Hunter's Horn 2020 Convention Issue

TM

T H E O F F I C I A L PU BLIC ATION OF HOUS T ON S AFARI CLUB F OUND AT I ON • CONVENT I O N 2020

2 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

www.wildlifepartners.com info@wildlifepartners.com

866.377.3000 Lowland Nyala The Nyala was first imported to the United States in 1927. There were 11 original founders. In zoos, there have been 2250 births from this group.

Based on historical records, Nyala arrived in Texas between 1967-1976. In Texas the estimated population as of 2019 is 2000-3000 animals.

A breeder of Nyala in Texas could expect the following: Retail Price per Animal Herd Size

Male

Female

$7,500

$12,000

2

Total Capital Investment $135,000

10

$15,000

$120,000

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

8

8

8

8

8

8

Average Wholesale Price per Animal - $7000

$56,000

$56,000

$56,000

$56,000

$56,000

$56,000

Annual Income

$336,000

Tax Savings

$54,000

Original Herd Wholesale Value

$100,000

Total Return Before Supplemental Feed

$490,000

Cost of Initial Investment

$135,000

Annual Offspring to Sell

$355,000 Return - 262% Annual Income 41%

Still wondering if we can produce results?

Text

NYALA

to

you a 2020 brochure.

210.373.4611 and we’ll send CONVENTION HUNTER'S HORN

™

3

TABLE of

CONTENTS

FEATURES

CONVENTION 2020

2020 HSCF CON V ENTION

62 THE FIVE HABITS OF SMART TRAVELERS

By Global Rescue

66 A LESSER DONENESS

By Scott Leysath

70 TOGETHER 2020: MESSAGE FROM THE GAZELLES

72 A DEVIL OF A AOUDAD HUNT Article & Photos By Gayne C. Young

78 ADRENALINE IN ZAMBIA

By Tim Herald

84 AFRICA: BEYOND THE WILDLIFE WITH ESPLANADE TRAVEL

16 CONVENTION

26 GAZELLES LUNCHEON

CHAIR MESSAGE

& AUCTION

By Trey White

By Jody Simpson

18 CONVENTION

29 CONVENTION CHAIRS

SPONSORS

32 FEATURED

20 6TH ANNUAL

AUCTION ITEMS

YOUTH WILDLIFE/ CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE

38 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 40 EXHIBITORS

22 THE 2020 HSCF PIN:

50 2019 SCHOLARSHIP

LORD DERBY ELAND

By Earle & Tina Freeman

RECIPIENTS

24 PRESIDENT’S RIFLE: A RIGBY IN TIME

90 DESERT BIGHORN

SHEEP: RESTORATION & MANAGEMENT IN TEXAS

Article & Photos By Froylán Hernández

96 HSCF PH SPOTLIGHT:

MEET RICHARD TABOR OF BUCHANAN HUNTS/ THIS IS AFRICA

97 LOOKING BACK

By Tommy Morrison

98 HSCF MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

5 MINUTES WITH HSCF LIFE MEMBER FRANK COMISKEY

100 EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN CECIL

ACT COULD MAKE FOR A DARK FUTURE FOR WILDLIFE SPECIES

By Jeff Crane

102 WHAT TO KNOW

WHEN HUNTING FOR RANCH PROPERTY

By Capital Farm Credit

104 THE SOUTH AFRICAN FAMILY SAFARI

By Lacy Cooper-Bell

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY:

By Tyler Sharp for @modernhuntsman.

4 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

110 WHY I HUNT: A

24

FORMAL RESPONSE TO A MISINFORMED HUNTING CRITIC

By Brad Luttrell

116 NOT YOUR AVERAGE GIRLS’ TRIP

By Meagan McElya

122 HSC GOES TO WASHINGTON

By Joe Betar

124 THE LOWER DOMA

CONSERVATION AREA

By Chidumbu

128 QUAIL LESSONS

By Tyler Sharp

128

78

72

90

124

104

84

66 CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 5

OUR MISSION Preserving the sport of

hunting through education,

conservation and the promotion

of our hunting heritage.

6 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

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2019-2020 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION OFFICERS JD Burrows–President Mitzy McCorvey–Immediate Past President Matt Pyle–President Elect Eric Grunwald–Vice President Gib Surles–Vice President Mark King–Treasurer Monica Williamson Mills–Secretary HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION DIRECTORS 2019–2021 Jeff Birmingham Hunter Comiskey Bryan Ray Travis Simpson Kevin Ormston 2018–2020 Darrell Kainer Shaun Nelson 2019–2020 Ross Melinchuk Trey White HISTORIAN Jerry Henderson HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Angi McCarthy, Director of Administrative Services Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Nancy Oka, Director, Events & Membership Art Wright, Business Development Manager Vic Williams, Editorial Consultant Nate Silva, Design Consultant Alliance Printing and Graphics Hunter’s Horn™ is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club Foundation 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 265 Houston, Texas 77079 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@wehuntwegive.org wehuntwegive.org © Copyright 2019 Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation welcomes contributing articles, photos and research. Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, organization and punctuation and to abridge length. Houston Safari Club Foundation 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 Foundation 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 Foundation, its members, employees or affiliates.

Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right to refuse any advertisement believed to be incompatible with our mission or deemed competitive or contrary to the best interests of Houston Safari Club Foundation.

U PCOMING EV EN TS JANUARY 24-26 Convention

FEBRUARY 12

Monthly Meeting with Garry Kelly Safaris at Houston Racquet Club

FEBRUARY 22

European Style Tower Pheasant Shoot

MARCH 5

Monthly Meeting: Speaker TBD

APRIL 2

Capital Farm Credit: Norris Conference Center; City Centre, 816 Town & Country Blvd., Suite 210

MAY 15

Sporting Clays Tournament at Greater Houston Sports Club

 �

you

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S

MESSAGE

JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

W

elcome to your Convention 2020 issue of Hunters Horn®! That’s right—it is Convention time once again. Themed TOGETHER 2020, we will present some new twists to our banquets to help make them an even greater experience.

During the day, you will not want to miss the annual Hunting Expo. This year we have many new exhibitors from North America and abroad. Come on out and show our exhibitors your support. If you are an HSCF member and have downloaded the HSCF App and digital membership card, your entry into the Expo will be free the entire weekend. Simply show your digital membership card at the registration desk. Banquet tickets and tables are available to you now by calling the HSCF office at 713.623.8844 or online at hscfdn.org/convention/attendees/. Also, a reminder to get your entries in now for HSCF’s Annual Hunting and Photography Awards. More information and entry forms may be found here: hscfdn.org/convention/awards/.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to our Corporate Sponsors, Wildlife Partners and Capital Farm Credit and our Convention Sponsors: Platinum Sponsors–Enterprise Products Partners, L.P, S&B Engineers and Shoppa’s John Deere; Gold Sponsor–Global Rescue; Supporting Partner–B&B Taxidermy; Underwriting Sponsor–Texas Hunt Lodge, Pro Cargo USA, TWG Travel, Conroe Taxidermy, Alliance Graphics and Printing, B&B Taxidermy, NRA Women’s Leadership Forum; Gazelles SponsorsRebecca Booth, Nancy Ellison, Angie & JD Burrows, Diana Cardenas, Mitzy & Tony McCorvey, Leah & Tyler Symens-Hal Watson Air Conditioning Co., Town Center Automotive, Pro Cargo USA, Pug & Ron Mostyn, MaryAnn & Gerald Russell, Gay & Bob Rod-Rod Ranches, Conroe Taxidermy, Anna & Tommy Morrison, State Farm-John Bowers, CLU, Laurie-Leigh & Trey White.

HSCF was recently honored with a 2019 American Graphic Design Award. The Fall 2019 issue of Hunter’s Horn was awarded a 2019 American Graphic Design Award for Publication Design!

For 56 years, Graphic Design USA has sponsored competitions that spotlight areas of excellence and opportunity for creative professionals. GDUSA’s American Graphic Design Awards is the original and the flagship, open to everyone in the community and honoring outstanding work of all kinds and across all media.

These awards honor the best designs of the year. Roughly 10,000 entries were submitted; a highly selective 10 percent were chosen as winners.

On the legislative front, there are several key pieces of legislation of which you should be aware: H.R. 1225: RESTORE OUR PARKS (AND PUBLIC LANDS) ACT: Maintaining roads, trails, campsites, parking lots, boat ramps, and other public lands infrastructure makes possible the millions of visits to hunt, fish, scout, hike, climb, and enjoy them. Since much recreation and most hunting and fishing occurs on non-Parks land, we recommend that the legislation also direct a small portion of the funding to maintain infrastructure at

8 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

National Forests (10 percent of funds), National Wildlife Refuges (10 percent), and Bureau of Land Management lands (5 percent).

These multiple use and wildlife-focused lands host more than 261 million visitors annually, in addition to the 331 million visitors to National Park sites. The maintenance backlog on all our public lands should be addressed simultaneously and equitably.

S.261, H.R. 925: NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION EXTENSION ACT: For the past thirty years, NAWCA has produced economic and environmental benefits, while conserving wetlands that support America’s fish and wildlife resources. More than 5,600 conservation partners from small landowners to large corporations have teamed up on 2,644 NAWCA projects to positively affect over 33.4 million acres of habitat. Through the history of the program, NAWCA projects have been implemented in all 50 states. In addition to protecting wildlife habitat, this program improves water quality and generates local revenue by increasing tourism through enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities. This program also creates on average, nearly 7,500 new jobs annually, generating more than $200 million in worker earnings each year. This bill has cleared the House.

H.R. 2245: THE CONSERVING ECOSYSTEMS BY CEASING THE IMPORTATION OF LARGE ANIMALS TROPHIES ACT: HSC was an original signer and has joined forces with 31 other conservation organizations to oppose this piece of legislation. This bill represents an ill-conceived attempt to substitute uninformed prejudices for the management strategies of the wildlife authorities successfully conserving the world’s largest populations of lions, elephants and other African species in their range countries. If implemented, H.R. 2245 would undermine some of the most effective strategies for conserving the world’s wildlife.

Houston Safari Club’s Political Action Committee (PAC) is fully up and running! The PAC will allow HSC to raise and provide funds in support of federal candidates aligned with HSC’s mission to protect the rights of hunters and the hunting heritage through advocacy, policy and legislation. The Houston Safari Club PAC can be an influencing force in the legislative community, and we must be certain our voices are heard in Washington. The HSC-PAC is a Federal, non-connected PAC. The HSC-PAC was established to support candidates who support pro-hunting and pro-conservation legislation and policy, provide candidate awareness of our specific issues and to support candidates that are like-minded and support our mission. Support the HSC-PAC today. Donations of any amount are needed and appreciated. To learn more and donate to the HSC-PAC, visit the website at HSC-PAC.org.

We hope to see you soon at one of the great HSCF Member events coming up. Check the calendar on your HSCF App or visit hscfdn.org/upcoming-events/. Happy Holidays!

Yours in Conservation,

Joe Betar HSCF/HSC Executive Director

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 9

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE JD BURROWS, HSCF PRESIDENT

W

ell it’s hunting season and time for our annual Convention & Expo again. This event is the most important time of our fund-raising year. Foremost, this convention is HSCF’s largest annual fundraiser, and it is time for us to gather and celebrating our accomplishments. It is where we, as members, stand together for hunting, conservation and our heritage. As we stand today, HSCF has 1322 members, and we have awarded over $2.4 million to 550 students in support of Youth Education; we also have donated over $4 million in Wildlife Conservation grants. During the coming months, I am going to need your support to do even more, to stand up for what we believe, and to contribute to our future.

This Fall, I had the privilege to travel to Washington D.C. with Executive Director, Joe Betar and meet with elected officials and policy makers. While in D.C. we were sought out by congressional influencers and legislative experts for our opinions on several key pieces of legislation. During our tour of Capital Hill, we held briefings with Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz’s staff, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, and Rep Ralph Abraham’s staff. The highlight of our visit included a one-hour sit-down with Secretary David Bernhardt, Cabinet Member, and Secretary of the Interior. Sec. Bernhardt praised HSCF for our undying support of land conservation and protection of our hunting heritage. Sec. Bernhardt was so impressed by our mission and membership that he has accepted to be our Keynote Speaker for Saturday Night. During my visit with the Secretary, I was reminded of how precious and beautiful our natural resources are, and just how much effort it takes to keep America great.

Upon reflection of our trip to Washington D.C., I want to share with you one other observation. As our club has matured and developed, and with the establishment of the HSC Political Action Committee, legislators and policy makers want—no, crave—our input. As a hunting and conservation organization, right-leaning members of Congress want to hear from us on issues such as gun control, import bans, public land use and wildlife management. Moreover, these policy makers, look to YOU, our membership, as experts in the field, and rather than use polls and surveys, they would love to get feedback directly from us. As such, in the coming months, you may be asked for input on surveys launched by our office staff, which will be fed directly back to Capital Hill on issues that determine our future.

Back at home, we have hosted 11 events since July 2018,

10 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

and learned from diverse speakers. We wrapped up our 2019 Sporting Clay competition, and I am pleased to report that we beat our expectations and exceeded our budget goal for net-funds raised. Again, you guys came through; we fielded 48 teams, raised $83,720 and honored our veteran hunt recipients. I personally enjoyed watching the sportsmanship and precision shooting displayed during our skeet playoff, won by life member, Jeff Birmingham. I am also pleased to announce that Jeff has stepped up to serve as our 2020 Sporting Clay Chairman.

Our 2020 Convention, titled “Together,” is ready thanks to the valiant work of Convention Chairman Trey White and his crew of volunteer chairs. Our Friday night entertainment is Don Felder, a former lead guitarist of The Eagles, and on Saturday night, prepare to laugh at ourselves with the observational humor of comedian Tom Papa. TOGETHER 2020 promises to be a huge success, with your help we can raise much needed money for our scholarship and grant recipients, in defense of hunting and our heritage. Remember, it is up to all of us, do you part and do something together today.

Let me take a minute and send my congratulations and gratitude to our wonderful office staff, whose efforts were recently rewarded with the 2019 American Graphic Design Award. As I am sure you would agree, our Hunter’s Horn™ is the best outdoor periodical in the business. The articles, images, and overall design are a shining jewel. Congratulations to Joe, Carla and the entire production staff. If you have anything interesting to share, stories from the wild, or lessons you want to pass on, please consider writing an article for our magazine.

As we continue to reach new heights with our organization, I am honored to serve as your president. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

In your service;

JD Burrows HSCF President

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CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 11

HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B F OU N DAT ION

COR POR ATE MEMBER S TH A NK YOU F OR SU PPORTING HSCF

Alaska Skookum Guides alaskaskookumguides.com

Athena Gun Club athenagunclub.com

The Blake Wilcox Group Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene theblakewilcoxgroup.com

Capital Farm Credit capitalfarmcredit.com

Champion Ranch huntchampionranch.com

Gsell’s Whitetails gsellswhitetails.com

Hawkeye Hunting Club hawkeyehunting.com

HomeLand Properties homelandprop.com

Republic Boot Co republicbootcompany.com

Reserve at St. Charles Bay stcharlesbay.com

Ruple Properties southtexasranches.com

SIXSITE sixsitegear.com

Soele Texas Best Ranches texasbestranches.com

Tashinga Initiative Trust tashinga.org

Trophy Shippers trophyshippers.com

Wildlife Partners wildlifepartners.com

Arkitektura Development arkdevinc.com

Brush Country Studios / Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studios brushcountrystudios.com

Clay Time claytimebaycity.com

JFD Cattle Company

.

WW

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

T

Safari Specialty Importers, Inc. importinghuntedtrophies.com

Tech-Mark Sales tech-marksales.com

NC

CO

NT

RO

L SERVICES

, I

Texas Temperature Control texastemperaturecontrol.com

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Kyle Albrecht

Patricia Kyzar

Nolan Anders

Lloyd Love

Mona Ansley

Lee Matula

Tim Balaski

Bill McCarthy

Gwyn Buzzini

Ken McCarty

Diana Cardenas

Benjamin Mitchell

Jason Cart

Charles Odom

Joseph Croot

Kevin Osborn

John Ernst

Barbara Quinn

Jay Faith

Melody Rulon

Brandon Galloway

Roberto Schuldes

George Gaskell

Emily Shaffer

James Hensley

Stanley Smith

Jeff Hieber

Steve Stainkamp

Lee Kapetanakis

Phillip Steyn

Sue Kapetanakis

Aaron Tucker

Jens Krogh

Clinton Werth

Support the future of wildlife biology DAN L. and game management

DUNCAN

Houston Safari Club Foundation is home to one of the largest scholarship programs of its kind.

Every year HSCF proudly awards scholarships to the students currently involved in the study of Wildlife Management and/or Range Management. Since the program's inception in 1999, over 550 scholarships have been awarded to well-deserving students, totalling almost 2.4 million dollars.

Texas Farm & Ranch Real Estate

Hunting Ranches • Recreational Properties • Farms Serving All Points of the Texas Land Markets

Scholarship Program

Your sponsorship is crucial to raise the funds needed to support this program.

For more information, contact the HSCF office at 713.623.8844, or visit the HSCF website at WeHuntWeGive.org.

Steven J. Bilicek, ALC 281-497-2774 steve@texasagrealty.com

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 13

HSCF LIFE MEMBERS Bob Abernathy John Abraham Charlotte Alexander Richard Alexander Crystal Allison Shannon Alston Michael Ambrose Anne Avara Jacob Avara Skip Avara Paul Babaz Camp Bailey Cope Bailey Freddie Bailey Kenneth Bailey Frank Baird Jo Baird Mike Baird Jack Barksdale L. Irvin Barnhart * James Bell Lyndel Berry Tony Bessette Charlotte Betar Joe Betar James Biggerstaff Jeff Birmingham Craig Boddington Werner Boeer Jay Bonano E. Bond Greg Bond Pete Bonora Jeri Booth Frederick (Tony) Box Luanne Bozeman W. Steven Bozeman James Braus John Bridgwater Jack Brittingham Elizabeth Brueggeman Mark Brueggeman Joe Bruno Aaron Bulkley Matt Burke Robert Burke Byron Burris Grady Burris Quint Burris Prentiss Burt Daniel Butler Turner Butts Don Byrne C. Cagle Dennis Cain Thomas Cain Rick Callison Alex Campbell Bill Carter * Ivan Carter Paul Carter Ben Case Barbara Cavender-Lewis 14 HUNTER'S HORN™ SPRING CONVENTION 2019 2020

Preston Cavner Chris Caywood Tracey Cearley Alan Cegielski Doug Centilli Christopher Clark James Clark Steve Clark Craig Clendenin Stephen Coale Randall Coleman * Russell Coleman Joe Collett Dwayne Collier Frank Comiskey Hunter Comiskey Kevin Comiskey Alan “Bink” Cooke Dian Cooper Rocky Cooper George Councill Steve Crawford Kenneth Crockett Gary Crouch Deb Cunningham Ford Cunningham Linda Cunningham Ralph Cunningham Ralph Daigle Joe Davis Laurent Delagrange Armando DeLeon Armando DeLeon Charlie Desautels Elliot Desautels Gregory Desautels Perry Dillon Randy Donato Barry Donoho Tim Doucet Megan Doyel James (Red) Duke * Dannine Duncan 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 * Michael Franklin Bobby Frederick Aaron Freeman Donald French Warren Gallant Randal Garrett

Scott Garrett Tanya Garrett Zachary Garrett Paul Geiger Frank Giacalone Salvatore Giannetti Gary Glesby Carl Godfrey Russell Gordy Jeff Gorski William Gouldin Sandra Green Kevin Gregory Edward Guinn Dodd Hackman Clayton Hagerman Cory Hall James Halley Greg Harvey Charles Head Jerry Henderson Mark Herfort Heinert Hertling Robert Hibbert Greg Hill Loren Hill Steven Hill Nicholas Hinze Edward Hoffman William Holder Bill Honza Gene Human Tanya Hurlburt Terry Hurlburt Harold Inman * Justin Itzel Keith Itzel John Jackson Jack Jensen W.A. “Bill” Jentsch Clay Johnson Todd Johnson Robert Jones Harris Junell Darrell Kainer David Kalich Susan Kalich Kirk Kanady Michelle Kangas Gaye Kelsey John Kelsey Julianne King Mark King Rick Kirk Jim Klentzman Robert Kneppler Philip Koehne George Kollitides Tommy Kolwes Phil Koonce George Kopecky Keith Lake Fred Lamas

HSCF LIFE MEMBERS Wendy Lamplough Wayne LaPierre Joel Latham Kyle Lehne Richard Leibman John Lindholm Tom Lipar Bryant Littlefield Mark Livesay Ricado Longoria Cody Loverin Doug Luger David Mafrige Shane Mahoney Paige Manard D Martin John Martin James Masten Chad Matherne Wyatt McBride Mitzy McCorvey Tony McCorvey Ed McCrory Vickie McMillan-Hayes Travis McWilliams Gerald Meinecke Lewis Metzger Greg Mills Brook Minx Howard Monsour Forrest Montealegre Paul 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 Carol O’Day Kerry O’Day Charles Onstead Kevin Ormston Neal Overstreet John Painter Michael Park Michael Parr Steve Pate Trevor Penny John Pepper Melanie Pepper Stephanie Perry Will Perry Timothy Peter Bryce Phillips Carson Phillips Dusty Phillips

Wilson (Woody) Phillips Thomas Powell Kevin Poynter Andrew Pratt Kymberly Pratt Charles Prince Sharon Propes Carlos Ramirez Bryan Ray Christina Ray Lawrence Rearick William Reed Gayle Rettig 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 Michael Sandeen Corey Schaefer Scott Scheinin Robert Scherer Wade Schindewolf Adam Schindler George Severence Wayne Sheets John Shelby Richard Shepherd Jason Shrieve William Simmons Austin Simpson Autumn Simpson Barret Simpson Becky Simpson Dawn Simpson Jacob Simpson Jody Simpson Michael Simpson Mike Simpson Travis Simpson Tristan Simpson Weston Simpson Sam Skipper Carter Smith Jason Smith Mandy Smith Steve Smith Tom Snyder Norman Speer

James Stacy Kaylee Stacy Mary Edith Stacy Larry Stifflemire Mark Stouse Randy Strickland H. Stuart Greg Stube David Swan Lloyd Swiedom Sally Swiedom Leah Symens Tyler Symens Peter Tam Stephen Tam Larry Tatom Terry Taylor Mark Terpstra Robert Thomas Heidi Thomas-Kersh J.B. Tinney John Tobin Pete Trammell Ted Trout * Hal Tryon Don Turner Phillip Veale Thom Venus Amanda Vick William 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 * Ron Willenborg Steve Willenborg Gregory Williamson Alan Winslette Robby Winstead Kurt Wiseman John Wood Bill Woodall J.D. Woods Patricia Woods Debi Young Preston Young Brian Zaitz *Deceased CONVENTION SPRING 2019 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 15

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

Convention Chair Message

T

he 2020 Houston Safari Club Foundation Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention is fast approaching.

Your Houston Safari Club Foundation Convention committee members and staff are hard at work to provide the members, guests, and exhibitors with the best Convention yet. The 2020 Convention will see us back at the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton of the Americas for our banquets and other events. There will be outfitters from all over the world in attendance, from Texas to Canada and from South America to Africa, and all points in between. There will also be vendors selling everything from jewelry to firearms.

Be sure to plan on attending the entire weekend of festivities. Our Friday night banquet will feature the HSCF hunting awards as well as the photo awards. A highlight of the Friday night banquet this year is the presentation of the Hunter of the Year award. Also, at the Friday night banquet we will present the Professional Hunter of the Year award. In addition, an actionpacked live auction and other fun events are in store.

Friday will also feature the presentation of the Dan L. Duncan scholarship recipients, which is always a highlight of convention. The evening will conclude with an exciting concert by Don Felder, a former lead guitarist of The Eagles.

Saturday starts out with the always fun and boisterous Gazelles Luncheon. As is tradition, the Gazelles lunch will feature a live auction that is always a crowd pleaser as well as the popular large and varied silent auction.

As always, the Gazelles Luncheon promises to be fun for all. If you have never attended this event, you are truly missing one of the best times of the convention.

The keystone of our convention is always the Saturday night banquet, and this year will be no different. As always, there is a large live auction featuring hunts from around the world as well as art, firearms, and many other great items. The great comedian Tom Papa will be our featured entertainment.

Our Convention only works because of our members and there is still plenty of opportunities to get involved. There are volunteer opportunities available for you to help before and during Convention. If you have never volunteered before, this is a great way to become more active in the club and meet some of your fellow members. There are also many sponsorship opportunities for this year’s Convention that are still available.

If you are interested in getting involved, please email me at treywhite77@gmail.com or feel free to call 713.444.3977.

The Houston Safari Club Foundation convention has traditionally been the centerpiece of the year for the club, and this year promises to be no different. I hope all of you are planning on spending the weekend with your fellow hunters, outfitters, and club members. A great time will be had by all. Please go to hscfdn. org/convention/ to register or contact Nancy Oka at nancy@wehuntwegive.org or 832.804.8959.

Registration is open now so hurry and don’t miss out on this fun weekend.

Trey White Convention Chair

HUNTING AWARD SPONSORS Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

Connie & Stephen Coale

Carolyn & William Newlin

Angie & J.D. Burrows

Mitzy and Tony McCorvey 16 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

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CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 19

who has sojourned extensively on assignment, and slept under the stars in some of the most remote regions of the world. Throughout a diverse career as a freelancer, he worked with a wide range of heritage brands, producing everything from narrative films to editorial work, rogue photo essays to all-encompassing creative campaigns.

Currently, Mr. Sharp is the CEO and Editor in Chief for Modern Huntsman, a media and publishing company focused on improving the perception of hunting traditions amongst non-hunters.

Tyler splits time between Texas, Montana and East Africa.

Somewhere between chasing trout on the Yellowstone and mythchecking Hemingway’s Tanzanian safari claims, you can find him at home with his shaggy dog sidekick Wyatt, just trying to keep this ship of dreams afloat. He writes the old-fashioned way with fountain pens, practices Wing Chun Kung Fu, and believes that chivalry is very much alive in the hearts of those he Houston Safari Club gentleman who still keep it.

Foundation Worldwide Expo In addition to the sessions, attendees will HSCF SINCERELY and Convention continuously not only visit with noted Wildlife Artist Vicki THANKS OUR YWCE surprises, entertains and informs McMillan Hayes, who will demonstrate her SPONSORS: attendees. The upcoming 2020 remarkable artistic talents, but they will indi• Midway U.S.A. event celebrating wildlife, wild places and the vidually contribute to the painting of a canvas • Texas Women on the Wingsporting lifestyle is no exception. to be auctioned off during one of HSCF’s Quail Forever Chapter Friday morning, January 24, HSCF’s 6th many auctions. Attendees will finish off a wellAnnual Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience rounded Experience with a visit to the HSCF • Surface2Surface (YWCE), as part of the expo and convention, Exhibit Hall.

North Houston – Vanessa & Jim Hock will introduce 175 area high school students to We appreciate their interest in our endeavor the many possibilities their love of the outdoors and grateful for their support.

• Stacy & David Fleig can hold, whether participating in our honorThe collaboration of the hunting and wildlife • Monica & Greg Mills able sport, as a career or in community service. businesses, organizations and community asTopics include Art of Taxidermy, Wildlife sure that this Experience will continue to gain Law Enforcement, Wildlife Biology and momentum and achieve success. YWCE is a Management, Texas Brigades, Sustainable Hunting as a Conservation premier pathway for our youth to step into the outdoor lifestyle!

Tool and Hunting Opportunities for Texas Youth. Excellent preHSCF members agree that this hunting and fishing life has given senters in each of these respective fields have graciously volunteered us a passion for a sport that extends into wildlife and habitat contheir time and will discuss how their personal love of the outdoors servation, hunter education, and the desire to pass on our hunting brought them to their respective fields of endeavor. They will educate and fishing heritage to the future. The Youth Wildlife Conservation in the areas of community awareness, safe and sportsmanlike use of Experience allows us to extend our reach into the community, have firearms, hunting ethics, and conservation of wildlife and its habitat. a presence and an influence.

As a special treat this year, all attendees will have an opportunity This is our legacy and our journey as we celebrate wildlife, wild to hear Tyler Sharp. Tyler is a photographer, writer and director places and the sporting lifestyle! ★

6th Annual Workshop

T

Workshop Speakers Art Of Taxidermy Caleb Townley, Conroe Taxidermy

Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer Mark Bane - Texas Parks And Wildlife

Hunting Opportunities For Texas Youth Heidi Rao – Texas Parks And Wildlife

Sustainable Hunting: A Conservation Tool Briana Nicklow - Texas Wildlife Association

Wild About Wildlife Tracey Prothro Baytown Natural Center

Texas Brigades Lauren Brooker, Joe Brooker, Alexis Ostigin, Isaac Ostigin, And Briana Tej

Modern Huntsman Tyler Sharp, CEO And Editor In Chief

Wildlife Artist Vickie Mcmillan-Hayes

20 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Wildlife Biology And Management Gary Rose

THANK YOU

Brenda & Larry Potterfield and Midway USA Foundation

For Sponsoring Houston Safari Club Foundation’s Sixth Annual Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 21

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

The 2020 HSCF Pin:

Lord Derby Eland

22 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

I

BY EARLE & TINA FREEMAN

t’s that time of the year for the 2020 HSCF Convention, which will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Volunteers are needed more than ever. Please give a little of your time to make this convention a success. Stop by the new office or call in to sign up to help and be sure to get your Lord Derby eland pin. It’s one of a kind, so use it—just don’t lose it.

The 2020 pin is the Lord Derby eland, whose scientific name is Taurotragus derbianus. This eland is the prize of the eland species. It is found in the Central African Republic, Southern Sudan, Northern Cameroon, Southern Chad, Northern Zaire, and Northern Congo.

This is the largest and heaviest of the antelope—its weight may, on occasion, exceed 11,500 pounds. The coat is very fine, marked with 10 to 15 pale stripes according to the region. It has extraordinary horns, twisted sticking straight out behind its head. It prefers to life in slightly mountainous regions visiting the lowland only long enough to drink and munch on a few bushes before retreating to the undergrowth of its favorite wooded hills.

It is more active by night than by day, and its bellowing cry somewhat resembles that of the buffalo. It eats much the same food as all antelope. Adult males are sometimes solitary, but groups of four to eight may also be encountered as well as herds comprised of females and the occasional gatherings of eight or even a hundred.

Its hearing and sense of smell are highly developed. It can sight a human being at over 750 yards. Once on its guard, it is capable Volunteer.pdf 1 11/25/2019 6:38:14 PM

of walking for hours on end. Although not rare, it is not easy to across, since it does not follow a regular timetable of rest and activity periods. When wounded it is seldom aggressive.

Lord Derby is among the four most handsome trophies in Africa. The average life span is 12-15 years. Its meat is enjoyed by all hunters.

The world record Lord Derby eland was collected by R. Quintard in 1967 in the Central African Republic. Its horns measured 48¾ inches. Now that’s an eland! The French call this antelope Eland de Derby or eland Geany and the Germans call it Riesen-Elenantilope.

If you don’t have a Lord Derby eland in your collection, come on down and volunteer as we will have your pin in our pockets.

Tine and I will be located in the HSCF Membership booth during the Convention. Come see us! ★

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 23

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

PRESIDENT’S RIFLE

A Rigby in Time A special rifle built for HSCF

BY JENS KROGH VP of Sales and Marketing, Blaser-USA

I

t’s been said that owning a Rigby is not simply owning a rifle, it’s being a part of a connected experience with every hunter that has ever carried a Rigby. Each new Rigby rifle embodies all of the lessons learned from previously made rifles and everything Rigby produces today exists for a reason.

All Rigby products are built to be the best they could possibly be for their intended purpose and are built to be used, a purposedriven tool that feels like an extension of you and your lifestyle.

The 2020 HSCF President’s rife is one such rifle, a hand engraved Rigby Big Game Deluxe chambered in the iconic .375 H&H. John Rigby & Co. has been in continuous existence since 1775, tracing their humble beginnings to Ireland before the Irish revolution and over to London during the skirmish. Over the past 244 years Rigby has built nearly every type of firearm in existence—dueling pistols, shotguns, fowling pieces, match rifles and most famously, double rifles and bolt-action hunting rifles. Rigby bolt-action rifles have been used by some of the most famous African hunters on some of the most famous safaris. Most notably are Harry Selby’s go-to dangerous game rifle, Jim Corbett’s rifle, W.D.M. Bell’s ivory rifle and infamous author, hunter and Poacher John Taylor’s rifle.

