boy through and through. Raised in the Corpus Christi area, Roger is known around the world for his charisma and high energy performances, his passion for life and travel shows in his music. Roger is an adventurist, whether climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, spear-fishing on the Texas Gulf Coast, or snorkeling in Costa Rica, he uses all of these experiences as a road map in his music. He puts on one hell of a show…you won’t want to miss it. Doors open for 2018 Worldwide Convention and Hunting Expo in just a few short weeks…please add this fantastic weekend-long event to your calendar. January 26- 28: mark the dates! Registration is already in full swing, so now is the time to purchase your event tickets if you haven’t already done so. There are a number of lively events to choose from — our Friday evening dinner, Saturday’s Gazelles Luncheon and our signature Saturday night Gala. Friday’s banquet is a fantastic opportunity to share a fun casual evening with fellow members, your favorite exhibitors, and even your family, with delicious food and cocktails at the ready. Be there as we honor our scholarship recipients and learn in more detail what Houston Safari Club is all about and see your fundraising dollars at work. We will also honor our fellow hunters’ accomplishments when we hand out some beautiful bronze awards by artist Ron Sweeten. A jam-packed live auction featuring some beautiful firearms and some amazing trips including a number of North American hunts are waiting for your bid. All of this followed by the Bellamy Brothers. The Gazelles luncheon is a great way to kick off your Saturday morning. A guaranteed blast, the Gazelles committee has promised a fantastic silent and live auction with many custom and one of a kind items, as well as their annual wine and liquor pull. Food and cocktails abound with an open bar and live performance by Willow Creek Junction. You won’t want to miss this event. Our Saturday evening gala will feature a fantastic dinner,
open bars and Roger Creager. Our live auction is one of our best with a lineup of custom firearms, one of a kind jewelry items, trips galore and hunts to destinations around the globe. Registration is open online at www.houstonsafariclub.org. For more information or help with registration, please contact the HSC office at 713.623.8844. Last but not least, many thanks to our members, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and donors, without you, none of this would be possible. A huge thanks to our Houston Safari Club staff for working so hard to make this convention and every event at HSC a success! We look forward to seeing all of you at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mark & Julianne King 2018 HSC Convention Chairmen
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 17
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Convention Sponsors CORPORATE S PONS OR S
PLATINUM S PONS OR S
S I LVE R S PONS OR S GOLD S PONS OR
AXIDERM ET O
M OM C CO YY..
C CO ON NR R
UNDE RWRITING S PONS OR S
MIKE SIMPSON (281) 367-2745
18 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
B RONZ E S PONS OR S
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 19
2018 HSC CONVENTION
5th Annual
The Houston Safari Club Annual Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention continuously surprises, entertains and informs attendees. The up and coming 2018 event, The Migration Has Begun!, is no exception. Friday morning, January 26, HSC’s 5th 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, Wildlife Law Enforcement, Wildlife Biology and Management, Firearm Evolution, and Hunting Opportunities for Texas Youth. Keynote topics will be Wildlife Conservation and a demonstration by a Texas Game Warden K-9 Search and Rescue team. Excellent presenters in each of these respective fields have graciously volunteered their time and will 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 firearms, 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 that will be auctioned off during one of 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 are appreciative of their interest in our endeavor and grateful for their support. It is through the collaboration of the hunting and wildlife businesses, organizations and community that 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 the community, have a presence, and an influence. This is our legacy and our journey as The Migration Has Begun! ★ 20 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Art Of Taxidermy Caleb Townley, Conroe Taxidermy
Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Hennie Volschenk Texas Parks And Wildlife
Wildlife Biology And Management Gary Rose
Hunting Opportunities For Texas Youth Heidi Rao
Firearm Evolution Function To Ignition Mike Clark – Collectors Firearms
Wildlife Conservation Wesley Fleming, Wildlife Partners LLC
Wildlife Artist Vickie Mcmillan-Hayes
Search & Rescue Capt. Christy Vales And Her Partner, Officer Ruger, Texas Parks And Wildlife
THANK YOU
Brenda & Larry Potterfield and MidwayUSA Foundation
For Sponsoring the Houston Safari Club/American Conservation & Education Society’s Fifth Annual Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 21
22 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 23
2018 HSC CONVENTION
THE
VOLUNTEER PIN STORY What’s In A Pin? BY J. EARLE FREEMAN
24 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
A
sk any Houston Safari Club volunteer and they will be excited to tell you about moving the 2018 Convention to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The new location means that HSC will need more volunteers than ever before! Stop by the office or call to sign up to help and be sure to get your bushbuck pin. You will be glad you did. Just remember to use it, don’t lose it. It’s one of a kind and cannot be replaced. Whether you are young or old, fast or slow, large or small, the club can use your help. There is a spot for you. The Houston Safari Club 2018 volunteer pin will feature the handsome bushbuck, also known by its scientific name, Tragelaphus scriptus. This will be the second pin in the spiral horn antelope series. The bushbuck is as cool and crafty as a whitetail deer, has the hearing of a moose, the nerves of a professional gambler, and is as nocturnal as a burglar. Though their sight is average, they have developed keen senses of smell and sound. The bushbuck can disappear like a shadow in the night and can hear a twig break at 200 yards away. Not only is this animal spectacularly beautiful, he is also a tough trophy to come by. Being shy and elusive, this antelope is held among the top 10 trophies for any safarist. The life expectancy for these solitary animals is approximately 12 years. Body and horn size vary considerably. Mature bucks are significantly larger and stockier than females, with only the males carrying horns. Males are chestnut brown to almost black, while females and fawns are light brown in color. Subspecies can vary in color and patterns. Bushbuck are easily
visible in an open field, but let any of the bushbuck clan slip into a dense brush and they will disappear into the thicket. Presenting no great challenge, the bushbuck is an agreeable animal to hunt. Be careful, though. Wounded bushbucks are aggressive and will not hesitate to charge. Bushbuck have two unfortunate habits which can act as a handicap. It often reveals its presence by the small barking noises it makes when danger approaches, and it habitually eats and drinks at the same time and place. They are found from Ghana to Ethiopia to South Africa. If you don’t have a bushbuck, put it on your list for your next safari. They make a great full body mount for your game room or office complex. And if you’re not able to get a bushbuck on a safari, you can still get one on your Convention volunteer pin. See you at the Convention! I will have your pin in my pocket. ★
HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB
Convention Volunteers Needed!
We need YOU! Each year, Houston Safari Club conducts activities to accomplish our mission to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the protection of hunters' rights. These efforts culminate with our annual Hunting Expo & Convention each January. We rely on the support and involvement of our volunteers - they really are the backbone of Houston Safari Club.
Be a part of the Convention Crew! If you are interested, please contact JD Burrows at burrows25@sbcglobal.net or 713.578.0542
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 25
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Beautiful commemorative HSC buttstock engravings
Beautiful hand-fitted Shurley Brothers hardwood rifle stock
2018 Houston Safari Club
President’s Rifle The Sportsman’s Rifle, a .300 Winchester Magnum BY TOMMY MORRISON
The 2018 HSC President’s Rifle is a functional masterpiece, delivering both aesthetically and functionally
26 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
I
n the past, the President’s Rifle has been mostly a heavy caliber, capable of taking any animal in the world. When faced with the task of choosing the rifle for the 2018 Convention, I struggled with the choice. The rifle had always been a big bore caliber, but my favorite has always been the .300 mag. In my opinion, it is the most all-around caliber made, capable of taking all the animals of the world, except the Big 5. That’s a “sportsman’s rifle” and I decided to break tradition and build an all-around hunter’s rifle. There are many good rifle makers in the United States, but I wanted to use someone local who I could speak with and discuss what I wanted in the rifle and work directly with him Detailed grip checkering with star inletted in contrasting wood to design a practical rifle with a pleasing look and exceptional accuracy even at long distances. I wanted to use custom bullets to match a custom built ballistic turret by Swarovski using “The barreled action was fitted by Tommy Shurley of Shurley their Z6 2.5-14x44 rifle scope. Brothers Custom Rifles and Stocks into a beautiful hardwood I chose Mark Erickson of Stealth Precision Firearms (www. rifle stock with wood inlays and unique buttstock and floorstealthfirearmsllc.com), a Houston Safari Club member and plate engravings commemorating this rifle’s service as the 2018 avid hunter. Mark and I discussed the rifle on many differHSC President’s Rifle. Pulling it all together is the Jewell HVR ent occasions and I believe we have designed a rifle every trigger that provides the hunter with a crisp interface to the subhunter would love to own. I feel Mark should be the one to 1/2-MOA precision that this functional masterpiece delivers. best describe the rifle since he built it. So, in his own words: “No rifle is complete without quality optics. We chose to pair “Well I must admit that I was a little surprised when this rifle with a Swarovski Z6 2.5-14X44 riflescope held firmly Tommy Morrison asked if I would build in place with a set of Talley Manufacturing the President’s Rifle to be auctioned during lightweight alloy rings. Performance in the the 2018 Houston Safari Club Convention field meets speed and convenience with the weekend. Let’s face it, I build practical rifles upgraded personalized ballistic cam matched for those who are passionate about shooting to the Hornady Precision Hunter 200 gr sports and hadn’t the slightest idea how to ELD-X ammunition that we hand selected tackle a rifle build that would be such a defor this rifle. Also included is a custom black parture from just that. soft rifle case made from elephant hide, do“So I went home that evening and opened nated by Tommy Morrison, and five boxes up my gun safe. I stared at all the ‘aesthetof ammunition. ically-pleasing’ rifles that I’ve never had “Mark Erickson and I would like to perthe stomach to shoot for fear that I might sonally thank the suppliers who donated their get them dirty (or even worse that I might craft or product to help build/construct/crescratch them). But then I looked at all the ate this rifle. seemingly ordinary rifles that I’ve actually “Stealth Precision Firearms (www.stealthenjoyed over the years and realized that ownfirearmsllc.com) build precision bolt-action ing a rifle you never intend to utilize is just a rifles for precision shooters as well as the dewaste. That’s when it hit me . . . this oppormanding hunter who is also passionate about tunity was all about creating enjoyment and quality and precision. We are passionate Beautiful commemorative HSC had nothing to do with producing something hunters, outfitters and shooters who believe floorplate engravings too intimidating to use. a precision hunting rifle can turn an average “So with the challenge identified, I set out to build a funchunter into a confident one. tional masterpiece that would be inviting to deploy while “Shurley Brothers Custom Rifles and Stocks (www.shurdelivering both aesthetically and functionally. If this was to leybrothers.com) are true custom craftsman in the shooting be someone’s go-to hunting rifle, then it needed to perform industry who strive to build rifles that are as accurate as they in the field, hitting big when it counts. The .300 Winchester are beautiful. They feature some of the finest hardwoods in the Magnum was the obvious choice; field-proven like no other, world today offering both solid highly-figured hardwoods and this big-game cartridge would deliver plenty of knockcustom wood-combination laminations. down power. “Hart Rifle Barrels (www.hartbarrels.com) are handcrafted “We built this rifle around our Stealth Precision action one at a time from only the highest grade of stainless steel demanufactured by Stiller’s Precision Firearms. This precisionlivering unparalleled performance in the shooting sports arena machined Remington 700 variant includes several functional including several World Shooting Records in various shootimprovements, making it the perfect platform for a preciing disciplines. sion rifle. The action was fitted by Pete Pieper of Precision “Swarovski Optik (www.swarovskioptik.com) manufacture Barrel Work to a handmade 1:10-inch twist Hart Rifle Barrel high-precision rifle scopes, binoculars and spotting scopes using crowned to a 26-inch finished length. A protective Cerakote state-of-the-art precision technology to provide superior perCoatings clear coat was applied by IA Coatings to reduce the formance in poor light conditions, extreme temperatures and care and maintenance burden. at great distances.” ★ CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 27
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2018 HSC CONVENTION
GAZELLE SPONSORS Presenting Sponsor
A Message From Gazelles Many of you have had great role models in your life; those that have paved the way and set great examples. This year, the Gazelles want to pay tribute to all the great huntresses throughout history and celebrate the great hunting tradition they are passing on. Join us on Saturday, January 27, for a fun event, full of music, laughter, good food, and fellowship, as we look back on the past and look forward to the future these women have paved. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., when you will be greeted by our featured entertainment, Willow Creek Junction, a “fresh inspiring Texas Country sound that cuts to the soul.” While enjoying our silent auction and open bar, take the opportunity to “pull” a superb bottle of wine or liquor at our ever-popular Wine and Liquor Pull…only $20 a shot, there is no way to lose at this game! Our committee has worked diligently to make this one of the best luncheons to date! The silent auction is loaded with numerous one of a kind items including jewelry, artwork, custom knives, clothing, home decor and more. Our live auction is a standout this year with a weekend retreat to Cotton Mesa and a Tranas2 AR 15 donated by MG Arms, just to name a few. Our sponsors, shown opposite, are an invaluable part of our luncheon. We truly could not do it without their support! Lastly, we cannot forget our ladies! A huge thanks to all who worked tirelessly for nearly a year to put this event together. Without each and every one of you, none of this would be possible. Come get your Saturday morning kicked off with a Bloody Mary or mimosa, and join us for a delicious meal, jam-packed auction and great fun! — Jody Simpson & Dawn Simpson
30 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Platinum Sponsors Conroe Taxidermy Deb & Ralph Cunningham Sandra & Byron Sadler
Gold Sponsors High Heel Huntress Rod Ranches – Bob & Gay Rod WELL Worldwide Energy Logistics
Silver Sponsors Angie & JD Burrows Julianne & Mark King Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Anna & Tommy Morrison Pug & Ron Mostyn Carolyn & William B. Newlin Melanie & John Pepper Town Center Automotive Laurie-Leigh & Trey White
Bronze Sponsors Conroe Taxidermy Deb & Ralph Cunningham Susie & Matt Pyle Sandra & Byron Sadler
Underwriting Sponsor Jack Daniels
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The ultimate guide in your hunt for Ranch Property View properties at www.farmandranch.com
Get a free one-year subscription! Use promo code: Safari CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 31
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Committee Chairpersons 2018 CONVENTION CHAIRMEN
ART DONATION COMMITTEE
Mark King Julianne King
John Pepper Melanie Pepper
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Julianne King
CONVENTION RAFFLE COMMITTEE
Shaun Nelson
Kevin Ormston
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR COMMITTEE
CONVENTION BANQUET TABLE SALES COMMITTEE
Deb Cunningham
BANQUET & DECORATIONS COMMITTEE
Barret Simpson
FIREARMS COMMITTEE
Mike Ambrose
HUNTING AWARDS COMMITTEE
Lloyd Swiedom
EXHIBITS COMMITTEE
PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS COMMITTEE
Jerry Henderson
Matt Mann
GAZELLES LUNCHEON COMMITTEE
HUNTER OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE
Susan & David Kalich
Jody Simpson Dawn Simpson
Michael Ambrose Travis Simpson
CONVENTION VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE
CONVENTION ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN
HUNTRESS OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE
DAN L. DUNCAN SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE
Gary Rose
YOUTH EDUCATION & HUNTING COMMITTEE
JD Burrows
Barret Simpson
LIVE AUCTION COMMITTEE
VETERAN’S OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Darrell Kainer
Matt Pyle
SILENT AUCTION COMMITTEE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Carrie Schwager
Dennis Cain
Carolyn Newlin Mitzy McCorvey
YOUTH HUNTER OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE
Deb Cunningham SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT
Bryan Anderson
Texas Farm & Ranch Real Estate
Presents:
Giant Peacock Bass in the Amazon
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3 different accommodations and fishing experiences. Late August – January
32 HUNTER'S HORN
Let us plan your next Amazonian Adventure! (800) 292-2213 info@detailcompany.com CONVENTION 2018
Steven J. Bilicek, ALC 281-497-2774 steve@texasagrealty.com
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 33
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THE MAGIC of Jaco van Schalkwyk Houston Safari Club’s Artist of the Year BY TODD WILKINSON LEOPARD: REGAL ONE
34 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
H
unters know in their guts and hearts what is authentic in art and what isn’t. I’m not merely speaking about accurate anatomical representation, correctly portraying the way an elephant or Cape buffalo appears, or the distinctive body language of waterfowl when descending into decoys, wings locked for landing. Those details are important, but getting them right doesn’t always make for a great painting, nor is it the reason, frankly, why so many of us put art on the wall. What matters more are artists who can convey the spirit of an animal, the magical ambiance of a setting, and all of the other nearly indescribable things that stay with us long after we’ve come home. Superior art speaks to the bigger mental space belonging to daydreams, memories that sometimes extend back into childhood, and even trips into wilderness that have not yet happened. Jaco van Schalkwyk is a South African in the ascent of his career as a wildlife artist. He’s someone to watch closely. Not only has van Schalkwyk actually observed animals like leopards, lions, elephants and rhino personally in the bush, but the work he creates, based on those experiences, often sell within hours after they cross the Atlantic and arrive in Ross Parker’s Call of Africa’s Native Visions Galleries located in Jupiter and Naples, Florida. “This young man is brilliant,” Parker says. “In terms of his technique, he’s painting with a level of maturity and discipline that you ordinarily only see in artists during the prime of their 50s, 60s and 70s.” Van Schalkwyk’s actual age: 36. Born in Benoni, South Africa, in 1981, the artist said in an interview that exploring wild country was a natural extension of his upbringing, like learning a language. As a young man, he worked on a dairy farm and gained a keen understanding of animal anatomy and physiology. It was complemented by regular pilgrimages to the region’s iconic parks and game preserves. His work today is always inspired by direct observation. Besides being influenced early on by Robert Bateman and Ray Harris-Ching, van Schalkwyk’s aspirations have been shaped more, he says, by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. “Their dramatic, theatrical use of light and shadow still inspires CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 35
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THE HUNTRESS - ETOSHA
DESERT MONARCH 36 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
AN AFTERNOON STROLL
me today,” he says. A few years back, van Schalkwyk joined artist friends Marie Vermeulen Breedt and Margaret Gradwell (also a personal mentor and former art professor at the University of Pretoria) on a tour of European museums. An indication of his talent, van Schalkwyk has had a major exhibition of his figurative work (paintings and drawings of people) in Cape Town and it won rave reviews. “Being a wildlife artist here has its pros and cons,” says van Schalkwyk, who lives near Johannesburg, noting that animal painters struggle for critical recognition in South Africa — as they do everywhere else. The reputation of wildlife art suffered in recent decades as a result of many lesser artists, deciding they would paint wildlife, flooding the market to try and turn an easy buck. “In fact, savvy collectors are very discriminating,” van Schalkwyk says. “You PATHFINDERS can’t fool people who spend a lot of time in the bush. Luckily, knowledgeable art dealers and buyers can still identify ‘true wildlife art.’” “Jaco doesn’t project images onto a wall and then trace the outline. He draws his animals freehand, based upon what he knows up here,” Parker says, pointing to his head. To master any skill, experts say, one needs to practice it 10,000 times. The memory that van Schalkwyk possesses not only of animals but how they actually look in the landscape comes from patient observation. “He breathes this stuff in,” Parker says. “He’s as familiar painting large mammals in Kruger National Park as some of the acclaimed North Americans, who have their work today in museums, are painting in Yellowstone or Alaska.” Van Schalkwyk can paint scenes of animals filling the frame and most definitely those works appeal to certain clients, but the pieces that have attracted the most interest from experienced collectors are his moody landscapes that bear a resemblance to works painted by old European masters. In terms of van Schwalkwyk’s style, Parker says he is reminded of the late Lanford Monroe (daughter of noted Hook and Bullet magazine illustrator C.E. Monroe and close friend of Bob Kuhn) who didn’t make “wildlife paintings,” rather; she was praised for creating incredible landscape paintings that featured wildlife in the scenes. “Mostly I prefer to paint with a soft color pallet, reflective of the landscapes that the great Bateman has given van Schalkwyk accolades.” Moreover, the youngster has earned rare unanimous respect from other African painters Parker represents and who have avid collectors at SCI — artists such as David Langmead, Margaret Gradwell, Kim Donaldson, James Stroud and John Seerey Lester. “They are capturing split moments in time,” Parker says. “With some of the game preserves and species being affected by serious poaching and civil unrest, these artists are presenting scenes that may never be the same again, or at least not for a very long while. The sun is beginning to fade. In that sense, Jaco is a witness to history, which adds to the powerful feeling you get from his work.” More often of late, it’s a history that has brought heartbreak to those living on the front lines of species loss occurring largely out of sight and mind of Americans. Every week, van
A MOTHER’S LOVE Schalkwyk hears more tales of rhinos being poached for their horn, elephant for their ivory and lion by black market traders because the consumption of parts from the big cats is thought to make those who ingest them more virile. Van Schalkwyk’s beautiful oil portrayal of a lion, “Noble One,” is a tribute to the living king of the jungle. “Sometimes it feels as if nature is going to lose the battle against human greed. I feel wildlife artists can help in this battle to at least create a sense of awareness,” van Schalkwyk says. “That’s why it gives me great pleasure to hear that my paintings are popular among the people of SCI. They’re in a position to help us save our wildlife heritage before it is gone.” Jaco is currently on his second residence at several German museums, by invitation. He recently won South Africa’s most coveted artist award. His three months there will give him time to complete works he started back in Africa. “It will be a great inspiration to be painting amongst the world’s greatest. I would like to thank sponsors who made this national award happen for me,” says Jaco. “I’m hoping my new collection of works for the American audience will be as well received as the last.” ★ CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 37
you 38 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
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CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 39
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Live Auction Preview FRIDAY NIGHT AC Ranch acranch.net Axis buck & Rio Grande turkey combo hunt in San Angelo, Texas with AC Ranch (3 days/2 nights) BOOTH: 1000 VALUE: $5,500.00 Acute Angling acuteangling.com Peacock bass fishing trip for one angler in the Amazon region of Brazil (7 days) BOOTH: 1025, 1027, 1124, 1126 VALUE: $5,450.00 All Out Ranch Improvements alloutranchimprovements.com One 8-hour day of land clearing services from All Out Ranch Improvements BOOTH: 1116, 1118 VALUE: $6,000.00 Argentina Puelo Expeditions pueloexpeditions.com Argentina dove hunt in Cordoba for 3 hunters (3 days) BOOTH: 543 VALUE: $6,750.00 Cape to Cairo Safari capetocairosafari.com South African safari for 2 hunters to each pursue a Hartman Zebra and a Blue Wildebeest (10 days) BOOTH: 533, 535 VALUE: $10,500.00 DEA Ranch dearanch.com Two day trip for one Rocky Mountain cow elk and one whitetail buck up to 140" to be split between 2 hunters. Includes 2 guests. BOOTH: 907 VALUE: $2,950.00 Detail Company Adventures & DDD of the Jones Ranch (Famous South Texas Ranch) detailcompany.com Two day family turkey hunt for 2 parents and two children at the Jones Ranch in Edinburg, Texas (donated by
Detail Company Adventures & DDD of Jones Ranch) BOOTH: 524, 526 VALUE: $5,200.00
Smith & Wesson smith-wesson.com Smith & Wesson Model 27 VALUE: $1,020.00
FNH fnamerica.com Five-seveN Pistol VALUE: $1,400.00
Texas Hunt Lodge texashuntlodge.com Trophy blackbuck antelope and wild boar hunt in Ingram, Texas with Texas Hunt Lodge (2 days) BOOTH: 450 VALUE: $4,500.00
IWI iwi.us IWI Tavor 9mm Rifle VALUE: $2,000.00 John Baran Animal Art johnbarananimalart.com "Tanda Tula Trunk Play" by John Baran Animal Art BOOTH: 1134 VALUE: $4,700.00 Legendary Arms Works legendaryarmsworks.com Legendary Arms Works: Sentinal VALUE: $2,699.00 North Haven Resort northhavenresort.ca Trophy fishing for northern pike, walleye, and lake trout for 2 anglers at North Haven Resort in Winnipeg, MB, Canada (4 days) BOOTH: 743, 842 VALUE: $9,990.00 OC Outfitters ocoutfitters.com High volume dove hunt for 3 in Cordoba, Argentina (4 days, 3 nights) BOOTH: 1051 VALUE: $6,750.00 Scendero Outfitters LLC scendero.com Quail, chukar, and pheasant hunt for 4 hunters at the Scendero Ranch in Winnie, Texas (2 days) BOOTH: 339 VALUE: $3,500.00 Sierra Brava Lodge sierrabrava.com High volume dove hunt for 4 hunters in Cordoba, Argentina with Sierra Brava Lodge (4 days, 3 nights) BOOTH: 937 VALUE: $6,480.00
Wilderness Quest New Zealand wildernessquestnz.com Red stag hunt for one hunter and one observer with Wilderness Quest New Zealand (5 days/4 nights) BOOTH: 851, 853 VALUE: $14,500.00 Y.O. Ranch Headquarters yoranchheadquarters.com Youth hunt for choice of management Corsican, Texas Dall Sheep, Black Hawaiian Sheep, or Red Stag, plus 2 hogs! (2 days) BOOTH: 1030 VALUE: $3,750.00
GAZELLES LUNCHEON Baranof Jewelers baranofjewelry.com 6 Carat Tanzanite & Diamond Ring, Set in 14 Karat Gold BOOTH: 227, 326 VALUE: $29,900.00 Comre Safaris comresafaris.co.za 5 day trip for 1 hunter to pursue a sable on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. BOOTH: 505, 507 VALUE: $8,750.00 Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail cottonmesawhitetail.com 2 day retreat for 6 ladies at the Cotton Mesa Ranch in Corsicana, TX BOOTH: 514, 516 VALUE: Priceless
These are just a few of the many terrific live auction items to be presented at each banquet 40 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Live Auction Preview Fouche Studios fouchestudios.com 'Bee-Eaters' by Leon Fouche VALUE: $3,500.00 High Mountain Hunts highmountainhunts.com Gemsbock, red hartebeest, kalahari springbuck, and warthog hunt for 2 hunters and 2 observers in Namibia (7 days) BOOTH: 221, 320 VALUE: $8,000.00
Italian Safari italiansafari.com Roe deer hunt for 2 hunters in Umbria, Italy (3 days) BOOTH: 603 VALUE: $9,850.00
MG Arms mgarmsinc.com Taranis 2 AR-15 chambered in .223 Rem/5.56 BOOTH: 815, 914 VALUE: $2,295.00
Mashambanzou Safaris mashambanzousafaris.com Crocodile hunt for one hunter and one observer on the Zambezi River (7 days) BOOTH: 1050 VALUE: $10,000.00
Pineapple Brothers and High Adventure Company highadventurecompany.com Axis hunt in Lanai, Hawaii for 2 hunters (2days) VALUE: $12,000.00
You can take home this amazing
Jack Russell Puppy Saturday Night Grand Gala Auction
Once again we have a special Jack Russell puppy from Warwick Evans of Mapassa Big Game Hounds Hunting of South Africa. The puppy is from a prodigious lineage of Jack Russells bred over 40 years for the hunting and tracking of leopard, lion, caracal, jackal, and other wounded game. Warwick bred these dogs to have a fearless, disciplined attitude with an insatiable drive to trail and spot cats and trail blood of wounded animals.
They have a sweet and lovable demeanor which makes them great as family pets as well as hunting dogs. The puppy will receive several months of intensive obedience training from Pete Stewart of Good Manners Dog Obedience School. Pete trained all of our prior Convention auction puppies and many for Houston Safari Club members. For the past 10 years the puppies have sold at the Houston Safari Club Conventions and helped to raise funds to support our mission.
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Live Auction Preview Safari International Macedonia interhunts.com European grey wolf hunt in Macedonia for one hunter and one observer (7 days) BOOTH: 437 VALUE: $12,600.00
Baranof Jewelers baranofjewelry.com 8 Carat Tanzanite & Diamond Ring, Set in 18 Karat Gold BOOTH: 227, 326 VALUE: $32,800.00
Frontera Wingshooting fronterawingshooting.com High volume dove hunt for 4 in Cordoba, Argentina (4 days) BOOTH: 708 VALUE: $9,520.00
Tam Safaris tamsafaris.com 7 day trip for one hunter and one nonhunter to pursue a Golden Wildebeest, a copper springbuck, and a white blesbuck BOOTH: 331, 430 VALUE: $10,500.00
Casa Vieja Lodge casaviejalodge.com Billfishing trip for 2 in Guatemala (5 days, 4 nights) BOOTH: 1043, 1142 VALUE: $8,780.00
Game Trackers Africa gametrackersafrica.com Cape buffalo hunt for one in Tanzania (7 days) BOOTH: 500, 502 VALUE: $15,450.00
Cazatur Spain & Europe cazatur.com Iberian red deer, European fallow deer, or Iberian Mouflon sheep in Spain (4 days) BOOTH: 530 VALUE: $3,750.00
Garton Originals and Joe gartonoriginals.com American Bald Eagle in Flight Wood Carving BOOTH: 1034, 1036, 1038, 1040 VALUE: $10,000.00
SATURDAY NIGHT GALA AAA Serapa Safaris serapasafaris.co.za 7 day trip to pursue a Cape Buffalo in South Africa BOOTH: 249, 348 VALUE: $23,760.00
Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail cottonmesawhitetail.com Trophy whitetail hunt for one hunter (3 days, 4 nights) BOOTH: 514, 516 VALUE: $8,000.00
Africa Maximum Safaris africamaximum.com Roan & crocodile hunt for 2 hunters and 2 observers in South Africa (10 days) BOOTH: 1120 VALUE: $32,000.00
Crocodile Bay Resort crocodilebay.com 3 day tower boat fishing package for two in Costa Rica (5 total days) BOOTH: 802 VALUE: $8,464.00
Algar Safaris algar-safaris.com 5-full-day Argentina Big Game hunt for one hunter including 1 Red Stag up to 320 SCI BOOTH: 742 VALUE: $7,300.00
Exciting Outdoors Argentina excitingoutdoors.com High volume dove shooting and golden dorado fishing in Argentina for 4 hunters (4 days) BOOTH: 552 VALUE: $12,000.00
Argenhunts by Emilio Paris argenhunts.com Four-day duck hunt for 2 in Buenos Aires, Argentina BOOTH: 649 VALUE: $6,800.00
Fouche Studios fouchestudios.com "King of the Mara" by Leon Fouche VALUE: $4,500.00
Banovich Fine Art johnbanovich.com "Old Tembo" by John Banovich VALUE: $7,600.00
42 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Four Seasons Safaris New Zealand fourseasons.co.nz Red stag hunt for two hunters in Canterbury, New Zealand (4 days) BOOTH: 405, 407 VALUE: $15,000.00
Giuseppe Carrizosa Spain giuseppecarrizosa.com Two Iberian Red Deer for two hunters in Spain BOOTH: 414 VALUE: $11,000.00 Great Spanish Hunts greatspanishhunts.com 3-day European fallow deer hunt for two hunters and two non-hunters in Spain BOOTH: 814 VALUE: $16,500.00 Gsell's Whitetails gsellswhitetails.com Whitetail hunt for one in Fayetteville, PA (4 days) BOOTH: 425, 427 VALUE: $10,000.00 Gunwerks gunwerks.com Gunwerks: Magnus Rifle VALUE: $13,140.00 Hinz Jewelers & Mike Ambrose hinzjewelers.com Custom Lion Claw Pendant VALUE: Priceless Horizon Firearms horizonfirearms.com 375 H&H Z-Custom BOOTH: 701, 703 VALUE: $4,949.00
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Live Auction Preview Kississing & Tukto Lodges arcticfishing.com Lake trout and arctic grayling fishing trip for 2 in Nunavut, Canada (6 days) BOOTH: 343 VALUE: $12,000.00 Kuranui New Zealand Hunting kuranui.co.nz 5 day, 4 night red stag hunt scoring up to 350 SCI for one hunter in New Zealand BOOTH: 1041 VALUE: $9,700.00 LaRue Tactical larue.com LaRue Tactical .224 Valkyrie Rifle in FDE VALUE: $3,680.39 Laurentian Wildlife Estate laurentianwildlife.com 3 day hunt in Quebec for 2 hunters to each harvest a red stag, scoring up to 425 SCI BOOTH: 640, 642 VALUE: $20,000.00 Mapu Hunting Lodge mapuhuntinglodge.com Free range red stag hunt for one hunter in La Pampa Province, Argentina (6 nights) BOOTH: 506 VALUE: $5,100.00 Marshland Outfitters marshlandhunts.com Spring black bear hunt for 1 hunter in Saskatchewan, Canada. (5 days) VALUE: $3,750.00 Matthew Greeff Safaris mgsafaris.com Big 5 Photo Safari for 2 in South Africa (5 days) BOOTH: 453 VALUE: $5,250.00 MG Hunting mghunting.com Red stag hunt for one hunter in La Pampa, Argentina (5 days) VALUE: $7,000.00
Original Wildlife Art by Ilse ilsewildlife.co.za "The Look of a King" BOOTH: 441 VALUE: $7,500.00 Pointer Outfitters pointerwingshooting.com 4 day stay in Cordoba, Argentina for 4 hunters to hunt eared dove, Argentina duck, and perdiz. BOOTH: 106 VALUE: $8,500.00 RecordBuck Ranch recordbuck.com Scimitar Horned Oryx, Blackbuck, and Wildebeest hunt for one hunter and one observer in the Texas hill country (4 days) BOOTH: 443, 542 VALUE: $15,910.00 Safari International Macedonia interhunts.com 7 day trip for one hunter and one non-hunter in Macedonia for a European Mouflon Sheep. BOOTH: 437 VALUE: $12,600.00 Southern Lakes Safaris southernlakessafari.co.nz Tahr hunt for one hunter in Wanaka, New Zealand (5 days) BOOTH: 841 VALUE: $8,250.00
Sporting International/Tholo Safaris tholosafarisbotswana.com 7 day plains game hunt for one hunter and one non hunter in Botswana BOOTH: 631, 730 VALUE: $6,750.00 Stealth Precision Rifles stealthfirearmsllc.com 2018 HSC President’s Rifle BOOTH: 741 VALUE: $10,125.00 Tam Safaris tamsafaris.com 7 day trip for one hunter and one nonhunter for the chance to dart a white rhino in South Africa BOOTH: 331, 430 VALUE: $10,500.00 Tom Dreyer Safaris tomdreyersafaris.com Leopard hunt in Namibia for one hunter (14 days) BOOTH: 539 VALUE: $35,600.00 Trophy Hunting Spain TrophyHuntingSpain.com Spanish Ibex hunt for 2 hunters and 2 observers (4 days) BOOTH: 731 VALUE: $8,960.00
Spain Hunting Ibex spainhuntingibex.com Beceite Ibex hunt for 2 hunters (3 days) BOOTH: 436, 438 VALUE: $14,100.00
Tropic Star Lodge tropicstar.com Big game fishing trip for 2 anglers at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama (3 days, 4 nights) BOOTH: 314 VALUE: $10,560.00
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting sctrophyhunting.com Hunt in New Zealand for two hunters to take one red stag each, scoring up to 400" (5 days) BOOTH: 632, 634 VALUE: $25,000.00
Two Hats Ranch twohats.com Hunt with Medal of Honor recipient, Staff Sergeant Ty Carter. Presidential Hunt package from Two Hats Ranch (5 days) BOOTH: 831, 930 VALUE: $40,000.00
Sporting International/Mapassa Big Game Hounds Hunting/Good Manners Dog Obedience School sportinginternational.com Jack Russell Terrier Puppy BOOTH: 631, 730 VALUE: $6,000-8,000
Wollaston Lake Lodge wollastonlakelodge.com Fishing trip for 2 anglers in Saskatoon, SK, Canada (4 days) BOOTH: 319, 321 VALUE: $11,000.00
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 43
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Schedule of Events Thursday, January 25th 8:00 am 6:00 pm
Exhibitor Registration
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
6:00 pm 9:00 pm
Exhibitor & Member Reception
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
Friday, January 26th 8:00 am 10:00 am
Exhibitor Registration Continues
8:30 am 2:30 pm
Youth Wildlife Conservation Education (YWCE) Workshop
10:00 am 6:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Open - featuring raffles, silent auction, guides, outfitters, artists, craftsmen, gear & more from around the world!
6:30 pm 10:00 pm
Annual HSC Hunting Awards Banquet, live entertainment, & live auction
Gold Sponsors Suzanne & Michael Ambrose Australian Outfitters
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
Connie & Steve Coale Frank & Hunter Comiskey
Hilton Americas - Houston Room 335 A-C
Deb & Ralph Cunningham
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
Ricardo Longoria
Hilton Americas - Houston Ballroom of the Americas
Stacie & Mark Erickson Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Stephen Rogers
Silver Sponsors
Saturday, January 27th 9:00 am 5:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Open - featuring raffles, silent auction, guides, outfitters, artists, craftsmen, gear & more from around the world!
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
10:30 am 1:30 pm
Gazelles Luncheon featuring entertainment, live & silent auctions
Hilton Americas - Houston Ballroom of the Americas
5:30 pm 6:30 pm
Cocktail Hour
Hilton Americas - Houston Ballroom of the Americas Lobby
6:30 pm 10:00 pm
Annual HSC Formal Gala featuring live entertainment & a grand live auction.