Over the years Rigby has gone through a few different phases of products and ownership but as of 2013 Rigby and Mauser are both owned and operated by the same parent company, the Blaser Group. While this is a recent development in the Rigby story, their ties to Mauser date as far back as the late 1800s. Modern day Rigby offerings such as the Big Game and Highland Stalker rifles are built on the same Mauser 98 barreled actions that the third John Rigby began purchasing from Mauser near the turn of the century. The third John Rigby developed the magnum action in conjunction with Mauser to handle longer and more powerful cartridges as the demand for African dangerous game rifles grew. This magnum action, commercially introduced in 1911, can handle massive pressures and chamber offerings can be found in as large as .505 Gibbs, while far more common offerings

24 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Above: Side view of this spectacular Rigby Big Game Deluxe.

Below: Each Rigby is built and finished by a master craftsman.

are in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, .450 Rigby and .458 Win Mag. Rigby offers the Big Game Deluxe in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and in .450 Rigby, available with either a single square bridge for the traditionalist or the double square bridge for easy optic mounting. Since this rifle is intended to be used and represents a marriage of the past and present, the versatile double square bridge was chosen.

HSCF Executive Director Joe Betar put it best when he said, “Since 1957, Blaser has built a tremendous legacy of excellence in firearms. Since 1972, HSCF has strengthened its presence as a force in hunting, education and conservation. Working together to offer the Rigby Big Game Deluxe DSB as the 2020 HSCF President’s Rifle signifies a perfect partnership, representing a steadfast appreciation and respect of superior firearms and the outdoors.”

This Rigby is a Big Game Deluxe edition with double square bridge receiver, one of three special edition Big Game Rifles launched by Rigby. It features a 24” lightweight barrel that is ideally suited for use of a scope, though it does feature exceptional open sights with a V notch regulated for 65 yards and two folding leaves zeroed at 150 and 250 yards. This rifle comes equipped with a Swarovski Optik Z8i 1-8X24 with the L BRT-I illuminated reticle. This scope and rifle combination are perfect for game near and far with extreme clarity, speed and accuracy in one package. The scope is affixed using a QD system so it can easily be removed for travel or for use with open sights if you are feeling nostalgic. Beyond function this rifle is genuinely beautiful. The Grade 7 Turkish walnut glows with its hand-rubbed oil finish and color case hardened grip cap and recoil bar. In addition, the Deluxe model has hand-engraved Tudor rose detail and a checkered bolt handle for positive grip under pressure.

Making this rifle a true one-of-a kind is the floorplate, its color case hardened to match the grip cap and beautifully hand-engraved with the HSCF logo and “2020 President’s Rifle.” With an oversized magazine cavity that holds 5 + 1 rounds of .375 H&H, this rifle is the epitome of a marriage between beauty and function which may be the very reason it was chosen by HSCF President JD Burrows.

JD and this rifle have far more in common than what you may see at first glance. JD’s parents were born in Ireland. JD himself grew up in Zimbabwe, which is where this rifle gained fame and built its reputation as one of the greatest safari rifles ever created.

Both now reside in Texas as JD lives in the Houston area and

Above: Bolt handle with hand checkering

all Rigby rifles are imported into San Antonio by Blaser USA. It’s as if the two were always meant to be together.

In addition to these not so obvious connections, when asked why he chose this rifle JD says, “I picked this combination of rifle, manufacturer, style and caliber because it is a true reflection of me in HSCF. We share roots and while the caliber may be a bit dated and not as flashy as some of the more modern ones, it gets the job done just fine, very much like me.”

All and all this rifle is the total package, it’s not just a rifle and scope but a part of history and a connection to every Rigby ever crafted and every safari ever taken. Presented in a custom canvas and leather case with all appropriate cleaning and maintenance equipment, this rifle is every bit as home in a showroom as on safari, though we hope it will find its way on the latter. This rifle is a one of a kind and cannot be replaced. The retail value of this unique package is $23,647. Funds generated from the sale of this rifle go into the HSCF general fund, of that 71% go to scholarships, 14% to conservation, 10% into youth programs and 5% into veteran focused events and support. For more information on Rigby please visit www.johnrigbyandco.com. ★ Be sure to attend the Saturday Evening Gala, Saturday, January 25th, at the 2020 HSCF Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention to place your bid on this incredible, one of a kind Rigby rifle! Gala tickets are available by calling the HSCF office at 713.623.8844 or may be purchased online at hscfdn.org/convention/attendees.

Above: Swarovski Z8i with quick release mount custom mated to this rifle

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 25

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

GAZELLE SPONSORS Platinum Sponsors Conroe Taxidermy

2020 Gazelles Luncheon & Auction

Y

BY JODY SIMPSON

ou won’t want to miss the 2020 Gazelles Luncheon and Auction on Saturday, January 25, 2020, in the Hilton Americas-Houston.

Be sure to wear your sequins and feathers so you can shake your tail feathers along with Brazilian Dancers and music during the cocktail hour. The doors will open at 10:30 am and the Brazilian Carnival will begin! Spin the wheel of fun and win a bottle of your favorite liquor or wine. Select the winning card from our youth volunteers and be the lucky lady to walk away with an Ohrid Pearl Necklace, with a famous Macedonian watermark, remarkable and handmade.

Our committee members have been working hard to make this a very successful luncheon. Our silent auction chairman, Laurie-Leigh White, along with her committee, have been accumulating an array of items. Arlette Lamas has donated exquisite safari-themed jewelry. Fedha Nyuki Jewelers returns after supporting the Gazelle’s Retreat with additional surprises for us including a black leather belt with gold elephant buckle. We also have a pistol, great clothing, hunting items, and much, much, more.

Mitzy McCorvey is donating her ever-popular weekend at their ranch, Rancho de Suenos, for 12-14 ladies. The 4B Ranch in Bandera and The Cotton Mesa Whitetails Ranch near Corsicana have also graciously donated weekend stays.

Ask Melanie Pepper and Deb Cunningham about artist Vickie McMillianHayes and her wildlife paintings as she is donating a painting of your choice.

We would like to thank our exhibitors for their live auction items, as most are 100 percent donations.

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets early! Gazelle supporters and sponsors can work to educate students about hunting, provide scholarships for our future researchers and decision makers, and provide more funds to support and protect wildlife and habitat! Women working together supporting Women and Youth! ★

Leah & Tyler Symens Hal Watson Air Conditioning Co.

Gold Sponsors Laurie-Leigh & Trey White Gay Rod Angie & J.D. Burrows

Silver Sponsors MaryAnn & Gerald Russell Pug & Ron Mostyn Nancy & Gary Ellison Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Rummel Creek Builders Sporting InternationalTommy & Anna Morrison Suzanne Hixson & Steve Smith

Bronze Sponsors Cindi & John Rulon (Pro Cargo) Rebecca Booth Diana Cardenas Cheryl & Darrell Kainer Town Center Automotive

26 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

you

­

­

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 27

DON’T PAY

50% - 75% MORE

FOR GUN AND TROPHY INSURANCE!

For Sportsmen By Sportsmen

GUNS AND TROPHIES ON ONE POLICY WITH THE SAME LOW RATE FOR EACH CATEGORY ALL-RISK, WORLD-WIDE COVERAGE INCLUDING THEFT, FLOOD, EARTHQUAKE, AND TERRORISM MANY COVERAGE ENHANCEMENTS NOT FOUND IN COMPETITORS POLICIES 686 TROPHIES/HUNTS ON 6 CONTINENTS

INTRODUCING *NEW* COVERAGE: GUN / HUNT CLUBS, GUIDES & OUTFITTERS HUNTING & FISHING LODGES / PRESERVES LODGES & RESORTS, ARCHERY RANGES / PRO SHOPS AND MANY MORE. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS!

571-352-7097

28 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

$20,000 IN COVERAGE = $150 PREMIUM $50,000 IN COVERAGE = $155 PREMIUM $150,000 IN COVERAGE = $405 PREMIUM $250,001 IN COVERAGE = $475 PREMIUM

GUNANDTROPHY.COM 703-901-4899

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$500,001 IN COVERAGE = $715 PREMIUM

SUPPORT@GUNANDTROPHY.COM

*COVERAGE NOT AVAILABLE IN ALASKA OR HAWAII*

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

Convention Chairs DAN L. DUNCAN SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION

Gary Rose

SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR

Deb Cunningham

CONVENTION RAFFLE

Kevin Ormston FINANCE

Mark King

MEMBERSHIP

YOUTH EDUCATION, HUNTING & FIELD ACTIVITIES

2020 CONVENTION

GAZELLES

Rebekah Boone Trey White

YOUTH EDUCATION & HUNTING

Monica & Greg Mills GRANTS

Shaun Nelson ART

Julianne King VOLUNTEERS

Court Murtland LIVE AUCTIONS

Darrell Kainer Mark King

MERCHANDISE

Christina Ray

Susan & David Kalich Jody Simpson Dawn Simpson Leah Symens

CONVENTION ACTIVITIES

Barret Simpson

BANQUET & DECORATIONS

Julianne King

HUNTRESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Denise Welker

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Bryan Ray

FIREARMS

Jamison Smith

HUNTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Steve Smith Travis Simpson

ANNUAL HUNTING AWARDS

Travis Simpson

YOUTH HUNTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Deb Cunningham

2020 SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT

Jeff Birmingham

MONTHLY EVENTS

Tommy Morrison MERCHANDISE

Christina Ray

PROFESSIONAL HUNTER OF THE YEAR

JD Burrows Mitzy McCorvey Trey White

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Hunter Comiskey PRESIDENT

JD Burrows

CAN'T MAKE IT TO ONE OF OUR BANQUETS? BID ON SELECT ITEMS ONLINE!

ONLINEHUNTINGAUCTIONS.COM SEARCH FOR THE HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION AUCTION

30 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 31

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

Incredible Auction Items!

Just a sampling of the items up for bid!

FRIDAY LIVE

by rifle or bow. HSCF thanks DB Outfitting for this donation. dboutfitting.com

5 Day Argentina Cast & Blast (Dove Shooting & Golden Dorado Fishing) For 6 Hunters At Los Laureles Lodge

Championship Labrador Retriever Puppy

VALUE: $18,000

DESCRIPTION: Hunters Creek Retrievers Championship Labrador

OUTFITTER: Exciting Outdoors DESCRIPTION: 5 day Argentina Cast & Blast (Dove Shooting &

Golden Dorado Fishing) for 6 hunters at Los Laureles Lodge.

Hunters will travel to the Entre Rios region of Argentina for a 5 day, 4 night expedition. Included are 8 hunts, with a minimum of 6 dove hunts required for this donation, the remaining 2 outings can be fishing or additional dove hunts, 1x1 guided dove shooting and Golden Dorado fishing. Schedule hunt with outfitter for open dates: September 2020 – December 2020 or 2021 only. No alternate dates available. Hunt includes accommodations, all meals and beverages, 1x1 guide service and drinks in the field. Not included are hunting license ($200), fishing license ($50), gun rental ($70 optional), shells ($13.50/ box), gun permit if bringing personal guns ($150), domestic flights and domestic ground transfers in Buenos Aires. Arrival/ departure point is Santa Fe or Parana. Pre-payment of hunting and fishing license will be required to secure the dates. For more information, please contact John Reynal at 1-800 2469114 or info@excitingoutdoors.com. HSCF References: Mark and Elizabeth Brueggeman, Garrett and Lana Ruple, Justin and Megan Peter. HSCF thanks Exiting Outdoors for this donation. excitingoutdoors.com

5-Day Spring Bear Hunt In Central British Columbia For 2 Hunters (1-Adult & 1-Youth) VALUE: $6,400 OUTFITTER: DB Outfitting DESCRIPTION: 5-Day Spring Bear Hunt in Central British Columbia

for 2 Hunters (1-adult & 1-youth). DB Outfitting has generously donated an exciting Spring Black Bear Hunt, for 1 Adult and 1 Youth (up to 17yrs), in Central British Columbia. Bears are plentiful and big, up to 7 feet, and are just emerging out of hibernation when their coats are at their best. You will be hunting by 4x4 truck, spot and stalk on foot or by boat. Possible dates for this hunt are June 3-7 or 11-15, 2020 or in June 2021. You can add an additional bear per hunter for a trophy fee of $1000 per bear. Accommodations, meals and guide service are all included. An additional hunter may come along for $4,900; observers for $150 per day. Any before/after trip expenses (hotel accommodations), export permits, hunting licenses ($180) and species tags ($180), royalties and gratuities are not included.

If you are flying, Prince George is your destination airport, where we pick you up. If you are driving, we will meet you in Fraser Lake and drive to camp together. Hunt can be taken

32 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

VALUE: $3,500 OUTFITTER: Hunters Creek Retrievers

Retriever Puppy with Head Start Training. Hunters Creek Retrievers Championship Labs for Field & Family! Your new lab puppy is already in Hunters Creek Retrievers Top Dog Puppy Head Start Training Program, which includes hand signals, verbal and whistle commands for Come, Heel, Sit, and Stay, as well as Crate Training which is the first step in housebreaking. Hunters Creek Labradors are bred with a gentle temperament perfect as child’s canine companion without sacrificing an outstanding pedigree for Hunting, Competition, as a Field Trial Champion, Service or Therapy Dog. Hunters Creek Retrievers provides a Full Two-Year Health Guarantee on Hips & Eyes. Take this adorable bundle of love home tonight, or donate it back to be trained as a service dog for a retreat attendee! HSCF thanks Hunters Creek Retrievers for this donation. hunterscreekretrievers.com

10-Day South African Plains Game Hunt For 2-Hunters And 2-Observers VALUE: $20,000 OUTFITTER: Dries Visser Safaris DESCRIPTION: 10-day South African Plains Game Hunt for 2-Hunters

and 2-Observers. 2-hunters and 2-observers will travel to the dark continent with Dries Visser Safaris, on this 10-day, 1x1 guided hunt with $3,000 towards trophy fees for each hunter.

Well-known and respected Outfitter Dries Visser Safaris was established in 1990 and is based in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The goal of Dries Visser Safaris is to offer the best hunting experience in South Africa with personal care and attention to provide hunters with an experience of a lifetime!

Method of take is rifle, bow or crossbow. In 1995, Dries Visser Safaris began specializing in bowhunting and today it is Africa’s premier bowhunting destination. Schedule this hunt for open dates with outfitter for 2020/21. Included are thatched-roof chalet accommodations, meals, soft drinks, laundry service, 1x1 guide service, $3,000 towards trophy fee for both hunters and field prep. Additional hunters and observers may be added per outfitter’s current price list. Not included are airport transfers, arrival/departure days ($100+tax/person/day), 15% VAT on additional daily rates, trophy fees for additional species taken/ wounded, gratuities, dipping/packing and shipping. This hunt may be extended and game added per outfitter’s current price list. Arrival/departure point is Johannesburg (OR Tambo) International. HSCF thanks Dries Visser Safaris for this donation. driesvissersafaris.com

5-Day Hunt For Rusa Stag & Red Stag In New Zealand For 2 Hunters VALUE: $18,400 OUTFITTER: Kuranui New Zealand Hunting DESCRIPTION: 5-Day Hunt for Rusa Stag & Red Stag in New

Zealand for 2 Hunters. Kuranui New Zealand Hunting has donated a 5-day Rusa Stag & Red Stag hunt for 2 people. This hunt includes one (1) Rusa Stag trophy fee and a $1,000 credit towards a Red Stag trophy fee (per hunter), 4 nights of luxury lodge accommodations at Kuranui Lodge, all meals, pre-dinner NZ beers and wine for evening meals, 2:1 guide service, trophy field preparation and handling, transfers to and from Rotorua Airport, and applicable NZ goods and services taxes. This hunt can be upgraded to include other trophy animals (Fallow, Sika, Arapawa, feral goats, Tahr and Chamois), trout fishing, coastal fishing, diving adventures as well as additional hunters and nonhunters as per current price list. Kuranui has an air of seclusion and remoteness while still being within easy travelling distance of the central North Island tourist attractions, beaches, wineries, and shopping. Hobbiton, the Lord of the Rings movie set is also only a short distance from the lodge. Morning mist shrouds the Kaimai-Mamaku ranges where pure clear water tumbles out of the lush ancient forests and game animals emerge to graze the clearings and river flats. Hunting this beautiful country with Mort for some of the world’s finest trophy deer will be among your most precious memories. Excluded from this hunt are other accommodation arrangements, extended stay at Kuranui, other alcoholic beverages, additional trophies and upgrades, firearms permit, expediting, packaging, shipping and gratuities. This hunt must be taken from May to August 2020 only. Hunt may be taken with rifle only. HSCF thanks Kuranui New Zealand for this donation. kuranui.co.nz.

3-Day Whitetail Hunt In Missouri For 2 Hunters VALUE: $8,000 OUTFITTER: Xtreme Whitetail Adventures DESCRIPTION: 3-Day Whitetail Hunt in Missouri for 2 Hunters.

Xtreme Whitetail Adventures is proud to donate a 3-day whitetail hunt in Conway, Missouri for 2 hunters during the Fall 2020 season. Conway is in the beautiful Ozarks area of Missouri.

Choose your own method to take a buck up to 160” per hunter.

You may drive directly to the lodge in Conway, or you will be met at Springfield/Branson airport and transported to Conway where you will stay in a five-star lodge, one on one guide, and all food and beverage included. Additional hunters are welcome at current market pricing and observers at $100 for the entire stay.

Guide/cook tips and sales tax for any upgrade are not included.

HSCF References: Steve Coale, Richard and Sherry Lane, and Mark Erickson. HSCF thanks Xtreme Whitetails for this 100% donation. xtremewhitetailadventures.com

Browning Citori CXS White

extended Invector-Plus choke tubes (F,M,IC); Triple Trigger System with one trigger supplied; Ivory front and mid-bead.

GAZELLES 7-Day Hunt For 2 Hunters And 2 NonHunters For Impala, Wildebeest And Zebra In Main Lodge, South Africa VALUE: $15,255 OUTFITTER: Motsomi Safaris DESCRIPTION: 7-Day Hunt for 2 Hunters and 2 Non-Hunters for

Impala, Wildebeest and Zebra in Main Lodge, South Africa.

Enjoy Motsomi Safaris’ stellar service on this 1x1 guided hunt for plains game for 2 hunters and 2 non-hunters. Motsomi Safaris will greet you at the airport, feed you amazing African cuisine and house you in one of their 3 amazing lodges. Trophy fees are included for 1-impala ram, 1-impala ewe, 1-blue wildebeest bull, 1-blue wildebeest cow, and 1-zebra for each hunter. Your choice rifle or bow. All permits for the animals listed are included. If you can’t make it this year, you can take the hunt in 2021. Additional hunters are welcome at $400/day and non-hunters at $150/day.

HSCF’s thanks Motsomi Safaris for this 100% donation. motsomi. com.

6-Day Hunt For Red Stag Plus A $1,500 Credit Torwards Tahr & Chamois In New Zealand For 1 Hunter And 1 Non-Hunter VALUE: $13,200 OUTFITTER: Wilderness Quest New Zealand DESCRIPTION: 6-Day Hunt for Red Stag plus a $1,500 credit

towards Tahr & Chamois in New Zealand for 1 Hunter and 1 Non-Hunter. Enjoy this 6-day, 5-night hunt in the Haupiri River Valley on the West Coast of New Zealand. Hunt includes a trophy Red Stag up to 380 SCI and a $1,500 credit towards Tahr and a Chamois. Hunt dates: March-July 2020 or 2021. Method of take: any. Luxury River Lodge accommodations, guide, food, non-alcoholic beverages, trophy prep, transportation to shipper and transportation to/from camp included. Point of arrival: Christchurch airport. Hunt can be upgraded for Red Stag upgrades, Tahr, Elk/Wapiti Stag, Chamois, Fallow Buck, Arapawa Ram, Feral Goat, and small game per the published price list.

Additional hunter: $450 pp/pd; Extra non-hunter: $250 pp/pd.

HSCF thanks Wildernest Quest New Zealand for this donation. wildernessquestnz.com.

5 Day European Grey Wolf Hunt For 1 Hunter And 1 Non-Hunter In Macedonia VALUE: $10,400

VALUE: $2,359

OUTFITTER: Safari International Macedonia

DESCRIPTION: The Browning Citori CSX White 12 gauge shotgun.

DESCRIPTION: 5 Day European Grey Wolf Hunt for 1 Hunter and

Crossover design with 50/50 POI, lightweight profile barrels, vented rib and side ribs, Vector Pro forcing cones and more.

The CXS specializes in great handling, target acquisition and consistency for the sporting/skeet shooter who also wants to take his shotgun hunting. Dimensioned for consistent shooting on the range, its 50/50 POI lets you move to upland hunting perfectly. It has all the best sporting features like Invector-Plus Midas grade tubes, the triple trigger system, and a mid bead.

The flat, floating rib is made to keep you on target, even under the heat of heavy shooting. This is an over and under that can cross over and compete in both the hunting and target worlds.

Steel receiver; Silver Nitride finish; Citori CXS logo on sides of receiver; 28” Flat floating rib barrel; Lightweight profile; Ventilated top and side ribs; 50/50 point of impact, suitable for sporting clays, skeet and field; 3” Chromed chamber Grade III/IV American walnut stock with a gloss finish; Inflex recoil pad; Vector Pro lengthened forcing cones; Three Midas grade

1 Non-Hunter in Macedonia. The best place for European wolf hunt. In the past 10 years, Macedonia has been one of the best destinations for wolf hunts. The region around St. Nikole and Shtip is one of the most visited by many hunters in the world due to the largest wolf population in Europe. The wolf hunt is mainly conducted from a blind, at night, using a thermal night vision. The option of a driven hunt is also available when 5 or more hunters are present. Accommodations are at Lakavica, a luxurious hunting lodge with your own kitchen, chef, spacious and comfortable rooms, hot tub and sauna as well as highly qualified staff. The lodge is located at an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) and the hunting grounds are spread over 12,000 acres of land. Included in the hunt are trophy fees for 1 European grey wolf, authentic Macedonian cuisine, hearty meals, highly trained trackers, professional hunters, transportation from/ to Skopje International Airport and sightseeing of ancient Roman excavation sites and the Macedonian wine country. Additional

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 33

AUCTION ITEMS hunters are welcome at $750/hunter and observers for $350/ person per day. This trip may be upgraded to include additional species from the current price list and it can be taken any time in 2020 and 2021. Method of take is from a blind with thermal night vision Not included in this hunt are hotel and meals before and after the hunt, trophy packing and shipping ($500/box), CITES ($500 for wolf and bear hunts only), airfare, phone calls and gratuity, and VAT 18% on donation value. HSCF References: Dr. Joseph Agris, Kenneth Schwarz, John and Melanie Pepper. HSCF thanks Safari International Macedonia for this 100% donation. interhunts.com

5 Day Hunt For Roe Deer For 1-Hunter And 1-Observer VALUE: $9,670 OUTFITTER: Hunt Trip Spain DESCRIPTION: 5 day hunt for Roe Deer for 1-hunter and 1-observer.

Take this opportunity to visit Spain on this 5-day trip for Roe Deer for 1 hunter and 1 observer, donated by Francisco Rosich of Hunt Trip Spain, in N.E. Spain. This hunt includes trophy fee for one Roe Deer of any size (or $3000 towards another trophy), 20% discount on any added trophy, 19th century country house first class accommodation with spacious bedrooms and fully equipped bathrooms, all meals served with the finest Spanish wine, firearms permit, guide services, ground transportation from Barcelona airport, and 4 days of sightseeing for the observer to visit the Holy Mountain of Montserrat and listen to the oldest choirs in Europe, the vineyard of El Penedes and tasting his cava (Champagne), the medieval village of Solsona, the Castle of Cardona. Hunt must be taken April – October 2020 or 2021. Additional species can be taken (Beceite Ibex, Pyrenean Chamois, Mouflon Sheep, Red Stag or Fallow Deer) per price list. Additional hunter is welcome at $770/pp per day and observers may be added at $270/pp per day. Donation does not include hunting license and insurance ($300), V.A.T 21% on donation value & final bill, dipping/packing and shipping, before/after hunt accommodations and gratuities.

References: Carolyn & William Newlin, Arlette & Fred Lamas, John & Melanie Pepper, Scott & Tanya Garrett, Craig & Donna Boddington, Gerald & MaryAnn Russell. HSCF thanks Hunt Trip Spain for this donation. hunttripspain.com

Amazing 4-Day Bull Sable Safari For 1 Hunter And 1 Non-Hunter VALUE: $7,510 OUTFITTER: JP Big Game Safari DESCRIPTION: This amazing 4-day Bull Sable safari for 1 hunter and

1 non-hunter is up for grabs! Come and enjoy an unforgettable 1x1 safari with JP Big Game Safaris in Limpopo, South Africa. This safari will take place at Thakadu game ranch, located on the banks of the Mogol river up in the Northern part of South Africa. This area is filled with the vast plains of Africa and the remoteness to ensure you experience the tranquility of the African bush. Your experience will begin with transportation to/from Johannesburg Airport. Included are accommodations at an all exclusive luxury hunting lodge with all amenities included. Your PH and trackers will accompany and guide you on this safari so you will get to experience a real safari atmosphere. There is no limitation to this trophy size included in this hunt. Additional hunters may join you on this safari at $350/day and non-hunters for $200/day. Gun clearance is not included ($145). This hunt can upgraded to a 7, 10 or 14 day safari to include any other species from the current price list. The hunt can be taken in 2020 or 2021. Hunt may be taken with rifle, bow or crossbow. HSCF thanks JP Big Game Safaris for this 100% donation. jpsafaris.com.

34 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

5 Day, 1X1 Trophy Golden Wildebeest Hunt For 1 Hunter And 1 Non-Hunter VALUE: $6,000 OUTFITTER: Tam Safaris DESCRIPTION: Tam Safaris has donated a 5 day trip for 1- hunter

and 1 non-hunter to pursue a trophy golden wildebeest, on this 1x1 hunt. Cradock, South Africa is one of the world’s finest Safari destinations. Safaris are conducted within the unique habitat of a diversity of high-mountain sour veld, open, flat grassland alongside semi-desert thorn scrub, dramatic vistas and the exotic rock formations of the magnificent Karoo region. Tam Safaris specializes in providing discerning hunters with a wide variety of hunting opportunities, extremely high quality trophies, personalized service and the true spirit of hunting in South Africa. Port Elizabeth is your gateway to the discovery of the Eastern Cape and finding unforgettable experiences with Tam Safaris. Your hunt can be upgraded to include additional hunters for $350/day and nonhunters for $200/day as well as additional animals such as buffalo, rhino and plains game. $300 transportation between lodge and airport not included. We deliver superb results and splendid memories. Join us today. Hunt can be taken in 2020 or 2021. HSCF References: Tony & Mitzy McCorvey, Tommy & Anna Morrison, Mark & Julianne King, Ralph & Deb Cunningham, John & Melanie Pepper, and Barret Simpson. HSCF thanks Tam Safaris for this 100% donation. tamsafaris.com

Legendary Arms Works Professional II - 7mm Rem Mag VALUE: $2,499

SATURDAY LIVE 5-Day Red Stag Hunt And Luxury Helicopter Picnic For 2 Hunters And 2 Non-Hunters In Scenic New Zealand VALUE: $40,000 OUTFITTER: Exclusive Adventures New Zealand DESCRIPTION: Experience the gorgeous South Island of New Zealand

with our exclusive holiday package, perfectly tailored for husbands and wives. This auction includes a full-day helicopter scenic flight through New Zealand’s famous mountainous fiords with a freshly caught lobster lunch, private vineyard tours through the renowned Otago Wine Region, a personal tour guide for hunters and nonhunters, Red Stag trophy fees (up to 350”/hunter), and much more. Our location offers world class hunting while showcasing enriched New Zealand culture in the most scenic part of the country. Couples will enjoy beautiful views of the mountainous river valley and vineyards while staying in the luxury of our Queensbury Lodge. Hunters will hunt the private land that surrounds our Lodge, with options to upgrade their Red Stag (400” /500” / Record Class), add more trophies, or tack on more hunting/fishing/ touring days. Wives will enjoy a personal guide who will arrange a selection of fun touring options such as shopping trips, premier day spas, choice wineries, horseback adventures, biking around Lake Wanaka, and more.You’ll enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer and more during the full-day helicopter tour. Prepare to be absolutely stunned by the awe-inspiring views as we fly over mountain ranges and glaciers towards the sea fiords and worldfamous Milford Sound. During this full-day adventure we’ll visit 1000 ft. waterfalls, alpine lakes, a family of seals, gorgeous tropical beaches, glaciers, and more! Stopping along the coast, your guide will dive into the ocean to catch fresh lobster and abalone. You’ll then fly to a remote location to indulge in a lavish picnic of fresh seafood, superior local wines, and absolutely splendid views of a mountain vista. Described by many as one of the best days of their lives! You don’t want to miss this one! Your preferred pick up point is Queenstown, located only 50 minutes from our Queensbury

Lodge. Your hunt can be upgraded with more species, including Tahr, Chamois, Fallow Deer, Elk, Goats, Rams, Wallabies, and more. Our outfitters will create a custom itinerary for pre and posthunt travel, allowing you and your companion to make the most of beautiful New Zealand. Hunt may be taken with rifle or bow.

Additional hunters are welcome at $700/person and non-hunters at $300/person. Hunt must be taken from February - July 2020 only.

HSCF thanks Exclusive Adventures New Zealand for this donation. exclusiveadventuresnz.com

7 Day Golden Grand Safari For 2 Hunters In Limpopo Province Of South Africa VALUE: $21,845 OUTFITTER: Spiral Horn Safaris DESCRIPTION: Generously donated by Spiral Horn Safaris, included

in this hunt are 5 full hunting days for 2 hunters, 1x1 with their PH, as well as, taxidermy, trophies with Shoulder Mounts for the following: 1 Golden Gemsbuck, 1 Golden Wildebeest, 1 Black Impala, 1 Springbuck Grand Slam: 1 Copper Springbuck, 1 White Springbuck, 1 Black Springbuck, and 1 Common Springbuck.

Arrival & Departure Day included. Spiral Horn Safaris is based in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Known for our diversity in game and quality animals, we pride ourselves on offering our clients supreme hunting experiences. Spiral Horn Safaris operates from its privately-owned base stretching over 26,700 acres. This private game ranch is managed by Louis van Bergen, outfitter and owner of Spiral Horn Safaris. All our game is hand-picked and manicured by Louis leading to great quality animals for our clients. Spiral Horn Safaris is focused on personal attention and one-on-one interaction with each of our clients. Louis is always in camp and present on every hunt. The hunting area is mainly bushveld consisting of trees, shrubs and some open spaces here and there. We offer a large variety of trophy animals at Spiral Horn Safaris. Our bushveld habitat makes for prime hunting of most of the African Game species ranging from Big 5 to the tiny Klipspringer. Buffalo, Rhino, Sable, Roan, Golden Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Giraffe, Kudu, Nyala, Springbuck, Eland and many more roam freely on over 8,000 hectares. Buffelsvlei Lodge is the main Lodge at Spiral Horn Safaris and offers 4 en-suite thatch roofed chalets. Each chalet is tastefully decorated with an African feel. Entertainment is done around the open fire in our rock boma. Snacks and drinks are enjoyed next to the fire while sharing the day’s hunting stories. Additional hunters are welcome at $400/person and observers at $200/person. This hunt may be upgraded to include additional species form the current price list but must be taken during the 2020 hunting season. Hunt can be taken by rifle or bow. HSCF References: Prentiss Burt, Gib Surles, Jeff Birmingham, Rob Chandler, Kevin Ormston, and Todd Johnson. HSCF thanks Spiral Horn Safaris for this 100% donations. spiralhorn.co.za

8 Night/7 Day Mountain Goat Hunt In Beautiful Alaska Aboard A Custom 80 ft Yacht VALUE: $22,000 OUTFITTER: Parker Guide Service DESCRIPTION: Parker Guide Service offers you a one of a kind late

season, long haired Mountain Goat hunt, proven to be one of North Americas finest, with unparalleled success. An accessible late season Mountain Goat hunt for all regardless of age and ability. For the last 29 years, Parker Guide Service has experienced 100% opportunity with nearly 100% successful harvest rates. All of our hunts are based from our 80-foot custom built yacht, giving our clients their own private cabin with full bathrooms on-board.