Alliance Graphics/Printing B&B Taxidermy Gsell's Whitetails
Hilton Americas - Houston Ballroom of the Americas
Sunday, January 28th
Arlette & Fred Lamas Craig Phillips
Bronze Sponsors Charlotte & Joe Betar Angie & JD Burrows Susie & Matt Pyle
10:00 am 3:00 pm
Exhibit Hall Open
1:00 pm
Silent Auction Ends
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
2:00 pm
Convention Raffle Drawing
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
3:00 pm
Worldwide Hunting Expo Ends
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E
44 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
HUNTING AWARD SPONSORS
George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall
Supporting Sponsors Marla & Herb Atkinson Kevin Comiskey Julianne & Mark King Cheryl & Kevin Ormston
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Exhibitors 1st National Reserve • 325, 327, 424, 426 Beaumont, TX
All Out Ranch Improvements, LLC • 1116, 1118 Hallettsville, TX
Baffin Bay Rod and Gun • 1037 Riviera, TX
AAA Africa Serapa Safaris • 249, 348 Tosca, South Africa
Alpine Hunting New Zealand • 1004 Palmerston North, New Zealand
Balla-Balla Safaris • 100 Choma, Zambia
AC Ranch • 1000 San Angelo, TX
American Farm & Ranch LLC • 606 Houston, TX
Acacia Hunting Safaris Namibia • 1003 Namibia Acute Angling • 1025, 1027, 1124, 1126 Hillsborough, NJ Adventure Hunts • 839 San Jacinto, CA
Americase • 336, 338 Waxahachie, TX Ann's Turquoise • 353, 452 Topeka, KS Antler Shed Deer Blinds • 950 Shreveport, LA
Africa Maximum Safaris • 1120 Swartruggens, South Africa
Aotearoa Safaris - Hunt Down Under • 702 Taumarunui, New Zealand
African Arrow Safaris • 704, 706 Lubbock, TX
Argenhunts by Emilio Paris • 649 Buenos Aires, Argentina
African Elephant Hair Bracelets • 403 Santa Barbara, CA
Argentina Puelo Expeditions • 543 Villa Allende, Argentina
Alamo Sporting Arms LLC • 532, 534 San Antonio, TX
Arrow J Woodworking • 904 Whitsett , TX
Alaska Fur Gallery • 825, 827, 924, 926 Anchorage, AK Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge • 138 Bountiful, UT Alberts Lowveld Safaris • 541 Tzaneen, South Africa Algar Safaris - Patagonia, Argentina • 742 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Atascosa Bushlan • 201, 203, 205, 300, 302, 304 Jourdanton, TX Audish Accessories • 440 Pearland, TX Australian Outfitters • 818 Katherine, Australia Authentic African Adventures • 128 Catlettsburg , KY B&B Taxidermy • 1030, 1031 Houston, TX
Baranof Jewelers • 227, 326 Park City, UT Baylor College of Medicine • 114 Houston, TX Beck & Masten • 114 Houston, TX Big Easy Ranch • 349, 351 Columbus, TX Billiard Factory • 549, 648 Houston, TX Blackwell Wildlife Art • 333, 335 Austin, TX Brush Country Studios/Prairie Mountain Wildlife • 749, 751, 753, 848, 850, 852 Cypress, TX Buckbrush Outfitters • 630 Vermilion, AB, Canada Bull Basin Ranch/Lee Cox • 833, 835 Grand Junction, CO Bullet Safaris - Tanzania • 116 Sikeston, MO Bush Africa Safaris • 1014, 1016 Lephalale, South Africa C&C Outfitters • 952 Cordoba, Argentina Camp Grayling • 439 Stony Rapids, SK, Canada
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 45
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Exhibitors Cape to Cairo Safari • 533, 535 Roswell, GA
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica • 802 Petaluma, CA
Capital Farm Credit • 509, 608 Rosenberg, TX
Crusader Safaris • 1104 Bedford, EC South Africa
Casa Vieja Lodge • 1043, 1142 Miami, FL Cavner & Julian Inc. • 315, 317 Port Alsworth, AK Cazatur Spain & Europe • 530 Madrid, Spain
Cutco • 448 Olean , NY Daggaboy Hunting Safaris • 1006 Windhoek, Namibia
Exciting Outdoors • 552 Buenos Aires, Argentina Exclusive Adventures New Zealand • 126 Wanaka, New Zealand Fausti Stefano SRL • 943, 1042 Marcheno, Italy Feathers & Sheds Unlimited, LLC • 233 Sarita, TX Fedha Nyuki • 1150 Laredo, TX
Cedar Eaters of Texas • 102 Comfort , TX
David Denies Bird Hunting • 604 Millbrook, NY
Celtic Field Sports • 903 Hockley , TX
DEA Ranch • 907 Mathis, TX
Chattaronga • 417, 419 Houston, TX
Deborah Peters Art • 932 Houston , TX
Cheetah Safaris & Sable Safaris • 705, 707 Thabazimbi, South Africa
Detail Company Adventures • 524, 526 Houston, TX
Colorado Outfitters, LLC • 433 Clark, CO
Double Guns of Nashville • 153 Chattanooga, TN
FTW/SAAM • 421 Barksdale, TX
Double Nickel Taxidermy • 536, 538, 540 New Braunfels, TX
Game Trackers Africa • 500, 502 Swakopmund, Namibia
Double T Outfitters • 352 Austin, TX
Gangler’s Fly In Lodges • 1002 Ocala , FL
Dove Island Lodge • 1052, 953 Sitka, AK
Garry Kelly Safaris • 819 Hilllcrest, South Africa
Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail • 514, 516 Corsicana, TX
Dries Visser Safaris • 142 Thabazimbi, South Africa
Garton Originals and Joe • 1034, 1036, 1038, 1040 Petersburg , WV
Covey Rise Magazine • 740 Alexander City, AL
Eastcape & Karoo Safaris • 435 Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Cowboy’s Wild Game Washer • 118 Missouri City, TX
EPIC Provisions • 1106 Austin, TX
Comre Safaris • 505, 507 Hurleyville, NY Conroe Taxidermy • 715, 717, 719, 721 Conroe, TX Conservation, Incorporated • 936, 938 Sealy, TX
46 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Fishtail Ranch Outfitters • 921 Chama, NM Four Seasons Safaris New Zealand • 405, 407 Darfield, New Zealand Frontera Wingshooting • 708 Cordoba, Argentina Frosch • 431 Houston, TX
Giuseppe Carrizosa - Spain • 414 Madrid, Spain Global Rescue LLC • 800 Boston, MA
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Exhibitors Global Safari Azerbaijan • 442 Azerbaijan
High Heel Huntress • 1108 Conroe, TX
John Baran Animal Art • 1134 Santa Barbara, CA
Gordy & Sons Outfitters • 216, 218, 220, 222 Houston, TX
High Mountain Hunts • 221, 320 Arlington, TX
John X Safaris • 434 Grahmstown, South Africa
Graceland Safaris • 935 Pretoria, South Africa
Horizon Firearms • 701, 703 College Station, TX
Great Spanish Hunts - Ignacio Navasques • 814 Madrid, Spain
Hunt Trip Spain • 508 Barcelona, Spain
Great White Holdings Ltd. • 653 Spruce Grove, AB, Canada Greystone Castle Sporting Club • 1020 Mingus, TX
Hunters Namibia Safaris • 909 Windhoek, Namibia Hunter’s Path Magazine • 148 Boerne, TX Hunting Safari South Africa • 650 Polokwane, South Africa
Griffin Fishing Charters & Lodge • 817 Barataria, LA
IC Africa • 340 Bela Bela, South Africa
Gsell's Whitetails • 425, 427 Brookshire, TX
Intrepid Safaris Africa • 418, 420 Alldays, South Africa
Hartland Whitetails • 820 Briercrest, SK, Canada Haverhill Fine Jewelry • 1140 Providence, RI Henry Griffiths Safaris • 551 Aldan, PA Heritage Land Bank • 150 Tyler, TX Herradura Ranch • 737, 739 Cotulla, TX HEYM/Double Gun Imports, LCC • 306 Dallas, TX Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort • 602 Yantis, TX
Ironbound Outfitters • 1018 Humber Valley Resort, NF Canada Italian Safari • 603 Turin, Italy
Joshua Creek Ranch • 901 Boerne, TX JP Big Game Safaris • 146 Lynwood Ridge, South Africa Julian & Sons • 641, 643 Heber Springs, AR Kingham Safaris Australia • 531 Kilcoy, Australia Kiowa Hunting Service • 1007 Raton, NM Kississing Lake Lodge • 343 St. Andrews, MB, Canada Knives by Thomas • 902 Kalispell, MT Kuranui New Zealand Hunting • 1041 Tirau, New Zealand Kwalata Safaris PTY (LTD) • 1053, 1152 Vaalwater, South Africa
Ivy Safaris • 1138 Paige, TX
La Espadella Hunting and Adventure • 144 Chert, Spain
Jay Foster Promotions • 251 Granbury, TX
La Gloria Land Company • 801 Sugar Land, TX
JB Hill Boot Company • 1009 El Paso, Texas
Lategan Safaris • 122 Aliwal North, South Africa
Jenobli Safaris • 949 Nietverdiend- North West, South Africa
Laurentian Wildlife Estate • 640, 642 Boileu, QC, Canada
Johan Hermann Safaris • 609 Phalaborwa, South Africa
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 47
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Exhibitors Leo Van Rooyen Safaris Africa • 316 Pongola, South Africa Leopard Legend Hunting Safaris • 940 Outjo, Namibia Leota’s Indian Art • 821 Sugar Land, TX Limcroma Safaris • 601, 700 Groves, TX Lloyd-Safaris • 108 Ermelo, South Africa Lochow Ranch Pond & Lake Management LLC • 805 Bryan, TX Lone Star Outfitters • 209, 308 McDade, TX Maartens Safaris • 735 Paarl, South Africa Mabula Pro Safaris • 931 Bela Bela, South Africa Marksman Furnishing • 449, 451, 548, 550 Alpharetta, GA Marromeu Safaris • 651 Inmaminga, Mozambique Mashambanzou Safaris • 1050 Beira, Mozambique Matthew Greeff Safaris • 453 Nelspruit, South Africa Max Lang Belts and Buckles • 1019 Houston, TX McDonald Safari • 235, 237 Polokwane, South Africa McKenna Quinn/Amber Haynes • 933 Boerne, TX 48 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
MG Arms Inc. • 815, 914 Spring, TX
Onca Gear • 318 Madrid, Spain
Miller’s Point • 104 Nacogdoches, TX
Original Wildlife Art by ILSE • 441 Tzaneen, South Africa
Missouri Valley Guide Service: Joel Vasek • 1005 Geddes , SD Moore Security • 432 Houston, TX Motsomi Safaris • 140 Dwaalboom, South Africa Mount Carmel Safaris • 334 Danielskuil, South Africa Mwatisi Safaris LTD • 919 Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania National Rifle Association • 838, 840 Fairfax, VA New Zealand Hunting.com • 1136 Christchurch, New Zealand Nhoro Safaris • 905 Pretoria, South Africa NiteSite • 804, 806 Fort Worth, TX North Haven Resort • 743, 842 Pewaukee, WI NorthCurl Outfitters • 416 Whitehorse, YT, Canada Northern Giants Trophy Ranch • 330, 332 Eckville, AB, Canada
Osprey Global • 504 Austin, TX Outback Wildlife Feeders • 925, 927, 1024, 1026 Gilmer, TX Outdoor Visions • 733 Richardson, TX PAKMULE • 124 Houston, TX Pampa Adventures & Mapu Hunting Lodge • 506 Buenos Aires, Argentina Pascoe Gallery • 553, 652 North Miami FL Pelser Bowhunting • 202 Lephalale, South Africa Pendleton Safe Co. • 1049, 1148 Loganville, GA Performance Top Drives & Custom Hunting Rigs • 916, 918, 920 Three Rivers, TX Pierre Vorster Safaris • 809, 908 Pretoria, South Africa Plummer's Arctic Lodges • 537 Winnipeg, MB, Canada
OC Outfitters • 1051 Cordoba, Argentina
Pointer Outfitters • 106 Duncanville, TX
Omega Rifles, LLC • 337 Meridian, TX
Prairies Edge Outfitting • 951 Airdrie, AB, Canada
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Exhibitors Pro Guide Consortium • 253 Shields, ND
Severson Outfitters • 341 Collbran, CO
SportEar, LLC • 136 Craper, UT
Pro Safaris Africa • 605 Ascot, Zimbabwe
Shaun Buffee Safaris • 748 Johannesburg, South Africa
Sporting Classics • 1008 Columbia, SC
Quagga Safaris • 915, 917 Lepualale, South Africa
Shikar Safaris • 401 Antalya, Turkey
R&R Trap Sales & Service • 134 San Antonio, TX
Shompole Collection • 1032 Brooklyn, NY
Sporting International • 631, 730 Channelview, TX
RecordBuck Ranch • 443, 542 Utopia, TX Red Desert Rifles • 836 Rock Springs, WY Robin Hurt Safari Company • 807 Windhoek, Namibia Ruple Properties • 816 Pleasanton, TX
Sierra Brava Lodge • 937 Plano, TX Silent Valley Safaris • 130 Dwaalboom, South Africa SIXSITE • 633, 635, 637, 639, 732, 734, 736, 738 Dallas, TX Somerby Safaris • 906 Kestell, South Africa
Sadaka Safaris • 342 Bela Bela, South Africa
South Pacific Safaris New Zealand • 830 Kaikoura, New Zealand
Safari International Macedonia • 437 Fort Myers, FL
South Pioneers Outfitters Argentina • 1039 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Safari Specialty Importers • 409 Pine Bush, NY
South Texas Tripods & Feeders Inc. • 501, 503 Spring, TX
Safari Trails Mozambique • 1021 Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Southern Lakes Safaris • 841 Wanaka, New Zealand
Satterwhite Log Homes • 607 Longview, TX Scendero Outfitters LLC • 339 Groves , TX Serengeti Hunting Safaris • 939, 941 Pretoria, South Africa
Southern Safaris • 152 Kingwood, TX
SST Manufacturing LLC • 350 Houston, TX Starry Night Ranch • 112 Wimberley, TX Stealth Precision Firearms LLC • 741 Cypress, TX Stukel's Upland Adventure • 415 Gregory, SD Tam Safaris • 331, 430 Cradock, South Africa Tejas Custom Boots • 837 Channelview, TX Texan Knives • 752 Porter, TX Texas Ag Realty • 215 Richmond, TX Texas Divide Ranch • 849, 948 Water Valley, TX Texas Hunt Lodge • 450 Ingram, TX
Spain Hunting Ibex • 436, 438 Castellon, Spain
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department • 120 Alpine, TX
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting New Zealand • 632, 634 Visalia, CA
Texas Pistol & Rifle Academy • 900 Whitewright, TX
Spiral Horn Safaris • 231 Thabazimbi, South Africa
The Arrangement • 241, 243 Houston, TX
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 49
2018 HSC CONVENTION
Exhibitors Thormahlen & Cochran Safaris • 832, 834 Nelsphut, South Africa Timberline Lodge/Big Country Outfitters • 843 Daniel, WY Tom Dreyer Safaris • 539 Thabazimbi, South Africa Top Hand Ranch • 636 Conroe, TX Travel With Guns • 638 San Antonio, TX Trinity Oaks • 110 San Antonio, TX Tri-State Taxidermy/Save Safaris • 1001, 1100 Houston, TX Trompettersfontein Safaris & Hunting Lodge • 207 Pretoria, South Africa Trophy Hunting Adventures, LLC • 1132 Trinidad , CO Trophy Hunting Spain by Bruno Rosich • 731 Barcelona, Spain
Two Hats Ranch • 831, 930 Big Rapids, Michigan Tyrrell’s Trails • 934 Fairbanks, AK Ubathi’s Global Safaris • 132 Thabazimbi, South Africa
Wildman Lake Lodge • 518, 520 Mountain Home, TX
Uitkyk Safaris • 750 Diamond, South Africa
Wollaston Lake Lodge • 319, 321 Saskatoon, SK, Canada
W.C. Russell Moccasin Co. • 204 Berlin, WI
Woods & Water Taxidermy • 217, 219 Conroe, TX
Wanganui Safaris • 709, 808 Wanganui, New Zealand
Woody’s Furs • 225, 324 Houston, TX
Whitetail Properties, LLC • 1102 Houston, TX
World Class Whitetails • 803 South Lyon, MI
Wilderness Family Outfitters • 239 Nipawin, SK, Canada Wilderness Quest New Zealand • 851, 853 Greymouth-Westland, New Zealand Wildhunting in Turkey • 942 Adana, Turkey Wildlife Artist Vickie McMillan Hayes • 200 Katy, TX
Tropic Star Lodge • 314 Orlando, FL
Wildlife Partners, LLC • 725, 727, 824, 826 San Antonio, TX
WOW Africa • 1015, 1114 Vryheid, South Africa Xtreme Whitetail Adventures • 600 McEwen, TN Y.O. Ranch Headquarters • 1030 Junction, TX Zander Osmers Safaris • 1033, 1035 Grauelotte, South Africa Z-Clear Anti Fog • 1048 Menasha, WI
Support the future of wildlife biology and game management DAN L. Houston Safari Club is home to one of the largest scholarship programs of its kind. Every year in conjunction with its charitable arm, the American Conservation and Education Society (ACES), DUNCAN HSC, proudly awards scholarships to the students currently involves in the study of Wildlife Management Scholarship Program
and/or Range Management. Since the program's inception in 1999, over 475 scholarships have been awarded to well-deserving students, totalling almost 2 million dollars. Your sponsorship is crucial to raise the funds needed to support this program. For more information, contact the HSC office at 713.623.8844, or visit the HSC website at www.houstonsafariclub.org.
50 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
WOOD CARVINGS BOOTH 1034
GARTON ORIGINALS Petersburg, West Virginia 304-257-9788 www.gartonoriginals.com garton@frontiernet.net
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 51
52 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
DAN L. DUNCAN
2017 Scholarship Recipients
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 approximately 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. Students are asked to supply packets including a cover letter, information sheet or resume, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a hunting photo, graduate students must also include a one page outline of their thesis project.
Why do we make the students compile such a comprehensive packet? The goal is to engage the students, to get them to think on their own, a way a line-by-line form application couldn’t. As a committee, we want to connect with these students on a personal level. Throughout the process, committee members call them by phone to learn more and get them to think on their feet. We ask their opinions of hunting, of 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. Twenty-three scholarships totaling over $117,000 are given each year. All our past scholarship winners are now employed across the nation in various state, federal, private, NGO, and land management positions. Since the program’s inception in 1999, 472 scholarships have been awarded, totaling over $1.8 million. 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 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 53
2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Nicholas Belsher
Daniel Brown
Ross Couvillon
Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences with an emphasis in Wildlife
Master’s Degree Applicant/ Graduate Research Assistant
Graduate Research Assistant/ Wildlife Science
Texas A&M University Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
White Tailed Deer Population and Feeder Density Effects on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Vegetation, and Deer Population Dynamics
White Tailed Deer Population and Feeder Density Effects on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Vegetation, and Deer Population Dynamics
I grew up hunting and fishing in Illinois, and my passion for the outdoors turned into a career in wildlife science. I am working on my Master’s degree in South Texas, working with white tailed deer populations. My goal is to help land managers and hunters alike to manage deer herds in a way that benefits both the deer and their environments. I am using different densities of deer and protein feeders to test the effects on the spatial heterogeneity of herbaceous vegetation, as well as the deer populations themselves.
Numerous studies have established a strong relationship between productivity of bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in southern Texas and rainfall, leading to the idea of supplemental water as a management tool. The necessity of supplemental water by bobwhites has been a debated topic with some empirical investigations, but these discussions have always concerned freestanding water available to drink. This was the first study to investigate bobwhite response to irrigation of habitat. I studied hen and nest survival on two areas to determine the population response of bobwhites. Furthermore, I assessed arthropod and vegetation response to irrigation and how that compares with what is available on the landscape and used by bobwhite broods. This will shed light on how effective irrigation is as a management practice and if it provides suitable conditions for chicks and reproductively active hens during the characteristically driest portions of the year. To complement this project, I also studied Texas tortoises (Gopherus berlandieri) to assess habitat use by a non-game species on a landscape managed for recreational hunting. It is important to determine how our land use practices impact other wildlife and understand how current management practices also benefit other species of wildlife.
Tarleton State University Undergraduate Study Abroad Program on African Ecology My name is Nicholas Wayne Belsher and I am an undergraduate student at Tarleton State University. I currently have three remaining semesters as a Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences major with an emphasis in Wildlife Management. Through the wildlife department, I recently traveled to several South African countries through their study abroad program, focusing on South African ecology. I volunteered on different graduate student projects working with bobwhite quail, data processing on white wing dove, and whitetail deer through Tarleton and A&M Kingsville. I am also the president of the Tarleton State University Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society. In the organization, we outreach and educate conservation to the university, the community, and the Erath County area. Following Tarleton, I would like to continue my education and attend graduate school. My goal is to obtain a career as a biologist with a state agency.
54 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Darrion Crowley
John Edwards
Anthony Falk
M.S. Candidate Range and Wildlife Management; Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Ph.D. Research Associate, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Evaluations and Collections Coordinator, Doctoral Candidate, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Developing Wild Turkey Survey Methodology on Fort Wolters and Camp Maxey Training Centers The Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) and the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) are two wild turkey subspecies found in North Texas. Recent breeding bird surveys show that turkey populations in Texas are at a standstill if not a steady decline. As a consequence of their growing popularity by hunters, surveys must be taken in order to detect population trends. Identifying the optimal survey methodology in order to determine accurate wild turkey population densities is a key factor used in deciding the intensiveness of their management. The objectives of this project are to 1) Determine the precision of wild turkey survey protocols in estimating wild turkey density while proposing an efficient protocol for estimating wild turkey abundance in the major habitats of both centers and 2) Develop habitat suitability models that will enable Texas Military Department staff to determine which habitats are optimal for harboring turkeys and integrating those models with survey protocol to identify protocols that provide the most precise estimate of turkey abundance. The survey methods being tested are road surveys, point count surveys, and roost count surveys. The amount of turkeys observed during each of the three surveys will be recorded in which statistical analysis will be performed to conclude any differences between them.
White Tailed Deer Population and Feeder Density Effects on the Spatial Heterogeneity of Vegetation, and Deer Population Dynamics I am currently starting my fifth year of my doctoral dissertation project at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, planning to graduate in May 2018. I grew up in Whitehouse, Texas and Chickasha, Oklahoma. I received a B.S. in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University and a M.S. in Natural Resources Management from Sul Ross State University. My dissertation project is a multi-faceted investigation into the causes of the bobwhite and scaled quail declines across multiple scales. This involves analyzing long-term quail count databases such as the Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count, and habitat and weather databases such as the National Land Cover Database and PRISM climate data. I have also collected data from the field through vegetation surveys as well as helicopter surveys for bobwhites in both the Rolling Plains and South Texas.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Converting Bermudagrass to Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Cross Timbers, Blackland Prairie, Post Oak Savanna, and Coastal Prairies Ecoregions of Texas I grew up in Northern Illinois and attended Ripon College for my undergraduate degree. Upon graduation, I went to work for EnCAP conducting native habitat restoration in the greater Chicagoland area. I came to Kingsville in January of 2008 to pursue my master’s degree, evaluating the use of locally adapted native species to restore retired crop land in the lower Rio Grande Valley. After graduation, I transitioned into a fulltime position with South Texas Natives where I have been the evaluations and collections coordinator for the last six years. I am currently working on my Ph.D. evaluating a number of different Bermudagrass removal techniques, different seeding techniques, different seed mixes, and different post-planting management. So far we have seen that all chemical applications used to remove Bermudagrass have significantly reduced its cover and biomass. We have also conducted the seeding and just finished implementing the post-planting management. The plan for this project is to collect data for another year with the hope of finding a prescription for converting Bermuda grass into native warm-season grasses to improve bobwhite quail habitat. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family in the outdoors.
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2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Victoria Haynes
Courtney Jasik
John C. Kinsey
Graduate Research Assistant in Range and Wildlife Sciences (Masters Candidate)
Natural Resources Management with a concentration in Range Conservation and a minor in Animal Science
Certified Wildlife Biologist and Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Science and Engineering
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas Tech University Prescribed Patch Burning in Gulf Cordgrass Rangelands on Ungulate Distribution Gulf cordgrass and seacoast bluestem are two native grass species that are endemic to the Texas Coastal Prairies. While little research has been conducted on the nutritional value of seacoast bluestem, gulf cordgrass has been documented to lose value and mature into a coarse, unpalatable plant when not subjected to periodic defoliation. In my research, we’ve been applying prescribed fire on the East Foundation’s El Sauz property during winter and summer seasons to develop burning recommendations to optimize livestock utilization of cordgrass rangelands along the southern Texas Coast. Our study site consists of 10 patches (>200 ha each) with two patches being burned each treatment season for a two-year period. We are currently in our second year of treatments.
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Wildlife and Livestock Managementt I will be graduating from Texas Tech University in December of 2017 with my Bachelor’s Degree. I plan to use this scholarship to further my education and attend graduate school at either Texas Tech University or Texas A&M University-Kingsville with my main focus being on range management for wildlife and livestock.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Ecology and Management of Feral Swine in Relation to Bait Sites in the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion of Texas A sodium nitrite based toxicant, HOGGONE®, has been identified as a candidate for registration as a pesticide against feral swine in the United States. Though mortality rates of 95 percent exceeded goals for pen trials on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Kerr Wildlife Management Area, there is little known about how ecological and behavioral factors may impact consumption of toxicants in a free-range setting. In addition, a reliable population estimator, critical to monitoring population reduction efforts in un-marked populations, does not exist. The objectives of our research are 1) assess the efficacy of HOGGONE® and associated toxicant delivery system in a controlled free-range setting, 2) evaluate behavior and resource partitioning within and between sounders at bait stations, and 3) evaluate contemporary population estimators on known populations of feral swine at varying densities, both pre- and post-toxicant deployment. Results of this study will provide a better understanding of how HOGGONE® and associated species-specific delivery devices will perform in a free-range setting and provide wildlife managers with a reliable method to estimate the size of feral swine populations in a given area. Such research is necessary to optimize the lethality and assess the success of toxicant deployment in free-range populations.