A full-time chef serves fine cuisine every morning and evening, while picnic lunches are provided out in the field each day. Hunters can pick up their own spirits in town prior to the hunt to bring on board. The hunting area is accessed by safe and comfortable 16 ft. skiffs. Additional hunters can be added to the hunt at $21,000/hunter and non-hunters at $4,500/pp. This hunt must be taken between October 30-November 21, 2020 or in November 2021. This hunt can be upgraded to include Sitka Deer on Nov. 15-21 dates only for $6,000. This is a rifle hunt only. Trophy fees

are included on 8.5” to 10” Male Billy Goats. Not included are round-trip air charter to the yacht and back to Juneau (approx. $600pp), Hunting License ($160pp) and Tag fees ($600pp). HSCF References: Bill Liska, Mike Simpson, Robert Geginhimer. HSCF thanks Parker Guide Service for this donation. alaskaboathunts.com

9-Day Buffalo Hunting Safari For 1-Hunter In The Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania For 2X Buffalo, Hartebeest, Impala, Warthog, Wildebeest And Zebra VALUE: $19,500 OUTFITTER: Heritage Safaris DESCRIPTION: Heritage Safaris is donating a 9-day hunting safari for

1-hunter in The Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania for 2x Buffalo, Hartebeest, Impala, Warthog, Wildebeest and Zebra. This hunt will take place in the Selous Game Reserve of pristine African wilderness specifically set aside for world-class hunting safaris without equal. Included in this incredible Tanzanian hunt are: traditional tented camp accommodation with exclusive use, all meals, snacks, soft drinks, wine, beer & hard alcohol, daily laundry service, PH + trackers & hunting vehicles, hunting permit fees, concession fee, wildlife conservation fees, trophy export fees, field prep and skinning of all trophies, dip & pack, and arrival & departure airport assistance in Dar es Salaam. Not included are trophy fees, observer fees ($400pp), air charter ($2500 each way) or car transfer ($1200 each way) to and from the Selous, temporary firearm import permits ($300/firearm) or gratuities. This hunt can be upgraded from the current price list but must be taken between July 1 - November 30, 2020 or 2021. HSCF thanks Heritage Safaris for this 100% donation. heritage-safaris.com

6-Day Safari In Mozambique For A Monster Nile Crocodile Hunt VALUE: $14,900 OUTFITTER: Africa Maximum Safaris DESCRIPTION: Join us on a 6-day safari in Mozambique for a monster

Nile Crocodile hunt. Africa Maximum Safaris has donated this 6 day trip for 1 hunter and 1 non-hunter for Nile Crocodile in Cahora Bassa, Mozambique. After arriving at the Johannesburg International Airport, you will spend the night and then fly to Tete, Mozambique the following day (accommodations will be $120).

The 6 day hunt will take place in the Africa Maximum concessions on the bank of Lake Cahora Bassa in the Tete Province of Mozambique. Clients may add additional hunters or non-hunters (per current price list) and upgrade to take any available species to hunt on our extended concessions. Hunters can upgrade to a 14 day Leopard hunt at an additional cost of $24,000. An additional hunter can be added to the Nile Crocodile hunt for a total cost of $10,900 - 7-day hunt and Crocodile trophy fee included. (This is at a discounted rate of 30% from the list price). This hunt may be taken from April 1 – October 30 of 2020 or 2021. Arrival and departure day cost is not included ($220/day per person). Also not included are the CITES permit of $500, the rifle import permit fee of $250 and the export trophy fee from Mozambique to the US. At Africa Maximum Safaris we are dedicated to making your African Trophy Hunting Safari a memory of a lifetime. HSCF reference: Amado Hernandez. HSCF thanks Africa Maximum Safaris for this donation. africamaximum.co.za

7 Day Alaska Peninsula Fishing Adventure For Two VALUE: $13,700 OUTFITTER: Wildman Lake Lodge DESCRIPTION: 7 day/7 night Deluxe Sport Fishing Week for two

people during the Reel Smok’n Salmon month of July 2020 at Wildman Lake Lodge, home of Master Guide and Outfitters, Kathy and Butch King, Safari Club’s 2000 Professional Hunter of the

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 35

AUCTION ITEMS Year. Donated package includes: 7 days of guided fishing and 7 nights deluxe accommodations at Wildman Lake Lodge where each well-appointed, heated guest cabin features comfortable twin beds, and a full bathroom with a piping hot shower. Enjoy both fly out and local jet boat fishing days with our experienced bush pilots and sport fishing guides in pursuit of Pacific salmon, Rainbow trout and Arctic char on Alaska’s only crystal-clear artesian sport fishing river. Guests may also choose to spend an afternoon beach combing along the volcanic black sand beaches of the Bering Sea or visit a nearby Walrus haul-out where you can view and photograph anywhere from 50 to 5000 huge Pacific Walrus in their native habitat. Wildman’s executive chef and professional kitchen staff prepare hearty breakfasts, fantastic shore lunches, and exceptionally fine evening dinners served in the lodges spacious dining room. This trip is scheduled for July of 2020. Enjoy world-class sport fishing, incredible wilderness accommodations and the genuine Alaskan hospitality of Butch, Kathy and their professional staff. Additional persons may join the successful bidder at the published price of $7,895, which does include the round trip from Anchorage to the lodge. HSCF References: Byron and Sandra Sadler Tony and Mitzy McCorvey, Tommy and Anna Morrison. HSCF thanks Wildman Lake Lodge for this 100% donation. wildmanlodge.com.

Mapassa Big Game Hounds and Pete Stewart of Good Manners Dog School for this donation.

Bronze Sculpture “Lookout” VALUE: $29,500 OUTFITTER: Treasure Investments Corp.

DESCRIPTION: Treasure Investments has kindly donated this beautiful

bronze sculpture by Lorenzo Ghiglieri titled “Lookout.” The sheer power, magnificence and magnitude of the works of this modern American Master transcend description through mere words.

The visual impact of his artwork speaks volumes and moves the uninitiated fine art admirer, the novice fine art collector and the seasoned fine art aficionado, alike. The White House permanent collection is the home of Lorenzo’s creation of the official “American Bald Eagle,” The Vatican houses his masterpiece, “St. Francis of Assisi, Man of Peace,” and his stunning “Mother and Child” is the showpiece in the private collection of the incomparable Italian Tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. Dimensions 26”h x 25”w. Houston Safari Club Foundation thanks Treasure Investments for this donation. fineart1.com.

1x1 Guided 10-Day Alaska Brown Bear Hunt

MG Arms Ultra-Light Rifle - 7mm Rem Mag

VALUE: $9,000

VALUE: $5,545

OUTFITTER: RWS Guide Service

OUTFITTER: MG Arms Inc.

DESCRIPTION: RWS Guide Service has generously donated a 1x1

DESCRIPTION: A precision firearm designed for ultra-minimum

Guided 10-Day Alaska Brown Bear Hunt. RIchard Stewart of RWS Guide Services offers a 1x1 guided 10- Day Alaska brown bear hunt. This is a baited hunt on the majestic Kenai Peninsula in game management unit 15. Method of take can be either rifle or bow. Included is transportation before, during, and after the hunt. Also included is food and drinks during hunting periods and trophy prep. Not included lodging and meals, license ($160.00), tags ($1000.00). Opportunity for harvest of (1) black bear on $2000.00 trophy fee. Can be taken in 2020 or 2021. HSCF thanks RWS Guide Service for this 100% donation. rwsguide.com

Tanzanite And Diamond Pendant Set In 18K White Gold

weight, ultra-minimum recoil, and ultimate accuracy. Experience a truly custom rifle that is easy to carry, comfortable to shoot, with accuracy exceeding all expectations. Your MG Arms Ultra-Light rifle chambered in 7mm Remington Mag. will bring you pride of ownership lasting a lifetime. It will become part of your heritage.

Starting with an ultra-reliable Remington 700 skeletonized action, a Jewell trigger finely tuned to 2.5 lbs., all metal finished in Burnt Bronze Cerakote, the striking textured epoxy stock finish in our popular Fall Camo and topped with a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 scope and custom engraved Ballistic Turret. And it’s all backed, from the heart, with the best possible guarantee you can find anywhere: the MG Arms INFINITY Guarantee. HSCF thanks MG Arms Inc. for this 100% donation.

OUTFITTER: Baranof Jewlers

7 Day Hunt For Trophy Whitetail Deer In East Central Alberta

DESCRIPTION: Baranof Jewelers has donated a Natural Tanzanite

VALUE: $6,500

VALUE: $42,000

and Diamond necklace set in 18 karat white gold. Color is violet blue vivid, exceptional in color, with a carat weight of 15.00 carats. White diamonds carat weight is 0.50ctw, F in color, Clarity is Vs1.

Jack Russell Terrier Puppy VALUE: $3,090.00 OUTFITTER: Sporting International Inc. DESCRIPTION: Sporting International, Warrick Evans of Mapassa

Big Game Hounds Hunting, & Pete Stewart of Good Manners Dog Obedience School are happy to donate this Jack Russell Terrier 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 wounded game. Warwick bred these dogs to have a fearless, disciplined attitude with an insatiable drive to trail and spot cats and blood trailing of wounded animals. They have a sweet and loveable 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 HSCF members. For the past 10 years the puppies have sold at the HSCF conventions at an average of $6,000 – $8,000. HSCF thanks Sporting International, Warwick Evans of

36 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

OUTFITTER: Buckbrush Outfitters DESCRIPTION: 7 day hunt for trophy whitetail deer in east central

Alberta. Longtime outfitter, Buckbrush Outfitters has donated this opportunity for one hunter in Alberta, Canada. The hunt will take place on primarily private farm and ranch land (the zone is approximately 1500 square miles) where Rod was born and raised and has been guiding for over 40 years. The hunt will take place in pickup trucks and heated, insulated blinds, using a combination of spot, stalk, glassing and sitting over active areas as well as deer drives. All hunters will stay at Rod and Sue’s 10 bedroom ranch house where Sue will prepare the meals. Upon a successful deer harvest the guides will field dress your trophy, cape and skin the deer as well as provide any meat you may want to take home. This hunt can be taken any time in late November of 2020 or 2021. HSCF References: Tommy and Anna Morrison, Sam Williams, Jerry and Carol Henderson, Larry West, Cecil Hopper, Ed Phillip, and Wesley Pratka. HSCF thanks Buckbrush Outfitters for this 100% donation. huntbuckbrush.com

OUR MISSION STEMS FROM A

DEEP-SEEDED LOVE AND RESPECT FOR OUR STATE

WHAT WE DO

The Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) is an organization that serves Texas wildlife and its habitat, while protecting property rights, hunting heritage, and the conservation efforts of those who value and steward wildlife resources. We love our great state, and to ensure future generations do as well, your support and membership is needed. We have an obligation to be responsible stewards of Texas; and as members of TWA, we form a dynamic, steadfast force that defends and strengthens the fundamental ideals and rights that Texas was founded on.

BECOME A MEMBER

The future of our state’s wildlife populations, hunting heritage and private landowner rights rests on us. As a member of Texas Wildlife Association, you will have a voice in an organization that is truly doing the work for Texas and Texans. Please consider joining us as a member of Texas Wildlife Association. texas-wildlife.org/membership

(800) TEX-WILD

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

Schedule of Events THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Exhibitor Registration & Move-In

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Exhibitor & Volunteer Appreciation Party

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E Pitch 25 - 2120 Walker St., Houston, TX 77003

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Exhibitor Registration & Move-In Continues

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Youth Wildlife Conservation Education (YWCE) Workshop

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open, featuring raffles, guides, outfitters, artists, craftsmen, gear & more from around the world!

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Cocktail Hour

Hilton Americas-Houston, Ballroom of the Americas Lobby

6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Annual HSCF Hunting Awards Banquet, live entertainment & live auction

Hilton Americas-Houston, Ballroom of the Americas Lobby

Hilton Americas - Houston, Room 335 A-C George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open, featuring raffles, outfitters, artists, craftsmen, gear & more from around the world!

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Gazelles Luncheon featuring entertainment, live and silent auctions

Hilton Americas-Houston, Ballroom of the Americas Lobby

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Cocktail Hour, Hilton Americas

Hilton Americas-Houston, Ballroom of the Americas Lobby

6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Annual HSCF Formal Gala featuring live entertainment & a grand live auction

Hilton Americas-Houston, Ballroom of the Americas Lobby

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E

2 p.m.

Convention Raffle Drawing

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E

3 p.m.

Worldwide Hunting Expo Ends

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall E

38 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

WHO CARES? About British Columbia’s Wildlife

WE DO - JOIN US! www.goabc.org/who-cares-bc

WhoCaresBC2019 WhoCares.BC

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

Exhibitors 2 Continents Hunting

Alaska Skookum Guides

Avula Safaris

www.2continentshunting.com Booking Agent

www.alaskaskookumguides.com Outfitter- North America

www.avulasafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

AAA Africa Serapa Safaris

Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge

B&B Taxidermy

www.boardwalklodge.com Outfitter- North America

www.bbtaxidermy.com Taxidermy

Alberta Hunting Company

Balam Mexico

www.albertahuntingco.com Outfitter- North America

www.balamhunting.com Outfitter- North America

All Out Ranch Improvements

Baranof Jewelers

www.alloutranchimprovements.com Miscellaneous

Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

BOOTH: 830

BOOTH: 343, 442

www.serapasafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Acacia Hunting Safaris Namibia BOOTH: 803

www.acaciahunting.com Outfitter- Africa

Acute Angling

BOOTH: 823, 825, 922, 924

www.acuteangling.com Outfitter- South America

Africa Maximum Safaris BOOTH: 318

www.africamaximum.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Africa Picture Safaris BOOTH: 533

africapicturesafaris.com Photo Safaris

African Arrow Safaris BOOTH: 743, 842

www.africanarrowsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

African Elephant Hair Bracelets

BOOTH: 330

BOOTH: 603

BOOTH: 233

BOOTH: 1100, 1102

Alpine Hunting New Zealand BOOTH: 405

www.alpinehunting.com Outfitter- New Zealand

Ardmore Ceramic Art by Pascoe Gallery

BOOTH: 934

BOOTH: 123, 125, 222, 224

BOOTH: 534

BOOTH: 223, 225, 322, 324

Barela’s Alaskan Outfitters BOOTH: 543

Www.barelasalaskanoutfitters.com Outfitter- North America

Billiard Factory

BOOTH: 1015, 1017

BOOTH: 919, 1018

Miscellaneous

pascoegallery.com Artwork

Bison WorX

Argentina Puelo Expeditions

BOOTH: 404

BOOTH: 639

www.bisonworx.com Outfitter- North America

www.pueloexpeditions.com Outfitter- South America

Boulette Blume Jewelry BOOTH: 831

BOOTH: 303

Art by L. Mower

safarijewelry.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

BOOTH: 806

Artwork

Alan Michael Expeditions

Atascosa Wildlife Supply/Bushlan

Brush Country Studios/Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studio

www.okatjeru.com Outfitter- Africa

Awsblinds.com Wildlife Supply

www.brushcountrystudios.com Taxidermy

Alan Michael USA Leatherworks

ATP Hunt

Buccara Wildlife Preserve

alanmichaelusa.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

atphunt.com Outfitter- Europe

www.buccara-africa.com Outfitter- Africa

Alaska Expedition Lodge

Australian Outback Buffalo Safaris

Buchanan Hunts

www.alaskaexpedition.com Outfitter- North America

australianoutbackbuffalosafaris.com.au Outfitter- Australia

www.buchananhunts.com Booking Agent

Alaska Fur Gallery

Avanti by Avanti LLC

Buckbrush Outfitters

www.akfurgallery.com Furs

www.AvantiByAvanti.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

www.huntbuckbrush.com Outfitter- North America

BOOTH: 334

BOOTH: 1028

BOOTH: 537

BOOTH: 723, 725, 822, 824

40 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

BOOTH: 101, 200, 202

BOOTH: 843

BOOTH: 433

BOOTH: 110, 112

www.bouletteblume.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

BOOTH: 143, 145, 147, 242, 244, 246

BOOTH: 909

BOOTH: 118, 120

BOOTH: 429

Buffalo Kloof Hunting Safaris

Coppersmith Global Logistics

www.buffalokloofsafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

huntingtrophy.com Trophy Shipper

BOOTH: 234, 236

BOOTH: 505

Bull Basin Ranch

Costa Del Mar

elkhuntinglc.com Outfitter- North America

www.costadelmar.com Miscellaneous

BOOTH: 632, 634, 636

Bush Africa Safaris BOOTH: 612, 614

www.bushafricasafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Cabassa Safaris BOOTH: 100

www.cabassasafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Candy Woolley Exotic Skin Handbags BOOTH: 608

candywoolley.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

Canoe Bay Outfitters LLC BOOTH: 838

canoebayoutfitters.com Outfitter- North America

Cape to Cairo Safari BOOTH: 531

www.capetocairosafari.com Outfitter- Africa

Capital Farm Credit BOOTH: 409, 528

www.capitalfarmcredit.com Real Estate/Credit/Property Lending

Cazatur Spain & Europe BOOTH: 428

www.cazatur.com Outfitter- Europe

Cedar Eaters of Texas BOOTH: 730, 732

cedareater.com Miscellaneous

Chapungu-Kambako Safaris BOOTH: 432, 434

www.chapungu-kambako.com Outfitter- Africa

Cindi & John Rulon- PRO CARGO USA

BOOTH: 331

Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail BOOTH: 412, 414

www.cottonmesawhitetail.com Outfitter- North America

Cree River Lodge BOOTH: 635

www.CreeRiverLodge.ca Outfitter- North America

Cutco Cutlery BOOTH: 444

www.cutco.com Knives

Dave Freeburn Safaris BOOTH: 130

www.davefreeburn.com Outfitter- Africa

DB Outfitting BOOTH: 336

www.dboutfitting.com Outfitter- North America

Enrramada 2018 SL (Great Spanish Hunts) BOOTH: 712

www.greatspanishhunts.com Outfitter- Europe

Exciting Outdoors BOOTH: 538

www.excitingoutdoors.com Outfitter- South America

Exclusive Adventures New Zealand BOOTH: 126, 128

www.exclusiveadventures.nz.com Outfitter- New Zealand

Fausti USA

BOOTH: 501, 503

www.faustiusa.com Firearms

Fedha Nyuki

BOOTH: 1051

www.fedhanyuki.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

Fishtail Ranch Outfitters BOOTH: 718

www.fishtailranch.com Outfitter- North America

Flying J Outfitters BOOTH: 304

www.flyingjoutfitters.com Outfitter- North America

Deep Country Lodge

Four Seasons Safaris New Zealand

www.deepcountrylodge.com Outfitter- North America

www.fourseasons.co.nz Outfitter- New Zealand

Detail Company Adventures

Frontera Wingshooting

www.detailcompany.com Booking Agent

www.fronterawingshooting.com Outfitter- South America

Diamonds In The Rough

Frosch

diamondsintheroughauctions.com Miscellaneous

www.frosch.com Booking Agent

Divide Gun Company

FTW/SAAM

BOOTH: 535

BOOTH: 422, 424

BOOTH: N, A

BOOTH: 1009

www.dividegun.com Firearms

BOOTH: 305, 307

BOOTH: 300

BOOTH: 319

BOOTH: 302

www.ftwsaam.com Shooting Instruction

Game Over Safaris and Taxidermy

BOOTH: 631

Dove Island Lodge

www.procargo.com Trophy Shipper

BOOTH: 749, 848

Outfitter- North America

www.gameoversafaris.com Taxidermy

Club Faune

Dries Visser Safaris

Game Trackers Africa

www.fauna-safari-club.com Outfitter- Africa

www.driesvissersafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Colorado Outfitters, LLC

Eastcape & Karoo Safaris

co-outfitters.com Outfitter- North America

www.hunteasterncape.com Outfitter- Africa

Conroe Taxidermy

Elizabeth Sass Fine Jewelry

Getaway Lodge at Port Mansfield

www.conroetaxidermy.com Taxidermy

www.elizabethsassfinejewelry.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

www.getawaypm.com Outfitter- North America

BOOTH: 207

BOOTH: 530

BOOTH: 513, 515, 517, 519

BOOTH: 431

BOOTH: 630

BOOTH: 1104

BOOTH: 1045

BOOTH: 812

www.gametrackersafrica.com Outfitter- Africa

Garry Kelly Safaris BOOTH: 813

garrykellysafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 904

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 41

EXHIBITORS Giuseppe Carrizosa - Spain

Hunter’s Path Magazine

Kemp African Safaris

www.giuseppecarrizosa.com Outfitter- Europe

www.followthehunterspath.com Publication

www.kempafricansafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Hunters Namibia Safaris / Family Expeditions

King Ranch, Inc.

BOOTH: 528

Glacier Bay Eagles Nest Lodge BOOTH: 206

www.glacierbayfishing.com Outfitter- North America

Glen Dene Hunting & Fishing BOOTH: 502

BOOTH: 124

BOOTH: 539, 638

www.huntersnamibia.com / www.familyexpeditions.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 835

BOOTH: 349, 448

www.kingranchhunting.com Outfitter- North America

Kingham Safaris Australia BOOTH: 329

www.glendenehunting.com Outfitter- New Zealand

Hunting Safaris South Africa

www.kinghamsafaris.com Outfitter- Australia

Global Rescue

www.huntingsafarisouthafrica.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Kiowa Hunting Service

www.globalrescue.com Miscellaneous

Intrepid Safaris

www.kiowahunting.com Outfitter- North America

Graceland Safaris

www.intrepidsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Kississing Lake Lodge & Tukto Lodge

www.gracelandsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Italian Safari SRL

Greystone Castle Sporting Club BOOTH: 439

www.italiansafari.com Outfitter- Europe

greystonecastle.com Outfitter- North America

Ivy Safaris

Gsell’s Whitetails

www.ivysafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 618

BOOTH: 930

BOOTH: 323, 325

Outfitter- North America

Gun & Trophy Insurance BOOTH: 131

gunandtrophy.com Miscellaneous

Hawkeye Hunting Club BOOTH: 704

www.hawkeyehunting.com Outfitter- North America

Hayden Outdoors BOOTH: 814

www.haydenoutdoors.com Real Estate/Credit/Property Lending

Hearthstone Log & Timber Frame Homes BOOTH: 745

www.hearthstonehomes.com Miscellaneous

Heritage Safaris BOOTH: 115

www.heritage-safaris.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 542, 544

BOOTH: 509

BOOTH: 819, 918

BOOTH: 648

J.B. Hill Boot Company BOOTH: 301

www.jbhilltexas.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

J4 Fencing and Services, LLC BOOTH: 231

www.j4fs.com Miscellaneous

Johan Hermann Safaris BOOTH: 601

www.johanhermannsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

John X Safaris BOOTH: 637

www.johnxsafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Joshua Creek Ranch BOOTH: 801

www.joshuacreek.com Outfitter- North America

High Mountain Hunts

JP Big Game Safaris

www.highmountainhunts.com Booking Agent

www.jpsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Horizon Firearms

JWK Safaris

www.horizonfirearms.com Firearms

www.jwksafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Hunt Trip Spain

Kalahari Sands Exclusive Hunting Safaris

www.hunttripspain.com Outfitter- Europe

www.thekalaharisands.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 615, 617

BOOTH: 446

BOOTH: 408

42 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

BOOTH: 335

BOOTH: 338

BOOTH: 346

BOOTH: 507

BOOTH: 239

www.kississinglodge.com Outfitter- North America

Koch Safaris

BOOTH: 129

www.kochsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Kodiak Sportsman’s Lodge BOOTH: 908

www.kodiaksportsmanslodge.com Outfitter- North America

Kolbe Ranches and Wildlife, LLC BOOTH: 706

KolbeRanchesandWildlife.com Miscellaneous

Kuranui New Zealand Hunting BOOTH: 616

www.kuranui.co.nz Outfitter- New Zealand

Kwalata Safaris PTY (LTD) BOOTH: 943, 1042

www.kwalatasafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Laser Shot

BOOTH: 955, 1054, 1055

www.lasershot.com Firearms

Lategan Safaris BOOTH: 122

www.lategansafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Latvian Safari Club BOOTH: 107

www.safari.lv Booking Agent

Leo Van Rooyen Safaris Africa BOOTH: 216

www.leovanrooyensafarisafrica.com Outfitter- Africa

Leopard Legend Hunting Safaris BOOTH: 742

www.leopardlegend.com Outfitter- Africa

Limcroma Safaris

Montana Wilderness Lodge

Operation Game Thief

www.limcroma.com Outfitter- Africa

www.wildmontana.com Outfitter- North America

ogttx.com Association/Non-Profit

Link’s Wild Safaris

Moore Security

BOOTH: 400, 402

BOOTH: 645, 647

www.linkswildsafaris.com Booking Agent

Lone Star Outfitters BOOTH: 208

www.lonestaroutfitters.com Outfitter- North America

Lonesome Coyote Ranch BOOTH: 1006, 1008

Www.lonesomecoyoteranch.com Outfitter- North America

M&R Moda In Pelle Firenze BOOTH: 839, 938

getinmoda.com modainpelleonline.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

BOOTH: 912

BOOTH: 243, 342

mooresecuritysafes.com Gun Safes

Motsomi Safaris

BOOTH: 914, 916

www.motsomi.com Outfitter- Africa

Mount Carmel Safaris /Andries van Zyl BOOTH: 1039

mountcarmelsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Mwatisi Safaris Ltd BOOTH: 717

omarsherdell.wixsite.com/mwatisi-safaris Outfitter- Africa

National Rifle Association BOOTH: 734, 736

BOOTH: 142, 144, 146, 148, 150

Osprey Global BOOTH: 929

ospreyglobal.com Optics

Outback Outfitters BOOTH: 103

www.outbackoutfittersnm.com Outfitter- North America

PAKMULE, LLC BOOTH: 102

www.pakmule.com Automotive

Pampa Adventures & Mapu Hunting Lodge BOOTH: 314

www.mapuhuntinglodge.com Outfitter- South America

Mabula Pro Safaris

www.nra.org Association/Non-Profit

Parker Guide Service

www.mabulaprosafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

National Wild Turkey Federation

www.alaskaboathunts.com Outfitter- North America

Makhulu Safaris

nwtf.org Association/Non-Profit

Pelly Lake Wilderness Outfitters / DL ELK Outfitters

www.makhulusafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

New Mexico LOH Outfitters

BOOTH: 1012

BOOTH: 946

Mashambanzou Safaris BOOTH: 308

www.mashambanzousafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Maven

BOOTH: 449, 451, 548, 550

www.mavenbuilt.com Optics

Maverick Sportfishing BOOTH: 332

www.maverickyachtscostarica.com Outfitter- Central America

McDonald Safaris BOOTH: 606

www.mcdonaldsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

MG Arms Inc.

BOOTH: 629, 728

www.mgarmsinc.com Firearms

Midnight Sun Outfitting, LLC BOOTH: 939

www.midnightsunoutfitting.com Outfitter- North America

Milligan Outfitting Ltd. BOOTH: 816

www.milliganoutfitting.com Outfitter- North America

BOOTH: 936

BOOTH: 942

Lohoutfitters.com Outfitter- North America

Nhoro Safaris BOOTH: 705

www.nhorosafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Nighthawk Custom BOOTH: 1050

www.nighthawkcustom.com Firearms

North Alberta Outfitters BOOTH: 747

www.northalberta.com Outfitter- North America

NorthCurl Outfitters BOOTH: 316

www.northcurl.com Outfitter- North America

Northern Giants Trophy Ranch BOOTH: 228, 230

northerngiantsranch.com Outfitter- North America

BOOTH: 436, 438

BOOTH: 707

comehunt.com Outfitter- North America

Pelser Bowhunting BOOTH: 105

www.pelserbowhunting.com Outfitter- Africa

Pendleton Safe Co BOOTH: 701, 800

www.pendletonsafes.com Gun Safes

Pierre Vorster Safaris BOOTH: 709, 808

www.pvsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Pointer Outfitters BOOTH: 238

www.pointerwingshooting.com Outfitter- South America

Prairies Edge Outfitting BOOTH: 339

www.prairiesedgeoutfitting.com Outfitter- North America

Norton and Hodges

Purina

BOOTH: 549

BOOTH: 117

www.NortonandHodges.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

purinamills.com Wildlife Supply

Onca Gear

Quagga Safaris

www.OncaGear.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

www.quagga.co.za Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 504, 506

BOOTH: 719, 818

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 43

EXHIBITORS Rayonier

River Plate Wingshooting

BOOTH: 114

BOOTH: 739

Royal Outfitters UK

www.rayonierhunting.com Leases

www.riverplateoutfitters.com Outfitter- South America

Re a Lora Safaris

Riverview Plantation

BOOTH: 138

BOOTH: 536

www.realorasafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

www.riverviewplantation.com Outfitter- North America

RecordBuck Ranch

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

BOOTH: 119, 218

BOOTH: 903

www.recordbuck.com Outfitter- North America

www.rmef.org Association/Non-Profit

Red Desert Rifles

Rod & Gun Resources

BOOTH: 737

BOOTH: 1001

rwsguide.com Outfitter- North America

reddesertrifles.com Firearms

www.rodgunresources.com Outfitter- South America

Sadaka Safaris

Rhinoland Safaris

ROXOR

BOOTH: 1030

BOOTH: 443, 445

www.sadakasafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

www.rhinoland.co.za Outfitter- Africa

www.roxoroffroad.com Automotive/Vehicles

Rio Piedra Plantation

Royal Karoo Safaris

BOOTH: 834, 836

BOOTH: 247

www.riopiedraplantation.com Outfitter- North America

www.royalkaroo.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 214

www.royaloutfittersuk.com Outfitter- Europe

Ruple Properties BOOTH: 714

www.RupleProperties.com Real Estate/Credit/Property Lending

Russell Selle Custom Hunts BOOTH: 716

www.rscustomhunts.com Booking Agent

RWS Guide Service BOOTH: 407

BOOTH: 213

Safari Co Africa BOOTH: 917

safaricoafrica.com Outfitter- Africa

Safari International Macedonia BOOTH: 613

www.interhunts.com Outfitter- Europe

Safari Studios Taxidermy BOOTH: 849

www.spearsafaris.com Taxidermy

ScopeCam Phone Adapters BOOTH: 532

Tinesup.com Optics

Shattuck Creek Outfitters BOOTH: 805

Shattuckcreek.com Outfitter- North America

Elk up to 350”: $5,900 USD Whitetail up to 190”: $5,900 USD Mule deer up to 170”: $5,900 USD

Sherry Steele Unlimited BOOTH: 203

www.sherrysteele.net Artwork

Elk 500”+ and whitetail 300”+ are also available.

Shikar Safaris BOOTH: 317

www.shikarsafaris.com Outfitter- Europe

Sierra Brava Lodge LLC BOOTH: 807, 809

Al and Joyce Morhart Box 187, Briercrest, SK S0H 0K0 1-306-313-1151 Email: aj@hartlanddeer.com www.hartlanddeer.com

www.sierrabrava.com Outfitter- Central America

Somerby Safaris BOOTH: 900

www.somerbysafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

South Pacific Safaris New Zealand BOOTH: 1038

www.safaris.co.nz Outfitter- New Zealand 44 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

South Texas Tripods & Feeders Inc.

Tam Safaris

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

BOOTH: 229, 328

BOOTH: 703

www.tamsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

www.tpwd.texas.gov Association/Non-Profit

Tejas Custom Boots

Texas Pistol & Rifle Academy

BOOTH: 948

BOOTH: 815

www.tejascustomboots.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

www.texaspistol.com Shooting Instruction

Spey Creek Trophy Hunting/ John W McBride

Terry Wilson Antler Designs

Texas Ranch Sales LLC

BOOTH: 923, 925, 1022, 1024

BOOTH: 905, 907

sctrophyhunting.com Outfitter- New Zealand

www.wilsonantlers.com Furniture

www.texasranchsalesllc.com Real Estate/Credit/Property Lending

Spintech

Texas Ag Realty, LLC

Thandatula Hunting Safaris

BOOTH: 430

BOOTH: 933

spintechspreaders.com Wildlife Supply

www.texasagrealty.com Real Estate/Credit/Property Lending

www.thandatula.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Spiral Horn Safaris

Texas Hunt Lodge

The Arrangement

BOOTH: 406

BOOTH: 600, 602

www.texashuntlodge.com Outfitter- North America

www.thearrangement.com Furniture

Texas Outdoors

The Global Sportsman

BOOTH: 435, 437

BOOTH: 235

www.texas-outdoors.com Automotive/Vehicles

www.theglobalsportsman.com Booking Agent

BOOTH: 401, 403

southtexastripodsandfeeders.com Hunting Equipment

Spear Safaris BOOTH: 847

www.spearsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

BOOTH: 729, 828

BOOTH: 802, 804

BOOTH: 306

www.spiralhorn.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Sporting International Inc. BOOTH: 529, 628

www.sportinginternational.com Booking Agent

Springbok Imports BOOTH: 837

www.springbokimports.com Artwork

ENGEL DRYBOX COOLERS

Star S Ranch

ideal for keeping ammo dry and cool

BOOTH: 133, 135

www.star-s-ranch.com Outfitter- North America

Starry Night Ranch BOOTH: 715

starrynighttexas.com Outfitter- North America

Stealth Precision Firearms LLC BOOTH: 713

www.stealthfirearmsllc.com Firearms

HIGH PERFORMANCE COOLERS AC/DC FRIDGE FREEZERS COOLER DRY BOXES TUMBLERS BACKPACK COOLERS LIVE BAIT COOLERS ADVENTURE GEAR

Stukel’s Upland Adventures BOOTH: 312

www.stukels.com Outfitter- South America

Suppressed Weapon Systems BOOTH: 604

www.suppressedweaponsystems.com Firearms

SYC Sporting Adventures LLC BOOTH: 700

www.sycsporting.com Outfitter- South America

T3M Hunting and Safari BOOTH: 237

www.t3mhunting.com Outfitter- Africa

888-272-9838 | ENGELCOOLERS.COM 900 Jupiter Park Drive | Jupiter, FL 33458

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 45

EXHIBITORS The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

Tom Dreyer Safaris

BOOTH: 817

BOOTH: 313

Trompettersfontein Safaris & Hunting Lodge

www.jlbar.com Outfitter- North America

www.tomdreyersafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

The Mule Deer Foundation

TRACT Optics

BOOTH: 140

BOOTH: 702

www.muledeer.org Association/Non-Profit

tractoptics.com Optics

Thormahlen & Cochran Safaris

Trails West

BOOTH: 649, 748

BOOTH: 104, 106

www.africatrophyhunting.com Outfitter- Africa

www.trailswestgatecompany.com Miscellaneous

Threeways Safaris

Travel With Guns

BOOTH: 209

BOOTH: 204

www.threewayssafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

www.travelwithguns.com Miscellaneous

www.tropicstar.com Outfitter- Central America

Timber Edge Camps

Tri-State Taxidermy

True Ballistics, LLC

BOOTH: 931

BOOTH: 901, 1000

www.Timberedgecamps.com Outfitter- North America

www.tri-statetaxidermy.com Taxidermy

Tinashe Outfitters

Trinity Oaks

BOOTH: 249, 348

BOOTH: 108

www.tinashegroup.co.za Outfitter- Africa

trinityoaks.org Association/Non-Profit

BOOTH: 205

www.trompettersfonteinsafaris.com Outfitter- Africa

Trophy Hunting Spain BOOTH: 619

www.TrophyHuntingSpain.com Outfitter- Europe

Trophy Shippers BOOTH: 642

www.trophyshippers.com Trophy Shipper

Tropic Star Lodge BOOTH: 309

BOOTH: 333

trueballisticsllc.com Miscellaneous

Tsala Safaris

BOOTH: 746

www.tsalasafari.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Two Hats Ranch

BOOTH: 829, 928

www.twohats.com Outfitter- North America

Tyrrell’s Trails BOOTH: 832

www.tyrrellstrails.com Outfitter- North America

Umlilo Safaris BOOTH: 1016

www.umlilosafaris.co.za Outfitter- Africa

Vanden Berg Custom BOOTH: 337

TOP QUALITY FAIR CHASE HUNTS with 5-star accommodations Hunt Alaska brown bear, black bear, one-of-a-kind November long-haired mountain goat hunts, based on our 80’ luxury yacht with 5-star service.

www.vandenbergcustom.com Firearms

Venture North Outfitting BOOTH: 347

www.venturenorthoutfitting.com Outfitter- North America

Vertical Gun Racks BOOTH: 1011

www.verticalgunracks.com Miscellaneous

W.C. Russell Moccasin Company BOOTH: 201

www.russellmoccasin.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

ALASKABOATHUNTS.COM 46 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

BROWN BEAR

BLACK BEAR

LONG-HAIRED MOUNTAIN GOAT

Wanganui Safaris LTD BOOTH: 609, 708

wsafaris.com Outfitter- New Zealand

Weatherby,Inc BOOTH: 315

www.weatherby.com Firearms

Well Worldwide Energy Logistics, Inc. BOOTH: 215

www.well-usa.com Trophy Shipping

White Peaks Outfitters BOOTH: 913, 915

www.whitepeaksranch.com Outfitter- North America

Whitetail Properties, LLC BOOTH: 605

www.whitetailproperties.com Real Estate/Credit/Property Lending

Wicked River Outfitters BOOTH: 607

wickedriveroutfitters.com Outfitter- North America

Wild Man Outfitters BOOTH: 735

wildmanadventures.com Outfitter- North America

Wild Sheep Foundation BOOTH: 232

www.wildsheepfoundation.org Association/Non-Profit

Wilderness Mule Outfitting

WOW Africa

BOOTH: 951

BOOTH: 1003, 1005

www.wildernessmule.com Outfitter- North America

www.wowafrica.com Outfitter- Africa

Wilderness Quest New Zealand

WSI Manufacturing

BOOTH: 137, 139

wildernessquestnz.com Outfitter- New Zealand

Wildlife Partners, LLC BOOTH: 623, 625, 722, 724

www.wildlifepartners.com Miscellaneous

Wildman Lake Lodge BOOTH: 416, 418

wildmanlodge.com or www.wildalaskahunting.com Outfitter- North America

Wollaston Lake Lodge BOOTH: 217, 219

BOOTH: 643

Wsisports.com Clothing/Jewelry/Footwear

XFactor Whitetails of Indiana BOOTH: 547

Xfactorwhitetails.com Outfitter- North America

Xtreme Whitetail Adventures BOOTH: 500

www.xtremewhitetailadventures.com Outfitter- North America

Y.O. Ranch Headquarters BOOTH: 633

wollastonlakelodge.com Outfitter- North America

yoranchheadquarters.com Outfitter- North America

Woods & Water Taxidermy

Zander Osmers Safaris

BOOTH: 113, 212

BOOTH: 731, 733

www.woodsandwatertaxidermy.com Taxidermy

www.osmers.co.za Outfitter- Africa

When you travel, anything can happen. When it does, Global Rescue gets you home safely.

Did you know? 10% of your Global Rescue membership purchase is donated to Houston Safari Club Foundation conservation initiatives. info.globalrescue.com/hscf

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 47

48 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 49

DAN L. DUNCAN

2019 Scholarship Recipients

50 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

Rachel Bittner

Jamie Cooper

Graduate Research Assistant/Masters of Science/ Department of Natural Resources Management

Graduate Research Assistant for Borderlands Research Institute; Major: Range & Wildlife Management

Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University

Assessing Prevalence of Eyeworm and Cecal Worm Infestations in Quail Throughout the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas

Novel Spatial Capture-Recapture Methods Used for Black Bear and Mountain Lion Density Estimates in Davis Mountains, Texas

My name is Rachel Bittner and I am from the small town of Lockhart, Texas. I grew up hiking and camping with my family in state parks throughout Texas where I developed a love for wildlife and the great outdoors. I received my B.S. in Natural Resources Management with a concentration in Wildlife Biology from Texas Tech University May of 2018.

Quail throughout the Trans-Pecos are experiencing population declines due to reasons such as habitat loss/fragmentation, changing vegetation structures, and anthropogenic disturbances. There is currently very little information regarding the parasitic eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and cecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) prevalence within scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), Gambel’s quail (Callipepla gambelii), and Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) especially throughout the Trans-Pecos. Providing information concerning parasite prevalence on these quail in the Trans-Pecos may aid in determining the effect that parasites are having on scaled quail, health, reproduction, survival, and population declines throughout their current range.

My Master’s research focuses on assessing overall prevalence, abundance, and intensity of eyeworms in quail, as well as associations with precipitation gradients across the Trans-Pecos. Additionally, sites that provide supplemental feed will also be assessed to determine if parasite loads increase as quail densities increase around feeding sites.

I was born in Littleton, Colorado, but was raised in Jourdanton, Texas. Early on through the exploration of South Texas hunting leases, I budded with enthusiasm when immersed in nature and had an affinity for animals. As a third-generation Aggie, I attained my B.S. from Texas A&M University with a major in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation and a minor in Psychology in May 2017. Following college, I moved further south to work as the Conservation Educator Intern and Interim Program Coordinator at Welder Wildlife Foundation. My time there was filled with educational exploration as I lead programs for all ages and continued my passion as a naturalist. This fifteen-month internship turned into a Welder Fellowship to pursue my Master’s Degree.

I now study Range & Wildlife Management while researching the estimation of black bear and mountain lion density in the Davis Mountains with the use of camera traps and scent stations. New spatial capture-recapture methods will be used with unmarked or partially marked animals where individuals will be identified by natural body characteristics and permanent injuries. Outside my research, I enjoy hiking, helping my friends with fieldwork, and cuddling my kitties and snake in my spare time.

Also a 2020 scholarship recipient:

Alec Ritzell Texas A&M University - Kingsville

SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS Edwin E. Smith Legacy Ellen & Hank Bachmann Legacy

Cokinos Young Pat & Craig Power Patron Sponsor Connie & Stephen Coale Patron Sponsor

Mackenzie & Rudy Nix Patron Sponsor Denise & Brian Welker Patron Sponsor

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 51

Jose Gerardo Cortez Jr. Graduate Research Assistant/ Rangeland and Wildlife Management/ Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University-Kingsville Acceleration of Thornshrub Habitat for the Ocelot The study that I am working on for my thesis is focused around habitat restoration for the endangered ocelot. I am working on a ranch north of Raymondville, Texas. The main focus is to test treatments that include shredding, mulching, and a combination of both to see if they can regenerate this habitat quickly and efficiently. I am applying these treatments on 700 newly planted thorn shrub saplings and on 480 naturally established plants. Plants that are shredded are hypothesized to grow multi-stemmed and thicker from the base, meeting habitat benchmarks that the ocelot look for.

Plants that were mulched are expected to have increased water retention and have a higher chance of survival. Plants that received both are expected to express both of these qualities.

If this study proves successful, maybe one day we can begin to use this information to bridge the gap between the two ocelot populations to increase genetic drift and increase the chances of survival for the ocelot.

52 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Taylor Daily

Jacob Dykes

Research Assistant/ Masters of Science/Natural Resource Management

Graduate Research Assistant/ PhD. / Wildlife Sciences

Sul Ross State University Comparing Survival and Movements between Release Methods of Desert Bighorn Sheep in the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, Texas Historically, desert bighorn sheep were once a prevalent species throughout the Trans-Pecos ecological region of Texas, but unfortunately had become extirpated by the 1960s due to unregulated hunting and disease transmission from livestock.

Restoration efforts from surrounding states were quickly implemented, in hopes of re-establishing a bighorn population throughout the Trans-Pecos.

Since that time, Black Gap Wildlife Management Area has developed a small subpopulation that has endured disease, stress, and predation; in order to ensure sustainability we must continue our restoration efforts.

The objective of this study is to restore and strengthen desert bighorn sheep at Black Gap WMA, by means of translocation. Bighorn were captured, equipped with a GPS satellite collar, and transported from Elephant Mountain WMA to Black Gap WMA. Movements, survival, and habitat utilization will be observed and compared between bighorn that are resident, hardreleased, and soft-released. Information from this study will assist Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists with future management decisions regarding desert bighorn sheep in the Trans-Pecos ecological region of Texas.

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University - Kingsville Behavioral Responses of Whitetailed Deer to Heat Stress I am originally from Amory, Mississippi, and completed both my Bachelor’s and Masters of Science degrees in Wildlife Sciences at Mississippi State University.

My current research is evaluating behavioral responses of white-tailed deer to heat stress and assessing competition with cattle for thermal refuge.

Because animals are commonly at risk of heat stress during hotter times of the year, changes in behavior such as seeking shade, wind, or altering activity patterns are important in alleviating heat stress and are often less costly than relying solely on the animal’s physiological responses. However, changes in behavior can lead to competition with other species. Using black-globe thermometers that consider radiant heat from the sun, air temperature, and wind, provide a more accurate measure of the temperature experienced by the animal, known as operative temperature. Using these blackglobe thermometers while monitoring animal location with GPS collars will give insight in how these animals respond when temperatures start to rise. The use of GPS collars equipped with miniature blackglobe thermometers on white-tailed deer and cattle will be used to monitor behavior and potential competition for cover during the summer.

Bethany Friesenhahn

Maribel Glass

Kristen Heath

Research Specialist I / M.S. in Range and Wildlife Management / Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI)

Graduate Student/Range and Wildlife Management/Natural Resource Management

Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management

Texas A&M University Kingsville Monitoring Spatial Use, Resource Selection, and Crop Damage of Wild Pigs Amongst an Agricultural Landscape.

I am a wildlife researcher for CKWRI and am also pursuing my Master’s Degree in Range and Wildlife Management. My research project is focused on wild pigs and how they negatively impact agriculture. I became interested in research with wild pigs because it was an opportunity to bring my passion for the outdoors, hunting, and agriculture into the workplace. I grew up around farming and ranching in Texas where wild pigs are a nuisance, devastating, and costly to landowners.

The objective is to monitor wild pig movements with the use of GPS collars to determine home ranges and resource selection throughout an agricultural landscape.

I am also monitoring approximately 750 acres of cornfields through use of drone and ground truthing to quantify pig damage and game cameras to estimate pig densities at different growth stages of corn. The drone flights allow us to create a mosaic image of each field to be able to monitor and quantify pig damage to corn at a larger scale. From the data we collect, our goal is to better understand wild pig movements to help guide Wildlife Services and landowner control efforts to be more efficient in eliminating the wild pig problem.

Texas Tech University

Sul Ross State University Unraveling the Truth about Knotgrass at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge My name is Maribel Glass and I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I graduated from Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Range and Wildlife Management and a minor in Biology. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree; my long-term academic goal includes earning a doctorate degree.

There have been reports of increasing density of knotgrass in managed wetland units at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico. This particular genus has been known to be invasive in wetlands and displace desirable vegetation if not managed properly. It is still uncertain whether or not this grass is useful to waterfowl and furthermore how management prescriptions affect its abundance.

The goal of this project is to determine the energetic productive value of knotgrass, whether or not waterfowl consume knotgrass and, in addition, determine which management practices facilitate the spread of knotgrass.

Population Trends and Connectivity of Snowy Plovers on the Southern Great Plains of Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma I was born in Odessa, Texas, where I learned to love wide open spaces and desert wildlife, especially birds. This love has taken me to many places, from Texas to New York, Hawai’i to Panama. In 2017 I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Wildlife at Texas Tech University. I hope to be a Research Scientist for a state or federal agency and will use my knowledge and love of nature and hunting to better solve problems facing today’s wildlife.

My research focuses on Snowy Plovers, a rare shorebird found on coastal shorelines and inland on saline lakes and salt flats. Recharged by freshwater springs flowing from the Ogallala Aquifer, many saline lakes—important Snowy Plover habitat— are drying up due to rapid anthropogenic depletion of the water table. In Texas, Snowy Plovers experienced a near 75% decline in population from 1998-2009. Data from Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in eastern New Mexico suggest similar declines. My research focuses on the regional and winter movements of Snowy Plovers between saline lakes on the Southern Great Plains and the role these movements play in the persistence or deterioration of subpopulations in the region.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 53

Levi Heffelfinger

Matthew Hewitt

Mikayla House

Ph.D. Student in Wildlife Science

Master’s degree in range and wildlife management

Masters Student

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville The Influence of Agriculture on Mule Deer Demographics and Movement I was raised in Tucson, Arizona, where I found a passion for hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors. After receiving a B.S. at the University of Arizona, I went on to the University of Nevada, Reno to begin a M.S. There, I worked on a population of mule deer on the Mojave National Preserve where I evaluated how environmental factors influenced fawn survival and female resource selection. I am currently working on my Ph.D. at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in Kingsville, Texas.

My current research focuses on learning how the changes in land use practices affect mule deer population parameters in the Texas Panhandle. Mule deer numbers have increased in the Panhandle over the past decade. However, the amount of native rangeland converted to cropland has also continued to increase in the region.

My research will focus on placing GPS radio collars on adult bucks, does, and fawns among three study sites across the Panhandle. The research seeks to understand when they use cropland, how often, and how the use of agriculture affects survival, size, and antler growth within these populations of mule deer. This will prove beneficial to the management and conservation of the species moving forward.

54 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Texas A&M University Kingsville

Sul Ross State University Modeling occupancy and potential distribution of kit fox in Texas My name is Matthew Hewitt and I am from Kingsville, Texas. As a kid I developed a passion for the outdoors from my time hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, and mountain climbing. I have always had an interest in wildlife and knew that I wanted to work with wildlife since I was young. My interests turned specifically towards carnivores after I did an internship in Utah working with coyotes.

I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the fall of 2017, majoring in Range and Wildlife Management. I am now working towards my Master’s Degree in Range and Wildlife Management at Sul Ross State University.

Kit fox can be found in desert and semiarid regions of the western U.S., including the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Abundance and population trends of kit fox are unknown throughout this territory. I will use remote sensing data to determine all possible kit fox habitat in the Trans-Pecos, and implement a grid of trail cameras across the region to determine what areas are being utilized. I will also be looking at the spatial relationships between kit fox and other sympatric carnivores (coyotes, gray fox, and bobcat) in their habitat.

Modeling foraging habitat for shorebirds in the Laguna Madre As the Texas coast continues to experience population growth and urban development, understanding the habitat used by native species will only become more important for successful management and conservation. We plan to develop a model that will predict the availability of shorebird foraging habitat during spring migration in the Laguna Madre located on the lower Texas Coast.

The model will be constructed using satellite imagery, topographic information, LIDAR data, elevation data, and benthic habitat datasets. Tidal fluctuations in the Laguna Madre are primarily wind driven so our water movement layer will relate the location of the waterline to collected tide and weather data including tide gauge readings, barometric pressure, and wind speed, direction, and duration. Waterline locations will be compiled from GPS coordinates collected on foot and from surface water extractions on satellite images.

By combining these layers, we will be able to predict the spatial and temporal availability of shorebird foraging habitat based on substrate type and varying water depth within the Laguna Madre. The model will focus on total habitat availability during spring migration, variation in availability during spring migration, and availability during peak spring migration. This information will assist managers with prioritizing conservation efforts throughout the area.

Trey Johnson

Austin Killam

Jacob Locke

Graduate Research Assistant/ Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management

M.S. Range and Wildlife Management, Range and Wildlife Sciences

Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management

Sul Ross State University

Texas A&M University- Kingsville

Parasite Occurrence of Quails in Trans-Pecos, Texas

Effects of water salinity on the consumption of supplemental feed and free choice of water by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

In May of 2017, I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

After graduation, I worked various research technician jobs across the country. I began pursuing a Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management at Sul Ross State University in January of 2019. I am currently employed by Borderlands Research Institute as a Graduate Research Assistant.

The focus of my project is to determine the occurrence of parasites in quails of the Trans-Pecos ecoregion of Texas. To do this, I am harvesting quail from ranches across the region and conducting necropsies in the lab to collect baseline data. I am currently working to identify factors that may influence parasite abundance in these samples.

In the future, we aim to build off of this data in an effort to determine the effects that parasites have on quail survival.

Surface water in the southwestern United States is often limited due to frequent droughts. Wildlife in this environment are forced to rely on pumped ground water or rapidly-evaporating pools of poor-quality water that may contain high salinity levels and dissolved solids. I hypothesized that water quality will affect the nutritional plane of white-tailed deer by influencing the quantity of supplemental feed consumed.

In this study, I will focus on salinity, the main cause of poor-quality water in South Texas. During spring, summer, and fall, when nutritional needs are elevated for both sexes, it is important for individuals to consume adequate amounts of forage and supplemental feed. I will provide water ad libitum at varying salinity levels to determine the threshold of salinity at which white-tailed deer will drink and observe how salinity effects their daily intake of supplemental feed.

In the second study, we will compare lowsalinity and high-salinity water sources to determine the effects of salinity on water use by free-roaming deer. The goal of this research is to improve the management of water resources for white-tailed deer, and how it might affect their nutritional plane, a poorly-understood relationship for the species.

Sul Ross State University A Carrying Capacity Estimate and Grazing Regime Analysis Based on Pronghorn Preferred Forage in Trans-Pecos, Texas My name is Jacob Locke and I was raised in Center, Texas, deep in the pineywoods of East Texas. I spent a lot of time hunting and fishing growing up in a small town surrounded by national forests and many lakes.

This upbringing in the outdoors led me to study wildlife in college. I graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences with an emphasis in Wildlife Ecology. I now have the privilege to continue my education in the wildlife ecology field by pursuing a Master of Science degree in Range and Wildlife Management studying pronghorn ecology in Far West Texas. My thesis project is part of the Trans-Pecos Pronghorn Restoration Project. More specifically, I am developing a carrying capacity estimate for pronghorn in the two main restoration areas, as well as conducting an analysis on how different cattle grazing regimes affect pronghorn forage production.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 55

Meghan Mahurin

Carolina Medina-Nava

Howell Pugh

Graduate Research Assistant/ M.S. in Wildlife, Aquatic and Wildlands Science and Management

Graduate Research AssistantMaster of Science in Range and Wildlife Management

Master of Science in Range & Wildlife Management

Texas Tech University

Sul Ross State University

Influence of Wind Energy on Burrowing Owl Habitat Use in the Texas Panhandle

Ecohydrology and Its Effects on Reseeding Techniques in The Green Valley, Brewster County, Texas

Like most students in wildlife related fields, my passion for hunting brought me here but my love for research kept me here. I received my B.S. from Texas Tech University in Natural Resources Management in 2018. After graduation, I worked as a field technician in New Mexico before starting graduate school at Texas Tech University in August 2019.

My current research project focuses on burrowing owl habitat use in relation to wind energy. Burrowing owls have been in decline for many years due to anthropogenic factors. We will be using satellite transmitters to monitor migration patterns and dispersal from natal burrows as well as how they use habitats surrounding wind turbines. This project is still in the planning phase and we are excited to see how many questions we can answer with this data.

56 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

My name is Carolina Medina-Nava and since I was a child, I have developed a love for wildlife and rangeland ecology by spending most of my time working on my parents’ cattle ranch. It has been an honor to have HSCF behind me for another year of my thesis work at SRSU. The goal of this study is to determine the dynamics in ecohydrology based on soil moisture and temperature in different soil vegetation types during an active grassland reseeding restoration project in the Terlingua creek watershed at the O2 Ranch, Brewster County, Texas.

The specific objectives are to: 1) record soil moisture and temperature in different soils and vegetation types; 2) develop a model to select and determine microtopography using high-resolution imagery from drones and soil wetness index to then be used as a potential seeding microsites, and; 3) determine success of different reseeding techniques in different microsites in the Chilicotal soil series after treated with Tebuthiuron. The results of this study will help future landowners to better understand ecohydrological factors such as soil moisture and temperature and to develop restoration plans to benefit wildlife habitat based on science.

Sul Ross State University Seasonal and Acclimation Period Movement and Habitat Use for Translocated Pronghorn in the Trans-Pecos Region of Texas My name is Howell Pugh and I grew up in the Cross Timbers region of north-central Texas. Some of my favorite memories are from those days that I spent exploring the surrounding countryside searching for hidden wildlife.

After helping my family start a small auto repair business in Arlington, Texas, for several years into adulthood, I joined the Army and had a successful career as a flight paramedic. It was not until I was transitioning from the Army back into civilian life that I discovered that you could make wildlife management a career.

After the Army, my family and I moved to San Marcos, Texas to attend Texas State University where I received my Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology. Upon receiving my degree, we moved to Alpine, where I am currently working towards a Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management while working with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on the pronghorn restoration project in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas.

Seth Rankin

Kelly Redmond

Manuel Jr. Silva

Graduate Research Assistant / Masters of Science in Range and Wildlife Management / Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute

Graduate Research Assistant studying Range and Wildlife Management

Master’s Candidate in the Department of Natural Resources Management. Program: Wildlife, Aquatics, and Wildlands Science and Management

Texas A&M University-Kingsville The influence of microhabitat on the phenotypic quality of white-tailed deer in South Texas I am originally from Cusseta, Alabama, and received my B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University in 2017. While at Auburn University I helped with several research projects with their Deer Lab. Currently, I reside in Kingsville, Texas where I am working on an M.S. degree under Dr. Randy DeYoung at the Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute.

For my Master’s research, I am trying to determine if forage quantity or quality is limiting deer growth in areas with poor soils. Understanding the answer to this question can help direct future deer management. One of my favorite aspects of this project is coordinating with the East Foundation to put on their annual deer captures. Besides providing me with important morphometric data on deer, it also gives hundreds of aspiring wildlife professionals an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge with an iconic game species.

While I stay busy with my research, I hope my name gets drawn for one of the several public land hunts I entered for this coming season. This will give me the opportunity to harvest a big game other than a whitetailed deer, which is what I grew up hunting in Alabama.

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville Effects of plant-community structure and red imported fire ants on gamebirds in the coastal prairie of Texas I’m from Brookfield, Wisconsin, and knew I was interested in ecology from an early age. I have a passion for game birds and management-based research. I am now working on my master’s degree project looking at the effect of plant-community structure and fire ants on bobwhites and Attwater’s prairie-chickens in the Texas coastal prairie.

Specifically our objectives are to 1) Determine the impact of red imported fire ant density on nest success and adult survival of bobwhites; 2) Determine the effectiveness of using an aerially applied insecticide to reduce fire ant densities and how insecticide treatment effects individual bobwhites and bobwhite densities; and 3) Quantify the amounts of grass, forb, woody cover selected by bobwhites and Attwater’s at the point-of-use scale.

I am honored to be a part of the Houston Safari Club Foundation and am so grateful for the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship. This scholarship allows me to continue my education and make a positive contribution to the wildlife field all while doing what I love.

Texas Tech University Influence of Woody Vegetation Patterns on Scaled Quail Demographics My name is Manuel Silva and I am originally from Lubbock, Texas. I grew up on a small ranch just outside of Lubbock, and the ranch is where I developed a passion for the outdoors. It wasn’t until after my service in the Marine Corps that I gained a passion for hunting. My enthusiasm for hunting grew into an obsession with wildlife management and conservation. My experience as an Undergraduate research technician helped prepare me for my current research project in which I will be working to quantify the fundamental processes influencing scaled quail population dynamics to establish land management practices that will significantly improve habitat and enhance scaled quail populations.

This project is a collaboration between Texas Tech, the Quail-Tech Alliance, and Texas State University. Our current study area includes six ranches throughout the Rolling Plains 3 with stable populations and three with intermittent populations.

I will be assessing winter survival, habitat selection, and landscape ecology in relation to weather patterns, vegetation structure etc., minimum habitat patch size requirement, and comparing the amount of woody cover selected between stable and intermittent sites. We hope to find the threshold at which woody vegetation becomes too dense for scaled quail to use.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 57

Kristyn Stewart

Sam Stroupe

Amanda Veals

Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management

PhD Student, Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Sciences PhD Program

Graduate Research Assistant, Ph.D. in Wildlife Sciences

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Montezuma Quail Habitat Use in the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos Ecoregions of Texas I began my career in wildlife at a very young age, although I did not recognize all the signs pointing me to this profession until my senior year of high school. I was raised in Chatfield, Texas (which you will have to Google to find) on what seemed to me as a 40-acre playground. My father taught me to hunt ethically, fish successfully, and appreciate what nature had to offer.

I began my educational journey in wildlife science at Tarleton State University, where I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in the fall of 2017 and then accepted a master’s position at Texas A&M UniversityKingsville in the spring of 2018. My project is focused on determining the influence of juniper on Montezuma quail habitat use in the Edwards Plateau and TransPecos ecoregions of Texas. Our goal is to fit Montezuma quail with backpack GPS transmitters to track movement throughout the day. After accumulating points used by individual quail, I will collect vegetation data to identify habitat suitability thresholds and potential site selection preferences.

With this research, I look forward to providing land managers and biologists with a better understanding of specific habitat requirements of Montezuma quail, to aid in future conservation of this secretive species.

58 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M University North American Bison Conservation Genetics/Genomics Currently, I am developing a SingleNucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) based test for parentage in North American bison.

This new genomic technology offers a more in-depth evaluation of this species and higher statistical power for determining true parentage. Using SNP based technology, we can look at hundreds of markers across the genome compared to previously used microsatellites which evaluated less than 30 genetic markers.

Using this genomic technology, we will work with the National Parks System and a private herd to get a broad view on population specific breeding structure and success among herds with various effective population sizes, management strategies, age structures and herd history. With a more in depth look into these aspects of bison population genetics this knowledge can be used to help determine the best management practices for the conservation of this important North American species.

Information we will be able to gather from these genomic based approaches allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of overall genetic health for important bison herds.

I will also use other genetic tools to reevaluate the Yellowstone National Park bison for population subdivision. My dissertation projects will have a strong focus on population and conservation genetics.

Resource Selection and Landscape Connectivity of the Ocelot in South Texas I earned my masters studying gray foxes and the control of rabies in Arizona. I have spent my career working with controversial carnivores, endangered species, and furbearer species. My Ph.D. focuses on the ocelot in Texas and how roads impact population connectivity.

Wildlife across the globe are faced with landscapes that are becoming more difficult to move through due to habitat loss.

Roadways are a major cause of habitat loss and have significant impacts on wildlife populations.

The ocelot is an endangered cat in the United States, with fewer than 80 individuals in southern Texas in and near the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV). The LRGV is one of the most rapidly developing urban areas in the U.S., which means an increase in traffic and number of roads crisscrossing the landscape. More traffic means more possibilities for ocelot-vehicle collisions.

I am developing models to understand what resources ocelots are using and selecting for on the landscape and how roads influence the way ocelots are selecting for these resources. This information will be used to advise on the future placement of road crossings. These crossings aim to decrease ocelot-vehicle collisions and increase movement across the landscape for this endangered species.

Donal Abraham“Abe” Woodard Ph.D. Student, Wildlife Science Texas A&M University-Kingsville Aspects of Hunting on a Northern Bobwhite Populations: Temporal and Spatial Analysis The objectives of my research are: (1) testing the 20% harvest recommendation for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in South Texas, (2) comparing temporal population trends between hunted and non-hunted areas, and (3) analyzing the spatial and temporal aspects of northern bobwhite hunts.

The study is taking place on East Foundation properties in Jim Hogg County.

We have designated a hunted area (15,000 acres) and a non-hunted area (11,000 acres), which are surveyed periodically (November-March) using line-transect distance sampling from a helicopter. The 20% harvest quota is determined for the hunted area by a pre-hunting survey (November).

Harvest is applied by hunting cooperators, with hunting ongoing through the hunting season until quotas are met. Detailed hunting-effort data is recorded along with GPS locations of dogs and vehicles.

The 2018-2019 hunting season was the first year of harvest on the hunted area. The quota (422 bobwhites) was reached after 59 half-day hunts and over 167 hours hunting. Surveys indicated an initial population increase in December on both sites, followed by declining trends through March.

Spring densities on both hunted and nonhunted areas were a quail per six acres.

The preliminary results support the 20% harvest recommendation for bobwhites in South Texas.

Hailey Wright

Lisa Zoromski

Natural Resource Management with a concentration in Wildlife Biology

M.S. student, Range and Wildlife Management, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute

Texas Tech University

Texas A & M University-Kingsville

I grew up in Paducah, Texas, on the Triangle Ranch, I love living in the country and feel blessed to have grown up on a ranch, riding horses, hunting, fishing, taking pictures and exploring the ranch. This is the reason I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University so that I can help protect and manage native rangelands so that future generations can enjoy hunting, fishing and watching wildlife.

The last two summers I have had the opportunity to work as a summer intern at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Wildlife Management Areas near Paducah and Brownwood. This gave me the opportunity to get hands-on experience studying wildlife and managing the habitat. I tracked turkeys and horned lizards using radio telemetry, monitoring their movement, habitat preferences and survival. I also trapped and banded different birds, conducted wildlife surveys, sprayed invasive brush and many other things. I plan to pursue a career as a Natural Resources Specialist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and hope to work with landowners and hunters helping them to improve their properties to benefit wildlife and conservation of our natural resources.

Social behavior and movement ecology of nilgai antelope I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, and wanted to pursue a career in wildlife research at an early age. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Soon after graduation, I saw an announcement for a nilgai antelope master’s project that was perfect for my interests. I was fortunate to be accepted into the program and headed off to Kingsville, Texas.

My interests are in improving the efficiency of wildlife management, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, and wildlife disease. Nilgai are an exotic species that were introduced to Texas around the 1920s-40s, and quickly expanded throughout much of South Texas and Northern Mexico. Research is lacking on nilgai ecology. Nilgai present an important management challenge due to their potential role in the transmission of cattle fever ticks. Cattle fever ticks are a serious economic threat to the U.S. cattle industry, with the ability to transfer bovine babesiosis (“Cattle Fever”). Nilgai are not typically attracted to bait or lures, making administering a tick treatment for nilgai challenging. To implement an efficient CFT eradication measure on nilgai, further information on nilgai movement and behavioral ecology is needed. Nilgai latrines (or dung piles) and fence crossings are fixed areas that nilgai repeatedly re-visit. My goal is to investigate nilgai behavior and movements at latrine sites and fence crossings, to assess the potential to use these sites for delivery of tick treatments to nilgai.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 59

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The Of

Five Habits

Smart Travelers

Know Your Limits, Do Your Research And Have A Back-Up Plan.

You’ve always wanted to climb Pikes Peak, but are you ready for a 14,000-foot adventure? You’d like to tour Africa, but should you consider a luxury safari, an overland safari or a guided bush tour?

You ride a stationary bike daily, but should you sign up for a bike trail adventure on a 200-foot cliff above the Colorado River?