Bradley Kubecka
Jacob Lampman
Tiffany Lane
Graduate Research Assistant, M. S. Range and Wildlife Management, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Graduate Research Assistant in Natural Resource Management
M.S., Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management, Department of Natural Resource’s
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Influence of Agriculture on Mule Deer Diets and Nutrition in the Texas Panhandle
Population Monitoring and Habitat Suitability of Northern Bobwhite In the Rolling Plains of Texas Wildlife management includes two main concepts — populations and habitat. My thesis objectives were to 1) determine which population index (e.g., spring cock count, fall covey count, roadside count) is the best predictor of fall bobwhite populations, 2) evaluate whether helicopter surveys are comparable to mark-recapture estimates, and 3) evaluate the effects of woody cover on bobwhite performance among wet and dry years in the Rolling Plains. Preliminary analysis suggests spring and fall call counts are poor predictors of density (e.g., birds/acre), but good predictors of general abundance (e.g. low, high). Roadside counts were the best predictor of fall hunting populations with a relationship comparable to that of helicopter surveys. Bobwhites tended to occupy areas on the landscape with clumpier mottes of woody cover during drought, but smaller woody patches during wet periods. Brush sculpting various woody patch shapes and sizes may be the most appropriate approach for managing brush for quail among years.
Sul Ross State University
My name is Jacob Lampman and I grew up on a small farm east of San Antonio in Marion, Texas. I spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s ranch where I developed a great love for the outdoors and wildlife. This led me to decide to major in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University. Texas A&M provided me with many volunteer opportunities to gain different experiences, including a study abroad to South Africa. While working as a technician on a project with Bobwhite Quail, I decided to continue my education. I am now working towards a master’s degree in Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross State University under the advisement of Dr. Louis Harveson. My project is titled “Influence of Agriculture on Mule Deer Diets and Nutrition in the Texas Panhandle.” This project aims to identify which crops mule deer are eating and during which times of the year, as well as, document the monthly nutritive values of what they are eating throughout the year. We are also trying to answer whether the use of crops put deer on a higher nutritional plane and if these foraging behaviors are correlated with body mass, body condition, antler size, and fawn recruitment. Understanding how mule deer are using agriculture is vital in making sound management decisions.
Texas Tech University, Lubbock Multi-Scale Habitat Selection of Wintering Waterfowl at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge I am a native Floridian and graduated from the University of Florida in 2014. I am currently pursuing my masters at Texas Tech University. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, hunting, fishing, and any other outdoor activity. My passion for the outdoors and sporting lifestyle led me to the field of wildlife conservation and management. I currently am focusing my research on the habitat selection of waterfowl wintering on the Texas Coast. Coastal marshes of the Gulf of Mexico comprise one of the most important waterfowl wintering areas in North America. The objective of my research is to assess wintering waterfowl habitat selection within Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Texas by quantifying waterfowl selection of vegetative communities, food resources, and coastal marshes. This research will fill major information gaps about wintering waterfowl ecology, influence management priorities and practices, and guide further research and funding for future waterfowl research.
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2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Jason V. Lombardi
Kaitlin Lopez
Kelton Mote
George and Betsy Coates Fellow in Habitat Research, Pursuing a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
M.S. in the Wildlife Ecology Program
Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences
Texas State University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Assessing Seasonal Diets of Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) Using Microhistology and DNA Metabarcoding
Factors Influencing Nest Survival of Mourning Doves in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Ocelot Occupancy and Conservation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley I am originally from the suburbs of northern New Jersey. I received a B.S. in Conservation and Wildlife Management from Delaware Valley University and a M.S. in Forestry with an emphasis in Forest Wildlife Management from Stephen F. Austin State University. Over the last nine years, I have either conducted or assisted with research on twenty North American carnivore species as well as other large and small mammals. My research philosophy focuses on using traditional methods (e.g. live capture and telemetry), remote sensing and non-invasive survey techniques to explore different aspects of carnivore ecology, conservation, and management. I have broad research interests that include wildlife-habitat relationships, spatial ecology, urban wildlife ecology, and population dynamics. My doctoral research is examining different aspects of ocelot occupancy and conservation in South Texas. I quantified the change and fragmentation of woody cover in the Lower Rio Grande Valley from 1984-2050 to identify current and future implications of ocelot recovery. I am analyzing seven years of remote trail camera data to examine how macro- and micro-habitat factors influences ocelot initial occupancy, colonization, and localized extinction and conducting a separate analysis determine co-occurrence patterns with bobcats and coyotes. Finally, I will use GPS and satellite collar data to develop seasonal habitat suitability models for the northern “Willacy” ocelot population.
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The objective of this study is to determine the seasonal food habits of waterbuck on the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area using microhistology and DNA analysis techniques on collected fecal material. Quantitative vegetation surveys will also be conducted seasonally to determine plant composition on the property throughout the year. For microhistology, the epidermal structures of plant fragments observed in the fecal matter are examined under a microscope and used to identify fragments to species. For DNA analysis, the c to h region of the trnL (UAA) intron found in the chloroplasts will be targeted. This region of DNA is relatively short and highly variable between species making it an excellent region to target when amplifying the degraded DNA of digested plant material. The DNA sequenced from the fecal samples will be compared to sequences pulled from a DNA library to determine species. Once fragment analysis is complete, diet composition will be determined by comparing the percent occurrence of plant species observed in the fecal samples to the percent occurrence of plant species observed in the vegetation surveys.
In the United States, Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) are harvested more than all other game birds combined. Texas dove hunters make up 25 percent of the nation’s total dove hunting community and generate over $200 million in economic impact annually. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), doves nest in both citrus agriculture and remnant woodland habitats. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of habitat and land use variation on Mourning Dove nest survival. We conducted nest searches in both land cover types and monitored nests until nest fate was concluded. One hundred nests were located during the summer of 2016 in four citrus groves and two woodlots in Hidalgo and Willacy Counties, Texas. We collected nest site vegetation measurements and documented site evidence of suspected nest failures. AIC model selection will be utilized to determine which environmental variables predicted nest survival. Temporal variables and nest concealment variables such as overhead cover, side cover, distance to foliage edge, and vertical density will be tested for their value as predictors of nest survival. It is our hope to improve the management of the species by expanding the knowledge base of Mourning Dove in the LRGV.
Cody J. Rodgers
Ryan Rothstein
Gael Sanchez
Wildlife Management and a minor in Biology
Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management
Graduate Assistant/ Wildlife Science
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Ranch Intern, Triple Cross Ranch: Wildlife Ranch Management
Effects of White-tailed Deer Density on Antler Growth and Buck Movement Patterns
Landscape Genetic Analysis of Mule Deer to Guide Management for Chronic Wasting Disease
While white-tailed deer have been intensively studied, little is known about the impact of deer density on antler growth and buck movement patterns during the rut and post-rut. My study is taking place on the Comanche and Faith ranches in Dimmit County, Texas. Each ranch has six 200-acre enclosures with varying deer densities and feeders (0 deer/1 feeder; 20 deer/1 feeder; 40 deer/1 feeder; 60 deer/1 feeder; 60 deer/3 feeders; and 80 deer/4 feeders). To evaluate antler growth, I created a photo file of all known-age (captured and tagged as a fawn or yearling) bucks from 1.5-8.5 years of age. I then uploaded the photos into the scoring software Buckscore™ to measure gross Boone & Crockett (GBC) score. Once this is completed, I will analyze the GBC scores by age class to determine if density influences antler growth. In December 2016, I placed 35 GPS collars on bucks in three enclosures on each ranch. Once collars have been collected, I will analyze the data to determine what time of day and how far bucks were moving during the rut and post-rut. The results of my study should aid deer managers in making decisions concerning their buck management and harvest objectives.
I am originally from New Mexico and obtained an undergraduate degree in Conservation Ecology at New Mexico State University in 2014. I then traveled around the country working with numerous state and federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Idaho Game and Fish. I began pursuing my master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the spring of 2016. My thesis is focused on the use of landscape genetics to predict the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in mule deer through Texas. In addition to this, we are sequencing the prion protein gene to search for mutations which have been linked to a partial resistance to the disease. Over 2,000 tissue samples have been collected from CWD check stations across Texas and into New Mexico to analyze genetic relationships and susceptibility to the disease. The results of this study will have implications for management of CWD in populations of Texas mule deer. I am an avid supporter of hunting and a new hunter myself after growing up in a family that partook in this sport. I believe fully in the importance of hunting for wildlife management and conservation. I am honored to be a part of the hunting community and to have received this award from the Houston Safari Club.
My name is Cody Rodgers and I am senior in the Wildlife Management program at Tarleton State University. I was born and raised in Bulverde, Texas with an adventurous spirit geared for the outdoors. I spent a majority of my boyhood hunting, fishing and camping. I achieved the Eagle Scout Rank in the Boy Scouts of America at the age of 17. After I graduated high school in 2014, I began the four-year Wildlife Management program at Tarleton State University, where I have learned more about my passion for wildlife conservation. Recently, I was given the opportunity to work full time over the summer at the Triple Cross Ranch in Stephenville, Texas. The Triple Cross Ranch is a 600-acre ranch with a deer breeder and a hunting operation. As the ranch intern, I worked directly with the land and the wildlife. I learned how to manage the land for whitetail deer, fallow deer, turkey, dove, and waterfowl. After I graduate from Tarleton, I wish to pursue a career as the ranch manager at the Triple Cross Ranch.
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2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Heather Sanders
Cullom Simpson
Rachel Smith
Range and Wildlife Management, M.S.
Graduate Research Assistant, M.S. Thesis Candidate
M.S. Candidate, Range, and Wildlife Management
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Sul Ross State University
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Impacts of Invasive Wild Pigs on Wild Turkey Reproductive Success
Influence of Prairie Dog Colonies on Vegetation and Cattle movement in the Marathon Basin
Monitoring Northern Bobwhite Response to Post-grazing Vegetation Recovery in South Texas
I was raised outside of Boerne, Texas on a small property where I developed my love for the outdoors exploring small creeks and learning to hunt white-tailed deer. This passion for all things outdoors has carried me through undergraduate school and into graduate school. My master’s project is examining how prairie dog colonies influence vegetation and cattle movement in the Marathon basin of Texas. Black-tailed prairie dogs once flourished throughout Texas where they played a major role in maintaining the ecological stability of grasslands. Prairie dogs are often referred to as engineers of grasslands and are important to keep the diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert. Unfortunately, prairie dogs now only occupy portions of their historic range. To examine prairie dog influence on vegetation and cattle movement, 25 Hereford cows have been collared with GPS collars programmed to taking points every 30 minutes. Vegetation is sampled by species and analyzed for nutrition content differences on and off the prairie dog colony after each rotation through one of three pastures. Collar data will be analyzed to determine if cattle are selecting for prairie dog colony at certain times of the year. Understanding this relationship between prairie dogs, cattle, and vegetation will help managers make management decisions in the Marathon Basin.
During the past two decades, many land managers have reduced or completely eliminated livestock across South Texas rangelands with the goal of increasing quail populations. Resting the land from grazing allows vegetation to recover and thus provide nesting and foraging habitat. How bobwhites respond to post-grazing vegetation recovery is unknown. My study was conducted on a private ranch in Jim Hogg County, Texas and involved three different categories of post-grazing recovery: One area at 15 years post-grazing where the habitat has been fully restored, one area of three years post-grazing at high intensity (7 ha/AU), and one area of three years postgrazing at moderate intensity (14 ha/AU). I trapped, radio-collared, and located bobwhites from March to September 2015 and 2016 and documented nest survival, adult breeding-season survival, home range size, and early winter density. I found that breeding season survival did not differ among the sites, but the most recovered and restored site had higher nest survival, smaller home ranges, and higher density. Additionally, density improved on all three sites from 2015 to 2016. This study provides important information for landowners and suggests that in south Texas, bobwhite populations can improve five years after removal or reduction of cattle, given adequate rainfall.
The impacts of invasive wild pigs on native species is a rapidly growing concern as the population of wild pigs in North America continues to grow and their range expands. My research focuses specifically on their impacts on wild turkeys, a highly valued game bird. Wild pigs have been frequently noted as a nest predator for wild turkeys, but how often they depredate nests and the mechanisms they use to forage for nests have not been well studied. My research suggests that wild pigs are a substantial nest predator for wild turkeys; during my study which took place near San Antonio, Texas in 2016 they were the most substantial nest predator. Continued investigations will determine the foraging mechanisms that lead to nest depredation by wild pigs, and characterize interactions between wild pigs and hens during the nesting season. I was born and raised in a small town in rural Iowa, where following game trails evolved into a passion for studying animal movement. I received my B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University in 2014, and upon the completion of my, M.S. I will begin my Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in January 2018.
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SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS Deb & Ralph Cunningham Legacy Sponsor
Jay Von Bank
Laura Warner
Ph.D. Candidate, Wildlife Science, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
M.S. Graduate Research Assistant in Range and Wildlife Management Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Migration, Movements, and Winter Ecology of Midcontinent Greater White-fronted Geese I am a Minnesota native who received my Bachelor of Science degree in Aquatic Biology from Bemidji State University in 2013. I completed his Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences in 2015 from Western Illinois University studying invasive plant species in riverine and floodplain wetlands and waterfowl bioenergetics. Currently, I am researching ecology and movements of greater white-fronted geese. Greater white-fronted geese historically utilized the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast region exclusively during winter, but in recent years have shifted their primary wintering range northward. My research uses advanced GPS tracking devices attached to white-fronted geese to determine if factors such as climate, landscape and habitat changes, and environmental variables affect the movement and wintering distribution of white-fronted geese. Fall and spring migrations are energetically taxing events, and I will describe migration characteristics (such as stopover locations, duration, and timing), and determine if specific breeding populations, migration characteristics, and environmental variables affect winter distribution. Spring migration precedes breeding season, and I will determine if migration characteristics during spring affect breeding success or failure of white-fronted geese. The implications of this research will address the scientific needs of several organizations and aid in establishing future hunting regulations and conservation efforts.
The Influence of Agriculture on Mule Deer Movement and Survival in the Texas Panhandle I grew up in rural Michigan and attended Central Michigan University, where I graduated in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After graduating, I worked as a hunting control station manager at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland, where I also assisted in ongoing research at the USGS captive seabird colony on the refuge. In January 2016, I began my master’s assistantship with the CKWRI at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. My research seeks to evaluate mule deer movements and survival rates relative to crop use by tracking radio-collared mule deer at three different study sites in the Texas Panhandle. Deer location and survival is currently being monitored weekly using radio telemetry, and crop type and growth stage in each field at each study site is being monitored monthly. Using GPS location data from the collars, I will determine how crop use affects deer movement patterns and survival rates. I will also determine which crops and growth stages deer prefer. This information will help to correct survey data, improve projections of the impact of changing agricultural practices on mule deer, and provide deer harvest recommendations that are appropriate for areas where agricultural crops are present.
Randy Fowler Legacy Sponsor
Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Legacy Sponsor
Sandra & Byron Sadler Legacy Sponsor
Edwin Smith Legacy Sponsor
Ellen & Hank Bachman Patron Sponsor
Cokinos | Young Patron Sponsor
Welker Inc / WFMS Patron Sponsor
Rudy Nix Patron Sponsor
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Kaibob National Forest in Arizona
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Sportsmen and National Monuments: It’s Complicated and That’s OK BY DAVID ALLEN, MILES MORETTI, AND JEFF CRANE
I
f you have a passion for spending time in the outdoors, you’re probably aware that the Department of the Interior is currently in the process of reviewing the status of some national monuments created under the Antiquities Act since the mid-1990s. The review, prompted by an Executive Order, is restricted to relatively large monuments of more than 100,000 acres and directs Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to consider a number of factors, mostly surrounding consistency with existing federal laws, the impact of designations on use of the lands and a retroactive look at whether sufficient engagement with stakeholders occurred before and after the lands in question were designated a national monument. To those who depend on access to federal land for hunting, fishing, trapping, target shooting, particularly in the West, where more than 70 percent of hunters rely on public land, the prospect of losing these opportunities is unconscionable. When it comes to national monuments and America’s sportsmen and women, it’s in our best interest to avoid approaching Interior’s review as a zero-sum game. With the Antiquities Act having been around for more than a century, there are numerous examples of how these designations have accommodated, improved and protected hunting, fishing and habitat admirably. Conversely, monument designations have also negatively impacted recreational access and state wildlife agencies’ ability to effectively manage fish and wildlife species and their habitats. And that’s why oversimplified statements like, “An attack on one monument is an attack on them all” don’t make a whole lot of sense. It is still a fact that with or without Monument designation, these lands are already public lands and will remain so only through due diligence and united sportsmen community focus. Did hunters benefit when they lost access to 21,000 acres of BLM land when Castle Mountains National Monument was designated through presidential proclamation? Of course not. Did target
shooters benefit when the agency determined that hundreds of thousands of traditionally used acres in the Sonoran Desert and Prehistoric Trackways National Monuments were incompatible with target shooting? Of course not. Were twenty-six of the leading national sporting conservation groups out of line when they opposed the creation of a new 1.7 million acre monument in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest over concerns that designation would preclude wildlife managers from being able to fulfill Teddy Roosevelt’s vision of setting aside the area for conservation of game animals? I don’t think so. Despite these shortcomings, we can simultaneously acknowledge that places like Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument facilitate conservation of some of the best bighorn sheep habitat in the country and that places like Browns Canyon National Monument, if managed properly, can protect a fishery resource that is the lifeblood of a local economy. We can also use the national monument review to point out that some monument proclamations have done a better job of ensuring the advancement of the sporting conservation community’s interests than others. We’ve already seen encouraging signs that this process could yield positive results for the sporting conservation community. In early September, Secretary Zinke announced Secretarial Order 3356 which, in addition to several other components aimed at expanding public access to lands and waters managed by the Department of the Interior, directs bureaus within the agency to amend National Monument Management Plans to include or expand hunting, recreational shooting, and fishing opportunities to the extent practicable under the law. We are optimistic this will further sportsmens’ access to existing national monuments and provide state fish and wildlife agencies the certainty needed to effectively manage and conserve species in places where monument designations have made this job more difficult.