Harding Bush, associate manager of operations at Global Rescue, offers some advice about traveler responsibility. To make sure you are ready for the trip, here are the five habits of smart travelers.

KNOWING YOUR LIMITS

At Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organization providing medical and security advisory and evacuation services, Bush is a 20-year special operations forces veteran, at the ready to help members who might be in a sticky situation. But he emphasizes that it is far better to plan ahead and not get into that situation in the first place.

Smart travelers know their own limits. They also know that their capabilities, or lack thereof, will affect others.

“If you’re traveling in a group, are you going to be the weakest link?” Bush asked. “Do the guides have to take care of you instead of doing their job? If you can’t make the climb, everyone else gets jammed. You have to think about what you’re capable of doing and what the consequence would be if you were to fail.”

Responsible guides and tour operators will point you in the right direction. A walking safari, for example, might vary the distance and terrain based on the fitness ability and interest of the group. There are also online resources to give you some guidance, like the Mont Blanc Guides Fitness Checker.

“It asks things like: how tall are you, how old are you, how long does it take you to walk a mile, how long does it take you to run two miles, can you do 50 pushups? Then it gives you a score based on your answers,” said Bush, a 20-year special operations forces veteran with an additional nine years of experience in international travel security.

WILLINGNESS TO ADJUST

Because you’ll be on your feet for several hours every day on uneven terrain in the heat, you didn’t meet the minimum fitness level for the African walking tour. Or maybe the Mont Blanc Guides fitness checker suggested you work out for a year, then take the test again to see if you are ready for the climb. Smart travelers can accept information that might not be favorable and make adjustments accordingly.

“If you can’t climb Mont Blanc, maybe you can go backcountry skiing. Or you might have a better experience climbing a 4,000-foot 62 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Contributed by www.globalrescue.com/hscf

mountain rather than a 13,000-foot mountain,” Bush said. “Ensure the requirements of the trip and your capabilities are consistent — and be open to alternatives that you would enjoy more.”

COMMITTED TO COLLECTING INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLES SOURCES

It doesn’t matter whether you’re going to climb a nearby mountain or if you’re going to climb Mount Everest. Bush notes preparation is always necessary for traveling smart.

“You have to know how to get there, how to look at a trail map and how to access the trailhead,” he said. “The same thing with a big trip like Mount Everest. What do I need? Am I going to use a guide service, am I going to need any permits, what kind of air travel and how is this all going to work out?”

He suggests that part of your traveler responsibility is talking to people who have taken the trip you are planning, whether it is climbing in high elevations or walking the African wilderness.

“I always like to ask: what are the three things that went really well, what are the three things that didn’t go so well and why?” he said. “It makes them think about it and clean up the information they give you.”

Add your own internet research to the personal stories you’ve gathered. Look at TripAdvisor, Yelp, trade publications and other independent entities and organizations to see what kind of recommendations and reviews are available for the trip you’re planning.

Remember that destination country information is just as important.

“The key is to evaluate different sources of information. When I travel, I talk to people that have been there. I talk to people who have done what I plan to do. I look at U.S. news reports, foreign news reports and local news reports,” Bush said. “I get a balance.”

CAREFUL GUIDE SELECTION

You know your limits, you’ve done your research, so what’s next?

Finding a guide that matches your needs and abilities.

“Figure out what a guide can do for you,” Bush said. He suggests asking these questions to start: What is included? Do they provide gear, or do you bring your own?

• Do they handle the logistics of travel, such as permits and visas?

• Where does the tour pick up and drop off ? Are they going to meet you at the airport?

• Do they bring you back to the airport after the trip?

• What happens if someone is ill or injured?

• Is the tour tailored to beginners or experts?

“Most guides won’t take you down a Class 5 rapid if you can’t canoe down a Class 5 rapid. But then there are some that won’t ask you anything,” Bush said. “Match your abilities with the requirements of the trip and choose your guide wisely.”

There are some places where you might not legally need a guide but having one can make the trip easier and more enjoyable.

“There’s less worry when you have a guide,” Bush said. “It depends on where you are going, your experience, your comfort level and things like that. If other people have done the trip without a guide, talk to them to see how it went.”

PRACTICE NONSTOP AWARENESS, HAVE BACKUP

If you want to be a smart traveler, Bush suggests thought, preparation and planning before you go. “Remember, you don’t want to get into trouble or have issues. Awareness gives you the confidence to do that. If you’re prepared, you can concentrate on the trip and have a good time,” Bush said. When it comes to traveling smart, awareness allows avoidance.

“The way you manage a threat, an avalanche for example, is avoidance,” Bush said. “Some travelers have the avalanche life jacket that inflates, or other gadgets and they think that allows them to go into more high-risk avalanche areas. That’s irresponsible. The best way to avoid an avalanche is to have training and awareness.”

Even if you have back up, like a professional guide or a Global Rescue membership, it should never be a reason to put yourself in danger.

“Say you get two-thirds of the way up a mountain and you can see weather coming in and it’s getting dark,” Bush said. “Do you walk back down the mountain and call it a nice hike, or do you keep going? It’s definitely responsible to have a Global Rescue membership, but it doesn’t make you any more capable. Global Rescue doesn’t make you a better skier, it doesn’t make you a better climber and it doesn’t make you any more fit, so don’t take on extra risk.”

INTRODUCING GLOBAL RESCUE

In an unpredictable world, illness and unexpected injury can happen anywhere and at any time. Even the most seemingly small situations can quickly become serious, especially if you’re in a remote location or a foreign country where you don’t speak the language.

While on safari with his wife in Namibia, Scott Garrett was feeling fatigued and frequently coughing. Only two days into his trip, he was quick to dismiss his symptoms — completely unaware he

Smart travelers know their own limits. They also know that their capabilities, or lack thereof, will affect others.

had inhaled mysterious airborne bacteria.

While in the bush in British Columbia, Canada, Louis Cairo and his horse rolled down the side of a steep incline, catapulting him 15 feet and tearing ligaments in his knee. Camp was six hours away and medical help was even further away in Dease Lake.

On safari in the Eastern Cape Karoo region of South Africa, Missy and Geoffrey Corn were having the time of their lives. Little did they know that Missy was about to suffer a potentially life-threatening stroke on the first day of their trip, thousands of miles from home.

These are just a few of Global Rescue’s recent rescues. To date, Global Rescue has conducted more than 20,000 operations across the world. Members like Scott Garrett, Louis Cairo and Missy Corn have all been able to access potentially lifesaving services through Global Rescue.

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Whether you’re planning small trip or a big adventure, Global Rescue memberships include evacuation, field rescue and advisory services suitable for the smart traveler.

Global Rescue operations centers are staffed 24/7/365 by in-house teams of experienced nurses, paramedics and military operations veterans. In fact, our security operations team has years of experience evacuating from some of the toughest environments in the world.

These are the experts you want at the other end of the telephone line when you have an injury or illness far away from home.

Global Rescue’s intelligence team monitors 500-plus news outlets around the clock to provide real-time alerts for health and security events worldwide. Detailed destination reports provide risk ratings, assessments and advice for more than 200 countries and principalities.

Beyond evacuation services, Global Rescue memberships include a variety of travel assistance services including assistance with translation and visa/passport issues.

Houston Safari Club Foundation highly recommends that you purchase a Global Rescue membership prior to your next trip.

Single trip, annual and family options are available. In support of conservation efforts, 10% of your purchase is donated to Houston Safari Club Foundation. For more information call 617-459-4200 and tell them you’re a Houston Safari Club Foundation member. ★ CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 63

GAME, ,�

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FREE RANGE HtJNTING SPECIALITS!!!!

Houston Safari Club #812 Safari Club International #1404 jaco@gtasafari.com I magdel@gtasafari.com

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64 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

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A Lesser Doneness BY SCOTT LEYSATH

IF YOU ONLY EAT WILD GAME AFTER IT HAS been cooked until it is gray in the center, some of the things you are about to read might be very disturbing.

When I first started hunting, over forty years ago…OK, fifty…I thought that game tasted “muttony,” “livery” and chewy. As much as I enjoyed spending time in the woods, I couldn’t quite understand how some people preferred the taste of game over commercially raised meats. The term “gamey” seemed appropriate.

I’ve since learned that, if your game tastes bad, it’s rarely the animal’s fault.

66 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Left: Holiday Duck | Above: Medium Rare

Cooking has always been a passion of mine. As far back as I can recall, I enjoyed preparing my own meals. Once hunting became an equally important part of my life, it seemed natural to try and make my harvested game taste good. Early cooking attempts were focused on ways to mask the taste of game. Untrimmed deer steaks and waterfowl parts were soaked in powerful marinades for several days, the sole purpose being to disguise the flavor of off-tasting game. “Hey, that’s good. It doesn’t even taste like deer.”

Early on, I was fed ducks and geese that were stuffed with fruits, vegetables and rice with the mistaken belief that the stuffing would give it more flavor. My dad told me, “The oranges and onion will draw out the gamey flavor. You’re really gonna love this.”

I didn’t. But it does make for a nice photo like the ones you see for domestic birds. I think the photo might be more edible than an overstuffed, overcook duck. I also learned that the best way to ruin a perfectly batch of wild rice was to place it inside of a duck or goose so that the rice will absorb the blood. The blood from a wild animal will not improve the flavor of anything. Duck, deer or rabbit—the blood’s got to go.

MEDIUM-RARE

Deer meat was always served to me well-done, which is OK if it has been slow-cooked, moist and tender like a pot roast. If it’s a well-done grilled deer steak, I’ll pass. I prefer meat that is tender and flavorful, not tough, dry and chewy.

For those folks who insist on cooking their deer steaks “all the way,” I want you to consider taking 10 seconds out of the rest of your life and try one little bite of a piece of venison that has been cooked no more than medium, about 145 degrees. I promise that nothing bad will happen. You will notice right away that the meat is much more tender, and the flavor is actually milder than meat that has been cooked much longer.

Try this. Cut a trimmed venison steak into two small pieces.

Season it with salt and pepper and place both pieces into a

lightly oiled hot skillet. Cook one piece for a minute or two on each side. Leave the other piece in the skillet until it is cooked throughout and well-done in the center. Let each piece rest for a minute or two. Now, try a bite of each. It’s like you have two completely different pieces of meat, yet they are both from the same deer steak.

Over the past several decades, I’ve converted hundreds, probably thousands, of people who had long ago decided that deer meat had to be cooked more, not less, than beef. Some folks still go to extraordinary lengths to cook the gamey taste out of venison.

Look, it’s dead. There’s no good reason to kill it again.

If there is any one thing that I’ve taught people that has changed their opinion about the taste of deer meat, it is to not overcook it. Cook it fast and hot until the internal temperature is no more than 135 degrees. This rule applies to the better cuts of venison—loins, tenderloins and the better hindquarter CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 67

Above: Seasoned Deer Shoulder | Below: Aging

muscles. Tougher cuts are best cooked low and slow, with less heat, some liquid and longer cooking times.

Just like any other animal, all parts of a deer are not created equal.

By the way, searing meat on the outside doesn’t “seal in the juices” as you may have heard a time or two, but it does make it taste better, at least to me.

TOUGH CUTS

When it comes to cooking sinewy cuts of venison, I prefer to let my oven, grill or smoker do most of the work. There’s just no quick way to properly cook a deer neck or shoulder roast.

First, give the bone-in roasts a good rub, brown the outside evenly over a hot flame or skillet or in a 450-degree oven. Then place the browned meat in a 225 to 250-degree smoker or covered grill. When using an oven, it’s best to braise the meat in a roasting pan along with some rough-chopped celery, carrot and onion. Add an inch or so of liquid – broth, wine or beer – cover the pan and cook at 300 degrees for several hours. After three or four hours, check to make sure that there is at least an inch of liquid in the pan. An average bone-in deer shoulder will take at least six to seven hours before it falls off the bone in tender chunks.

If, after several hours, it’s still not tender, cover it back up and keep cooking. When using a smoker or grill, cook the venison until the internal temperature reaches 175 to 185 degrees. Place the roast in heavy-duty foil and add a cup or two of your favorite barbecue sauce. Wrap it tightly and place it back in the smoker for two hours or until the meat pulls apart easily.

AGING

Without getting too technical, it is important to let a deer hang for a few days before butchering. It has to do with the initial stiffening that occurs during rigor mortis. Butchering a deer too soon will result in tough cuts when cooked. Once rigor mortis has passed, hanging a deer for several days or more will allow the natural enzymes to break down the collagen that binds 68 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

the muscle cells. This must be done in a controlled, refrigerated environment above freezing and below 40 degrees. If you think your cellar is probably cold enough, it might not be.

As an alternative to hanging whole animals, quarters and roasts can be easily dry aged in a refrigerator. If there’s room, think about picking up a used fridge that can be placed in the garage for aging meats, both wild and domestic. Simply place a roast on a rack with a drip pan underneath. Do not cover the roast.

Let it sit for seven days or more. Trim off any discolored bits

before cooking or packaging for the freezer. Once cooked, you will notice a remarkable difference in tenderness and flavor between the aged venison and that which has been quickly processed and frozen without proper aging. If refrigerator space is limited, you can turn your cooler into a dry-aging box. Place ice or an ice-replacement product in the bottom of a cooler. Place a rack into a pan that will fit into the cooler. Place the venison on the rack, close the lid and check the temperature a couple of times a day to make sure that it is between 33 and 40 degrees. The new high dollar “super coolers” are ideal for dry aging.

TENDERIZERS

While soaking your deer meat in buttermilk may have some tenderizing effect, it really doesn’t penetrate the meat beyond the exterior. It does, however, give the marinated meat a nice, mellow flavor. When faced with a tough piece of venison, I resort to more primitive means of tenderizing.

There are a couple of spring-loaded gizmos on the market that cut through the meat’s connective tissues, making it less toothy when cooked. Some have round spikes. Others have flat blades, which seem to work much better. I know we’ve all been told that poking holes in meat will make the juices run out. It doesn’t. Whacking a chunk of venison a time or two with a mallet or cast iron skillet will usually do the trick. If it doesn’t, it’s probably best to cut the meat into cubes, brown it and simmer it for several hours in liquid to make a delicious pot of stew or chili.

The choicest parts of a deer, those that are best cooked quickly with high heat (and not overcooked) should be trimmed of most of the visible silver skin and gristle. Less tender cuts that will be slow-cooked don’t need as much attention prior to cooking. For

Top: Pan Seared with Asparagus Above: Pounded Venison

the most part, extended cooking times will eliminate much of the sinew or at least make it easy to remove and discard.

Now, I understand that there are some minds that just can’t be changed when it comes to cooking deer meat. It’s just not fit to eat until it’s been bathing in a slow cooker all day or cooked until it’s devoid of any color. I also know that many people have had an unpleasant experience with the taste of venison. If my deer tasted like liver, I wouldn’t like it either. However, if you do decide to take a few moments to give a less-cooked bite of venison a try, I think there’s a good chance that you just might like it. ★ CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 69

2020

HSCF CONVENTION

Together 2020

Message From The Gazelles

T

he convention theme for Houston Safari Club Foundation is “Together 2020.” Gazelles have embraced this theme and endeavor to unite women in hunting more than ever before.

Gazelles and guests enjoyed a successful quail and clay shoot event in October. Held at the Simpson Ranch in Bedias, Texas, the event included vendors, lunch, and a live band. We had several guests that had never fired a shotgun, and with careful instruction, all were able to hit clays and quail. We had three generations of Gazelles attend “together”—Mitzy McCorvey, Brandi, and McKenna Ratliff. We had several mother and daughter pairs including Cindi and Melody Rulon.

To top off the event, we had raffles for our early bird Gazelles Convention Luncheon Sponsors, and new members. Prizes included a Southern Girl Glitz hat donated by our Silver event sponsor, Gay Rod, a pair of Costa sunglasses, and another stay at the ranch donated by the Simpson’s. We had nine of our twelve guests become members of Gazelles, and $6500 in early bird sponsorships for the upcoming convention luncheon. Our theme was “Let The Feathers FLY!” a brazilian carnival, which will carry over to our Gazelle’s Convention Luncheon, with brazilian carnival decor and entertainment.

You won’t want to miss this part of the convention.

The Gazelles committee members and our silent auction chairman, Laurie-Leigh White, have once again procured outstanding items, including Fedha Nyuki jewelry, one of our long-term supporters, and event vendor, whom generously donated stunning jewelry to the upcoming luncheon. Our live auction will be an amazing array of donated hunts, art, jewelry, and other must have items. We will again have a wine

70 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

and liquor pull and will be playing our Wild Card lottery to see whose lucky card will win an exquisite jewelry donation. We will be wearing our Feathers and Carnival colors. If you would like to sponsor the luncheon or buy tickets, we encourage you to do so before December 1 Early Bird Specials end.

Join us! And in “2020 Together” we will “Let The Feathers FLY!” ★

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 71

MEM

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A DEVIL OF A

AOUDAD HUNT ARTICLE & PHOTOS

BY GAYNE C. YOUNG

72 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

Background: The Devils River as seen from the high bluffs of Indianhead Ranch near Del Rio, Texas.

Above: Author Gayne C. Young with his hard earned 31 1/2 inch aoudad.

“A hundred and twenty-nine degrees?!” I balked in disbelief.

“Yeah. Well…in the shade. Don’t know what it was outside of that. Figured if it was hotter than that outside of the shade I should probably stay put.”

This hotter-than-hell unbelievable temperature that my guide Darren Carr shared with me made me appreciate all the more that I was hunting aoudad along the Texas-Mexican border instead of in their natural Chad, where Darren first guided for them.

Granted, the 102 degrees I was currently hunting in was nothing to scoff at it, but it was still a fair share better than 129 degrees.

This ability to withstand extreme temperatures, live in the most inhospitable regions in the world, the possession of better than eagle-like vision, and a knack for scaling near vertical surfaces with ease make hunting aoudad a true challenge. The species’ long sweeping horns, tawny hide, lengthy chaps, and a price tag that’s far lower than any other mountain dwelling sheep on the planet make all the aforementioned seem actually endurable. Thus, I had come to Indianhead Ranch near Del Rio.

Above: Several of Indianhead Ranch’s estimated 400 plus aoudad heading for the high ground at the sight of hunters Below: Oudads incredible eyesight and weary temperament make for an extremely difficult hunt

74 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Right: The scimitarhorned oryx is the very symbol of hunt conversation in action.

Encompassing more than 10,000 acres, Indianhead Ranch is a true free-range hunting environment. Yes, the ranch is high fenced on three sides but the fourth is marked only by sheer cliffs, deep canyons, rocks the size of Chevy Suburbans, and Lake Amistad.

Because of this aoudad are the only beasties that make any effort to leave the property. “I don’t know how many aoudad have left the property in years past,” Darren began. “Or how many have come onto the property, but I know that they range all along the lake and up the Devils River a fair bit. Our last census showed that we had a little over 400 on the property. How many total herd these are divided into I couldn’t tell you.”

Why Darren couldn’t tell me is because, much like with say Cape buffalo, aoudad of different sexes don’t usually mix outside of breeding periods. Females, old, and young tend to travel in herds of five to 50 while males form bachelor herds of between two to 30 or so animals. Sometimes older males travel alone but this is the exception rather than the rule.

I learned all this upon my arrival to the ranch early one June morning. Although under new ownership since I’d hunted scimitar-horned oryx there years prior, I found the ranch more or less the same. Darren quickly corrected me promising that the ranch had undergone numerous changes since my last visit but that none of the changes were necessarily noticeable to the naked eye. “The new owners are hunters first and foremost,” Darren assured me.

“And that’s why they decided to concentrate on the hunting aspect of the ranch. I mean, we did make some improvements to the lodge and the guesthouse but the main focus has been on hunting, on the management of the property, and of the animals. We removed some species and worked to build up the numbers on others.”

Darren explained part of this management plan meant cutting

back on the number of hunts offered in the past few years, a move that certainly put a financial hit on the ranch but has, “allowed us to unequivocally say that we offer the best hunts for some of the most sought after game animals on the planet in a unique, challenging and free-ranging environment.”

My hunt into this promise land began, oddly enough, in the heat of the day. The plan was to drive the ranch and glass the overhangs and deep caves for aoudad seeking a break from the noontime heat.

Many of these caves were once home to some of the earliest known people on the North American continent, and even today their artwork remains in the form of paintings of game animals, predators like cougar and jaguar, and what most scientist that have studied them believe to be spirits or deities.

An hour or so into our drive in one of the ranch’s many open-air vehicles, I guessed that I’d probably lost five pounds via sheets of sweat and caught glimpses of addax, axis, and scimitar-horned oryx.

Darren parked off the road next to a stand of huisache and led me on a narrow trail that dissected heavy sage and over a dozen species of plants that either carried thorns, barbs, or needles to a jumble of rock taller than the two of us combined. We eased around to glass a cave some 400 yards across the valley before us just in time to see an exodus of maybe 40 or so female aoudad, both old and young, running out of the shelter and up a wall of vertical rock. Darren dropped his binoculars, slung a forehead of sweat off with his hand and laughed in the way only someone becoming terribly overheated and seriously in need of a beer can and offered, “This is the part of the experience where I explain that finding aoudad is easy but actually hunting them is about as hard as it gets. I swear sometimes that they can see through rocks and all have some kind of early-warning radar.”

...FINDING AOUDAD IS EASY BUT ACTUALLY HUNTING THEM IS ABOUT AS HARD AS IT GETS.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 75

Left: A scimitarhorned oryx watching from the relative safety of west Texas scrub.

We returned to the truck, and to the thermometer that Darren kept inside it, to find the temperature just over a hundred degrees.

We chugged our weight in water and continued on and into a cycle that repeated our earlier experience with aoudad some eight or nine times over. Darren and I would find a herd of aoudad only to watch as they fled in haste before we got the opportunity to study them for even the shortest amount of time.

We called the hunt that evening around eight o’clock despite there still being several hours of light left, and returned to the lodge just in time to watch as the chef dropped two go-straight-to-seriouslyclogged-arteries, don’t-pass-GO-sized ribeyes on a mesquite fire.

Darren and I drank a few more bottles of water before switching to beer and watched as the mesquite coals did to our forthcoming dinner what the Texas heat had done to us all day.

We rose the next morning early to scout the cooler temperature valleys looking for feeding aoudad. We discovered several groups during our morning excursion but, much like with the day before, could only watch as they raced from what we both thought was a flawless approach. After pausing for a light lunch and maybe two gallons of water a piece, Darren and I headed back out into the crucible to once again glass the overhangs and caves in search shade-seeking sheep. We actually got close to two separate groups, only to find that the first consisted entirely of females and that the second of toosmall-to-bother-with males.

Our luck vastly improved around six that evening when we made it to lighting-struck mesquite tree that stood half dead and half green, overlooking a narrow valley that fed into the Devils River. Darren spotted a bachelor herd making its way down the trail toward the floor and scream whispered for me to push up and into the tree as best I could. Darren studied the group then dropped his binoculars and threw a set of short shooting sticks in front of me. He returned to the binoculars and told me to find the herd in my scope. I did and saw a tightly packed bunch of 20 males just starting to feed.

“The patriarch…”

“Which one is that?” I interrupted.

“Just watch them. He’ll be pushing the others away when they get to close…”

“The one with the big black thing on his rear hip?”

“Yeah! I didn’t see that before. Looks like a lesion or something.

That makes it a lot easier. Watch that one. He’s the boss and looks to go over the magic 30-inch mark. When he gets clear of the others, take him.”

I sat for 45 minutes watching the herd amble in tandem, inches at a time. Sweat poured over my eyes and my cheek grew slicker and slicker against my rifle stock. My leg muscles tightened and cramped and my tongue swelled with cotton. Thirty minutes into this ordeal, aoudad on either end of the herd moved from the group to stare up at Darren and me.

“Can they see us up here?” I whispered.

“Oh yeah!” Darren promised. “Don’t move. Just hold tight on the boss man.”

The two sentries stood watching us for 15 minutes, at which time their unease communicated to the others in the group and they responded by spreading out and into a single file line. The one I’d been told to study eased into his position at the front of the line and I squeezed the trigger. The blast echoed across the canyon and by the time it returned to us, the herd was scattered and my aoudad was down. Darren shook my hand in congratulations and we both ambled from the ground in pain like men 30 or 40 years our senior. We returned to the truck to find it 102 degrees at seven o’clock and drove down into the valley to the find patriarch. He was a true beast weighing just over 300 hundred pounds and carrying 31½-inch horns. Standing there sweating like a pig, I found myself more than thankful I had decided to take my aoudad in Texas rather than Chad.

I’m not sure if I could handle 129 degrees. ★

I SAT FOR 45 MINUTES WATCHING THE HERD AMBLE IN TANDEM, INCHES AT A TIME.

76 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

indianheadranch.com

Above: Known as one of the “Three Amigos,” addax have thrived on ranches in Texas thanks to hunting dollars.

Below: A pair of axis watching for trouble.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 77

ADREN in Zambia

MEM

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A Fourteen-Day Hunt In The Luangwa Valley Concludes With Close Encounters And Huge Trophies

By Tim Herald

MY 30TH SAFARI TO THE DARK

Continent found me hunting with good friend and longtime WTA client, Barb S., in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia, with Jason Stone as our PH.My 30th safari to the Dark Continent found me hunting with good friend and longtime WTA client, Barb S., in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia, with Jason Stone as our PH. I have booked Jason a lot of clients, and he has never failed any of them on their key species whether that be lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, etc. He generally produces fantastic trophy quality. As a matter of fact, we have a “guarantee” policy on the cats. If you book through WTA, we guarantee a shot at either (or both) of the cats, or you can come back for no day rates. Jason has over a 10-year run with no failures of either. He is a superb hunter, and only hunts the best concessions.

The trip had started out as a leopard and buffalo hunt, but a lion tag became available, and Barb jumped at the opportunity. I was along and planned to hunt a buffalo, and possibly a tuskless elephant, so we had a pretty full bag. I could write a short book chronicling this safari, but in short, Barb took a great leopard, 8- to 10-year-old lion, roan, kudu, puku, Chobe bushbuck, zebra, Cookson’s wildebeest, and I shot 40-inch and 41-inch buffalo with a few days to spare. It seemed that everything we did worked.

So at that point, we wanted to get Barb a good hard bossed buffalo, and after that, I would hunt a tuskless if time remained. Talking to the locals, we learned that there had been a big herd of 200-250 buffalo using the area, as well as a number of groups of dagga boys. We wanted to concentrate on the bachelor groups and leave the big herd undisturbed so they would stay in the area.

As the soft glow of the African sun lit up the morning, we immediately found bull tracks in the sandy road. We Left: Herald and PH Jason Stone with a nice 41.5 taken with a double

78 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

ALINE Above: Elephants were everywhere in the concession

decided to drive around a bit more to see if the group of what looked to be about six buffalo had crossed another road in front of us, thus saving time on the tracks, and holding true to our good luck, we cut the tracks again about a kilometer further on.

We got out, loaded our rifles, and took up the tracks. Doves were calling, the very slight breeze was in our face, and the tracks and droppings were fresh. It was a good morning to be a hunter!

We walked through scrub mopane, then areas of 12-foot high elephant grass, and then to small pans that still held water. The walking was easy as the area was flat, but the buffalo sign was so fresh that we moved slowly, expecting to catch up to the bulls any minute.

After maybe an hour, we entered our third stand of elephant grass, and we hadn’t gone 20 yards in when Jason suddenly stopped looking to his right. There, at a mere ten steps, was a buffalo bull staring at us, and within seconds, the group crashed off in the opposite direction. Jason took off running he way we had come and told Barb and I to follow. We soon hit a dirt trail that looped back in the direction the buffalo had run.

After 100 yards, we bulled up as a fairly open area of a few hundred yards opened up in front of us. There was scattered low brush, an occasional tree, and a few termite mounds spread throughout the area, but we could see fairly well. Jason quickly located the buffalo about 165 yards away and threw up the sticks. He and I glassed the bulls; immediately one caught my eye, and I whispered, “Look at the one on the far right, he looks really big!” Jason agreed, and we pointed out the bull to Barb.

I am not sure if they saw us or what, but about that time, the bulls turned and ran off in a cloud of dust, and I honestly thought

the hunt was over. There was a big termite mound in front of us, so Jason climbed on top and told us he could see the buff again. We were able to get in a ditch and close the gap on them, and when we popped up again, the big bull was all the way to the left of the group.

Jason got Barb on the sticks, she found the big bull, and seconds later, the report of her .375 had the bulls off again and into another area of tall grass. We waited and listened, but no death bellow followed, so we decided to give it 30 minutes or so before we took up the trail. As is always the case, we couldn’t wait 30 minutes, so in about half that time, we found where the bull was on the shot, and soon found blood leading into the grass.

Ever so slowly we made our way through the tall grass looking in every direction. Adrenaline was pumping, and our senses were at their height. As we had seen before, buffalo can be just a few steps away in these labyrinths of grass, and a charge could come from point blank range. After about 150 yards, one of the trackers pointed ahead, and I soon saw the bull getting to his feet, facing us. Barb put another in him that knocked him down, and then an insurance shot ended the ordeal. When we walked up to this buffalo, everyone went silent. He was absolutely huge. I had never seen anything like it, and I didn’t want to throw out my guess on his size because I didn’t want to sound like a complete idiot.

We were all in awe of him, and for good reason. When he finally got around to it, Jason measured the bull at an honest 50-inches wide! He was simply an incredible animal, and I have no idea how Barb will ever top her first buffalo.

The next morning found us paralleling the Luangwa River where the riverine met the more open cathedral mopane. Over the past CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 79

Top right: The Author and his tuskless elephant Bottom right: The Author and Barb with 15-foot-2-inch croc

ten days we had seen elephants every time we had gone out, and it seemed anywhere near the river was packed with the huge pachyderms. I was used to picking up tracks and often walking miles to find elephants to determine if there was anything shootable in a group, but Jason said there were so many elephants in the area, we could simply take a walk and look and listen for elephants.

It didn’t take long before we found the first group. They were feeding in front of us about 200 yards out, and we made a slight detour to get the wind right and began our approach. At 75 yards, we could see that there were no tuskless in the group, and one cow had a small calf, so we backed out and did not disturb them.

We hadn’t gone 10 minutes past this group and we almost walked into a big lone cow. She was feeding broadside and we couldn’t see tusks. We slowly closed the gap, and things were looking good. At 50 yards, she turned to grab a high branch and we saw that she had about six to eight inches of ivory sticking out on the other side. A bit frustrated, we backed out and kept walking.

One of the things that makes hunting tuskless my favorite hunt in the world is the fact that you are able to go in on a lot of elephants, make approaches and have wonderful experiences, and usually it takes a while to find the right animal.

Within half an hour, we heard trees breaking in front of us, so we worked our way in and found another small herd of maybe 10 elephants. We glassed them from about 100 yards and could see two tuskless in this group. In we went, and at 35 yards, the group fed right in front of us.

The first tuskless wasn’t mature so she got a pass. When the second one stepped into the open, a calf trotted behind closely that was obviously hers. Once again, we had a great close encounter, but the right animal was not in this group, so we backed out.

I don’t think we had gone half a mile when one of our trackers pointed to our left that was quite open with scattered large mopanes, but I saw nothing. After a bit of discussion with the tracker, Jason said that there were some elephants about 400 yards away, so we headed in that direction.

There were six elephants feeding on small mopanes at the edge of the forest. At 100 yards we could clearly see there were two goodsized tuskless, so with wind in our face, we closed the distance. It was an easy approach as we could put big trees between us and the elephants and move fairly quickly. We got in front of them and the biggest tuskless was in the lead. It seemed perfect, and I expected her to end up at 20 yards broadside.

Then a young bull veered our way, and it looked like he was going to walk right over us. At a mere 10 yards, he recognized something wasn’t right, so we stood motionless as his trunk tested the air high and low. Adrenaline was again pumping, and I could hear every heartbeat as if a base drum were inside my ears. I had a bad feeling we were going to have to shoot in self-defense, but after what seemed like an eternity, the bull swung to his right and resumed feeding parallel to us.

The herd slightly changed directions, and once they were a safe distance, Jason and I backed out, looped around a couple hundred yards and were again in front of the feeding elephants. We climbed a termite mound directly in the herd’s path, and within minutes, 80 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

they were below us and very close. I saw that I was going to have to take a frontal brain shot; Jason said to shoot slightly above the line of the eyes.

At 12 yards, I placed the dot of my Trijicon RMR sight slightly above and dead center of the eyes and release a Cutting Edge Bullets Safari Solid from my .470 double. It knocked the cow to the ground, but she was able to slowly regain her feet as I reloaded. The other elephants had quickly surrounded her and taken up a defensive position, so I had to wait for them to move around a bit before I was able to get a good side brain shot and drop the tuskless for good.

Where I have hunted in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe, the other elephants would have been miles away after a couple of shots, but this was the first tuskless to ever be hunted in the area, and the elephants just have not been pressured. The others actively looked and smelled for us, and if we hadn’t been 15 feet high on the termite mound with perfect wind, I am 100 percent sure we would have had to shoot our way out of there.