Ultimately, sportsmen and women should continue their legacy of approaching challenging natural resources questions with a spirit of pragmatism and critical thinking that has served our nation’s original conservationists well for more than a century. To do this, it’s absolutely critical that we collectively elevate public discourse that will retain our community’s hard-earned credibility, a distinguishing characteristic that has historically proven to be our biggest asset, even in the face of shifting political winds. David Allen has served as president and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation since 2007. Over that time, RMEF has had record growth in terms of membership, mission accomplishment and vastly improved its financial standing and national outreach. A lifelong conservationist and avid elk hunter, he also served on the Wildlife Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, the Executive Committee of the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports and on the board of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Miles Moretti has served as the President/ CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation for the last 11 years. He retired from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources after 30 years of service. He has served as Chair of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners and is a member of the Wildlife Hunting Heritage Conservation Council and serves on the boards of Intermountain West Joint Venture and the North American Grouse Partnership. Jeff Crane is the President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. He has served as Vice-Chairman of the Sporting Conservation Council, a Federal Advisory Committee tasked with advising the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior on wildlife and hunting-related issues. He has also served as Chairman of American Wildlife Conservation Partners, a coalition including 48 of the nation’s leading sporting conservation groups. ★
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When you travel, even if your destination is a remote area, you will likely have to pass through a large city to get there. Be prepared. (Courtesy Photo)
Safe Travel in
Foreign Lands BY GLOBAL RESCUE
G
oing on a great hunting trip will involve risks. Experienced hunters know that all kinds of problems can crop up while you’re out in the field. If you know what you’re doing, you’re prepared for things like injuries, insect bites, and even an animal attack. Yet great hunts mean taking great journeys, and those journeys often mean some time spent in a foreign country where you are a stranger, a tourist, and potentially a target. The dangers of traveling in foreign cities and countries are myriad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trip abroad. Before your next adventure, check out the advice of Global Rescue’s security and medical personnel, many of whom are military special operations and special forces veterans who have years of experience analyzing and dealing with threats and dangers of all kinds. 72 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
The streets of foreign countries operate differently than the ones you’re used to. They can be one of the most dangerous areas for a traveler. (Courtesy Photo)
Crowds in a foreign city are full of hazards, from trampling and fighting to scammers and pickpocketers. Your best bet? Avoid the most congested areas altogether. (Courtesy Photo) You will probably have to use a vehicle to get through a city you visit during your travels. Know how to avoid getting swindled by an untrustworthy cab, or worse. (Courtesy Photo)
STAY SAFE IN THE STREETS
There’s no way to guarantee that you won’t encounter criminal activity when you travel. However, there are steps you can take to stay as safe as possible without sacrificing the experiences you want to have while you are abroad. Know your enemy — Criminals often seek out people who appear to be weak and vulnerable. A person who is traveling alone is a much easier target than one in a group. Same goes for someone who looks like they don’t know what they’re doing or how to fit in. People who are handicapped or intoxicated often become targets of opportunity for those looking to take advantage of a foreigner, and women similarly are often targeted abroad. Be aware of your surroundings — Know where you are and where you’re going at all times. This starts with your planning;
familiarize yourself with streets and landmarks before you go out into a new place. A traveler that is constantly checking a map and looking confused is an easy mark for those who wish to do harm or work a scam. If you’re lost or confused, find a café or shop to step into and get your bearings. Carry smart — Before you go out, separate your valuables and leave the things you don’t need in your room (as long as it’s secure). Take only the money you know you’ll need, and separate that into small denominations scattered among different pockets so you can avoid showing all of your cash at once. Try not to carry a wallet or purse, and if you do carry a wallet, double-wrap a rubber band around it to make it harder for someone to pull out of your pocket. Stay clear of obvious trouble — If you see a fight, a riot, or someone being arrested,
move quickly away from the scene. Robbers and scam artists will often stage a fight or argument to draw attention and distract you from their true intentions. Stay calm in a crisis — If you are approached by someone who wants to rob or mug you, stay calm, cooperate and surrender your valuables. They are replaceable; you are not. If you are being followed, walk briskly, indicate to your pursuer that you are aware you are being followed, and find either help or a public area. Be vigilant about vehicles — Taxis in foreign countries can be just as dangerous as the streets on which they drive. The safest taxis are the ones you pre-arrange yourself or through your hotel, rather than one you hail in the street, and a taxi with a passenger already in it is an invitation to trouble. Try to use taxis that have working meters, but if CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 73
Areas where natural disasters or military conflict have damaged the infrastructure can remain unstable long after the event is over. Know how to avoid the worst-hit areas. (Courtesy Photo)
Your personal belongings are important to you – treat them that way. Keep them secure if you are sightseeing, and only carry what you absolutely need. (Courtesy Photo) Police and armed forces in foreign countries may not be as well trained as the authorities at home. Be smart about how to act around them, and how to avoid getting swept up in the chaos if they intervene in a crowd. (Courtesy Photo)
that’s not an option, negotiate a price with the taxi before you start moving. Motorcycles can also be sources of trouble, as their easy maneuverability make them a prime choice for thieves and other criminals, and they are frequently used by gangs for criminal attacks.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’S CIVIL UNREST
Even the smallest protest, in even the most civilized-seeming area, can turn into a very dangerous situation. Here’s some advice if you travel to an area that might be embroiled in conflict. Avoid the areas affected. This may seem like obvious common sense, but the easiest way to survive civil unrest is to stay as far away from it as you can. However, you can’t avoid the conflict if you don’t know where it is. That means planning your travel routes before you embark, and knowing where potential hotspots might be. Some protests are 74 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
announced ahead of time. Innocuous events like a major sports celebration can become riots in the blink of an eye. Stay on the periphery. If you are caught in a protest or other conflict, keep to the edges of the area, preferably with a wall on one side. Walk, don’t run, and try to look as inconspicuous as possible. Avoid alleys and other areas that can become chokepoints for the crowd. Be smart around the police. If you see a heavy police presence, move away as quickly and inconspicuously as you can — they may not be able to distinguish you from someone causing trouble, and riot police in many countries are not known for their restraint. If you can’t move, hide — intelligently. Shelter in an established building like a restaurant, museum or hospital, and wait for the situation to calm down. All the while, try to find an exit that takes you away from
the trouble. If you’re in a vehicle, keep moving. Stay on the horn, and do not stop for anyone — especially not to let someone in. Be prepared to leave the vehicle behind if it becomes a focal point or you can’t move it any further. Avoid driving at or near the police. Once clear, get to a safe place. Keep an eye or ear on local media for more information, and keep your surroundings as safe and secure as you can. Global Rescue has provided travelers all over the world with medical advisory and evacuation services since 2004, with more than 15,000 missions completed. Before your next trip, consider a Global Rescue membership as part of your survival plan. Global Rescue www.GlobalRescue.com Member Services 617-459-4200 memberservices@globalrescue.com ★
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CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 75
All of us at Ngazi Camp..
Tristan with gin traps.
76 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Tristan with Ivan Carter and gin traps.
Tristan handing out pencils.
Mozambique A Lesson in True Wildlife Conservation
Safari
BY JOHN PEPPER
“A
s you can see, these are terribly destructive and lethal to any wildlife that is unfortunate enough to come into contact with it,” explained Ivan Carter. Our thirteen year old grandson Tristan nodded approvingly — after all, it was he who was interviewing Ivan, questioning him about the large, heavy homemade “gin trap” that Ivan was holding. Melanie and I were proud of Tristan for inquiring about the gin trap — in fact, all twenty of them — which the local anti-poaching team had recovered just that day. In addition to the large number of gin traps, the anti-poaching team had also recovered nearly fifty snares. Thinking about the large amount of wildlife that could have been lost to these “traps” made us appreciate the anti-poaching team and its efforts all that much more. Melanie and I were in Block, or as they say in Portuguese Coutada, 11 along the Zambezi River in central Mozambique. We were hunting with Mark Haldane’s Zambezi Delta Safaris, whose aggressive anti-poaching efforts and community outreach program was paying big dividends for wildlife conservation. His Coutada 11 hunting concession is one of, if not the most, prolific homes to wildlife in Mozambique. Plains game such as Selous Zebra, Common Reedbuck, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Waterbuck and of course, the ever-present Wart Hog were abundant throughout the Coutada as were the usual predators such as leopard, hyena, and small cats. And Melanie and I were fortunate enough to be there not just observing the herds of plains game, but watching proudly as Tristan hunted alongside two of the best professional hunters in the business — legendary Johan Calitz and one of his long-ago apprentices Andrew Walker who is now recognized as one of the best in his own right. Ivan was his usual engaging, informative self as Tristan continued to inquire about the gin traps, snares and the overall
effectiveness of Zambezi Delta Safaris antipoaching efforts. Ivan’s knowledge of the area and how the aggressive anti-poaching effort has resulted in a dramatic increase in wildlife within the Coutada over the last ten years was evident as he eagerly shared his experience with Tristan. In fact, Ivan mentioned Shikar Safari Club International’s 2016 grant to Zambezi Delta Safaris to further their anti-poaching and community outreach programs as one example of how hunters do make a difference and truly are the original wildlife conservationists. We escorted Ivan to the nearby airstrip where he was heading for Uganda to supervise another of his current wildlife conservation projects — the relocation of Rothschild’s giraffe across the Nile River into the Murchinson Falls National Park. The Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Foundation in cooperation with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the Lewis and Peggy Metzger Foundation was spearheading the two week relocation project that included wildlife veterinarians and biologists from Uganda, Namibia, Australia and several U.S. zoos. We took great pride knowing that a fellow Houstonian and Houston Safari Club Life member Lewis Metzger was helping to underwrite the project. Another case of hunters aiding the survival of a wildlife species — in this case, even a species that may never be legally hunted. With Ivan safely on his way to Uganda, it was time to once again begin hunting. We loaded up the Land Cruiser and headed back to what is referred to as the Flood Plain. This a very large area of just what it sounds like — a flat, treeless grassland that during the rainy season is covered by as much as three feet of flood water. We had been there a few days earlier with Tristan taking a beautiful old Selous Zebra with a single 275-yard shot off of sticks. We fondly
recalled the surprise that Andrew had for Tristan after taking the perfunctory photos and field dressing the zebra. Covering Tristan with grass right next to the zebra innards, he would have a ring-side seat to film the multitude of vultures that would quickly descend as soon as the hunting vehicle had driven away. And did the vultures come — big ones, little ones by the tens until even the grass-covered Tristan was almost covered in vultures. When Andrew shouted for Tristan to jump up and keep filming, the explosion of vulture wings and feathers was incredible as Tristan viewed and videoed nearly fifty vultures face-to-face, up close and personal. It was an exciting start to what promised to be a memorable safari. After an hour of glassing and jumping the ever-present and plentiful warthogs and reedbuck we spotted what we were after — a large herd of Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest. Andrew had said that there is usually an old, dominant male in a herd of this size and as usual, he was right. Anyone who has hunted in Africa knows that the main problem with stalking a large herd of any plains game is the large number of eyeballs watching your every move. And this herd was no exception as we spent over an hour repeatedly getting into position for a shot at the wily, old male, and then off they’d go. But our patience paid off as Tristan finally settled on the sticks for a 250-yard shot. The old bull proved to be just as tough as he looked despite the solid hit. We had to follow him for several hundred yards before Tristan could get another shot in him to finally bring him down. Interestingly, during our follow-up on the old Hartebeest, we jumped a truly huge Reedbuck. “Quickly, shoot that Reedbuck,” whispered Andrew as he threw up the sticks. Tristan was on the sticks in a flash and did just what he’d been told as the Reedbuck dropped in its tracks. We quickly checked to be sure the Reedbuck was down for the CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 77
Tristan popping out on Vultures.
count before continuing on to finish the Hartebeest. Not a bad morning’s work with Tristan taking two truly trophy animals, both scoring SCI Gold. We headed back to camp that evening with another wonderfully satisfying Mozambique day under our belts. Arriving at camp we were greeted by the anti-poaching team that had just arrested a poacher and were busily unloading his gin traps from their truck. In fact, this particular individual wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill poacher — it turned out he was also the primary supplier of gin traps in the area. We were all fascinated as his story was related to us by the anti-poaching team. Apparently, this individual has been making gin traps for over forty years, having been taught by his father who was also a well-known, notorious maker of gin traps. Andrew and Johan showed us his crude, homemade tools and supplies that the anti-poaching team had also successfully confiscated, including a furnace fan made from a bicycle wheel, an anvil crafted from a railroad rail and salvaged truck springs that served as the materials for his gin traps. We could only 78 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Tristan with Chief Thozo.
imagine and marvel at the long hours of hard, physical labor it took for him to make each trap. But here on the ground in front of us lay the evidence — an assortment of his handiwork that included small traps, large traps and all sizes and shapes in between. Ivan Carter was right when he spoke of the incredible devastation and loss of wildlife that these traps could cause in the hands of the ever-present poachers. Andrew told us that since this was the old man’s first offense, or more correctly the first time he’d finally been caught in the act of making and selling the traps, that he’d stand “trial” before the local village tribunal. Andrew continued that a first time offender such as this is generally “sentenced” to ten days of hard labor — a loosely interpreted term that usually means ten days raking leaves around the Zambezi Delta Safaris camp while being sheltered and fed by the camp. With “sentences” such as these, it was apparent why poaching remains such a serious and ongoing problem. Observing the anti-poaching patrol actually arresting a poacher, seeing yet another
wide assortment of gin traps being confiscated and hearing the eventual “sentence” for the poacher was not lost on Tristan. He remarked to us, “It’s a good thing this camp and its anti-poaching team is here; otherwise there’d be almost no game?” Melanie and I could only nod in agreement but were beginning to realize that our hunting trip was rapidly becoming an educational trip as well. Tristan’s observation after the encounter with the arrested trap maker actually proved to be prophetic. The next day we headed to Chupanga, a village on the Zambezi River not far from where it flows into the Indian Ocean. Here Mary Moffat, the wife of Sir David Livingston is buried. She lived in Chupanga while waiting in vain for her husband to return from his expedition ordered by the Queen of England to find the source of the Nile. At one time it was a bustling port of entry to the Zambezi River from the nearby sea as evidenced by the abandoned remains of many large, stately mansions and buildings that unfortunately, as similar structures have in most of Africa, fallen
Top: Tristan wth AR and the gang - Anti Poaching Flight. Middle: Tristan and Pa with Hartebeast. Bottom: Tristan giving the headmaster and Chief School Supplies.
into ruins. As we approached Chupanga the amount of game we saw quickly dropped to zero — even several miles from the village the landscape was obviously void of any game. The constant African conflict between people and wildlife was evident and as in most of Africa, the people were winning. We discussed this issue with Andrew and Johan during which Tristan showed a maturity beyond his age, observing, “But it’s difficult to blame someone for trying to feed his family.” A great moral question for which we really had no answer, but to which Johan weighed in with an observation based on his many years of experience in the African bush. “Yes Tristan, it is difficult to blame them for wanting to feed their family, however, it has been shown over and over that the local population will trap and trap until there’s nothing left and then move on leaving nothing behind to repopulate the wildlife. Hunters at least harvest only enough to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of wildlife remaining to continue the herds.” As we had seen on our drive into Chupanga, Johan’s words rang very true. We returned from Chupanga in time to be told by Mark Haldane that his partner in Maputo had relayed a message that the President of Mozambique needed a favor from Zambezi Delta Safaris. President Filipe Nyusi was going to be in Marromeu, a town on the Zambezi River nearly fifty miles away to dedicate a new sugar mill. He required a Hartebeest and a Reedbuck for the feast after the dedication ceremony and furthermore, they needed the animals by 11 a.m. the next day. Mark asked Tristan if could handle the job to which Tristan eagerly replied in the affirmative. Because it was too late that evening to head out, we made plans for an early morning departure to the flood plain. As planned, early the next morning we were on our way to the now familiar flood plain. We weren’t hunting trophies so it didn’t take long to locate a small bachelor herd of Hartebeest. One shot from the truck and the largest-bodied Hartebeest was down — one down and one to go with CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 79
only two hours before our drop off deadline. Almost immediately after loading the Hartebeest we jumped two Reedbuck — Tristan quickly made the shot and he had his meal for the President. Rushing back to camp we made the deadline with half an hour to spare. Of course in typical Africa style, the President’s convoy of police and official government vehicles didn’t actually pick up the meat until nearly 3 p.m. Oh well, it was still a great outing and seriously, how many 13-year-olds can say that they shot the meat served at an official dinner hosted by the President of Mozambique? The next morning at breakfast we were presented with yet another pleasant surprise — Mark’s son Dustan was going to fly the Zambezi Delta Safaris helicopter on an anti-poaching flight. And he wondered if Tristan would like to accompany him. It took Tristan about one second to eagerly exclaim, “Absolutely!” Dustan is an experienced helicopter pilot having been trained by his father Mark, acknowledged as one of the best in Africa. It wasn’t long before both Dustan and Tristan were safely strapped in the Zambezi Delta Safaris anti-poaching helicopter that proudly sported the distinctive Dallas Safari Club emblem and charging elephant logo. DSC funds the flying hours of this two seat Robinson R22 helicopter as an important part of their continuing antipoaching program in Africa. Their generous grant was definitely being put to good use today as we watched Dustan expertly lift up and take off on anti-poaching patrol. Melanie and I had one excited thirteen-year-old when Dustan returned to the airstrip a couple hours later. Although they hadn’t “arrested or apprehended” any poachers, Tristan excitedly filled us in how they had located an empty poacher camp, landed the helicopter and set fire to the three crude huts. Good stuff for a teenager from Austin, Texas. We had several more wonderful hunting days as Andrew and Johan expertly guided Melanie for the two Mozambique species she needed — a Suni and Red Duiker. Additionally, Tristan continued on his hot shooting pace taking not one, but two large Wart Hogs, Red Duiker, Blue Duiker, Suni, Waterbuck and most importantly a wonderful, old mature Cape Buffalo. The buffalo hunt was pretty much the icing on the cake for this safari as it’s done in a large swath of swampland offsetting the expansive flood plain. The only practical way to access this morass of floating papyrus, sawgrass and mud flats was by large tread-driven vehicles 80 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
from Sweden that are made for traveling over snow. The large treads and cab set up high make this a perfect vehicle for the Mozambique swamp. To say that Andrew, Tristan, and tracker Louish worked hard for their buffalo is an understatement. We all slipped and slid through the sticky swamp mud, but it was the three of them that spent hours crawling
Although they hadn’t ‘arrested or apprehended’ any poachers, Tristan excitedly filled us in how they had located an empty poacher camp, landed the helicopter and set fire to the three crude huts. and crabbing to get Tristan in position for his shot. And when it was time, Tristan did just as he was trained — a single shot from his .375 HH followed up with an insurance shot did the job. Even better, with the large herd distracted by Tristan’s buffalo, Johan was able to sneak Melanie into position for a shot on another old bull. And it worked. Less than fifteen minutes after Tristan’s buffalo was down, his grandmother had hers as well. As a husband, grandfather and fellow hunter, I couldn’t have been prouder of Tristan and Melanie. It was a dirty, tired but very happy bunch of hunters that arrived back at camp late that night. I’ve mentioned community outreach as one of the key components of Zambezi Delta Safaris’ wildlife conservation model.
The following morning we had a first-hand opportunity to see it in action — a meat delivery to the local village and distribution of school supplies to the local school. Loading up the Land Cruiser with the legs of the two buffalo we’d shot the day before, along with some other assorted game that had been accumulating in the skinning shed, we headed for the nearby village. One of the requirements for receiving such “meat drops” is that no one from the village has been caught poaching, a requirement that seemed to be working quite well at least for this, the nearest village to the camp. Zambezi Delta Safaris makes it a point to make regular meat deliveries to the nearby villages ensuring that they too have a stake in maintaining healthy wildlife populations and based upon what we observed that morning, it seems to be working. The villagers began lining up as soon as our vehicle came to a stop and the elders helped Andrew unload the meat onto large plastic liners. Using homemade axes, they began to chop the buffalo legs into roughly equal portions. They asked Tristan to handle the distribution of the meat to each of the villagers that surrounded the elders that were busily chopping and cutting meat. Tristan must have done an acceptable job because there was nothing but appreciative nods and broad smiles from the villagers as he loaded each plastic tub with a slab of meat. It was a gratifying moment for us all to see such a key cornerstone of Mark Haldane’s wildlife conservation model work — as we drove off, the cutting and distribution of the meat would continue until there was nothing left. Since we were in the village, our next stop was to pay our respects to the local chief — Chief Thozo. He is the undisputed leader of the village and head of the local tribunal that Andrew had mentioned concerning the gin trap maker’s fate. His home was the largest in the village and furthermore, made of concrete which in itself is
Left: The village ready for meat distribution. Right: Tristan and Johan with waterbuck. Below: Tristan with his great zebra. Bottom: Tristan drinking vine water.
a mark of importance. The Chief was in his official uniform and greeted us warmly. Andrew told the Chief that we had supplies for the school that Tristan wanted to distribute to the children. Chief Thozo smiled in appreciation and motioned for us to follow him to the school which was less than a hundred yards from his home. When the teachers saw the Chief with all of us in tow, they marched each classroom onto the playground where they lined up in perfect order — the students could not have been better behaved, smiling broadly the entire time we were there. Tristan presented the head teacher with a large supply of paper, folders, and binders and then proceeded to hand out pencils to each student. When he had finally presented each student with their pencil, the teacher led them in a loud, heartfelt “Thank You.” Once again, the Zambezi Delta Safaris wildlife conservation model in action — working with the local community, not against it. Seeing firsthand the appreciation of the village for the meat drop and the appreciation the students had for something as simple as a pencil left an impression on Tristan as he mentioned several times that “they are all so appreciative of things we take for granted.” Yes, this was definitely becoming more of a class field trip
than simply a hunting safari! As our Mozambique safari with Zambezi Delta Safaris came to an end we couldn’t help but reflect on all that we, especially Tristan, had experienced. Yes, we had a successful hunting trip with both Tristan and Melanie taking every trophy that they’d come for. But more importantly, we experienced what real Wildlife Conservation means — taking a limited number of older, mature males leaving the majority of the herd to continue to not only exist but thrive. We also saw first-hand the effort and hard work that it takes to allow Zambezi Delta Safaris’ wildlife conservation model to work, from the anti-poaching patrols to
the community outreach programs. Tristan repeatedly saw the Zambezi Delta Safaris anti-poaching team in action, twice with actual poachers in custody. He had seen gin traps and snares confiscated by the score, now spilling over in two warehouses at the Ngazi camp. By handling these traps and snares, Tristan could certainly appreciate just how deadly they are to the wildlife we all love so much. And of course, he’d flown anti-poaching patrol in the distinctive DSC helicopter actually helping to reduce, at least in some small measure, poaching by burning down one their many camps. ★ CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 81
you 82 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 83
BillA Houston Carter Safari Club Legend
Bronze award presented to Bill Carter for his persistent and endless support to the Houston Safari Club. From left to right – Past President Jerry Henderson, past director and recipient Bill Carter, past President Ray Petty and past President Tommy Morrison
B
ill Carter of Carter’s Country has been a tremendous supporting member of our club and Conventions since 1972. He was there to support us on our very first auction many years ago and has never stopped to this day. I think the most significant thing to say about Bill is, “He never said no” to the Houston Safari Club. He has been unwavering in his support and never asked for anything in return, just asked, “What can I do?” He has given rifles, shotguns, or pistols to 84 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
every Convention we have had. Not to mention the hundreds of knives for table favors, silent auction items such as gift certificates, coolers, clothing, and hunting items. He donated youth hunting rifles to the HSC Youth Hunting Program and was a sponsor to many of our Conventions over the years. He has undoubtedly been part of the backbone of this club. I want to thank Jerry and Carol Henderson and Ray Petty for their help in preparing this article. — Tommy Morrison
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 85
A Rejuvenated
Safari Destination BY TIM HERALD
86 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Beautiful Murchison Falls
B
eing a U.S hunting consultant for Worldwide Trophy Adventures (www.worldwidetrophyadventures.com) gives me the opportunity to try out many destinations that are off the beaten path. Uganda, once one of the great hunting countries from the days of WDM “Karamojo� Bell through the early 1970s, fell off the hunting radar after dictator Idi Amin destroyed much of the beautiful country. In recent years the government of Uganda and a few
adventurous outfitters have begun the rebuilding process for a hunting industry, and at the forefront of this effort are Christian Weth and Uganda Wildlife Safaris. My good friend Kendall Kilbourne and I recently returned from a hunt with Christian where we visited three of his hunting areas that were starkly different, but each offered fantastic opportunities with high game numbers and high proportions of old trophy class animals. The first area we hunted was Aswa Lolim, and we
CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 87
actually ended up there the last two days of the trip as we finished our hunting early and had a bit of extra time. Aswa Lolim is a 500,000-square kilometer concession on the east side of the Nile River in the northeast part of Uganda. It runs along the border of Murchison National Park for 110km in the south and then has 78km of Nile River frontage in the west. The terrain is perfect for hunting with many rolling grass hills, small valleys, and enough brush and light forest to give some cover while stalking, but open enough to easily spot game. Native residents both farm crops and raise livestock, but since Weth started an incentive program back in 2009 where the locals benefit both monetarily and with meat from game taken by hunters, snares picked up, poachers caught, by locals, etc., they are more than happy to share where they have seen animals or any other helpful information. The area has a good population of plains game like East Africa Defassa waterbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, and warthog, but Kendall and I were there primarily to hunt Uganda kob and Nile buffalo. The afternoon we drove in from Kampala, we met Christian on the main tar road. He told us to jump on his truck and we would take a look around for the last hour or so of the day. We hadn’t driven five minutes when we spotted three dagga boys a few hundred yards off the road, so Christian handed Kendall his .460, and we made a stalk. I held back on the final approach as I was wearing a blue and white checked shirt, but the guys got within 50 yards before deciding not to shoot. All three bulls were old and hard-bossed, but Christian said we could find better in the days to come. Uganda kob were everywhere, and I mean everywhere. We saw hundreds in a very short time, and Christian told us that the park estimates that there are over 55,000 in the area. We saw a number of buffalo on both sides of the border road, some in the park and some in the hunting area, and about 30 minutes before sunset, we saw three bulls on the park side, and one was a real standout. The best bull was almost flat horned; he was worn smooth from what little tips he had left to his bosses, and his entire forehead and much of his face were gray and devoid of hair. Kendall told me that was exactly the kind of bull he was looking for, and we joked that we hoped we could find him in our hunting area in the coming days. The next morning, we left camp just after daybreak, and we immediately began seeing 88 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
A worn old buffalo feeding at the edge of the Nile
Kendall prepares for a shot at buff
Kilbourne and PH Christian Weth with a very old Nile buff
Kendall Kilbourne with Uganda Kob and the Nile in background
The whole crew with the author’s beautiful kob ram
Ancient elephant bull encountered in Aswa
kob. We looked over three groups within a couple of miles of camp, and in the third group, there was a ram that really stood out. Christian had us bail off the Land Cruiser a couple of hundred yards down the road, and we made a short stalk using the scattered palms and other bush as cover. The big ram stepped into an opening at a little over 150 yards, and you could only see his neck and shoulder. Kendall was using my 7mm topped with a Nikon 5x20 Monarch 5 scope; he dialed up the magnification so he could pinpoint his shot, and he dropped the kob in his tracks. He was a great trophy, stretching the tape to 25 inches, and Kendall was obviously very pleased. What a start to the trip. Over the next couple of days, we really concentrated on buffalo. We looked over dozens of bulls, and I found it interesting that the vast majority of buffalo we saw in the hunting area were small groups of one to four bulls. We saw virtually no herds of cows and calves except in the park. Early on the third morning, one of the trackers spotted two Nile buff bulls feeding up a small hill out of a long valley. As we glassed them, Kendall and I quickly became excited as we both agreed that one of them was the old flat-horned bull we had seen on the park side that first evening. He was well within our area, and Kendall told Christian he definitely wanted to try for him. The wind was very light and variable, and as we cut the distance on the bulls, they got our scent and took off. We waited a bit and then tried as best we could to get the wind right and try another approach, but this time we crested a ridge, and they were in the open and busted us. Off they ran, and I figured the game was over. We made a long half circle move, and we finally spotted the buffalo again moving in a direction that we felt we could intercept. We scurried from cover to cover using termite mounds, small bushes, and a few trees to cut the distance, and then we came to a small clearing that we thought they would cross. Within seconds the bulls stepped out into the grassy opening, and when the better of the two paused broadside at just under 100 yards, Kendall touched off his .416 Rem and sent a 360 grain Cutting Edge Bullets Safari Raptor into the old boy’s shoulder. The bull bucked and spun around, obviously in bad shape, and Kendall hit him again. He was down to stay, and Kendall had his first Nile buffalo. The ancient old bull was the one we had hoped, and he was simply magnificent with heavily broomed CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 89
SAFARI GEAR FOR SUCCESS One of the great joys of hunting the Dark Continent is the variety of animal life that you see, so whether you want a closer look at the bright and colorful parrot that just flew over, or you want to get an upclose view on a giraffe that is a few hundred yards ahead, or if you are determining whether a buffalo bull is fully hard-bossed, you need great binos. You can do a ton of walking on safari, so my dilemma has always been size and weight versus clarity and field of view when it came to binos for Africa. My problem was recently solved by the introduction of the Nikon Monarch HG line. I chose the 10x42 because I did not want to give up magnification, but I would class this unit as a mid-size that performs like a full-sized binocular. Providing optimum strength, impact resiliency and weight reduction, the slim magnesium alloy body is further enhanced with rubberized panels to provide a sure grip in any conditions, and to assure long-term optical acuity, Monarch HG objective, and eyepiece lenses are protected by scratch-resistant coatings, while interior lenses are shielded from fogging with an extreme waterproof rating that assures fog proof integrity even at altitudes to 16,000-foot equivalent. This is a seriously tough bino for even the most extreme hunts. What you can see is obviously of paramount importance, and Nikon engineered the optical system of the Monarch HG’s around its ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass and high-quality multilayer coating that is applied to all lenses and prisms for brighter, higher resolution viewing. Additionally, Nikon’s field flattener lens system works in conjunction with MONARCH HG’s extraordinarily wide field of view (6.9° in the 10x42 model) to provide a sharp, clear view to the lens periphery.
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VERSATILE GEAR FOR HUNTING AND FISHING It was hot on this safari, and especially while fishing on the Nile. I brought along my Yeti Hopper Flip 12 cooler and was glad I did. We loaded my cooler with drinks and ice every morning, and at sunset, we still had cold drinks every day. After chasing buffalo or fishing for hours in 90-degree temps, a cold water or beer at the end of the trail or day was a welcome treat. The Hopper Flip 12 is tough as nails and was in the back of our hunting vehicle every day taking abuse but functioned perfectly. I really like the compact size and cubed shape of this cooler for trips, and the wide-mouth opening flip top makes for easy loading and access to your food and drinks. As with all Yeti products, it is a champ at keeping ice. Yeti now has a Hopper Flip 18 when you need to take along a few more drinks and ice. It is a great medium sized cooler. I am a big proponent of sunglasses for hunting and obviously fishing, and my choice for years has been Costa Del Mar. A lot of people don’t think about sunglasses for hunting, but a good set of shades will cut glare and help you see the game and everything else better while in the field. I hate squinting all day, and we all know the benefits of polarized lenses for fishermen. I have a number of Costas, but I find myself wearing my Saltbreaks the most. They just feel great. I have a pair with green mirror lenses that have 10 percent light transmission and are made for enhanced vision and contrast for fishing inshore and on flats. They were perfect on the Nile River. I am really excited about Costa’s new Sunrise Silver Mirror lenses that were recently released. These are Extended wear lenses with 30 percent light transmission that makes them the perfect tool for dusk and dawn performance. With their heightened contrast, these lenses are perfect even on overcast days and are very useful for hunting as well as fishing and general use.
tips, and horns so worn they looked polished. It was a great morning to be a hunter. After we took photos and got Kendall’s bull back to the skinning shed, we decided to head down into a valley that had some large trees and where we had regularly seen a number of Uganda kob and hartebeest. When began our walk, it didn’t take long to spot kob all along the open side hills, and we glassed a number of rams as we made our way down the valley. To be honest, there are so many really nice kob there, I had a very hard time determining much of a difference, but when we glassed a group of five rams and Christian
dropped to his knees behind a fallen tree, I knew he had seen a shooter. The group was about 200 yards out and moving to our right and ahead of us, so we slowly made our way forward using whatever cover we could, and then the shooting sticks suddenly went up. Christian told me that the rams were about to step into the open, and I should get ready. I got into shooting position, and all five kob emerged at about 120 yards. I asked Christian which one, and he directed me to a ram on the left. Through my Nikon Monarch HG binos, I could see his horns made a big sweep and dropped out of sight
The author and his prized Nile perch
when he looked in our direction. I kept my eye on him, but he stepped behind a termite mound, and another ram stepped up on top of it and posed for us. I was afraid that one would spot us and spook the whole group, but eventually, the larger ram stepped out to the right and gave me a slight quartering away shot. I squeezed the trigger and hit the ram, but it looked a little low. I quickly chambered another round and put him down with a second shot to the base of the neck. When we walked up to him, I was very pleasantly surprised. He was much larger than I thought with long heavy horns that were worn and polished all along the outside curves. Uganda kob are truly beautiful animals with their sleek fawn red coats highlighted by white and black accents, and their handsome curving ringed horns. My first animal in Uganda was a beauty. That evening we decided to pack up and head to Karamoja, where I could try for a buffalo. So ended a very productive hunt in Aswa Lolim and introduction to Uganda. The hunting continued to be stellar with both Kendall and I taking 40-inch-plus buffalo in Karamoja, East Africa Sitatunga in the Kafu River Basin and a number of plains game species between the areas. As mentioned earlier, we finished our hunt a couple of days early, and Kendall and I both really wanted to spend a little time trying for Nile Perch below Murchison Falls. Christian’s staff made the arrangements, and we drove back to the Nile. Nile perch fishing is not a numbers game, and Kendall and I both hoped to just catch one good fish each. The afternoon we arrived, I lost what we all felt was a very big fish just before dark. I just knew I had blown my chance. The next morning, Kendall caught a fish somewhere in the 10-pound range on a Rapala in the fast water at the base of Murchison Falls. That afternoon, he hooked into a big fish that broke off after taking us into the main river channel, and we were both terribly disappointed. With about an hour of daylight left, I got a strong run and set the hook on what turned out to be a nice 70-pounder that put up a great fight. We took a few photos, revived and released the big fish, and watched the sun go down over the Nile River. It seemed a fitting way to end a great Ugandan Safari. To book a high-quality hunt in Uganda or anywhere else worldwide, Tim Herald may be reached at tim@trophyadventures.com. ★
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LEAPofFAITH Part 2 of 3
Taking kids afield is not enough to ensure the future of hunting. We must reach out to the non-hunting public with our story if we expect hunting to continue for generations to come.
BY SHANE P. MAHONEY
I
t’s high time hunter’s start telling our story, loudly and clearly, to the general public. Ensuring the future of hunting requires more than passion, it requires courage. I am not referring to the courage to pursue dangerous game or to endure hardship in high mountain excursions. Rather, I speak of a more subtle and sophisticated courage that takes hunters out of their preferred element and places them in the frustrating and challenging world of public debate. For more than two decades I have argued and pleaded for a direct engagement with the general public on the merits and relevance of hunting in modern times. I have also argued that public support for hunting is fragile, weakening, and headed for collapse. I believe the vast majority of social and demographic trends support this unsettling prediction.
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On this continent, educating hunters on the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation was an essential first step, to articulate that hunting was far more than killing and that the hunting experience inspired them to become advocates for wildlife. The strategy is simple: provide the hunting community with a consistent, historically accurate message, along with sound evidence in order to tackle a public dialogue with confidence and pride. There is increasing recognition of the need for broader dialogue, and we are making good efforts to build evidence-based arguments in support of hunting’s conservation record. However, we are not taking the most important step to secure hunting’s future – effectively engaging the public in this discussion. While outreach and communications are fairly common programs in agencies and organizations, very few are targeted specifically to the general public. We can whoop and holler all we like at conventions or hunting camps, but the ripple effect is minimal, dispersing like vapor after the booths are folded and the tents collapsed. Only by developing a clear, specific strategy, with measurable goals and deliberate objectives, can we maintain the public support vital to hunting’s future. Two hard realities are facing us. A significant percentage of the more than 40 million hunters in North America will die over the next fifteen to twenty years. Recruitment processes currently developed have little, if any, chance of replacing them. Without some miracle, the percentage of the population that hunts and the percentage of the population that has friends and relatives who hunt will continue to decline. As this happens, the social relevance and political influence of the hunting community will also diminish, making the support of the general public even more important. While this pattern will, initially, have less influence on hunters who can afford to travel and hunt, it will have a more immediate effect on the local hunter who represents the majority of the hunting public today. I believe the consequences of this for wildlife will be many and far reaching. While hunters must accept that we have not been alone in advocating for wildlife, hunters have paved the way for conservation. Furthermore, the financial support of the hunting community has been crucial to wildlife conservation, in the U.S. in particular. From the translocation and recovery of game species to the protection of fish and wildlife habitat, the support of anti-poaching laws and programs and the opposition to reckless land development, hunters
and anglers have been among the most engaged, the most effective, and the most enduring advocates. How can their loss not have negative implications for our cherished wildlife resources? And to take the argument further, how can the loss of support for hunting not also contribute to a more perilous condition for the same resources? The reality is that conservation will be seriously weakened without hunters’ advocacy, and hunters will not be effective without the broad public being supportive or at least tolerant of them. The fact is we are a tiny minority. Like all minorities, we require acceptance and understanding to flourish and freely advocate for our culture. Thus, it is crucial that we reach out, and do so strategically. The challenge is enormous and will require a good deal more than rhetoric, camps for small numbers of children, or political lobbying. As hunters, we need to cease speaking only to ourselves and other predictably friendly audiences. We need to define what it is we bring to society, not what we bring to ourselves. We must develop the talents and sophistication and enter the public debate with confidence, knowing that we can explain the social value of hunting and the importance it holds for wildlife and landscape conservation. Economic development, the support for wildlife refuges and wilderness areas, the protection of a clean and productive environment – these are benefits of hunting that will resonate with the general public. In addition, our legacy of excise taxation on hunting and fishing gear has contributed billions of dollars to wildlife and fish restoration. We hunters have an extraordinary story to tell, but we lack the political will to take it beyond our borders of comfort. We are failing our own narrative in history, failing our cultural identity and our personal beliefs. And all those businesses that make significant money from hunting on private and public lands seem less than interested in helping with a large-scale outreach to those who will ultimately and certainly decide our fate. From their perspective, it is obviously better to wait and hope, rather than move to shape our hunting destiny and the future prosperity of their enterprises. Well, good luck! We need an awakening! A real down-to-the-dirt uprising in the hunter ranks demanding that the organization we support get on with this mission of saving the future of hunting! Forget the feel-good weekend photo-ops of kids who took a hunting course. Let’s break into the mainstream media, delivering radio and
The reality is that conservation will be seriously weakened without hunters’ advocacy, and hunters will not be effective without the broad public being supportive or at least tolerant of them.
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television messages on the benefits and social relevance of hunting today! Forget the cheering hundreds at our convention dinners and reach out through radio to the tens of thousands on their drive home from work every day. Buy billboard space, use trucking company fleets and open fields on our properties to broadcast the good news that hunting brought wildlife back and hunting can keep it with us. Let the message ring along our nations’ highways and in the magazine stands at roadside restaurants and airport kiosks. Let us fund lecture tours and public forums on hunting at our universities 96 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
and colleges. Write articles for feature magazines, not just hunting ones, and work assiduously to get op-ed pieces into mainstream media. Let us change the tenor and substance of our hunting magazines and meetings so that conservation is foremost. Let us find individuals who can represent hunting who are respected conservationists in their own right and choose them, not just people who have spent their lives hunting, as our representatives and “poster children.” Like all movements seeking to market our message, we desperately need recognizable faces that can be met with respect in the broad world of media coverage, not just
good old boys who have been part of organizations forever. They may comfort our members because they won’t say anything new, but what hunting needs is just that – something new! The non-hunting public will not listen to these individuals and many will not believe them. They have no conservation achievements to mention beyond being part of a hunting organization. “So what?” asks the non-hunting public. This will not cut it. The public will look for those who have written, lectured, and worked professionally for wildlife and who have reputations built on this. Those who come from such ranks, and who are
As hunters, we need to define what it is we bring to society, not what we bring to ourselves. We must enter the public debate with confidence, knowing that we can aptly explain the benefits of hunting to any audience.
hunters as well, have a powerful image to bring, that of professionals who care and have dedicated their lives to wildlife and yet can articulate the hunting contribution to conservation as an established face, not just an eager opinion. Do we collectively believe we are incapable of these simple efforts? If so, I suggest we fold our tents and retreat from the coming storm. If we do feel capable – and we surely are – then I think we should build the unstoppable coalition and together accomplish these things. This will be the topic of my next article in this Leap of Faith series. It will explain how courage is contagious. ★
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.
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n Recognized by the WSF, as p Best Bird Shooting at Ventosilla Castle t Eduardo F. de Araoz thanks Chrisie and John Jackson, founders of Conservation Force, shown here using a donated hunt to the Houston Safari Club.
2010 SCI Outstanding International Professional Hunter
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R et r o
Recipes
BY SCOTT LEYSATH
ong before anyone uttered the phrases L “Field to Fork” or “Farm to Table,” many of us were raised on a steady diet of canned
vegetables and casseroles. Browned meats and vegetables were usually bound together with some type of salty canned soup concentrate. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs and cheese, they were hearty meals that stuck with you, sometimes for weeks. “Retro” is the word we use to describe things that used to be commonplace, but somehow have lost their luster with the general public. Much like the fashion world, decades-old dishes often become trendy again, usually with a contemporary twist or two. Those of us who are old enough to remember TV cooking shows before the Food Network can recall only a handful
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of celebrity chefs. Justin Wilson, Julia Child, Graham Kerr and, if we go way back, Dinah Shore. Today, TV chefs come in all shapes and sizes and our interest in what we eat has grown immeasurably. We crave new food experiences beyond meatloaf, mac n’ cheese, and casseroles, at least until they come full circle and are again back in vogue. Fondue, Jell-O salad, meatloaf, chicken Kiev, cheese balls, cherries jubilee, duck à l’orange and tuna noodle casserole are among the dishes that come to mind when I think about retro foods. I’d be fine enjoying any of them today, except perhaps the Jell-O salad, but I didn’t like Jell-O salad when it was popular. Retro recipes are just fine as is, but many could use a little updating and all work just as well with harvested game and fish.
GROUND GAME Successful hunters usually have a deep inventory of ground meat. Perhaps this is because they don’t know what to do with hindquarters, shoulders, and necks. Or maybe they just prefer ground to whole muscle meat. I’ve found that the taste and texture of freshly ground meat is better than burger that has been frozen for several months or more. I freeze 2 to 5 pound hunks of trimmed meat and, when it’s time for venison burgers, I’ll thaw the meat and then grind it. If the ground meat hasn’t been properly aged or bled, place it in a colander over a drip pan in the refrigerator to drain for an hour or two. Although antlered animals are the ones most often ground into burger, just about any game can be substituted for traditional recipes that call for ground beef. Those who look unfavorably at eating the less desirable critters, like snow geese, just haven’t had a good meatloaf made with snow goose breast fillets ground with fatty beef or pork. Wait until your guests tell you how much they love it before you let them know that it’s made with “sky carp.” The outdoor community has proven to be very generous with their time and resources in times of need. This year marked the 10th anniversary of Sportsman Channel’s Hunt. Fish. Feed. program that connects hunters and anglers with food banks, shelters, and
military support groups. For the past 10 years, they have provided meals from harvested game and fish to hungry folks across the country. Without hesitation, sporting groups have stepped up with donations of processed game and fish for the Hunt. Fish. Feed. program. Within your own community, consider donating a portion of your own processed game to local shelters, churches and food banks. It’s best to contact them first to better get a feel for what they could use the most. Without exception, they don’t want you to drop by with a truckload of recently dispatched feral swine. However, the Hunt. Fish. Feed. group has fed a few thousand Texans with donated processed wild hogs. On the Hunt. Fish. Feed. menu this year are Venison Sloppy Joes. Made the traditional way with onions, peppers, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and a dash of Worcestershire
sauce, Sloppy Joes have withstood the test of time. I’m not sure when this tasty loose meat sandwich fell out of fashion, but today finding a can of canned Sloppy Joe fixin’s on a grocery store shelf can be a challenge.