After more than 30 minutes, we were able to sneak off the backside of the termite mound and back out to the nearest road and call the truck. We gave it a while, eventually a fire burning in the area got close enough that the smoke caused the elephants to move on and allow us to recover the tuskless.

One of the best parts of any elephant hunt is being able to supply the locals with much-needed protein. When the recovery was done, nothing was left but the grass from the cos’s stomach. There was meat drying around every small village in the area, and the people were very thankful for hunters providing them with the only meat they would have for months.

We had one hunting day left, but not too much left to hunt, so on our last morning, we went out early and Barb was able to take a nice hyena off a lion bait we had left up for that purpose. Late morning, we decided to drive upriver to a place that generally held a lot of hippos, and we hoped to get some good photos.

There were three big pods of hippos spread out. We walked down the bank and out onto a large sandbar to get closer for photos. I just happened to glass in the other direction, and something caught my eye. I looked a bit closer and could see that is was a croc basking in the sun, but at 500 yards, he sure looked big.

I grabbed Jason and told him I thought he should take a look, and it didn’t take him three seconds to tell us that we needed to go get a closer view of this reptile.

Within 10 minutes we had crawled up on the high bank above the croc and could all see he was big. Barb asked how big, and Jason said he thought at least fourteen feet. That was all Barb needed to hear, and she prepared for a shot. We were at a mere 48 yards, and Barb is an accomplished competition shooter, so once Jason explained exactly where to shoot, it was a chip shot for her.

She hit the big croc just behind the smile, and his tail just quivered a little. He was done, but she put two more in his shoulder to make sure, and we were able to go get our hands on her massive last trophy of the trip.

The big crocodile ended up measuring 15 feet, two inches long and was a bit larger than any of us had thought. It was a wonderful and exciting way to end a virtually perfect safari in the wild Lunagwa Valley of Zambia/ I cannot wait to go back at some point in the near future. Some safaris just seem to be charmed, and this certainly was one of those. ★ Tim Herald is an owner/consultant of Worldwide Trophy Adventures (www.worldwidetrophyadventures.com), and may be reached to help book a quality hunt anywhere in the world at tim@trophyadventures.com.

Above: The Author’s .470 topped with a Trijicon RMR Shooting CEB Solids

Essential Safari Gear My Dangerous Game rifle/optic/load choice on most dangerous game hunts is my Verney Carron .470 NE Topped with a Trijicon RMR type 2 red dot type sight shooting Cutting Edge Bullets Safari Raptor and Solid bullets.

The Trijicon RMR type 2 gives me super quick target acquisition with both eyes open and at any angle, and also provide pinpoint accuracy. From point blank to over 100 yards, wherever that dot is, my bullet hits. I have taken numerous plainsgame animals with this setup between 125-165 yards. This sight truly has opened my eyes to the extended capabilities of my favorite rifle. I would never be able to make shots like that with iron sights.

The RMR is quite small and very convenient.

I am a huge believer in Cutting Edge Bullets’ Safari Raptor bullets for dangerous game and have sung their praises for years. These all brass bullets enter an animal and, after a few inches, six pedals sheer off and travel in a star shape doing massive trauma, and then the core keeps penetrating like a jagged solid. These bullets have never let me down. One added benefit is that CEB makes matching solids that will shoot to same point of impact as the Raptors.

So, on this trip I was able to take two buffalo with Safari Raptors and switch over and take my elephant with the solid, all at the same point of aim.

During this trip it was hot, between 94-100 degrees all but one day. In heat like that, I want the coolest most comfortable clothing I can find, but that will still stand up to abuse from the brush in Africa.

I chose Kuiu’s Tiburon line of ultralight clothing.

Each piece of this collection is equipped with Dot Air Technology with micro openings for maximum ventilation, and odor-reducing technology for ultimate performance and comfort. I wore their Tiburon shorts, shirts and pants, and stayed cool, dry and comfortable during the whole trip.

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AFRICA Beyond the Wildlife with Esplanade Travel

F

rom Kruger National Park to the Serengeti, Africa abounds with wildlife opportunities. In fact, “going to Africa” is oftentimes used synonymously with “going on safari.” While being out on a game drive and spotting wildlife is a magical experience that never gets old, there is so much more to see and do amidst the 54 countries of the African continent.

From Kruger National Park to the Serengeti, Africa abounds with wildlife opportunities. In fact, “going to Africa” is oftentimes used synonymously with “going on safari.” While being out on a game drive and spotting wildlife is a magical experience that never gets old, there is so much more to see and do amidst the 54 countries of the African continent.

It’s time these unique and impressive destinations—beyond game viewing—get their share of the spotlight. Keep reading below for suggestions on ways to experience Africa other than in a Land Rover.

But for those that can’t imagine visiting the continent without seeing wildlife, keep an eye out for the “If you insist” sections. It’s easy to combine game viewing with other activities in any country.

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EGYPT

In 10 or 12 days you can get a wonderful first look at this amazing country. Start in Cairo with a stay at the Marriott on an island in the Nile. Once a Sultan’s palace, it is a wonderful oasis among beautiful gardens, away from the craziness of Cairo traffic.

Visit the fabulous Egyptian Museum and the major sites of Cairo before heading to Upper Egypt. A three- or four-night cruise between Aswan and Luxor will show you gardens and the beautiful temple of Philae, devoted to the cult of Isis. Cruise the Nile by felucca to Elephantine Island, once occupied by the Nubians as a military camp and one of the earliest settlements before the banks of the Nile were populated. Elephants were seen near this area, hence the name.

On left: Hieroglyphics in an Egyptian Temple. Photo by Tess Holman Above: Lake and Mountains in Franschhoek, South Africa. Photo by Anika Mikkelson on Unsplash

Journey down river to Kom Ombo to visit the temple dedicated to Horus the falcon god and on to Edfu with the best preserved of all large Egyptian temples. Luxor is next, positioned on the east bank of the Nile, and is now a vibrant town with a small museum.

Attend a performance of Son et Lumiere at Karnak and Luxor Temples before heading to the West Bank sites at the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Visit some of the tombs with painted walls, Seti I, Ramesses VI and Tut-Anhkamun.

Fly back to Cairo and spend a couple days at the Mena House with pyramid view rooms! In addition to the pyramids of Cheops and Chephren, you will see the famous Sphinx and the Solar Boat of Cheops. A shop and studio making papyrus art, carpets and wonderful crafts make this a wonderful place to end your trip.

If you insist... wildlife can be found right near Cairo! Introduce yourself to camels right at the Pyramids and take a ride for great photo ops.

TUNISIA

If you’re looking for an untouched destination right on the Mediterranean, Tunisia is the place for you. Located at the tip of Northern Africa, it has a European vibe mixed with its own unique culture. This is the place to relax on the mesmerizing beaches of the Mediterranean coast, explore the historic landscapes and architecture, and develop an appreciation for the culture.

Tunis is the lively capital city with a rich history. Here you’ll be able to walk the tiny pathways of the medina, or old city, and shop at the many souks, or marketplaces. The surrounding towns are home to places such as Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet, and La Marsa, and are easily accessible with a car.

Sidi Bou Said is filled with tiny, winding streets, majestic blue

and white buildings, and beautiful views over the city of Tunis.

Stop for a bambaloni (Tunisian style doughnut) and a mint tea while enjoying the view.

Head over to Hammamet where you can enjoy the beach and the historic medina and old city where you can find endless souks.

Each winding pathway will lead you to discover something new and interesting for sale or barter. Be sure to visit the old military fort with a beautiful lookout over the entire town.

La Marsa is right on the beach as well. Take a stroll along the boardwalk and appreciate the beauty of the historic mosques, reflecting the afternoon light off the sea. Stop in at the overwater restaurant Kobet El Hwe and enjoy a glass of wine while looking out over the tranquil waves of the Mediterranean Sea. IF YOU INSIST... Tunisia is also home to wildlife! On the coast you can watch for dolphins, whales, and important migratory birds.

The country has numerous National Parks and even UNESCO World Heritage Sites where you can see various types of antelope and gazelles, and even wild cats and foxes. This country is still nascent on the tourism scene but the parks are just begging to be explored.

WEST AFRICA

For those who are fascinated by history and culture, West Africa may be the destination for you. Being in this region is an assault on the senses in the best way: bright colors in dizzying patterns, fragrant coconut fresh off the tree, and heat that is simultaneously oppressive and life-giving.

Start in Ghana at the Cape Coast and Elmina Castle, where the slave trade began. The incongruence is remarkable: a beautiful white-washed castle on the edge of an immensely blue ocean that CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 85

is a marker of such a tragic part of history. However this cannot be overlooked or forgotten, and this recognition of history is partly what makes present-day Ghana such a symbol of peace.

Plan your trip to coincide with one of their many cultural events, such as the Akwasidae Festival. Akwasidae (ah-kwa-see-day) is a day-long procession of each Ashanti tribe, with grand fabric umbrellas, gold jewelry, and intricately embroidered garments. The Ashanti King is the last to enter with a symbolic golden stool. Ghanaian festivals are an exciting mix of mayhem and grandeur.

Next venture into Togo and be sure to attend a Fire Dance, held in the middle of the night in a remote village. The village elders drag gleaming hot coals along their arms, legs, chests, and even mouths!

Continuing east, Benin brings its own flavor to this itinerary, mainly through the local religion: Voodoo. This religion has a lot of magic and wonder, but it is ultimately about being an accountable and contributing community member. There are intricate costumes, representing the Voodoo spirits, that interact with the community members.

By the time you finish in West Africa, you can count on being sweaty, dirty, and tired—yet totally invigorated by what you have seen and experienced.

IF YOU INSIST… West Africa does have nature reserves and conservancies. Benin has a wildlife park, Pendjari National Park, that shouldn’t be missed, with lion, elephant, cheetah, and more. Mole National Park in Ghana has smaller animals such as warthogs, baboons, and antelope, as well as elephants, and is very accessible for a day trip.

MALAWI

Malawi might not be on your travel wish list, but that’s a mistake. It’s a small country that packs a big punch—from grasslands to mountains to wildlife to Africa’s third largest lake. Lake Malawi spans most of the country and offers water activities such as boating, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing. The lake is part of a National Park and World Heritage Site, meaning its beauty and marine life will be protected for years to come. Livingstone named it “The Lake of Stars” for the way the light plays on the water during the day and the twinkling reflection of stars at night.

Give yourself three nights on the southern edge of Lake Malawi, in the National Park, where the fish are plentiful and colorful, and the bays and cliffs make for gorgeous scenery. The water is clear, making it wonderful for all the best lake activities—waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, wakeboarding, tubing, and diving.

Pumulani Lodge is a top choice for this. Situated on the west side of the Nankumba Peninsula, it’s nestled into the lush hills and offers privacy, comfort, and a prime location. Relax on a warm, sandy beach or aside the infinity pool overlooking the lake.

Fishermen should be sure to spend at least a day out on the water—Lake Malawi is home to more native fish species than any other lake in the world. Spend an afternoon hiking into the hills for panoramic views or biking into the village for a cultural excursion. End each day with a sunset cruise on a hand-built dhow and you’ll wonder why you ever questioned visiting Malawi.

IF YOU INSIST… Malawi is home to safari lodges and game viewing. Majete Wildlife Reserve is the country’s only Big 5 area, although there are eight other wildlife reserves in the country. You can expect to see wildlife from big cats to antelopes to primates on intimate, unexpected, and exclusive game drives in pristine wilderness.

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Top: Baobab Trees in Madagascar. Photo by Graphic Node on Unsplash Middle: Elmina Castle, Accra, Ghana. Photo by Tess Holman Bottom: Winelands in Franschhoek, South Africa.

Photo by Tiaan van Zyl on Unsplash

Above: Exploring in Madagascar. Photo by Holly Bartley on Unsplash

NAMIBIA

Namibia is a land of striking scenery where the desert meets the sea. It is not often a destination for the first-time traveler to Africa but is a perfect choice for a second or third visit to the continent.

The Skeleton Coast is one of the most fascinating places in Namibia, in the northern part of the country. It is known as a difficult and treacherous but also mystifying place and was dubbed “The Land God Made in Anger” by the native Bushmen and “The Gates of Hell” by Portuguese sailors.

Through the dense ocean fogs that linger much of the year are soft sandy beaches and striking stone outcrops. It is these conditions that led to over 1,000 ships wrecking and the “skeletons” of these ships remain— famously, the MV Dunedin Star. These shipwrecks create not only an interesting sight but a good home for seals, seabirds, and marine life. The literal skeletons of whales along the shores is what gave this region its name.

Stop and spend the day fishing in Henties Bay, one hour north of Swakopmund. Try your hand at catching a silver kabeljou, west coast Steenbras, or galjoen. You may even catch a shark—though law requires they are returned alive to the water.

The Skeleton Coast is only accessible by plane, and only 800 visitors are allowed in the National Park per year. This landscape is preserved and protected. The remoteness, pristineness, and intriguing history makes this region worth visiting.

IF YOU INSIST… the wildlife viewing in Namibia is unique and a must-do while in the country. There are various game viewing parks to visit, and the wildlife is varied. Of interesting note is the desert-adapted elephant, as well as giraffe, lion, and hyena. With an extra day you can even visit the cheetah conservation center.

MADAGASCAR

If you’re an adventurer traveler who has an extensive appreciation for nature, you might want to think about heading to Madagascar, home to beautiful rainforests and exotic plants.

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are made up of six national parks. Masoala National Park contains the largest remaining block of protected rainforest, conserving many unique fauna and flora species. Travelers can even stay at a lodge inside the forest for a secluded, serene experience while exploring by kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.

Madagascar also offers the unique opportunity to see the country by rail. The Fianarantsoa-Côte Est Railway dates back to colonial times and has never been renovated, so it is truly an authentic, rustic experience for the adventure traveler. The train ride lasts 12-18 hours – plenty of time to appreciate the landscape which includes cliffs, hills, rice fields, waterfalls, fruit trees, and the ravinala tree (the emblematic tree of Madagascar). Take a step back from the stress of daily life to appreciate the slow, calm ride of the Fianarantsoa-Côte.

IF YOU INSIST... The wildlife viewing in Madagascar is very special. The rainforest is home to many endemic animals, such as the ever-adorable lemur. Andohahela’s rainforest is the best place for lemur encounters and these animals are known for being very friendly with humans. It may be hard to find them, considering they like to hide in the shadows, but with a guided hike it may be possible!

LESOTHO

Lesotho is a country made of mountains and placed entirely within the borders of South Africa. Its small size makes it relatively unknown, but for the intrepid adventurer it is the perfect destination.

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Opposite: Landscape of Lesotho. Photo by Daniel Holman | Above: The Blue Train in Cape Town. Photo Credit: Blue Train

Fly into Maseru, but don’t stop there—continue into the mountains where the views (and altitude!) take your breath away. Lace up your hiking boots and head to a lodge for a hiking or pony trek.

You’ll need to be in good shape with decent stamina to do it, but a multi-day trek is the best way to immerse yourself in this beautiful and mystical country.

The landscape is an endless stretch of peaks and valleys. Rugged horse paths and trails skirt the mountains, created over years of being used by the people of Lesotho to get around. There are no cars here and the only way to get around is on foot or horseback.

The people of Lesotho couldn’t be friendlier or more welcoming to tourists, and you can rest assured that your trip will be supporting the local community. While on your trek, you’ll find yourself joined by joyful local children and outpaced by men and women carrying heavy baskets on their head.

Lesotho is a small and oft over-looked destination, but it makes a perfect accompaniment to a safari trip or other visit to South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA

Back when East Africa was the favorite place to see animals, South Africa was train journeys, Cape Town and the Garden Route.

These adventures are still available to the modern traveler and shouldn’t necessarily be overlooked in favor of game viewing.

Start your South African adventure in Johannesburg and take a train to Cape Town. The Blue Train is iconic and still running today, both from Johannesburg to Cape Town as well as out to Kruger National Park. There is another restored train, Rovos Rail, that takes two days and includes a lot of sightseeing along the way.

Rovos Rail offers the lovely options of traveling to Cape Town or Victoria Falls.

Cape Town has a vibrant wine country with beautiful lodges

amid rows of vines. Or venture south to the bottom of Africa – the Cape of Good Hope.

The Garden Route is a wonderful way to journey all the way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. You’ll find ostrich farms, nature reserves, and lovely hotels and lodges dotted along the coast. Not to mention - some of the best and most scenic golf courses in the world.

IF YOU INSIST… Back before South Africa was a hotbed for wildlife viewing, MalaMala was one of the few private game reserves available to travelers. To this day, MalaMala provides the best game viewing in South Africa. Head to the Greater Kruger National Park area to see everything you expect on safari – and so much more!

TIME TO GO!

Africa is known as the land of safari – for good reason – but there is so much more to explore and discover. From lakes and rivers to history and culture, you can spend a lifetime finding new and interesting destinations on the continent. Don’t face the stress of creating the perfect trip alone – contact Esplanade Travel and work with an experienced Travel Consultant.

Esplanade Travel focuses on international luxury travel, and unique custom-designed trips have been our trademark for 60 years.

Our staff has collectively traveled to over 150 countries around the world, and we sell the destinations we know the best and love the most! Our primary destinations are Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, Italy, France, South America, India, United Arab Emirates and the islands of the South Pacific. ★ Esplanade Travel | http://esplanadetravel.com

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Background: Free-ranging desert bighorn sheep on Elephant Mountain WMA. | Left: TPWD Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Bob Dittmar, drawing blood from desert bighorn sheep for disease monitoring and surveillance. | Right: An aodad ram being released after all tissue samples are collected and being collared with radio telemetry tracking collar.

DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP Restoration & Management in Texas ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY FROYLÁN HERNÁNDEZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Program Leader, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

West Texas rock art provides archeological evidence that desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) historically occupied most of the arid mountain ranges of the Trans Pecos region of Texas.

The number of bighorn sheep that originally occurred in West Texas is unknown but believed to have been about 2,500 and possibly more. However, reports indicate there were approximately 1,500 animals in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, Texas bighorn populations had declined or were extirpated from much of their historic range. Declines resulted from a combination of factors including competition for forage with domestic livestock, diseases acquired from domestic animals, unrestricted hunting, and restricted movements resulting from net-wire fencing. Bailey (1905) estimated the population at 500 animals and noted 16 mountain ranges that supported bighorns. Davis and Taylor (1939) reported sightings from only 11 mountain ranges and estimated the statewide population at 300 animals. By the mid-1940s the population was thought to have declined to 35 individuals.

The last documented observation of a native Texas bighorn occurred in October of 1958 on Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It is believed that the last native Texas bighorns were gone by the early 1960s.

Protective measures for bighorn sheep were initiated as early as 1903 with the enactment of a hunting prohibition. Another protective measure occurred in 1945 with the establishment of the Sierra Diablo WMA to serve as a sanctuary for the few bighorn sheep remaining in Texas.

Restoration efforts were initiated in 1954 with the development of a cooperative agreement between the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Boone and Crockett Club, Texas Game, Fish and Oyster Commission (predecessor to CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 91

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wildlife Management Institute. Initial and subsequent efforts focused on the propagation of desert bighorn sheep in captivity to provide a source of stock for translocation to a suitable habitat. The first propagation facility was constructed on Black Gap WMA and received the first 15 desert bighorns from Arizona in 1957. Additional facilities were constructed on Sierra Diablo WMA in 1970 and 1983, and Chilicote Ranch in 1977.

To begin the captive rearing program, the propagational facilities were stocked with desert bighorn sheep from out of state sources.

A total of 146 bighorns were translocated from outside of Texas including 31 from Arizona, 107 from Nevada, 2 from Utah and 6 from Mexico.

Those propagational facilities provided bighorns for translocations and releases to restore bighorns onto several mountain ranges. Those mountain ranges include the Sierra Diablos, Beach, Baylor, Van Horn, Elephant Mountain, Sierra Vieja and Black Gap WMA. The early phases of the propagational facilities were promising.

However, propagational facilities were not an easy endeavor.

Funding to construct, operate and maintain those facilities were certainly obstacles. And thanks to several bighorn and wildlife enthusiasts, including Dr. “Red” Duke, who saw the need for “intervention,” formed a group and developed a plan, the Texas Bighorn Society was born. Together and through fundraising activities, the money was raised.

The facilities required constant attention to keep them fully functional. A labor force was continually needed and predation was a constant threat. Several mountain lions managed to make their way into the pens. After losing some bighorns to predation, modifications were made to the facilities to keep the predators out. Not only were the fences raised and fortified the tops with barbed wire, but also a hot wire around the entire perimeter of the facilities was added. Additionally, a buffer fence was constructed around the facility forcing predators to go through two high fences before being able to reach a holding pen.

Adding to the funding, labor, maintenance, operational and predation challenges, disease was also a threat. Disease issues have always been a concern when placing animals in confined areas. These holding facilities were no exception.

Several disease outbreaks in the facilities occurred throughout the years, which not only limited reproduction within the facilities, but also restricted the movement and/or releases of bighorns from those facilities into the wild.

Eventually, after years of struggles to keep the facilities operational, the difficult decision was made to turn all bighorns out of the pens, once they were sure the bighorns were disease-free. The last bighorn group released from the Sierra Diablo Propagational Facility was transported to Black John Canyon in the Sierra Diablo Mountains in April 1997.

Though the Sierra Diablo facilities are still standing, they have not been in operation since 1997. The enclosure in the Sierra Vieja Mountains on the Chilicote Ranch, as well as the enclosure on the Black Gap WMA are also still standing but have not been used as long-term propagational facilities.

An optional use considered for the enclosure on the Chilicote Ranch is as a soft-release pen to temporarily hold (10-14 days) translocated bighorns, or other wildlife, and allow them to settle down after a translocation. Following the temporary hold, the gates will open to allow the animals gradually move out on their own.

Now, all broodstock used for translocations purposes is from free-ranging sources. In the last nine years, several mountain ranges 92 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Above: Captured desert bighorn sheep being long-lined in for processing (i.e. aged, tissue collection, collaring, etc.).

have produced surplus bighorns and have provided animals to restore uninhabited mountain ranges or augment existing populations.

Nine distinct mountain ranges or areas have been restored with bighorns and populations established. Also, desert bighorns have naturally colonized an additional two mountain ranges. Since December 2010, over 403 bighorns have been captured from four ranges.

The broodstock sources for these 403 bighorns include Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), as well as the Sierra Diablo, Beach and Baylor mountains. However, Elephant Mountain WMA has been the most productive.

The bighorn population on Elephant Mountain WMA has performed extremely well over the years, allowing for four translocations resulting in the removal of 233 sheep since December 2010. The most recent of those translocations occurred in December 2017 when 82 bighorns were captured on EMWMA and translocated to Black Gap WMA. Elephant Mountain WMA has also provided bighorns to restore three distinct ranges that had been void of sheep since their extirpation nearly 60 years prior. These ranges include the Bofecillos Mountains of Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP), Nine Point Mesa and Capote Peak. These translocated bighorns were also collared with radio telemetry transmitters which collected data for research projects to further our knowledge of movements, habitat use, mortalities and predation, among other things.

The Bofecillos Mountains of BBRSP have received 201 bighorns since December 2010 on three separate translocations. Telemetry results for the BBRSP translocated bighorns have allowed the identification of core use areas as well as possible travel corridors into Mexico. Some bighorns expanded their range by not only moving

away from core use areas within BBRSP, but also onto adjacent animals. These heavy concentrations or high densities can certainly mountain ranges. Several animals traveled into Mexico and spent impact native ungulate species, including desert bighorn and mule most of the time there. Movements from a few bighorns were in deer, as well as negatively affect the habitat. excess of 40 miles from the release site.

Aoudad use many of the same plant food items as desert bighorns Furthermore, the BBRSP-Mexico bighorns collectively used apand mule deer, creating competition for resources. Additionally, they proximately 1.25 million acres encompassing sheep habitat in Texas also compete for the same habitat, or “usable space.” Furthermore, and in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Also, even though it is comthey pose a potential disease threat. monly agreed that bighorns prefer slopes greater than 60 percent, To investigate these potential negative impacts and interactions, a research results show that BBRSP bighorns used 40-90 percent tri-species study was initiated in the Van Horn Mountains (Culberson slopes regularly.

County) in January 2019. The project called for the collaring of 40 The translocated Nine Point Mesa bighorns fitted with GPS/ bighorn, 40 aoudad and 40 mule deer and monitoring them for a VHF and Satellite/VHF telemetry transmitters. Radio telemetry two-year period. In addition to investigating the interactions, compedata showed movements made by some bighorns onto adjacent tition, movements, habitat use, mortalities, etc., another component mountains. Those bighorns divide their time between Nine Point of the study is looking into disease transmission risks.

Mesa and the mountains 12 miles north of the mesa. A few aniRecently, TPWD has begun an aoudad disease monitoring and mals traveled back to Elephant Mountain (approximately 26 miles surveillance program to look for pathogens and/or diseases that could north), which was the capture source. Additionally, movements were potentially be transmitted to desert bighorn sheep. Tissue samples also made onto the Santiago Mountains around Persimmon Gap have been collected from aoudad in five distinct mountain ranges. (approximately 13 miles northwest). These animal movements alSome preliminary results are finding a pathogen, which is not neclowed for the identification of a travel corridor between Elephant essarily the same pathogen, but in the same group of pathogens that Mountain and Nine Point Mesa. Prior to this research project, this leads to bighorn die-offs in some western states. Though these are corridor seemed unlikely as it is a marginal habitat and somewhat preliminary results, and at this point it is unknown if the pathogen wooded. However, research results showed bighorns readily using it, can be transmitted to bighorns, it does raise concerns and is being and likely other wildlife as well. investigated further.

The Capote Peak bighorns also had simIn addition to the disease risks and ilar movements. Telemetry data showed competition threats, high concentrations some bighorns moved along the Sierra of aoudad can also degrade the habitat.

Currently, the Texas population of Vieja rim, expanding their range and beWhen wildlife populations, whether native ginning to colonize new areas. Movements desert bighorn sheep is approximately or exotic, surpass levels that are supported to these areas were over 10 miles from the by the habitat, those populations effective1,500, occupying about 11 mountain actual release site. Bighorns were reportedly ly become static with restricted room for ranges in West Texas. The overall seen almost 20 miles southwest of Capote growth. Furthermore, the habitat’s ability Peak in Mexico frequently. Some of the to sustain constant foraging pressure from goal is to restore all 16-17 mountain bighorns sighted in Mexico were collared, surplus animals for prolonged periods is ranges considered historical as well as ear-tagged, and presumably from drastically reduced and in time will render it the Capote Peak releases. unhealthy. Once this occurs, plant resiliency habitat and deemed suitable.

Currently, the Texas population of desert is compromised, and animals are forced to bighorn sheep is approximately 1,500, ocforage on less nutritional plants. Thereby cupying about 11 mountain ranges in West limiting or minimizing reproduction and Texas. The overall goal is to restore all 16-17 mountain ranges conconsequently, recruitment. sidered historical habitat and deemed suitable.

Therefore, to protect the habitat, as well as the native wildlife popuAchieving success for the desert bighorn sheep restoration program lations that inhabit the land, aoudad populations need to be drastically has not been easy. There have always been obstacles and challenges. reduced. But recognizing the growing popularity of aoudad hunting, One emerging challenge that has been growing within the last sevthis level of reduction will be difficult to achieve. Aoudad hunting eral years is the Barbary sheep, also commonly known as aoudad. continues to be a supplemental source of income for some landownThe aoudad is an exotic species from the arid mountains of northers, which adds to the challenge. Until the detrimental impacts of ern Africa. They were introduced into Texas in the late 1950s, mainly high aoudad densities are better understood through research findin the Palo Duro Canyon area. However, they have since been either ings and presented to the public, it will be difficult to make progress. introduced to other parts of Texas or expanded naturally into other Luckily, since the early stages of desert bighorn restoration efforts areas. Aoudad are currently found in high-fenced game operations, in Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has had the good as well as in free-ranging populations primarily throughout the Hill fortune of great relations with hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, dediCountry, Panhandle, and West Texas. cated landowners, committed individuals, loyal volunteers and great Though aoudad populations are struggling in their native ranges conservation organizations, such as the Houston Safari Club, who in northern Africa, aoudad have done well in Texas. It is not uncomshare the passion for bighorn sheep and all things wild. Without mon to encounter herds of 50 or more animals, and many groups their support, bighorn restoration would have been nearly impossible. with more than 100 in the herd. In fact, aoudad surveys conducted This support and cooperation will continue to be a vital part of in late October 2018 on two mountain ranges resulted in observbighorn restoration. On behalf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife ing nearly 4,000 animals. However, due to logistical challenges, one Department, I would like to personally thank the Houston Safari of the ranges was not completely surveyed. Had it been completely Club Foundation, its members and affiliates, for everything they have surveyed the count would have likely been closer to 5,000. Some done for wildlife conservation and look forward to many more years groups during the October 2018 aoudad survey were in excess of 200 of a great partnership.★ CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 93

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HSCFPHSPOTLIGHT

Meet Richard Tabor of Buchanan Hunts/This Is Africa

By Richard Tabor

1.

WHEN DID YOU START YOUR GUIDING CAREER AND HOW DID YOU CHOOSE SUCH A CAREER?

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I started my apprenticeship in 1997.

My favorite weapon that I carry when guiding is a Merkel .500 NE—not too heavy, short, easy to handle and is a stopper. For clients, I would say a good combination would be a .300 Win Mag and a .416 Rem or Rugby.

2.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY AREA AND GAME FOR WHICH YOU GUIDE?

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The primary area I hunt is the Zambezi Valley mainly for tuskless elephant, buffalo, leopard, and lion. Each hunting area offers a different type of hunt and game variety and density so I hunt quite a few areas, being able to offer different types of safaris.

3.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT HUNT?

The most difficult hunt was in Mozambique after an elephant bull in an enormously large area with very limited road networks, so it physically was demanding, but mentally we won in the end and it was very rewarding.

4.

WHAT DO YOU WANT A FIRSTTIME CLIENT TO KNOW BEFORE HUNTING WITH YOU?

I am a patient man of few words and long strides.

Hunt hard—but it all depends on the client’s abilities.

5.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING HUNTING AND HUNTERS TODAY?

The biggest challenge in our industry is uneducated people in the first world trying to run Africa’s game management based on emotions, not fact—and in Africa if it does not pay it doesn’t stay, unfortunately.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HUNTING WEAPON AND/OR CALIBER?

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HUNTING?

When I am not hunting I have a small steel fab business that keeps me busy and I also spend time with my two sons in the outdoors.

8.

SEVEN ESSENTIALS IN YOUR KIT FOR A DAY’S HUNT?

Gun, ammo, binos, GPS, radio, first aid kit, shooting sticks, sunglasses, sunscreen, head net, hat.

9.

WHY DO YOU HUNT?

I hunt because it is a passion I have with the outdoors. The thrills, the hard days, the rewards every day is a new adventure and keeps you young on the inside.

Richard Tabor BUCHANAN HUNTS/THIS IS AFRICA

buchananhunts.com michelle@buchananhunts.com andrew@buchananhunts.com Tel: +263771583444

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LOOKING

1: Skipper Bettis 2: Anna & Rod Hunter, 3: Past President Charlie Jagou & Mrs. Jagou 4: Past President Brian Skeels & Mrs. Skeels 5: Past President Mike Simpson & TC Morrison 6: Dick Teel & Past President Howard Gordon, Margaret Gordon, Dr. Ed Risk, Billie Risk 7: Past President Cecil Hopper & Past President Jack Carter

BACK

By Tommy Morrison 3

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Get To Know Me! 5 Minutes With HSCF Life Member Frank Comiskey

1.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF HSCF?

I joined in 1976.

2.

WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN HSCF?

I wanted to join to promote conservation, hunting and camaraderie with fellow outdoors people.

3.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING AN HSCF MEMBER?

Actually, the conservation efforts of the club.

4.

WHAT IS OR WAS YOUR CAREER FIELD?

I own and operate Frank Comiskey Insurance Agency.

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5.

PREFERRED HUNTING WEAPON — RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR BOW?

I use rifles and shotguns.

6.

WHAT IS THE ONE ITEM YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON AN ISLAND?

It would be great to have my wife, Kathy, with me.

7.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING HUNTING EXPERIENCE?

Lion hunting in Kenya. My PH and I walked up on a pride of lions in the early morning semi-light just as the sun was beginning to come up. The lions jumped up and seemed ready to get on us. Their tails were swishing back and forth as being ready. We very slowly started backing up, and the lions were very slowly walking toward us at a distance of about 50 feet. After not too long, the lions quit coming toward us and we were finally able to walk away and head back to the Land Rover.

Believe me, I did not need coffee that morning to be wide awake!

8.

OF ALL THE SPECIES YOU HAVE HUNTED, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?