SLOPPY JOE’S WITH A SOUTHERN TWIST This recipe puts a Southwestern twist on a decades-old dish. It’s not nearly as “sloppy” as the traditional dish. If you desire something more tomatoey, add a cup or two of tomato sauce. And while the recipe looks more like a taco, it can also be served on a burger bun. • salt and pepper to taste • warm corn or flour tortillas Ingredients • chopped red onion 4 to 6 servings • shredded cheese • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
1 medium onion, finely diced 1 bell pepper, finely diced 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced 1 cup celery, finely diced 1 pound ground or finely diced game meat (about 2 cups) 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 2/3 cup tomato salsa 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 2 tablespoons tequila (optional) 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Preparation 1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion, peppers, and celery and cook until onions are translucent. Add cubed meat to pan. Once browned, stir in garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, salsa, lime juice, brown sugar, and tequila. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 90 minutes. Stir in cilantro and season to taste with salt and pepper. 2. Spoon meat onto tortillas, top with onions and cheese.
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SHEPHERD’S PIE Until recently, it had been thirty years or more since I last had this classic comfort food dish. Made with seasoned meat topped with whipped potatoes, Shepherd’s Pie is about as comfortable as it gets. Replacing fatty beef and canned vegetables with lean ground game and fresh green beans, carrots and peppers will save you just enough guilt to go back for a second helping. Ingredients 6 to 8 servings The Potato Topping • 3 cups peeled and diced potatoes • 2 tablespoons butter • 1/2 cup milk • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Preparation 1. Place potatoes in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well in a colander and return potatoes to the pot. Add butter, milk, and salt. Mash until smooth. 2. Preheat oven to 375° F. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground venison, onion, and garlic. Cook until evenly browned, stirring often while breaking up meat. Drain excess grease and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. 3. Add tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in green beans, carrot and bell pepper. 4. Transfer meat mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 12-inch baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Spread reserved mashed potatoes over the meat mixture and top with cheese. 5. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
The Filling • 2 pounds ground venison (about 4 cups) • 1 cup onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 teaspoon each, salt and pepper • 2 tablespoons flour • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • 1/2 cup beef broth • 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1 1/2 cups fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced • 1 cup bell pepper, seeded and diced • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
SOUTHWESTERN MEATLOAF Whether you’re long on ground elk, deer, moose, antelope or any other antlered beast, this recipe will add some zip to everyday meatloaf. Ingredients 6 to 8 servings • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 cup onions, finely diced • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 6 garlic cloves, minced • 1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips • 2 eggs, lightly beaten • 1 cup tomato salsa (your choice of mild, medium or spicy) • 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano • 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 1/2 pounds ground venison, elk, etc. • 1 pound lean ground beef • 1/2 pound chorizo sausage, casing removed, crumbled • 1 cup sour cream • 3 tablespoons ketchup • 1 tablespoon lime juice 102 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Preparation 1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and add onion, jalapeno pepper, and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent. Allow to cool. 2. In a large bowl, combine tortilla chips with next 8 ingredients and mix well. Add venison, beef, chorizo and cooled onion mixture. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with your hands. 3. In a lightly oiled loaf pan or baking dish, form into a loaf about 4 inches tall. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 50 minutes or until internal temperature is 155 degrees. Lightly cover with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. 4. W hisk together sour cream, ketchup, and lime juice. To serve, either slice meatloaf and arrange on plates and top with a dollop of sour cream mixture OR serve on grilled sourdough bread.
A PERSONAL FAVORITE Mac n’ Cheese seems to go out of style from time to time, but not for long. The 3-minute microwave variety that is favored by younger folks today hardly compares to a homemade dish made with salmon and a blend of real cheeses. I first had this dish made with canned salmon but is so much better with wild-caught Pacific fish. For some, the flavor of smoked salmon overpowers the dish. If you are so inclined, substitute grilled or baked salmon.
SMOKED SALMON MAC N’ CHEESE This recipe works equally well with cooked and chopped pheasant, wild turkey, chukar, quail or rabbit braise the lesser parts of large upland birds, pull the meat off the bones and add it to this cheesy casserole. Ingredients 6 to 8 servings • 2 cups dried macaroni • 1 1/2 cups whole milk • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated • 3 ounces Parmesan, grated • 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 2 cups smoked salmon, broken into 1-2 inch pieces • 1 cup coarse bread crumbs • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves
Preparation 1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 6 minutes. Drain well. 2. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. In another saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes while whisking. While still whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Remove from heat, add the cheeses, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Gently toss with salmon. 3. Transfer pasta mixture to a greased baking dish or deep baking dish (a cast iron skillet is ideal). Combine bread crumbs with basil and sprinkle over the top of the pasta. Place in a 400-degree preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is evenly browned.
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the
Ballistic Calculator for the Serious Shooter App brings calculations, weather, performance data and more into the hands of every hunter BY SHAUN STEINGOLD
L
ike many hunters and shooters, I’ve missed a few times over the years, maybe more than a few times if truth be told. Those misses have been caused by a variety of reasons, including not properly calculating the correct hold on game, especially at longer ranges. To prevent missing shots, I’ve tried many ways to improve, from reading books to getting training, and even purchasing new gear. I’ve also spent numerous hours at the range trying to become a better shot by learning to calculate dope on my rifle for when a shot presents itself at a distance on the far range of my knowledge. During those hours at the range, I worked on understanding the ballistics of my rifle, such as drop, energy and velocity, as well as how weather conditions affect these factors. I also worked on learning how wind affects bullet placement in a variety of situations, including headwinds, backwinds and even crosswinds. I even looked into products that could help me shoot farther and more accurately, which is how I found Ballistic. Ballistic is a mobile application for iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads that can be used to determine shot placement by automatically calculating dope through the world-renowned JBM ballistics engine. However, this app is much more than just a
basic trajectory calculator, as it also provides information on weather conditions, scope reticles and includes a proprietary ballistic library with the corresponding performance data for more than 5,300 projectiles, factory loads and military loads. It even includes the latest commercial data and G7 military coefficients from the Aberdeen Proven Grounds, as well as Bryan Litz’s Custom G7 ballistic coefficients and projectile length data. A key area where Ballistic differentiates itself is its support of handloads. Users can input their own handload data, and all of this can be calculated and compared with up to eight different loads in a graph. Of course, all this is really great, but all I really care about is whether it really works, and if it is easy enough to use to be realistic. Now ballistic calculators absolutely work; this has been proven by military snipers and other long-range shooting enthusiasts. However, the average hunter seldom shoots beyond 200 to 300 yards, with many shots at game taken within 100 yards. And even though I have shot deer as close as 20 yards with a rifle, I have also both connected and missed on deer at 300 yards and beyond, and have even spent hours putting holes in paper out to 800 yards in a variety of conditions. And it is at these longer distances, both at paper and game, where Ballistic shines. CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 107
After downloading from the Apple Store, I immediately plugged in the information on my DPMS Panther A4 in 5.56x45 mm and my Remington 710 in .308 Win. Finding my chosen loads was simple, as the exact load was listed by caliber and manufacturer. Ballistic even had a listing for auto selecting the best load for wind drift, flatness and energy. I then measured and entered the height of my scope and headed to the range for testing. There, I enabled Ballistic to pull the weather conditions for the range and sighted the rifle one inch high at 100 yards and tapped calculate trajectory. The chart showed all necessary dope for the load, including temperature, barometric pressure, altitude, even wind angle and velocity. The chart also showed that the complete zero on the rifle would be between 150 and 175 yards, and an effective distance of 250 yards in the kill zone of a deer, if the sight was held dead center. What was truly interesting, though, was that I could change zero height to determine the best sight-in height for the optimal distance of how I wanted to hold. Since I like to be able to hold the reticle on the target, or at the top of the target, out to 300 yards, the best sight in height for how I like to shoot was 2.5 inches at 100 yards. This gave me a bullet drop of 7.18 inches at 300 yards, allowing me to hold around the top of a deer with confidence that the 108 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
bullet would hit in the kill zone. Even better, Ballistic allowed me the opportunity to swap between different loads to compare and determine which would be the best for my needs. It also saves the weather conditions from the range day, allowing
Ballistic can absolutely provide the necessary dope on a rifle and load combination that show where to hold to make a shot at almost any realistic distance. It increases confidence. comparison and calculation to the conditions in the field, including how altitude changes trajectory and bullet placement. Tests with my AR-15 exhibited similar results with my standard load showing an optimal zero height of 2 inches at 100 yards to receive the results desired. What was truly surprising, though, was how much Ballistic was able to increase my confidence in both my ability and rifle.
Saving the trajectory chart into favorites provides a fast reference for hold over at distances out to 1,000 yards. In fact, Ballistic will calculate trajectory out to 5,000 yards, with loads capable firing to this distance — think .50 BMG and .338 Lapua Mag. Now there are some features of Ballistic that I haven’t tested in depth yet, but most are pretty easily understood, especially for the average hunter. My two favorite additional features have to be the Heads-Up Display and Advanced Rangefinder to support quick adjustments and a real-time readout in the dynamic display. For those passionate hunters and shooters that ask for more, Ballistic delivers. Ballistic’s Advanced WindKit can account for up to eight wind sources enabling shooters to account for nearly any possible wind scenario. Simply tap the screen each time to create a new wind zone then slide to the appropriate range for speed and angle. A further tap of the screen will incorporate the Coriolis Acceleration, the impact of the spin of the Earth, required for calculating extremely long shots. In testing on the range, the calculations have been spot on, with bullet drift showing exactly on paper where the app stated it would be. If wind drift on the trajectory chart showed one inch left of the point of aim, that is where the bullet would pierce the paper. I hope to use this in the field on some upcoming
western hunts where multiple wind variables can play havoc on bullet flight. Handloaders will appreciate the capabilities of Ballistic as well. I recommend to first measure the actual velocity through a chronograph in order to get the most accurate data, as every rifle shoots loads differently because of barrel length and quality of the gun. A .308 Win. round coming out of an 18-inch barrel will have a different velocity than when traveling out of a rifle with a 22inch barrel. With this data, you can now fully customize your loads in Ballistic and get the most out of the app. Yes, missing is pretty much considered part of shooting, as there are so many factors that determine whether a bullet sent downrange will land where aimed that have nothing to do with velocity, range or trajectory, such as ability, the shooter’s physical conditioning and the inherent pressure of making the shot with required. There is nothing any app or device can do to regulate these factors; these are strictly in the hands of the shooter. However, Ballistic can absolutely provide the necessary dope on a rifle and load combination that show where to hold to make a shot at almost any realistic distance, whether competing, putting game in the larder or just ripping holes in paper at extreme distances. It can even increase confidence, as the trajectory charts shows, specifically, the capabilities of a load. It sure did that more for me, and will
continue to do so in the future. Whether becoming a legend amongst friends on the range, or taking down the prized trophy that may be on another ridge or deep in a valley, Ballistic is that elite spotter every shooter strives to have. Right at their finger-tips for each and every shot.
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR LOAD
GETTING STARTED WITH BALLISTIC
Input the scope’s sighting characteristics: A simple tap on the location icon at the top of the page and Ballistic will draw all the needed weather conditions at the shooter’s position from the nearest weather station or paired device. With the weather conditions in place the shooter simply needs to input the zeroing distance (the standard being 100 yards.
The most aggravating moment while hunting — missing the shot! Shooting at distance, 100 yards and beyond, requires consideration of many factors, such as range, wind direction, temperature, velocity, bullet drop and more. When you get down to it, there can’t be too much information. There are various ways to determine dope for rifle shots, some still do it by firing at paper targets, the easiest, however, is with a Ballistic Calculator for your phone or tablet. Ease of use is paramount and being able to quickly dial in details will make the difference when lining up that perfect shot. Ballistic more than meets this requirement. Getting started is easy with just a few simple variable inputs and taps of the screen, a shooter will be on their way to taking those impressive shots one only hears about on television and in movies. Follow this simple step-by-step outline to getting started with Ballistic. A robust set of instructional videos are also available at Ballisticapp.com.
Ballistic offers it users one of the most comprehensive load libraries in the industry as well as allowing the user to input their own handload.
STEP 2: ZERO YOUR RIFLE
STEP 3: LET BALLISTIC DO THE REST Once the info above is filled out and ready to go, all the shooter has to do is scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Calculate Trajectory. Watch as all of the needed adjustment information to take that epic shot appear at your fingertips.
STEP 4: TAKE THE SHOT, TAKE A PHOTO, SHARE WITH FRIENDS Ballistic supports the shooter who is serious about taking the perfect shot, to calculate and store every aspect of needed data to take those long-range shots all the time, every time. ★ CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 109
Full Youth
Hunting BY JOHN SUTTON
PASSING THE TORCH
There are a lot of reasons to introduce kids to hunting. It is a wholesome hobby that teaches valuable life lessons, encourages exercise and promotes spending time outdoors. In addition to the reasons that hunting is a good activity for the individual, getting the next generation involved is good for the overall sport. As the world becomes increasingly modern and technology-flooded, and gun and hunting rights continue to be challenged, hunting is in danger of becoming a thing of the past. Today’s youth will be responsible for keeping the sport alive by advocating for gun and hunting rights in the future. Hunters are also some of the primary activists that support habitat restoration and wildlife management. Hunting encourages quality time with family or mentors. Instead of playing games indoors on an iPad, it gets kids outside, spending valuable time interacting with people and nature. Many types of hunting are a good source of exercise and teach healthy lessons about the processes through which food makes it to your table. 110 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Plenty of moms and dads look forward to a time when they have kids old enough to take along hunting. Let’s explore how to know when the time is right for those first experiences, and how to make those experiences positive memories for your new hunter.
WHEN TO GET THEM STARTED
As is true when it comes to many youth activities, if you get a child started too young, you run the risk of them burning out at an early age. It does not matter if it is soccer or piano, kids get are often driven away from activities by overbearing parents that force them into hobbies. Some kids burn out early; others make it into their teenage or young adult years before they reach the point of pulling away from the activity. It is best to let the child dictate their readiness and interest in hunting. Keep in mind that as soon as a kid is old enough to talk they are likely to start asking about going along on hunting trips. So, a little scrutiny will be required to determine when the time is right. Every child is different, so there is not
one set standard that can be applied to all children. When you are considering bringing them along on a hunt (as opposed to allowing them to actively hunt) some factors to consider are: • Interest in Hunting — Even if kids are not very interested in hunting from the onset, there is a chance they will come to like it if taken along. However, kids who are interested in going on their own may be ready to go at a younger age. If kids are a little hesitant, you will have better luck having a reasonable conversation with them about giving it a try when they are a little older. • Attention Span — Some types of hunting are not necessarily action-packed. We will identify the types of hunts that are best for getting a child hooked, but kids with very short attention spans might need to grow up a little before they are ready to come along on a hunt. • W illingness to Follow Instructions — Disobedient children are not ideal for a lot of activities, but when you add in guns, knives and outdoor elements, a kid not following directions can become a
Dove hunting with our four year old and two year old. Muzzleloader deer hunt at the Kaibab Plateau. Our little boy is two and our little girl is four.
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safety issue. If a kid wants to go, a hunting trip could be used as a reward for following directions well. • Sensitivity Levels — If you have a child that you think would be very upset with the death of an animal, allow some time to pass before they witness it on a hunt. Let them tag along on a scouting day where you are spotting animals but not shooting them. Eventually, they may start to show more interest in your success stories and ask to be there for the hunt itself. • Stamina — Outside of mental stamina (see patience), physical stamina may play a role in them being ready to come along on a hunt. For the most part, kids probably have more energy than adults, but they may also wear themselves out quickly. If they tire easily and are likely to get discouraged by the work, wait till their legs are a little longer.
STARTING SLOW
Once you have determined that your child is ready to get involved with hunting, it is time to consider what their first outing should be. If everything goes well, your youth hunter will grow up to enter the woods before sunrise and come out after sunset. They will be willing to endure foul weather and cover many rugged miles in a day to pursue game. However, long and intense hunts with low chances of success are not the best options for early experiences. Before a kid is ready to carry their own weapon and harvest their own animals, let them target practice with air rifles or bring them to tag along on a hunt. Here is some framework for what would make a good first hunt: • A hunt that is about them: Even though the child will not be actively hunting, make sure it is a trip catered to them. Do not bring them on a hunt where you are focused on harvesting game. Their experience is the priority, and it is likely to play a big role in their interest in hunting moving forward. • Go on a good weather day: Just like adults, kids are likely to find more enjoyment and be more patient on a day where the weather is good. A day where it is not bitter cold or pouring down rain would be the best start. • O utfit them with good gear: Most grownups survive days in the woods by wearing hundreds of dollars in
112 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
A hunt that is about them: Even though the child will not be actively hunting, make sure it is a trip catered to them. high-quality gear. Spending a bunch of money for a kid’s test-run might not be the best plan, but make sure they have good boots or shoes and enough clothes to stay warm and dry. • Bring snacks: A snack break is a good way to add some entertainment while sitting in the blind or provide an intermission from walking through the woods or fields. Not to mention, a hungry kid is likely to lose interest much quicker than a well-fed one. Pack their favorite snacks and bring along a thermos of hot chocolate on those cooler mornings. • Pick a hunt with some action: In a dream world, every hunt would involve encounters and successes, but much of hunting is not like that at all. Waterfowl, doves, hogs or other small game are good choices because you are likely to see some game and have some success. Sitting in a deer stand where you know you will have a decent amount of visitors (whether or not you can harvest them) should keep a kid fairly entertained. • Call it a day when they are ready: With any luck, patience will be something that your child learns organically through their experiences. It is not a lesson best forced upon them. If they ask to go home, you might encourage them to stay a little longer, but for the most part, heading home or back to camp when they are ready is best. If all the trips are very short, maybe postpone them going along for a couple. If they ask to go again, you can preface the trip by saying “you can go along, but we will be staying in the woods a little longer this time.” • Let them choose their level of involvement: Kill shots, gutting and butchering animals are all a part of the sport, but just because a kid is ready to go for a hike in the woods, does not mean they are ready for the other parts of the hunt. You can establish that they will have to be willing to do those aspects before
they can actually hunt, but do not force them to participate and observe if they do not want to. Likewise, if the kid wants to ease their way into it, find a safe way to get them involved like pulling on a leg while you do the cutting.
SHIFTING TO FULL INVOLVEMENT
Those days when your youth hunter is just tagging along offer a great opportunity to further instill the responsibilities and skills involved in hunting. Make sure to maintain a focus on being a safe and ethical hunter, which will serve them well as an individual but also a steward of the sport and resource. Those lessons will also serve them well as a foundation for the hunter education required in the state of Texas. In Texas, you can bring a child of any age with you, but until they are nine, they must remain accompanied (within earshot) of a licensed hunter 17 years or older. Once they are nine, they are eligible to take a hunter safety course, which is required for all license purchasers born after September 2, 1971. If your youth hunter is not ready to take and pass the course at age nine, they cannot actually hunt, and are required to be accompanied until they pass the course or turn 17. While becoming a certified, licensed hunter at age nine means they legally no longer have to be accompanied, their parent or mentor should evaluate when they are ready to be on their own in hunting scenarios. Once someone is 17, they can opt to defer their hunter education for one year. This is done by purchasing a “Hunter Education Deferral” ($10). Any person opting to defer their hunter education certification is required to be accompanied by a licensed hunter 17 years of age or older. Generally, the time at which a child is old enough and dedicated enough to pass the hunter safety course corresponds well with them being ready to become a licensecarrying hunter.
Archery deer hunting the infamous Arizona Strip with our thirteen month old little girl.
In addition to meeting the legal requirements, here are some other attributes to look for: • Willingness to fully participate in the process: While forcing a kid to gut an animal their first time going along on a hunt is not recommended, they should understand it is a part of being a hunter. Before they harvest an animal of their own they should be ready to do be involved from the first shot, to the last shot, and on through the field dressing and butchering process. • S kills with the required weapon: Certain hunting methods have greater barriers to youth involvement. Archery can be difficult for the youngest of hunters because of the strength required to draw a bow. While some states have minimum draw weight requirements for hunting big game, Texas does not. You should still take into consideration whether the youth is capable of sending an arrow with enough force to kill a large animal. There are many youth bows and crossbows on the market that are sufficient. Big game hunting with a rifle requires the shooter to deal with the recoil and weight of bigger caliber firearms. However, Texas allows game animals to be shot with any caliber firearm as long as it is not a rimfire cartridge. So, selecting a lighter recoiling option is easier than in states with minimum chambering requirements. Pick a weapon that is geared towards youth hunter strength and stature, and make sure they are competent and safe with it. • Ethics and decision making: Even if
Never too young to get them outside. Muzzleloader bull elk hunt with our five month old little girl.
Texas does not require it, it can probably be assumed that an adult will be by the side of the young hunter as they make their early hunting choices. However, the old adage about not being able to un-pull the trigger is as true for kids as it is adults. Making sure that your child is old enough to understand the rationale behind decisions made in the field is crucial.
THE FIRST REAL HUNT
Texas offers youth hunting opportunities for waterfowl, turkey, squirrels and white tail deer. Most of these hunts are before and after adult hunters have their opportunity. These youth-catered hunts are excellent opportunities for first outings. A hunt where the young hunter is the only tag-holder comes with the advantage of the adult mentor not being concerned with their own harvest. Most parents or mentors would take as much or more joy out of a young hunter harvesting their first animal, but some might still let their focus wander to their own successes. Whether it is a youth hunt or a general opportunity, pick a hunt that coincides with the considerations we have already discussed. Early season hunts are likely to have better weather. Game birds, waterfowl, varmints, and deer can all be reasonably hunted with youth firearms and calibers. They also all typically provide a fair amount of encounters and a decent chance at success. Keep in mind the outline of the first hunt as discussed above. You can gradually remove the “training wheels” by making the hunts a little longer, and encouraging your child to be more involved with the whole
process. It is still best to start with a hunt that offers the following: • Good weather • High success rates • Reasonable duration • Adequate gear • Youth-appropriate weapon Talk (quietly) them through the stages of the hunt. As an experienced hunter, you have probably forgotten that you once had to learn many of the things you now know. As an example, to a young hunter, a finishing shot to the head of an animal may seem brutal. Offering a little explanation can help them understand that a kill shot is a humane thing to do, and respectful to the animal.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, hitting the timing just right and then planning and executing a perfect first experience should produce positive results. However, be prepared that even if everything goes well, hunting is not for everyone. For some, it might be an acquired taste, and they may come around to liking it on their own at an older age. Similarly, know that everything is likely not to go quite as planned, and the kid will probably have a great time, anyway. If you are successful in introducing them to hunting, be ready to experience great joy as you share in their successes. You will also feel good about introducing them to a healthy and wholesome activity that comes with a bonus of quality table fare. And finally, by passing along the hunting tradition to the next generation, you will have done your part to keep the sport alive. ★
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Rothschild Giraffes along the Nile.
Giraffe CONSERVATION BY LEWIS METZGER
114 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
THE PROJECT
My life — and that of my family — was changed forever after a chance encounter at the 2017 Safari Club International conference in Las Vegas, where world-renowned conservationist and anti-poaching leader Ivan Carter was the speaker. He talked about the many conservation efforts he was working on in Africa; one specific project he was focusing on needed funding: the Operation Twiga II (Twiga is the Swahili word for giraffe). This was a unique conservation effort to relocate some of the world’s rarest giraffes, the Rothschild Giraffe. This three-week conservation effort, in collaboration with the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), entailed transporting the giraffes across the Nile River and releasing them to be monitored and guarded —away from potential threats to their existence. Veterinarian physicians and biologists from the United States, Namibia, Australia and Uganda, and nearly 50 Uganda Game Scouts were part of this effort to save the increasingly endangered giraffes. As a Life Member of the Houston Safari Club, I have always supported conservation efforts. However, I had no particular ties to giraffes or Uganda or The Murchison Falls National Park. But something just clicked and I felt the need get involved. I knew that my involvement needed to be more than simply writing a check. I felt compelled to step in and get fully engaged to help with the effort to save these amazing creatures. As a financial advisor, I help many clients create charitable giving plans that usually focused on causes that they are passionate about and want to financially support. I was about to put such a plan in place for my family. It was a project I wanted to support. I thought this was a project that I could have a significant impact on with my efforts. I sought out Ivan after his presentation to
learn more about the goals of this conservation project and the financial requirements to help achieve those goals. After a brief discussion, I made a commitment to Ivan to help with this incredible effort. But, I did have one question for him. I knew I was going to make a commitment to help. I knew I was going to Uganda to aid in and see this effort up close and first-hand. However, I had to ask, “can my family come?” I wanted to share this experience with them. I wanted them to see this wonderful creature and the amazing beauty of Murchison Falls National Park. Ivan was quick to say, “yes, please bring the family.” The commitment was made. In August of this year, we boarded a plane in Houston bound for Uganda to participate in this momentous conservation effort to relocate the Rothschild Giraffe to their new home in the park. With the vision and cooperation of Ivan and Julian Fennessy, Ph.D. of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, we set out to bring these giraffes back from the brink of extinction. One need only look at a map of Uganda to see that the Nile River splits the park, leaving these giraffes on one side of the river. As giraffes do not swim, there was no way for them to cross the river without human intervention. Getting them from one side of the Nile to the other was a task in and of itself. The move would require the giraffes be darted with a tranquilizing drug, captured, given an antidote, administered antibiotic shots, attached with GPS tracking devices, loaded on a trailer and then transported across the river on a barge.
THE JOURNEY
Our journey from Houston to Africa was a lengthy one. After multiple plane rides, we arrived two days later at the Murchison Falls National Park. We were met by quite a crew – Ivan, Julian and his team, the wellknown and celebrated wildlife veterinarian Dr. Peter Morkel from Namibia, veterinarians from several U.S. zoos, the Uganda
Wildlife Authority officials and nearly 50 park game scouts. (The game scouts are the equivalent to the park rangers we find in our national parks in the United States.) The turnout of leading veterinarians, knowledgeable game scouts and the presence of the Director and Assistant Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority indicated how vital this conservation effort was to the survival of these giraffes and the species in general. Furthermore, the turn out showed how dedicated all of these individuals were to saving and protecting these animals. The actual relocation project would be a three-week long process. My family and I participated for eight days; I wish we could have been there for the entire process as this was one of the most memorable and unique experiences we have ever had in our lives. I must admit it was in no way a luxury vacation. It was a far cry from the romanticized and often heard of tales associated with fancy five-star African photo safaris. We stayed at a simple motel with no air conditioning. The dinner meals were served cafeteria style and the menu never changed. Yes, we had the same menu eight nights in a row! What we did experience was something few will ever have the opportunity to do. As the Murchison Falls National Park is open to the public, we had unlimited open access to the entire park. This is a privilege not available to the general public. Our experience was up close and personal. It was truly first-hand. We actually participated in capturing, loading and unloading of these beautiful creatures. Most animals, when darted with a sedative, will run for a few minutes then lay down. The giraffe, however, sleeps standing up. Under sedation, this means they run the risk of possibly shutting down their circulatory system. To prevent the onset of death, after each giraffe was darted with a tranquilizer we used long ropes to tackle them to the ground. We would jump on the animal to hold them down while the
Transporting the Rothschild giraffes across the Nile to their new home in the southern part of the Murchison Falls National Park.
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Ivan Carter, the Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and Lewis Metzger. veterinary physician injected them with the stimulant antidote, antibiotics, took blood samples, x-rays, measurements, photographs and attached blindfolds. They also administered medication to treat each animal for giraffe skin disease and snare injuries. As a part of the relocation process, the biologists attached a select number of the animals with GPS satellite tracking devices. This would allow the biologists to monitor and study the movements and behavior of the giraffes in their new home. Now the challenge: how do you get a fully grown, 15-foot tall, 1,500-pound, blindfolded, wild animal onto a specially designed trailer? It was like leading a wild stallion. Once on the trailer, we would move the animal to a holding pen called a boma. In the boma, their blindfolds were removed and they would be monitored for a couple of days before the journey across the river. This allowed the animal to calm down and to ensure that each and every one of them was healthy and fit for the remainder of the trip across the Nile. Following this day or two of recovery and monitoring, three or four giraffes were loaded on a larger trailer for the three-hour journey across the savannah grasslands to the river. Once at the river, the larger trailer would drive onto the barge ferry for the ride across the Nile. Then, another one-hour drive into the park, where they would be released into their new home. Throughout our experience relocating the giraffes, we encountered a handful of minor glitches that are not easily fixed when one is such a remote location. This included multiple breakdowns of the specially designed giraffe trailer and tractor. Another day, the barge ferry actually ran out of diesel fuel halfway across the river. Remember, we were working as volunteers in a Third World country. To say the least, all of this slowed us down but did not stop the effort. The determination and dedication of everyone involved, from the professionals to the volunteers, kept the effort moving forward. During our down times, we took the opportunity to appreciate the remoteness and beauty of where we were. The downtime gave us the opportunity to watch and observe the hundreds and hundreds of wild animals and birds in the park.
THE IMPACT
After the three-week conservation effort, 19 Rothschild giraffes were successfully relocated in Uganda’s Murchison Falls 116 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Group of volunteers, veterinarians, game scouts and members of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. National Park. It seems like a small number to most people. But when you consider the number of Rothschild’s giraffes left in the wild, this was a significant undertaking to ensure the continued safety of an almost extinct species of animal. Rarely when you donate money to charity do you get to see the benefit of your donation. This was a chance to have a personal and hands-on experience. It was tremendously rewarding for all of us. Having my children on this journey in Uganda was a
reminder of the importance of the longterm impact of charitable giving. As a parent, you always think about the future. You ask yourself, am I doing what I can to make a difference for future generations? I know that through our work with Ivan, Julian, the other zoo volunteers and paid staff associated with the project, we are giving these giraffes a fighting chance for a sustainable future. We are creating an opportunity for future generations to enjoy and appreciate the Rothschild Giraffe. ★
(L-R) Peggy Metzger, Lewis Metzger, Michelle Metzger, Austin Stewart and Austin Metzger in Murchison Falls National Park.
Caravan transporting the Rothschild giraffes to the barge to cross the Nile River.
Transporting a giraffe.
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ROTHSCHILD THE ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFE
The Rothschild Giraffe is named for Lord Walter Rothschild, of the famous Rothschild’s. Lord Rothschild was a zoologist and he first saw the giraffe that would become his namesake when he was on a trek in Eastern Africa. The Rothschild Giraffe is also known as the Ugandan giraffe or Nubian Giraffe. The Rothschild is unique in that it is one of the tallest species of giraffe and can grow to be 19 feet. They can weigh more than a ton. You may not know it, and it may not appear to be so, but the giraffe is related to the deer family. Something unique about giraffes is that their patterns (spots) are unique. No two animals are alike. Another unique feature about the giraffe is that sleeps while it is standing. Often times people mistakenly believe that giraffes have horns. However, they do not. The two shapes on the top of their head are actually cartilage called ossicone.
THE CAUSE
Over the last 30 years, the giraffe populations across Africa have been declining. By some estimation, the population has decreased by 40 percent. During this time, the population has dramatically shrunk from over 155,000 in 1987 to approximately 97,000 today. The Rothschild Giraffe is among the most vulnerable subspecies with an estimated 3,000 remaining in the wild—75 percent of which are represented at Murchison Falls National Park. Currently listed as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, these giraffe populations are at risk of further decline, and a rapid decline at that. The main threats to the giraffe are: human disturbance, some mining, habitat loss, as well as habitat destruction and fragmentation. The worst threat to the giraffe population is the despicable practice of poaching. Unfortunately, illegal poaching of giraffes in Africa is increasing and there seems to be no end to it in sight.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls National Park was established in 1952. At 1,500 square miles. It is the largest national park in Uganda. Uganda is in the central and eastern part of the African continent. If you have been to the park, you will know how beautiful, awesome and inspiring it can be with the large variety of plant life in the forests, the Nile River region, Lake Albert, and the diversity of animals. The park is well known to be an habitat for over 75 mammal species and over 450 different bird species. The variety of animals in the park include elephants, chimpanzees, Uganda kob antelope, waterbuck, hartebeests, oribis, Nile crocodiles, cape buffalo and the venerable and fearsome leopard and lions. As a side note, and for those old enough to remember, one of Humphrey Bogart’s most famous movies, “The African Queen” with Katharine Hepburn was filmed in the park.
GIRAFFE
Lewis Metzger in the Murchison Falls National Park.
118 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
D
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Three of the 19 Rothschild giraffes who were relocated to the south part of the Murchison Falls National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park night sky overlooking old hotel ruins.
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Thousands of Students Supported by HSC ACES Grant BY SCOTT MCCLURE
T
he Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation is extremely grateful to the Houston Safari Club (HSC) and ACES grant to support our youth education program, Outdoor Adventures (OA). The OA course is not only a unique secondary school physical education curriculum, it can also be used in conjunction with Ag. Science Wildlife Management or as a local school elective. Instead of teaching with basketballs and tennis rackets, we use rods and reels and bows and arrows. Each student is taught Texas
122 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
Parks and Wildlife Department’s Hunter Education, angler education, NASP Archery, survival skills, CPR/first aid, camping, outdoor cooking, hiking, and other valuable outdoor skills. The Outdoor Adventures curriculum is being taught in over 350 secondary schools nationwide and has over 35,000 students enrolled in the course. There are numerous positive attributes associated with the class. School principals’ report improved self-esteem, boosted attendance, fewer discipline issues and improved grades for students enrolled in the course. Outdoor Adventures is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for the more than 50 percent of the students that are not involved in any outdoor activities. The OA curriculum focuses on the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation and the course is the only public school venue for instilling this conservation model. There are over 18 lessons directly related to conservation, the value of wildlife, and sustainable use through conservation. We are excited to show how OA is increasing youth hunter and angler interest and participation each year. In Texas alone, there were 9,200 Hunter Education Certifications from the Outdoor Adventures course. OA is also directly involved in bolstering the national (R3) recruit, retain, and reactivate initiative. The HSC Grant provided crucial equipment and curriculum support for 10 new schools in the greater Houston area. The schools included: Three Alvin ISD schools, three Katy ISD schools, Cleveland High School, Sealy Jr. High School, Livingston ISD, Pearland ISD. The HSC grant will immediately support over 1,000 Outdoor Adventure students this year and 1,000 new students each year following. With the special grant support to the OTF from HSC, there will be an ever-increasing number of future hunters and anglers to ensure our legacy. Thank you so much for the generous grant. ★
HOUSTON S A FA R I C L U B
STA FF U PDATES HSC is also very pleased to introduce Nancy Oka as the HSC Events Manager. Many of you know Nancy from the Woodlands Waterway Marriott where she was HSC’s hotel convention manager for the past 15 years. She will be our lead for Convention and HSC member events. Nancy is a graduate of the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College with a BS in Hotel & Restaurant Management. She worked for Marriott International for 25 years. Nancy has earned industry designations as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE).
She has been a member of the National Association of Catering & Events (NACE) since 2006. Nancy may be reached at nancy@ houstonsafariclub.org or 713.623.8844.
As part of its commitment to the future of hunting, HSC is pleased to announce that Abby Rapp has been appointed to the position of Membership & Youth Education Manager. Abby will manage youth education for shooting sports and hunting, youth field experiences and the Youth wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE) at Convention. Abby has been a competitive shooter, having won one silver and two bronze medals at the Alaska Junior Olympics. Her previous educational experience includes teaching boys riflery at Camp La Junta in Hunt,
TX. Abby also has previous experience as a firearms compliance associate and firearms sales specialist. Abby will continue to be the primary contact for HSC membership. She may be reached at abby@ houstonsafariclub.org or 713.961.4744.
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Official FFL Provider of the Houston Safari Club
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Cruisethe World With West University Travel From the Rocky Mountains to the Sahara Desert to the Great Barrier Reef, there is no end to the variety of places we can explore on our planet. Though we tend to focus on land travel, about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is water. If we only traveled by land, we would see just a fraction of what our beautiful world has to offer. Thankfully, there are many wonderful cruise lines that embrace this fact and offer fabulously creative itineraries intended to provide guests with unique experiences on both land and sea. Follow along as we highlight some of our favorite ocean and river cruise experiences. 126 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
OCEAN CRUISING
Ocean cruises are the quintessential cruise experience. Since the mid1800s, cruise lines have offered guests a dazzling journey focused on the sea. Trans-Atlantic cruises spurred the idea, with itineraries in the Mediterranean closely following suit. Now we have sailings all over the globe, with ships venturing through the South Pacific, along the Alaskan coastline, and around the beautiful Caribbean islands. Best of all, there is an ocean cruise to fit every individual, whether you want the ultimate luxury experience or are looking for a more active, adventurous itinerary.
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
ALASKA
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
One of our favorite ocean cruise itineraries is a sailing through the Galápagos. These cruises bring you to one of the most isolated places in the world to encounter an abundant variety of incredibly unique wildlife. From the Galápagos tortoise to the lava lizard to the Galápagos pink land iguana, you will see animals that do
not exist elsewhere in the world. When it comes to the Galápagos, Silversea Cruises is one of our go-to cruise lines. Silversea fuses excellent dining and plush all-suite accommodations with quality lectures and memorable shore excursions. You’ll enjoy complimentary Zodiac tours, snorkeling, kayaking, and nature hikes led by their highly-experienced guides certified by the
National Park of the Galápagos.
ALASKA
Alaska is another of our favorite ocean cruise itineraries. You’ll see the starkly beautiful northwestern coast in an entirely unique way as you sail through the icy fjords and glaciers. Why stand on land looking at the fjords when you can sail or even CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 127
RIVER CRUISING
DANUBE RIVER.
kayak through them? Witness the Misty Fjords aboard a jet-powered catamaran in Ketchikan, go dog-sledding in Juneau, and be sure to keep an eye out for whales, brown bears, sea otters, and more in Sitka. Some cruise lines even combine the cruise with a 3- or 4-day land tour, allowing you to explore Denali National Park and Fairbanks. We highly suggest that when doing a land tour, you opt in for a train segment on the Alaska Railroad. Hop onboard a luxury train with deluxe dome cars that provide 5-star 128 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018
service and comfort while you just sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful panoramic landscape surrounding you. It’s the perfect complement to the water-based exploring onboard your cruise ship.
RIVER CRUISING
While ocean cruising has been around for over 100 years, river cruising is relatively new; however, it’s one of the best ways to explore the many varied cities and towns of inland Europe and Asia. The smaller
river cruise ships are able to visit locations that the bigger ships simply can’t get to. With longer days in port and more overnight stays, river cruises put an emphasis on the destination. For this reason, river cruising is a perfect introduction for those who have never cruised before. And for those avid ocean cruisers, river cruising offers you the opportunity to explore other cities and ports you can’t visit on an ocean cruise. The best part? You will enjoy the luxury of 5-star accommodations while exploring
MEKONG RIVER
multiple different cities and even countries all with the convenience of only having to unpack once! Fall is the most popular time of year for river cruises, but there are wonderful options for all seasons. Cruises along the River Seine are popular in the spring with people flocking to Paris to view the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming. In December, many cruise lines offer unique river cruises that highlight the European Christmas Markets and are sure to make for a memorable family trip. Some of our favorite river cruise lines include Tauck, AmaWaterways, Crystal, and Uniworld. In fact, we’ve partnered with Uniworld for a select Paris & Normandy voyage in August 2018 to offer exclusive benefits and added amenities to West University Travel guests – give us a call to get more information!
DANUBE RIVER
For those who have explored much of Europe already or perhaps have even river cruised previously, the Danube is always a lovely option. Curious travelers love this itinerary with stops in cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Passau. With 17th-century Italian artistry to discover in Passau,
modern-day microbrewing in Straubing, and the unique experience of riding through the Bavarian Forest in a horse-drawn wagon, there’s something for everyone along the Danube.
MEKONG RIVER
While most river cruises focus on Europe, there are wonderful options all around the world, such as the Mekong River in southeast Asia. Explore Cambodia and Vietnam as you immerse yourself in the cultures and ancient traditions of these enchanting countries. Go on an ox cart ride amongst paddy fields, tour the National Museum and Royal Palace with its striking Silver Pagoda, walk through the rural village of Angkor Ban, and sample traditional rice wine and candies in Vinh Long. This is the perfect cruise for anyone looking for something exceptionally unique or a bit off the beaten path.
SEINE RIVER
Cruises along the Seine are always in high demand, with guests visiting Paris, Giverny, Normandy, and many other iconic French cities. History buffs will love the visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while gourmands and oenophiles will have no
end of fantastic French foods and wines to indulge in. Take in the beautiful French countryside with an invigorating guided bike ride from Vernon to Giverny, step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles or Château de Malmaison, or even enjoy a round of golf on the windy cliffs of Étretat. Because river cruises do have a longer time in port, you’ll have plenty of time to explore all the unique destinations that you visit. Just as every country offers a different, unique experience, so does every cruise itinerary. From ocean to river, you can explore so much more of the world onboard a cruise ship. Whether you’re interested in an ultimate luxury sailing through Europe or an adventure-packed expedition to Antarctica, we can help. Not only do we have destination expertise, but our team of advisors has sailed on many of the top cruise lines. We’re always happy to help you pick the right itinerary and destination. Just give us a call or stop by. ★ Interested in exploring more of the world’s top destinations? Need help planning your pre- or post-safari adventures? Contact us at info@ westutravel.com to speak to one of our knowledgeable travel advisors. CONVENTION 2018 HUNTER'S HORN 129
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Specializing in african SafariS for over 5 0 YearS From Plains Game to Elephant our outfitters are truly some of the Best in Africa
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: (281) 452-6223 • Fax: (281) 457-5412 • 15608 South Brentwood • Channelview, TX 77530-4018 • www.sportinginternational.com
4 HUNTER'S HORN CONVENTION 2018 E-Mail: sport@sportinginternational.com