Elephant hunting in the Central African Rain Forest (Central African Empire with SACAF.) Down on our hands and knees crawling around, wind switching direction often, bull elephants nearby, but not able to be seen, making noise. Waiting for the right spore. Eating mangos straight out of the trees, tusk marks in the mud at the water holes... ready!

9.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

Fried and broiled shrimp.

10.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE 18-YEAROLD VERSION OF YOURSELF?

Be adventuresome just as you have been.

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Emotionally Driven CECIL Act Could Make for a Dark Future for Wildlife Species

BY JEFF CRANE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION

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an experienced international hunting guide who has seen first-hand the benefits associated with conservation programs funded by law-abiding international wildlife hunters, I am dismayed and disappointed by the recent movement of H.R. 2245.

On almost an entirely partisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources recently voted to pass H.R. 2245, a bill adamantly opposed by foreign governments that will be impacted the most by this legislation as well as the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and dozens of the nation’s leading sporting organizations.

H.R. 2245, also known as the CECIL Act, is shortsighted and driven by emotion rather than locally-driven, science-based policy. In fact, the bill’s title, “Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act,” known as the CECIL Act, is misleading by suggesting that eliminating the importation of African big game trophies will somehow better conserve international ecosystems.

This anti-hunting legislation seeks to “conserve” species by implementing significant barriers to import legally harvested animals from other countries, particularly from the continent of Africa. However, if enacted, this bill would do almost the exact opposite by undermining the highly successful legal, ethical, and fair-chase hunting policies that have incentivized species conservation in Africa for decades.

Congressional passage of H.R. 2245 will penalize lawabiding hunters, hinder the current wildlife conservation efforts, and actually increase poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking of species such as African lions and elephants.

This bill ignores science, condemns local communities, restricts wildlife professionals, and is nothing more than a political favor to the animal extremist movement that fails to recognize the role that hunting plays in incentivizing on-the-ground conservation both domestically and internationally.

Hunting’s role in international wildlife conservation is far more nuanced than what meets the eye. In 2014, Zimbabwe generated more than $5 million total in hunting fee revenue, with $3.2 million going directly to anti-poaching expenditures. Following a 2014 trophy importation ban by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, trophy hunting fee revenue in Zimbabwe dropped to $3.2 million in 2015—depriving the nation of critical financial resources that could have been used for habitat conservation and anti-poaching efforts.

The economic benefits associated with international hunting have provided the financial resources to the 100 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

Elephant in Water Inside a Safari Hunting Concession Adjoining the Zambezi River, Zambia. Photo by Jeff Crane.

countries that rely on licensed, regulated hunting as part of their conservation programs to secure one-and-a-half to five times more habitat than other nations that have failed to incorporate these activities into their conservation efforts. Habitat loss and increased human conflict are the most significant factors driving the decline in species such as elephants and lions, not hunting.

This legislation is also very personal to me, as I have spent nearly 12 years of my life living in Africa. During this timeframe, I have spent countless days in the African bush owning, managing and guiding both ecotourism and hunting safaris in southern Africa. I have lived and worked with local communities; conducted hundreds of anti-poaching patrols; built schools, clinics and water delivery systems for people and wildlife; and developed a deep appreciation and understanding of the tenuous balance between rural communities and wildlife, especially dangerous game animals.

Quite simply, while iconic wildlife species such as lions and elephants have an altruistic value to those of us who live tens of thousands of miles away, they must have a real value to the often impoverished people who live next to them in order for them to survive. At its core, regulated safari hunting creates the economic incentives that are needed for local communities to value wildlife, combat poaching and be proactive about limiting human-wildlife conflict. Without hunting as the backbone of successful conservation in Africa, the future of the species impacted by the CECIL Act would be a dark one. ★ Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, has nearly 40 years of experience in on-theground natural resources management and policy expertise at the federal, state, and international levels, including nearly 12 years of living on the African continent.

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What to Know When Hunting for

RANCH PROPERTY Seeing your first game on the African savanna may have been a thrill, but nothing beats the satisfaction of hunting on your own land.

If you dream of the comfort and convenience of a hunter’s retreat, make it a reality. Just do a little homework and find some experts to advise you.

GO LOCAL

When buying rural property, use local experts whenever possible.

Local lenders understand the nuances of rural financing and can tailor loans specifically for rural property. At Capital Farm Credit, which has nearly 70 credit offices across Texas, loan officers have invaluable local knowledge. Most are also hunters and landowners themselves.

“Buying rural property isn’t the same as buying a home or commercial property,” says Trae Ottmers, senior vice president of lending at Capital Farm Credit’s Fredericksburg office. “Local lenders add value to your purchase by knowing the area and the people who can serve your needs afterward. We not only offer financing, but can also direct you to a wildlife biologist or someone to drill a well.”

Local land brokers and real estate agents know the market, comparable sales and the history of area properties. Professional organizations like the Realtors Land Institute or the Texas Alliance of Land Brokers can help you find a qualified local pro.

You’ll also need an appraiser who specializes in your type of rural property. Professional designations from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) or the Appraisal Institute signal added expertise. Lenders with in-house appraisers, such as Capital Farm Credit, tend to have fast turnaround times, too.

CONSIDER THE SURROUNDINGS

Pay attention to the land use and restrictions on the purchase property and neighboring tracts.

Is there an intensive livestock operation on adjoining property?

Does the property you’re considering front a noisy or proposed highway? Is commercial development allowed on neighboring land? Are there any environmental issues to keep in mind?

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If you know the facts before you purchase, you’re less likely to encounter problems selling the property later.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Tax policies for rural property vary by state. In Texas, you could potentially lower your property taxes with a special use valuation.

With an open space valuation, for instance, property is appraised based on its use — such as agriculture, timber production or wildlife management — rather than its market value.

Check with the county tax assessor to determine whether your potential purchase qualifies for a special use valuation, commonly called an ag exemption. If it has existing an exemption, learn how to maintain it.

Be aware that some commercial lenders require the buyer to rescind a special use valuation before making a rural home loan. But this is not so at Capital Farm Credit.

“We can discuss the tax advantages and how to maintain an open space valuation, whether it be for wildlife or agriculture,” says Brett Riff, a senior branch manager with Capital Farm Credit’s Hondo office. “We may even know neighboring farmers or ranchers who could lease the land and help you keep your ag exemption.”

KNOW YOUR WATER RIGHTS

Water is critical for wildlife. And access to water is important for every wildlife manager.

Before buying, learn about wells, surface impoundments, watersheds and government regulations. Ask about the availability and quality of water and test any well water for salts and potability.

Rights to surface water and groundwater vary dramatically by region. In Texas, the “right of capture” means that whoever owns the land surface owns the right to drill for groundwater. Surface water belongs to the state but may be used under permit.

In New Mexico, where the state administers water rights, landowners don’t have to pay for water. However, they do have to pay for pumping or delivering water via ditch system or dam.

In Louisiana, landowners own the groundwater and surface water, with the exception of public waterways such as the Mississippi River.

If all you need is supplemental water for wildlife, you have three main options: • Surface impoundments of rainwater • Water wells • Wildlife “guzzlers” that capture, store and dole out rainwater in small troughs Supplemental water should be clean, dependable and easily accessible. Good cover gives wildlife a sense of security, and low troughs or mud holes are accessible to wildlife of all sizes.

Distributing water via poly pipe and PVC pipe is more costeffective than building a new pond or well. Providing water every half mile also concentrates game. If you have feral hogs, give them free access to water, but protect the pipes and valves.

UNDERSTAND THE PROPERTY’S MINERAL RIGHTS

Mineral interests are an extremely important and valuable asset. If minerals are a part of the purchase, it is prudent to have the mineral

title searched to learn who owns the minerals.

Some states do not permit severing minerals from the land. In others, such as Texas and New Mexico, mineral ownership can be severed from landownership indefinitely.

In Texas, the mineral estate is dominant over the surface estate.

That means mineral owners or lessees can enter the property to extract the minerals at any time. However, they must compensate the surface owner for damages, right-of-way access or other impacts.

Furthermore, a lease executed by the seller remains in force even if the minerals transfer to the buyer. Be sure to ask about mineral exploration before purchasing.

LONG-DISTANCE PURCHASE POINTERS

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind.

• Be sure your broker fully understands your goals for the property.

• If doing a 1031 tax-free real estate exchange, work with a qualified exchange intermediary to identify the new property before selling the old.

• Check with the state highway department for rules on highway access from your property. “Line of sight” issues may restrict your access.

• Small tracts are typically surveyed; large ranches are not. A broker or local title company can help access legal descriptions, survey reports, maps and aerial photos.

• Look at the property in person.

• Have a local attorney draft your closing documents. ★ For more information please contact capitalfarmcredit.com CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 103

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SOUTH AFRICAN FAMILY SAFARI

By Lacy Cooper-Bell

I grew up with outdoor-loving parents, which meant a lot of weekends at the deer lease with family. When we weren’t hunting we were fishing, and sometimes we were doing both. When my dad’s side of the family started planning a family safari, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to spend some quality time with them and take my first trip to Africa.

Dad went to Africa several years ago for an elephant hunt arranged by my Uncle Tommy’s company Sporting International.

After his success, he was eager to go back and hunt plains game.

When my uncle Tommy started planning the family safari, I knew I may not have this opportunity again. Dad’s 70th birthday would occur during the trip and I couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate.

There were eight us traveling together—my dad and I, my aunt and uncle, Anna and Tommy Morrison and her son, Eric Pratka, and daughter-in-law, Tammy, their son, Wesley Pratka, and girlfriend, Sasha Durant. I had no idea what to expect out of the trip but my Aunt Anna and Uncle Tommy, who planned our trip with Garry Kelly Safaris, had been many times and had answers for all of my packing questions.

Truthfully, I didn’t research much because growing up we took vacations every summer to Colorado. Trips that were never complete without the nightly readings of terrifying bear attack survival stories, which naturally led to me not sleeping. I already knew the probability of hearing lions at night and figured, why add fuel to the fire?

Our first night in South Africa was spent in the beautiful area of Ballito just outside of Durban. Our professional hunters, Garry Kelly and Murray Cooper, arrived shortly after breakfast the following morning with Ty Nelson to take us to Mkuze Falls. Ty is the son of Shaun Nelson, a fellow Houstonian who was working with Garry for the summer.

Upon entry onto the Mkuze Game Reserve, we immediately started seeing wildlife. When we arrived at the Mkuze Falls camp we were greeted by the friendly staff and shown to our tents. We were served lunch on a deck overlooking the Mkuze River. Occasionally there were monkeys jumping through the trees and several nyala grazing in between the tents and wooden walkways.

We spent many hours watching the riverbank as a family, having drinks and catching up on the day, while occasionally observing some of the younger nyala bulls squaring off with each other.

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Warthogs could be seen scurrying up and down the hillside with a litter of half-grown piglets in tow. The more guarded zebras and impala preferred staying inside the tree line only to sneak in a few quick drinks. There was rarely a dull moment at the river’s edge and we were even fortunate enough to see some young kudu bulls and cows come down to drink later in the trip.

Once we were settled, we took our guns out to sight them in and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the majesty of the Mkuze Reserve. We explored the hillsides soaking in the scenery until dusk.

The sunset was brilliant that night from the tops of the hills, like a bright ball floating in a lake of fire, and is not one I will soon forget.

We did the majority of our hunting on the Somkhanda Game Reserve. My dad and I hunted the first few days with my Aunt and Uncle. She and I had such a good time together, reminding me of weekends at our old South Texas lease. Admittedly I had some anxiety about hunting in Africa with people who were mostly all more experienced hunters than I. For this trip I did my homework.

Dad had me practice diligently with the rifle I would be using, and the shooting sticks.

Mid-morning, Garry spotted a nice impala for my dad. The hunting party lined up behind Garry and the stalk was on. We heard the shot and knew it was a hit. After a few cheers, the party headed back with their game. We celebrated first blood, gave congratulations and took photos. They loaded the animal and we met at the main house for lunch with the rest of the family. Eric, Tammy, Wesley and Sasha had been with the other PH Murray and had a remarkable experience, seeing a female white rhino with her baby.

For the afternoon hunt, dad decided I needed to shoot a nyala. I was immediately nervous. Our PH, Garry, did several stalks with me that afternoon. The harder it became, the more determined I was to get one in the salt. Garry was patient and accommodating of my lack of experience with the shooting sticks. He was never upset by a missed opportunity and I never felt pressured to take a shot. Throughout our trip my admiration continued to grow for his ability to read a situation and understand the needs of individual hunters. After several fruitless stalks I resigned myself to call it a day and try again tomorrow. Gary, however, found the perfect opportunity for me.

“Lacy, grab your gun—you are going to have to shoot quickly.”

The words surprised me, much to Gary’s credit, because this time

Above: Anna and Garry with her Zebra Below: Wesley and his impala with Shasa, Anna and Tommy

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I didn’t have an opportunity to get nervous. I grabbed my gun, quickly got a rest and squeezed the trigger. I don’t think I heard the gunshot over the pounding in my chest. The next thing I remember was my dad grinning from ear to ear while they took my picture with this beautiful animal.

Just minutes after taking my pictures we rounded the bend in the road and there stood a superb nyala bull “Oscar, he’s a good one, take the shot,’’ Garry said.

Seconds later he was on the sticks and a truly exceptional 31½-inch bull was on the ground.

As they were setting up both of the nyala to photograph after an outstanding father-daughter hunt, South Africa was setting up a perfect backdrop. Dusk was rapidly approaching and right in the middle of the rose-hued sky, a silvery full moon had risen over the mountain behind Above: Oscar and Lacy’s Nyala | Below: Tommy and Wesley’s Serval Cats us, which made for an awesome photo.

At dinner, we learned that Sasha had shot a zebra and an impala. These were the first animals she had taken and I think we now have a new hunter in the family! They initiated us both with a stout shot of vodka, something Ty assured us was mandatory.

After a few days at Somkhanda we switched things up and stayed on the Mkuze Game Reserve. We were fortunate enough to see a herd of cape buffalo just inside the edge of some trees. It was a large herd. They were apprehensive about our presence and began to run. Colin, our tracker, strategically positioned to watch them cross downriver. We were able to capture some stunning pictures and that was an encounter I will never forget. Back at camp, we learned my cousin Wesley had taken a really nice warthog.

This day was my dad’s 70th birthday.

We had let the ladies at camp know and they put on quite the show for us. After another delicious dinner had to wait for a clear shot. My arms were beginning to shake and was served, they brought out a chocolate birthday cake for my dad I was having some trouble controlling my breathing. I finally got while singing a birthday song and dancing their way to him. I can’t a clear shot and squeezed the trigger. Somehow I shot clear over imagine a better way to have spent his birthday with him. him. My immediate reaction when I looked up was that I had acThe next day we switched PH’s and hunting partners because cidentally shot the nyala bull and somehow messed up his horn. I Uncle Tommy and Wesley were leaving for a serval cat hunt several was so focused on the impala, initially I didn’t notice the nyala bull hours away. Tammy wanted a wildebeest and nyala, Eric a kudu, had a horn pointing the wrong direction until after I shot. They and I was still looking for a nice impala. The plan was to go back assured me I did not hit his horn, that it was already non-typical. to a waterhole. As luck would have it we came upon a nice group At least I got a little comic relief from my missed shot. of wildebeest on the way. Tammy was able to get a good rest and The guys stayed at the waterhole to wait for a kudu. Later Eric made a perfect shot. took a beautiful bull. It had unfortunately taken a tumble down the We set up at one of the waterholes looking for an impala for levee and right into the mud. Colin put his rubber boots on and me. Garry made adjustments to the sticks, checked its height, and used a winch to get the kudu out without damaging the horns. We made sure I had a comfortable rest. A nice impala was one of the got some great pictures and loaded him into the back of the truck. first animals to come out. Garry whispered, “Lacy, that is a good That afternoon, Tammy was hunting for a nyala and I was still after one right there; take the shot as soon as it is clear.” I nodded and an impala. After a few hours, Garry spotted a nice one for Tammy. got ready. A nyala bull had stepped out not too far from him and I As they started their stalk, the nyala began heading into denser 106 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

brush, which made getting a clear shot a challenge. Garry was able to ease her close enough to get a solid shot. He was a beauty and just what she had been looking for.

Shortly after they loaded her animal, we rounded a curve; crossing the road in front of us was a herd of impala. Garry had Colin stop the Land Cruiser and surprised me again by saying, “Lacy, grab your gun—this is a good one.” He was in a perfect position, standing broadside in a clearing right in front of us. I quickly got a rest, zeroed in and squeezed the trigger. He did one kick and crumpled on the ground. This time I think I shouted with excitement! I was redeemed from my earlier miss and had a nice animal to show for it.

A front was coming in and the weather had turned windy and cold. Anna, Sasha and I stayed back at the camp, as did my dad.

Tammy and Eric went out in search of a kudu for her and a nyala for him. Dad had spotted a nice warthog coming through the gully between our tents and determined this was going to be his trophy.

Garry agreed he would be a good one to take. He set my dad up in a good position. Unfortunately, the warthog came right out nearly on top of him and he couldn’t get a clear shot on him. The warthog sensed something wasn’t right and ran back the way he came. Dad, having been bested by this warthog, came back to the camp worried he had missed his chance. After a few minutes, he realized that warthog had to come back to get water and that he would likely come back the same way, so they found a better place to sit. When he came back out, Dad was ready. We heard the shot and within minutes dad announced he thought he got him, but they hadn’t found him yet. By this time Uncle Tommy and Wesley were back from the cat hunt and together we all made short work of the track. This ended up being Dad’s favorite hunt because of the challenge of outsmarting this battlehardened old warthog.

Tammy and Eric returned early. Eric had gotten a nice zebra but they had quite a fright at the waterhole. While sitting, a group of lions snuck up on them. Tammy was the first to see the female. After alerting Garry, he was able to safely navigate them out of the situation. Garry had received a text from the antipoaching unit as well, stating they could see three hunters at the water hole and five lions surrounding them. Needless to say, the story gave us all quite a jolt. Nothing like a reminder of where you are on the food chain in Africa.

That evening we heard the story of Uncle Tommy and Wesley’s hunt. They both took trophy serval cats the first night and Wesley shot an ostrich the following morning. The second evening, both shot two very large porcupines and Wesley shot a large genet cat.

It was a short but successful two-0day/night trip The next morning, right outside our camp, two large male lions on the Mkuze Reserve were laying in the grass, resting from their busy night of trying to get into the skinning shed. These were the only lions I saw on the trip, but the rest of the family saw several more.

I was hunting for a zebra, so we headed back to the waterhole where the lions were the day before. Eventually, two stallions came out. One had a much nicer shadow stripe than the other and was a little larger body size. I waited for a clear shot, feeling more confident having already taken two animals. I squeezed the

trigger and made my shot. It was a good shot but didn’t quite take the zebra down. He ran into a group of wildebeest gathered back off from the water hole. We gave him a few minutes and began to follow the blood trail. I was starting to get nervous but Garry and Colin could see him in the distance. They advised not to push him too hard because he could potentially run with the wildebeest for quite a long way. We kept our distance and didn’t apply pressure.

Dad had a chance to slow him down with a backup shot. This is just what I needed. Colin grabbed the shooting sticks for me and we ran over the next hilltop where he was down and I was able to dispatch my zebra.

Dad had been watching a black rhino at the waterhole. My shot startled him and he ran off. We went back to the waterhole for pictures in case he came back. I was a bit uneasy given the previous day’s lion experience, so I was frequently checking the perimeter and sticking close by Colin. Suddenly I heard a loud crash behind us. Neither Gary, dad nor Tommy took any notice. I looked over to Colin wide-eyed; Colin leaned down to look through the bushes and immediately grabbed Gary. He made a gesture I later learned meant “elephant,” but at the time I was clueless as to what could possibly be stalking. The next thing I know we are quickly moving and I still didn’t know why, but I wasn’t going to stop.

Finally, I heard someone say “Elephant!” Then I moved a little faster.

After making a large circle we came back to the truck in time to see the young bull elephant crossing the road. We were able to catch some great photos of him. The next day we went back and his tracks were directly on top of where we had been sitting. Dad also shot a nice water buck at Mkuze, and Eric a good warthog as well.

We were nearing the end of our trip.

Eric was still hunting for nyala and my Aunt Anna had decided to take a zebra.

We didn’t have to wait long for either to show at the waterhole; Eric took a nice nyala bull and she a really large stallion.

Uncle Tommy and Garry went down to the dam that evening where Garry had seen a really good cape bushbuck, the only other animal Uncle Tommy had wanted. I understood they snuck down to the water and found the bushbuck grazing along the water’s edge. After a short stalk, the bushbuck was on the ground. We wrapped up the days hunt with some pictures and headed back to Mkuze Falls to celebrate with a nice, relaxing afternoon of cocktails around the fire.

The last day was spent enjoying Mkuze Reserve. Close to sunset we met back at the camp to enjoy our final meal and recount all of our adventures. Towards the end of the trip I began to get nostalgic for the old days on the deer lease and hunting with my family.

Life passes before we even realize what we missed out on. I want to say thank you to my Uncle Tommy of Sporting International for arranging my first trip to Africa as well as Garry Kelly Safari’s for making the experience so memorable.

I knew this trip was going to be an adventure, but it exceeded my expectations. I was reminded of how much I enjoy being outdoors with my family. But above all of that though I learned something about myself. I am a hunter. I am quite sure I never really knew that about myself before Africa. ★

Finally, I heard someone say “Elephant!” Then I moved a little faster. After making a large circle we came back to the truck in time to see the young bull elephant crossing the road.

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Why I Hunt A Formal Response to a Misinformed Hunting Critic

“G

et out of the car.”

I sat in an aging library tucked into the hills of Eastern Kentucky as renowned photojournalist and storyteller, David Labelle, addressed the room. A small group of college students awaited each word as we kicked off a week-long journalism workshop.

“You won’t find stories driving around. Walk the streets. Talk to people. And step into the culture if you really want to document it. Anything short of this is a discredit to those whose stories we attempt to tell.”

I’m paraphrasing from memory, but 15 years later, this lesson stands strong.

This simple advice is the core of ethical, accurate documentary work. I spent years documenting tales from the south, from my Appalachian home all the way to Memphis, Tennessee, where I worked as a photographer. My time as a journalist was short lived, but I’ve grown to see David’s advice as a lesson in life, not just journalism.

In a recent article from the magazine Bitter Southerner (http://bit.ly/ BSDontHunt), Charles Dodd White shared why he doesn’t hunt anymore.

The article highlighted southern hunters as paramilitary who engage in the “burlesque of masculinity.” While I respect his right to share personal perspective, this work does not pass my storytelling standards, and is a voyeuristic misrepresentation of the hunting culture I know and love.

I respect Charles as a writer. He is both eloquent and thoughtful in his delivery. However, his words, while wonderfully constructed, paint a picture of the south I’ve come to know and love that is more an editorial illustration than a documentary portrait.

In the essay, he said he hopes he’s wrong. I’m here to share why I believe he is.

I can’t speak for all of the hunters in the south, but I want to provide some context as to how well I know this audience. I walk within the culture. I’m the Cofounder, CEO of GoWild, an outdoors app. Of the tens of thousands of active members, 74 percent of them hunt. Through this, combined with my lifetime

of being connected to hunters, I’ve spoken with thousands of outdoorsmen and women. I’ve direct messaged with thousands this year alone. Every day I see their stories on our platform—tales of preparation, pursuit and prosperity. The story Charles tells is a caricature of a misguided stereotype.

When you only observe behavior from the fringe, it’s the loudest actors who are most notable. These parodistic observations miscategorize audiences en masse, with each retelling magnifying the eccentric few. Consider the extremists among your own political or religious beliefs. No matter the lifestyle in question, the damning behavior is often found on the outer circle, in plain sight to outsiders.

What follows is not further critique of Charles’s essay, but a documentation of why I am a proud, Southern hunter.

Also included are a few stories of those who are working hard to carry a torch of honor, respect and reverence for the wildlife and wilderness we adore.

In short, this is why I hunt.

BY BRAD LUTTRELL

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MODERNITY HAS MADE US LESS HUMAN THAN EVER BEFORE

At the roots of our origin, we gathered around campfires to develop language, fellowship with family, and celebrate the day’s hunt. If barbecues and an evening campfire on a cool night seem to put your soul at ease, don’t underestimate why: You’re rekindling your core. Every ounce of your nature was developed in smoky, warming moments just like this.

Today people effortlessly flip on the lights, summon a ride, order food, buy gifts and seemingly call upon the entire outside world to be brought to their doorstep. Despite millions of consumer goods, endless information and knowledge being closer than ever before, as a society, our wireless world is putting us at a great distance from our internal hardwiring. Society is creating humans that are indirect predators, becoming less aware of the consequences of our consumerism.

Hunting allows me to disconnect from this mental fog and clutter. It’s not unlike meditation. When I’m sitting in the woods, my mind is allowed to wander into the depths of the unexplored.

Having that break from the ever-present entertainment we keep in our pockets is the best creativity reset that I’ve found. In some ways, we’re blessed to hunt in the south where cell service has often yet to take root among the trees.

The pursuit of game not only brings you closer to your nature, it allows your mind to operate as nature intended. This, combined with the surreal experience of hearing and watching the woods wake up around you, unaware of your presence, is something that will awaken a new hunter’s internal emotions that have been dormant since birth.

Last year I had the pleasure of introducing my cofounder to turkey hunting. An avid hiker, he had logged thousands of miles in the woods. On the drive out, I told him he was about to have a new experience in the wilderness. As dawn arrived and silhouettes began to make their presence known, I was able to make out the outline of a childlike smile as he heard his first turkeys.

Shortly after, the morning thunder rolled—a hillside of turkeys erupted into gobbles, yelps and the flutter of wings as these prehistoric birds fled the roost.

On the drive back, he told me about how, in all of his time in the mountains, he never knew what he was missing. Under the impression of the absence of humans, the woods takes on its true character. We failed to get a bird that season, and he said he had hoped to take his first so he could call himself a hunter. I reassured him that he was now a hunter. This is what it is. Most of the time we come home empty handed, but our hearts and minds are full knowing about the rich world we left behind.

“DO YOU FEEL LIKE A MAN NOW?”

Years ago, the owner of the company I worked for chastised me about shooting a deer and posting it on Facebook. “Do you feel

like a man now?” It’s now a common occurrence for hunters, but at the time, this was my first time being bullied for hunting online.

That question fogged my head like the hangover of a rifle’s blast. For years I came back to this moment. Did I do something wrong? Should I not have posted this? Did he not understand I was going to feed this animal to my family for the next year?

As my career matured in the outdoor industry, these interactions became more frequent. I’ve had death threats against me and my family. I’ve been told I should get my meat at the grocery store like everyone else. Despite 86 percent of hunters naming “food” as the primary reason they hunt, they’re labeled as bloodthirsty, trophy hunting murderers. The attackers most often eat meat, but pointing out such is a cyclical, fruitless discussion. Surprisingly I can often find common ground with vegans after some brief dialogue—we’re both passionate about growing our own and monitoring where our food comes from.

I often hunt back home in the Appalachian Mountains. Flat farm acreage is scarce. In lieu of rolling fields, horses graze in small patches of depleted earth at the base of weathered mountains.

Roads cling to cliff sides, lest they fall into the creek, ever-present in the parallel below. The occasional dimple in the mountainside makes room for a weathered barn or dilapidated farmhouse. Were my great grandfathers alive, they’d find the land largely undisturbed from their childhoods, when coal camps and company stores were commonplace.

In many ways, how I hunt these hills is not unlike the process of my ancestors. My rifle, a modest 30-06 with a scope, is a modern tribute to those of the past. I admit there are many who spend thousands of dollars on high-end firearms and optics, and these upgrades have their advantages in the expansive western landscapes or flatlands a few hundred miles to the south. But CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 111

here, tucked into ravines and thickets of the mountains, expensive upgrades provide advantages but are not necessary in my pursuit of a freezer filler.

While I don’t personally identify as a gearhead, I understand the desire to pursue the best equipment. As hunters, we are only as good as our proficiency at killing. To try and say it is anything less is hiding from the fact that something dies so that I may live.

Make no mistake, your breakfast bacon, hamburger and steaks required a death as well. Even the grains consumed each year kill animals in bulk, costing an estimated six lives per acre according to a study done by Texas State University and the University of California, San Diego. Life eats life.

We can all do our best to make ethical consumer purchases, but much of that process is not in our direct control. But the hunter controls every aspect of protein acquisition. Once presented with a game opportunity, he or she is the only decider. Archers practice for months before taking to the hunt, all to pursue quick, efficient deaths. There certainly is a small percentage of hunters who likely glorify this aspect of the hunt. But I strongly believe much of this focus on the kill is misunderstood.

Every time I have an animal come into the scope of my rifle or the sight of my bow, my heart thunders. At times I’m certain the animal can hear the pounding through my layers of clothing. Veterans and new hunters alike talk about this moment. The pace at which thoughts race through your mind is not unlike a car crash. It happens in an instant, yet time slows. Realizing that death awaits weighs on you in the moment. As I gently squeeze my trigger, I watch and prepare to deal with the consequences of my actions. Death likely awaits.

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I often feel a brief moment of diverse emotions. Those initial seconds of watching an animal expire are in no way fun. But it is a necessary part of the acquisition. That understanding of death goes beyond the field. This experience has made me a more conscience consumer. If a grocery store chicken goes bad before it’s completely consumed at my house, I am bothered by the fact that something died for me, yet I didn’t wholly use its life. It’s disrespectful, and a thought that weighs ever-present in the mind of someone who knows what it means to take a life directly.

The complete cycle of hunting is the conversion of knowledge to wisdom. Modern consumers know animals die, but society distances itself from death. There is no connection to the animal. In contrast, the hunter can tell the story of their dinner—where that animal lived, and what it ate. When I cook doves, turkey, venison or fish for friends, I get to honor that animal by sharing its story.

I don’t ask everyone to hunt—I realize it’s not a likely reality.

But I do hope that those who don’t hunt can understand why I pursue this connection to nature and my food. My experience and respect for death grounds me in what it means to live. Knowing the gravity of mortality is an expansion of the mind, and it provides a moral compass for who I want to be: A respectful participant in nature, as opposed to one who takes and offers nothing in return.

THE RETURN OF RICH CULTURE

While hunting has been in a generational decline, especially here in the south, some recent data shows signs of hunter numbers increasing. This has in part come from a growing number of people taking control of their food source. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing and even partaking in a few of these efforts throughout the south.

In Georgia, Hank Forester founded a program to take new, inexperienced hunters on their first hunt. “We didn’t lead with, ‘Hey, do you want to go shoot a deer?’” said Forester in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. “If you’re talking about local, sustainable—I can’t certify organic—you can’t do better than white-tailed deer.”

My friend Jeremiah Doughty with From Field to Plate quit his well-paying job to spend his life teaching new hunters to not only hunt, but process their meat. I joined him in South Texas last fall for one of his classes. He spent three weeks teaching hands-on classes with more than a dozen new outdoorsmen and women, expanding on methods of take, butchering and how to prepare each cut of the meat. Some of his most enthusiastic participants in his classes have been vegans who first criticized his lifestyle. A few of them in particular are now regulars on his hunting trips.

Students in these classes aren’t showing up to kill, they’re learning to provide. The focus on hunting is not about the glory of killing. It’s about executing efficiently to ensure an animal suffers as little as possible, and the meat is processed well. The yield is some of the best protein available in the world (there is a reason top-notch eateries are serving venison), and the consumer walks away from the process knowing not only the gravity of death, but having a new respect for the value of a life.

While those efforts focus on the adults, another hunter I am proud to know and call my friend is Erin Crooks, the founder of Raise ’Em Outdoors. Erin is a military spouse and manages to run her nonprofit while her husband serves our country, often overseas on active duty, as she raises their two children. Erin hosts camps across the country, bringing hundreds of children and parents together each year.

Most of her camps are happening right here in the South.

There are dozens of stories I could call out, ranging from the millions of pounds of meat that have been donated from hunters to those in need, to the hundreds of local groups donating time to clean and preserve our public lands. All of these acts of selfless leadership are guiding a new generation of hunters into the woods. A byproduct of this is creating participants in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which is how much of our wildlife and wildlands are funded and sustained.

It’s my hope that the next time you see a hunter, you see more than a killer. Together, our modern hunters and anglers have helped restore this great nation’s wildlife to numbers never seen before. Our elk, turkey, grouse, duck, and whitetail populations have never been more healthy than they are today, all in response to the actions of those who wander the woods in pursuit of game.

For the voyeur, I know it’s a strange concept to think that we hunters love something, but we also take from it. Aldo Leopold summarized it well when he said, “a conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke [of the axe] he is writing his signature on the face of the land.”

on an ATV, cutting November’s chill. I serve as her windshield initially, and as we get deeper into the woods, my face sweeps for spiderwebs and stray branches as we climb deeper into the weathered Appalachian Mountains.

The air crisps as we cross a small stream. I ask her to deboard before climbing a steep, slick hillside. A seemingly chivalrous act, but she acknowledges it’s a raw deal—she’s the one who has to hike the 200 yards of elevation in the dark. Atop, I wait in silence for a few minutes before I hear rustling leaves and huffing. She nearly pulls me off the ATV as she falls into her seat. We carry on.

Half an hour from home, we come to rest among a grove of invasive mountain olives. As the engine quiets, we acclimate to the silence and pack up our gear. Splitting up, she moves over a hillside into a mostly dried creekbed. I work my way through a thicket, up the mountainside. The occasional twig snap seems to echo among the sleeping woods.

I come to rest among acorns and conclude I must be leaning against a mighty oak. I sit. I wait. My mind begins to wander. I think about the tales of my great grandfathers and their hunts in these aging hills. Right here in this moment, as dawn highlights the earth, I feel connected to my ancestors as my view is just as theirs would have been. Deprived of modernity.

Leaves rustle, pulling me back to this moment. A combination of anxiety and excitement rushes through me. Bears wander these woods, something that’s nice to see for a tourist, and another altogether for a hunter. It occurs to me that a bear would be a possible nuance in my hunt, as their population was sparse back then.

A few more sounds. Probably a squirrel.

In the absence of a schedule and any place to be, minutes can feel like hours.

As the twilight comes into a chromatic display of soft light, I hear a blast. It echoes through the woods.

I avert my eyes to the direction of the pollution of silence, but refrain from turning my head, as not to further startle any game that may be nearby.

As our morning concludes, we reconvene among the olive trees. We share stories of the animals seen, laugh about our failures, successes, and we sit, hydrating as we shed a few layers.

I tell her about how I want to build a digital community for hunters to replicate and share moments like this—the part of the story often untold and misunderstood. We need a place to keep this experience alive, to share our heritage, tradition and to welcome others to learn about it. She is one of the first people to encourage me to do so.

The engine rumbles as we depart, and as we make our way back through the muddy ruts and washed-out strip mine roads.

I know we’re bringing back more than the game we take. Our time in the woods travels with us and will remain. I am, however, always left to wonder if the best version of myself wasn’t left behind, sitting rooted with the trees. ★

Modern consumers know animals die, but society distances itself from death. There is no connection to the animal.

* * *

A quiet alarm brings me awake. I slip out of the covers and prowl the house like a thief, in silence as I layer up, fill a thermos and lace up my boots. Moments later, my sister and I are

Brad Luttrell is the cofounder and CEO of GoWild. He is an awardwinning writer, marketing strategist and creative director, although his friends mostly just know him for his smoked venison chili. Join the GoWild community at downloadgowild.com.

CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 113

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Meagan posing for a photo after a successful sable hunt near Tarkastad.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE Girls’ Trip

BY MEAGAN McELYA

116 HUNTER'S HORN™ CONVENTION 2020

W

hen most women plan a getaway with their girlfriends, the first destinations that come to mind are usually associated with tropical drinks or poker chips. But this group…this group of eight ladies from Texas could never come close to being like “most women.”

Let’s start with the fact that we hardly knew each other when this whole thing started. We were a diverse group consisting of childhood friends, professional colleagues, and in my case, a mother/daughter pair. Having never visited South Africa, I was so excited when I received an invite from Monica and eager to experience such a new and exciting destination not only with my mom, Michelle, but with some of the coolest chicks I had just met that same day over our first glasses of wine at the Houston airport.

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Monica, by far the most seasoned traveler to South Africa, kindly leveraged her personal relationships to coordinate travel itinerary, lodging, professional hunting services, photo safari locations, shopping sprees, you name it. She did a wonderful job creating an enjoyable trip for both groups: The ladies who were hunting, and the ladies who were strictly wanting to enjoy some R&R while capturing photos on safari. You see, not all of us are hunters. And that wasn’t a bad thing! It actually provided a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and having an open dialogue about conservation efforts and how the hunting experience was so much more than just the harvest of an animal. I just so happened to be on the trip for both reasons and had absolutely no idea at the time how fulfilling and exciting that would be.

ADDO

With swollen ankles and a hankering for a large glass of wine, we stepped off of the final flight into the Port Elizabeth airport.

Walking through the arrival gate, we met up with our professional

Below left: Netting and relocating a female mountain reedbuck near Tarkastad.

Below right: Rudy assisting in netting and relocating a female mountain reedbuck near Tarkastad.

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hunters, Juan, Ashley and Rudolph (Rudy), whose South African accents (and toned, tanned legs) were about the warmest welcome a group of ladies could ask for. We loaded our things into the back of each of their vehicles, and our caravan headed to the first destination: Africano Country Estate in Addo.

To break up the commute, Juan had made plans to drive through Addo Elephant National Park, the third-largest national park in South Africa. I was in awe of how beautiful and unique they were.

I’d have to say that my favorite was the surprisingly photogenic male warthog who decided to stop mid-stroll for a drink just as we pulled past him, almost posing for the camera.

I’m sure Rudy will tell you how I asked him about the agriculture industry as we traveled from one area to the next. I was fascinated by how similar some of the growing environments were to those that I had experienced back in Texas. Citrus fields were present up to the driveway of the Africano Country Estate, where we arrived just before sunset to settle in for a relaxing night of enjoying dinner and the company of new friends. The suites at the estate were breathtaking, featuring a large outdoor shower and a twinkling, starlight ceiling right above the bed.

That evening we mingled and exchanged stories over a gourmet meal of various sushi dishes and, of course, a few bottles of wine. And when I say a few, I mean we kept them coming to the table until we lost count. This created the perfect environment for loads of laughter and almost instant new-found friendships. After

Above: Male warthog stops for a quick drink at Addo Elephant National Park.

ordering a nightcap to enjoy by the fire, we all returned to our suites for the evening, excited about the plans Juan had shared with us for the days ahead.

TARKASTAD

After our restful night in Addo, we enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast together before loading up to make the four-hour drive to Tarkastad, where we would be staying for the next two nights.

The hunters would head out that evening, so we met with Juan’s mother, Shannon, to pick up our talented local trackers and Juan’s eleven-year-old decker terrier, Leica. Mountain tops began to peek around each curve as we approached Tarkastad, and I began to notice colossal termite mounds dotting the landscape. We stopped to stretch our legs and fuel up in town before making our way to the Carrickmoor Guest Farm, where Nikki and Justin Phillips were waiting to welcome us. After unloading, it wasn’t long before we had the rifles and shooting sticks out. Having never used shooting sticks, I was intrigued and very excited to give them a try. Juan and Rudy did a fantastic job explaining how the sticks were a necessity for the spot-and-stalk style of hunting, ensuring that all hunters understood how to set up, balance, steady the rifle and explained where to aim on each animal before taking a shot. The goal: a properly placed shot every time, so the animal does not experience unnecessary suffering.

My mom, Michelle, and I would be riding with Rudy for each hunt in his impressively equipped Toyota Land Cruiser. This truck was like nothing I had seen before, complete with custom suspension to cover the rocky, mountainous terrain and a hunting rack in the back where our tracker, Neil, and I would be spending most of our time. Neil wasn’t too talkative that first day, probably trying to process what he had gotten himself into with all of these Texas women who seemed a tad too comfortable with a rifle in their hands. Over the next few days, Neil and I would spend hours upon

hours in the top of the truck together as I attempted to hide my struggle to balance as we drove along the rough and rocky paths.

I would ask him about his family, and he seemed very interested in hearing more about my camera gear, which I had in hand every minute that I wasn’t hunting. I explained how my love for hunting and the outdoors is just as significant as my love for photography and storytelling.

Our first hunt that evening was on acreage just across the road from the guest farm. I was impressed as we watched Rudy and Neil glass the hillsides and valleys for movement. As the sun started to dip behind the mountains for the evening, they spotted a male red lechwe, an aquatic African antelope, napping in an open field.

Now let me explain something. Before our trip, my mom and I had created a sort of “wish list” of animals we would like to harvest, having every intention of sticking to that plan. You see, Rudy had this sound he would make when he spotted a trophy animal. It was an almost growl-like sound from the depths of his vocal cords.

“Yooouuuhh,” he would say, or something along those lines. When he made that sound everyone in the truck would get excited, especially Michelle! As Rudy stopped the truck to get a better look, there it was. “Yooouuuhh!” Michelle jumped out of the truck and grabbed the rifle within a split second. Using the creek bed for cover, they slowly made their way up to him and she was quickly the first hunter to make a kill.

Something that immediately stands out to me is how unique and almost artistic the horns of African animals are, and the lechwe was no exception. Each evening we stayed in Tarkastad, we celebrated our successful hunts and swapped stories of the day with the whole group back at Carrickmoor Guest Farm. Nikki is a talented chef and prepared gorgeous, home-cooked meals of various venison, springbok, fallow dear, fresh vegetables, and decadent traditional desserts. We spent the rest of our evenings stargazing while sitting around the fire and when it got too chilly, we played blackjack and CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 119

Above left: Rudy’s Toyota Land Cruiser. | Above right: Juan’s 11-year old decker terrier, Leica, waits eagerly.

Early in the hunt, both Michelle and Renee were off to a great start. Michelle harvested a male waterbuck on the hillside just as the sunrise kissed the landscape and after a pursuit on foot, Renee and Rudy returned to the Land Cruiser with a gorgeous black springbuck.

you guessed it, drank more wine. At this point in the trip, the group had jokingly nick-named red wine “giraffe juice,” mainly because of the purple stains on our tongues each morning.

The next stop was a separate piece of land where I had the pleasure of watching Debbie, a dear family friend and fellow HLSR Ranching and Wildlife Committeeman, harvest her handsome sable antelope. I’ve only had the opportunity to hunt with a handful of people, most being family, so being part of her hunt and experiencing her raw emotions firsthand was a very special moment for me.

Soon after the hunt, Rudy let us know that he had arranged a surprise for us and that he was pretty sure I would enjoy it. I was intrigued, to say the least.

We made our way around to the other side of the same property where a team with trucks had pulled in along with their small helicopter, there to collect and relocate springbuck and mountain reedbuck to another area. Although I had heard of the practice of netting animals from the air, this was my first time seeing it done in person. The precision and speed of the team was astonishing as we chased them around the property, with me in the back of the truck attempting the impossible task of taking steady photos from a moving vehicle. As we rounded a corner, the blade whirring became louder and we realized they were about to fly directly above us in pursuit of a female mountain reedbuck, which was about 30 yards up the hill from our truck. Rudy jumped in to assist by safely receiving her once she was netted, standing just a couple feet under the hovering helicopter.

Hard to believe I remember all of that considering my heart was racing the entire time, frantically trying to capture as many photos of the action that my storage card would allow.

As we snacked on a packed lunch, Rudy took us to the last stop of the day which was conveniently on the way back to the guest farm. I caught myself thinking about Debbie’s sable, his impressive confidence and massive stature. Then…there it was again.

“Yooouuuhh.” Rudy had spotted another nice male sable. This animal was breathtaking, having an almost

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majestic presence about him.

Remember that “wish list” I mentioned? Well in that moment, all consideration for what was on that list went completely out the window. “Want me to hand you the camera?” Debbie asked. “No, thank you,” I replied. “But please hand me the rifle.” The giant smile that spread across her face was priceless.

Rudy and I quietly made our way through some high brush to a clearing. Trying to keep me calm and comfortable, Rudy set the sticks and waved me over to take a shot. The next few moments were a complete blur. I had made a perfect shot and he dropped about 40 yards away from us. I can’t remember a time when I have felt so many emotions at the same time. That night was full of celebration, but as a cold front started to blow in, the hunters headed to bed early knowing of our 5 a.m. wake-up call the next morning.

Our final day in Tarkastad was by far the coldest and Renee would be joining us today on the hunt.

We packed into Rudy’s truck and headed to a massive 11,000-hectare private ranch where Rudy had previously spent 11 years as an apprentice.

Early in the hunt, both Michelle and Renee were off to a great start. Michelle harvested a male waterbuck on the hillside just as the sunrise kissed the landscape and after a pursuit on foot, Renee and Rudy returned to the Land Cruiser with a gorgeous black springbuck. Mind you, we hadn’t gotten far from the main camp and still had a LOT of ground to cover. Over the next eight hours, we ventured around steep hills speckled with the occasional herd of wildebeest, through deep valleys where groups of mountain reedbuck would scurry to shelter in tall grass as we passed.

Neil pointed out a male on the hillside and after he and Rudy had decided he was mature, my mom urged me to go after him. We walked into the valley to the hillside opposite of the reedbuck and I’ll be honest, I was having an extremely difficult time finding this tiny dude through the scope. Finally, after a successful shot, we watched as he quickly tumbled down the hill.

We moved on and Rudy then spotted a couple of eland antelope, the largest species of plains game in Africa and had the ability to be rather elusive. We’d come to find out that that was sure an understatement. Renee and I waited patiently at the truck while Neil, Rudy, and Michelle made their way across an open field leading to the edge of the valley where the eland had been spotted grazing.

Soon though, Renee and I spotted the two eland trotting up to the top of the valley, headed back toward the mountain. It wasn’t long until the crew also appeared, hauling butt back to the truck to continue the hunt. Rudy quickly put the truck in gear and barreled down the weathered dirt “road” toward where we had seen them stop. Everyone in that truck was told to keep an eye on the eland as Rudy did his best to take us to a good position for a shot. “Don’t lose em’!” Rudy exclaimed, and at that very moment, I looked down to realize that I was in the back of a truck that was now quite literally scaling up a mountain sideways in pursuit of these animals.

After what seemed like the longest 30 minutes in my life, a clean shot was made, and the eland bull went down at the very bottom of the valley on the riverbed. All was grand until Rudy realized that the path he had once been familiar with had eroded and would leave his truck high centered. We now had no way of turning around, unless he built his own road. Which is exactly what he and Neil did, lifting and carrying several substantial boulders up to the truck where they created a new “road” as us ladies watched in amazement. We also soon discovered the near 2,000-pound eland carcass was only accessible by foot and the animal would have to be quartered and carried over 100 yards. Say no more! Rudy and the team picked up and hauled each quarter of that animal on their shoulders back to the truck as if it was an everyday chore.

The fifth-generation owner of the ranch, Mr. Charles Price, welcomed us back at the main camp offering some of the finest red wine I had ever had in celebration. He told us stories of Rudy’s time working on the ranch as we all nibbled traditional biltong, dried meat sliced extremely thin with a beautifully crafted wooden slicer.

I shared photos of the property with Charles and we all thanked him for hosting us before heading off to join the rest of the group for dinner and a good night’s rest at Chappy and Maryland’s house.

Chappy and Maryland are two of Monica’s very close friends and were so kind to host us for one night before we moved on to our final destination.

When we arrived at their home, it was late evening and we met the others by the fire to enjoy, you guessed it, more South African red wine. I hadn’t had the chance to introduce myself before I turned around and saw Maryland’s welcoming smile as she offered bread, skewered meats, and beans that she had saved until we arrived. Chappy had already gone to bed for the evening, but the next morning I had the absolute pleasure of getting to know him over a breakfast of warm oatmeal and freshly squeezed orange juice before we loaded everything up to head to the coast for the remainder of our trip.

KENTON ON SEA

Our final three nights were spent near Kenton on Sea enjoying impeccable hospitality, gourmet meals and twice-daily photo safaris at Sibuya Game Reserve. After hunting each day up to that point, I was eager to enjoy some days of resting and relaxation while hopefully capturing the beauty and power of the animals.

We arrived by riverboat just before dinner and were greeted by a staff of young college students who were there as part of an apprenticeship program with the reserve. I was looking forward to spending a few days with the rest of the ladies, including Rebekah,

Above: A giraffe and her calf strolling through Sibuya Game Reserve.

Monica, Taryn, Cindy (aka C1) and Cyndie (aka C2). We had only spent time together over meals, which didn’t give us much time to get to know each other.

The next few days were spent meandering around the reserve, searching for and experiencing a variety of animals including impala, white rhinos, nyala, elephants, zebras, and giraffes, to name only a few. Oh and of course the king himself, a fourteen-year-old male lion weighing it at about 230 pounds, napping in the shade with his lioness.

Before making the long trip home, we went into town to shop a bit, enjoy massages and just take in the final days. Some of the group met up with us down at a local hole-in-the-wall bar that backed up to a gorgeous beachfront. We sat together talking about our favorite moments and sharing stories before taking a walk in the sand just before the sunset.

The next evening was our last and as sad as I was to leave, I was overwhelmingly grateful to have spent time in such a magical place with fantastic company. Thank you, Beyond Horizon Safaris, for literally creating the most memorable experience I have had in my life. Each of you made a lasting impact and it was so nice to hear how much the ladies who didn’t hunt also enjoyed the trip, watching the hard work and dedication from the hunters as well as the vast knowledge and professionalism Juan, Rudy and Ashley all possessed. There is just no place that will ever compare to Africa, and I can’t wait to plan my next trip. ★ CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 121

HSC Goes To Washington

BY JOE BETAR, HSC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

H

SC President JD Burrows and I traveled to Washington, D.C., in September. We were quite busy with two full days of meetings with legislators, Cabinet members and agency representatives. In addition, we served as your HSC representatives at the 30th annual Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Banquet and Auction.

The first day of meetings began with an in-depth conversation on priority legislative issues with Jeff Crane, President, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Later that morning we met with Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX 2nd District).

Congressman Crenshaw’s staff was very interested in the positive coexistence of wind and solar energy development projects in relation to wildlife and habitat. The afternoon was spent with Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) legislative director. Senator Cruz introduced the Saving America’s Vulnerable and Endangered Species (SAVES) Act, which would eliminate bureaucratic red tape for ranchers and conservators engaged in captive breeding of exotic wildlife and support animal conservation efforts.

Senator Cruz has stated, “Non-native species and wildlife enrich Texas land and are an important economic driver. I am proud to reintroduce the SAVES Act to eliminate bureaucratic regulations and empower Texans to engage in a sustainable use of resources while supporting their wildlife breeding and conservation efforts.”

To conclude the day, we engaged U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in an extensive conversation regarding public land access and importation issues. We also extended our appreciation to the Secretary on his recent efforts to expand public access to hunting and fishing. Through efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, the Secretary has enhanced access to 1.4 million acres nationwide. The expansion is more than double the acreage that has been opened or expanded compared to the last five years combined. Seventyseven national wildlife refuges and 15 national fish hatcheries managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are now open to hunting and fishing for the first time or have expanded opportunities for new game species. This action brings the number of units in the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System where the public may hunt to 381 and the number where fishing will be permitted to 316.

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fishing for the first time. The final rule also outlines a comprehensive revision and simplification of all refuge-specific hunting and fishing regulations in all 50 states to more closely match state regulations while continuing to ensure safe and compatible opportunities.

The meeting was very productive, and it was extremely encouraging to know our DOI Secretary is a lifelong hunter and fisherman and supports the protection and promotion of our hunting heritage.

Day two meetings began with Ted Verrill, Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director for Congressman Ralph Abraham, MD, (R-LA, 5th District). Representatives Ralph Abraham (RLa.) and Marc Veasey (D-TX, 33rd District), introduced HR 837, which calls for a collaboration between the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to work with the National Academies of Science to study and identify the ways CWD is transmitted between wild, captive and farmed deer, caribou, elk and moose.

In addition, we attended the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Chairman’s Club luncheon. The event was a bipartisan gathering of members of the Sportsman’s Caucus. Members from both sides of the aisle are joined together, as members of the caucus, to support pro-hunting and conservation initiatives. In attendance were several founding members of the caucus, including former Representative Lindsay Thomas. The keynote speaker for the event was Congressman and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA, 1st District). You may recall Congressman Scalise was injured in June of 2017 when he was shot by a left-wing activist at a baseball practice for the congressional baseball team in Virginia.

Left: HSC President JD Burrows, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, HSC Executive Director Joe Betar Right: HSC President JD Burrows, US Senator John Cornyn, HSC Executive Director Joe Betar

Following the luncheon, we were on to meetings with Ron Regan, Executive Director and Jennifer Mock Schaeffer, Government Affairs Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The conversation focused on the Pebble Mine, importation issues and the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, H.R. 2742, a bipartisan legislation which would establish a 21st century funding model for the proactive conservation of fish and wildlife. This legislation redirects $1.3 billion annually in existing revenues to state fish and wildlife agencies to implement their science-driven wildlife action plans, and an additional $97.5 million to tribal wildlife managers to conserve species on tribal lands and waters. This funding will ensure those with a proven track record of success in species conservation and recovery can proactively conserve at-risk fish and wildlife in a voluntary, non-regulatory manner.

We also met with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to discuss several legislative issues including the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act. The Pittman-Robertson Act directs excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment to be used for wildlife conservation purposes. Since its origin in 1937, this legislation has contributed nearly $11.5 billion to wildlife conservation.

This legislation would provide funding to state wildlife agencies for the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters and recreational shooters (R3) through educational programs. We also discussed Proposition 5, the Texas constitutional amendment on the November 2019 ballot to appropriate the revenues from sales tax on sporting goods equipment to fund state parks and historical sites.

Our day culminated with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Banquet and Auction. This annual social and fundraising event afforded the opportunity to meet with several Representatives, Senators, and staffers.

Gun control was a primary topic of conversation on the Hill.

However, in all meetings, we pressed forward with topics involving hunting and conservation.

We strongly expressed our opposition to H.R. 2245, known

as the CECIL Act (Conserving Ecosystems By Ceasing The Importation of Large Animals Trophies Act). HSC was an original opposer to this piece of legislation. This bill represents an ill-conceived attempt to substitute uninformed prejudices for the management strategies of the wildlife authorities successfully conserving the world’s largest populations of lions, elephants and other African species in their range countries. If implemented, H.R. 2245 would undermine some of the most effective strategies for conserving the world’s wildlife.

We also conveyed HSC’s opposition to the Pebble Mine Project. The Pebble Mine is proposed to be built in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Bristol Bay’s world-renowned sockeye salmon fishery is valued at over $1.5 billion, supports over 14,000 jobs, and sustains more than 30 regional Alaska Native Tribes. The proposed Pebble Mine would be over 1,500 feet deep by 6,500 feet wide, covering 3,190 acres—all in the headwaters of the world’s largest salmon fishery.

On February 20, 2019 the US Army Corps of Engineers released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Pebble Mine. Due to a 30-day extension announced on May 3, public comments on the draft EIS were accepted until July 1, 2019. During the period when the draft EIS was out for public comment, several public hearings were held to receive public input on the proposed mine. In July 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that they would not block the proposed Pebble Mine. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of reviewing all submitted public comments on the draft EIS and preparing a final EIS. The final EIS is expected to be released in early 2020 and a decision on the project will be announced in mid-2020.

One of HSC President JD Burrows’ primary objectives for the next year is “to make HSCF more relevant” in hunting and conservation. We felt we moved this initiative in the right direction, while in Washington this year, and through HSC’s ongoing legislative involvement. Legislators and influencers are asking for our input. Conversations during these meeting days were a definite indicator that the HSC-PAC is going to be in demand. ★ CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 123

During that first visit we were pleased to see that most of the fixed assets were still intact, albeit in need of some urgent TLC.

THE LOWER DOMA CONSERVATION AREA A Glimmer of Light for Wildlife Conservation in Zimbabwe | By Chidumbu

It was 4 a.m. when I saw the Land Cruiser’s headlamps beaming through the darkness. It was a typical October morning, uncomfortably warm even though the sun had not yet crested the horizon. October in Zimbabwe is referred to as “suicide month” by the locals, for good reason. It’s hot, dry and hazy. Today promised to be another scorcher!

The heavily-laden Land-Cruiser, packed to the rafters with supplies for the next few days, jolted to a halt. From within the cab there came a mumbled greeting from the lone occupant. Even in the early half-light I could detect a broad grin on Gordon’s face – a bit like a gun-dog that knows it’s going hunting!

Sadly, we weren’t going hunting. Never-the-less, getting out of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, to the bush for a few days is always a welcome break. On this occasion our mission was to deliver essential supplies to the camp staff at Doma Safari Lodge, the nerve centre of the Lower Doma Conservation project.

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province, about 150km north of Harare, the project area covers almost 200 square kilometers of diverse terrain and forms a contiguous wildlife area bordering the Zimbabwe National Park’s Doma Safari Area and the Zambezi valley escarpment. It is about a 3-hour drive, depending on the state of the rural roads.

It is a pleasant drive, especially in the early morning, although one has to be careful of the many hazards associated with travel in Africa. Deep potholes are a big problem, as too are stray goats and cattle that pay little heed to any traffic laws!

We were soon eating up the miles of hard top, passing through the sleepy hamlets of Banket and Chinhoyi, before turning off at Lions Den towards Mhangura.

Once a bustling mining town, Mhangura is a shadow of its former self. Having said that though, positive changes are evident.

Reinventing itself into an important agriculture area, it’s wellknown for producing high yields of tobacco, wheat and maize.

Our timing could not have been better. We came to the end

At last the mirror-calm waters of the camp dam glint through the leafless tree limbs. It’s a welcome site, an oasis of green-tinged margins nestled in a gray and seemingly harsh, desolate landscape.

of the tarmac and, as the sun finally peeped over the tree tops, its iridescent shards of light danced across the red gravel road. This is rural Africa at its best.

As we bumped along the corrugated track, the farmland soon gave way to rolling hills and thick woodland. Here and there we caught glimpses of Africa’s ubiquitous mud huts, their occupants up and about, readying themselves for the day ahead. To the outsider it seems an idyllic lifestyle, but these rural folk don’t have it easy – it’s a hard way of life! In spite of this, however, they always have a ready smile and friendly wave.

In the distance Tchecheneni Mountain looms above the surroundings. It’s a sacred symbol and landmark for the local people.

For us it signifies we are nearly at our journey’s end.

At this time of the year, the height of summer, the surrounding bush is bone-dry. There has been talk of a regional drought.

There is evidence of recent bushfires. Wood smoke hangs in the air; you can smell it—another one of those sensory experiences peculiar to Africa—not unpleasant.

We slowly made our way along the track. Elephant sign everywhere! Trees have been uprooted, pushed over and stripped of bark, huge piles of dung are all over the place. There is little nutritional value in bark. I guess our giant friends are also feeling the effects of the prolonged dry spell.

At last the mirror-calm waters of the camp dam glint through the leafless tree limbs. It’s a welcome site, an oasis of green-tinged margins nestled in a gray and seemingly harsh, desolate landscape.

It is with a sigh of relief that we greet sight of the lodge, thankfully still intact in spite of all the bushfires.

We are greeted by broad grins from the camp staff. Of course they are happy; we have their supplies.

Much progress has been made at the camp since our initial visit in November 2018. That was after an absence of over three years. On that visit the lodge was in a bit of a mess.

Doma Safaris has been involved with this initiative for more than 20 years. The lodge itself, staff and management formed the epicenter of operations, participating in various community and wildlife conservation related projects.

In 2016, due to political “challenges,” we were forced—reluctantly—to terminate our involvement, as well as entrust the security of the lodge’s assets to the new “caretakers.” Sadly, during our absence, the lodge fell into a sorry state of disrepair and the operation, including infrastructure, as well as community involvement and the environment, suffered significant exploitation and abuse.

In November 2018 we were approached by Makonde Rural District Council with the aim of resuscitating our partnership.

During that first visit we were pleased to see that most of the fixed assets were still intact, albeit in need of some urgent TLC. Unfortunately, all the moveable assets had been “liberated.”

Subsequently we employed four dedicated staff members: A Camp Manager and an assistant to oversee rebuilding and maintenance, as well as two Game Scouts for much needed anti-poaching CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 125

Above: Tchecheneni Mountain looms above the surroundings. It’s a sacred symbol and landmark for the local people.

Below: By providing assistance to local communities, educational programs, and health care, we can improve their well-being and standard of living, thereby gaining their support and reducing human/animal conflict.

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Above & right: There is no doubt that game numbers have dwindled, however, over the past year we have been seeing more and more gamesable, lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, hyena, bushbuck, waterbuck and aardvark—and of course plenty of elephant!

patrols. We desperately need more boots on the ground—this is a huge area to patrol, but it is a positive start. The camp used to have a staff complement of 14 (nine of whom were dedicated to anti-poaching).

Traditionally we have always had a good working relationship with National Parks—Doma’s shared northern boundary with Parks forms an important and vital game corridor, essential in managing wildlife/human conflict. National Parks regularly avail the services of anti-poaching units. Inevitably, without dedicated and constant patrols in the area, the game has suffered. However, over the past year we have been seeing more and more game— sable, lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, hyena, bushbuck, waterbuck and aardvark—and of course plenty of elephant! This past year has been very positive. Africa’s wildlife is tremendously resilient; protect it and it bounces back.

While recent political and economic developments in Zimbabwe have received mixed reports in the world’s press, new measures put in place to stabilize the economy appear to be bearing fruit.

The World Bank has upgraded Zimbabwe from lower to lowermiddle-income status. The IMF as well as the European Union have given their support to these austerity measures. Admittedly these are small steps, but they are in the right direction.

Zimbabwe remains one of the most economically impoverished regions of the planet; this has created significant social, political, and economic challenges to conserving biodiversity while enhancing human well-being.

Poverty is both a cause and effect of environmental degradation.

The equitable, efficient and productive use of natural resources offers important opportunities for sustainable livelihoods that can contribute to reducing poverty.

Compared to more accessible national parks and safari areas in Zimbabwe, the Doma Safari Area is a little-known, but very attractive area situated mostly on the edge of the magnificent Zambezi valley escarpment adjoining the southern extremity of the Chewore Safari Area. It boasts some spectacular countryside and diverse wildlife, providing real safari experiences. Also within close proximity is the World Heritage designated Mana Pools National Park. The area is both remote and rugged—mountains

and valleys bisected by sand rivers. Roads and human settlements are few.

We believe that the Lower Doma Conservation Area can serve as an engine for the rehabilitation and conservation of this unique wildlife area through anti-poaching, community projects, development, job creation, education and training.

Conservation: By protecting the area’s flora and fauna we can ensure future generations have a chance to experience this special place.

Community: By providing assistance to local communities, educational programs, and health care, we can improve their well-being and standard of living, thereby gaining their support and reducing human/animal conflict.

Sustainable Tourism: By developing sustainable tourism, we can create employment and generate sustainable revenue for the local population.

Over the past year we have certainly come a long way.

Admittedly there is still much to do. But it will happen, especially with the support of the authorities, local government and community. With this kind of commitment and dedication, there is indeed a glimmer of light for wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

Eager hands make light work of off-loading the Land Cruiser.

The staff will feed well tonight. For Gordon and myself the next few days are going to be busy. The hours will go quickly, but for now there is time for a cold beer and some relaxation—I think fresh fish is on the menu for tonight’s supper. I hope I remembered to pack my fishing rod! ★ CONVENTION 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 127

QUAIL LESSONS

BY TYLER SHARP

In case you didn’t know, quail hunting in Texas is hope for — being able to eat wild food provided a very serious matter, regarded as one of the more by our hands, instead of buying it from some undistinguished and gentlemanly of shooting pursuits. known source.

Another matter of seriousness in the Lone Star State We were all thankful for the meat, and leaning is barbeque, which has deservedly risen to celebrity on Justin’s secret recipes, grateful to have an award status now that out-of-staters have finally seen the winning barbeque master to bring it all full circle. light. This short story is about both, but it’s also about After an honest gesture of thanks, it was off to the teaching two eight-year-old boys ethics of respongrill for these wild birds. I think most would agree sible hunting. that a hunted dinner tastes best.

Last year, I was invited to close Rounded out with green chili out the quail season with two mac & cheese, and Aunt Polly’s good friends; Justin Fourton, the banana pudding, this was one smokemaster of Pecan Lodge that I’ll never forget. in Dallas, who has since risen It’s hard to say how much of to barbeque hall-of-fame status, it the boys retained, as they are and Phil Lamb, the Executive not my sons, but it sure was reDirector of Development warding to see them listen and for the Rolling Plains Quail follow along with eager ears and Research Foundation, an orgahearts. And while it might be nization dedicated to conserving some time before they earn the and increasing wild quail popprivilege to wield a shotgun for ulations in Texas. They both themselves, you can be sure that brought their sons, Henry and when the time comes, they will —ROBERT RUARK, THE OLD MAN AND THE BOY Cooper, and we spent several remember some of the lessons days on a family ranch out West they learned, and respect the in Hamlin, Texas. weight and responsibility that As we walked the fields, flushing covey after covey comes with taking the life of an animal to sustain of wild bobwhites, we taught the boys about native your own. wildlife, habitat preservation, hunter safety, and how It seems rarer and rarer these day, but it makes me you should treat all of it with care and respect. We proud to have friends who are passing on important harvested enough birds for one meal, and the boys lessons, helping keep the traditions of ethical hunting helped us clean and dress them for the grill. It was alive, and showing their boys the path to becoming about as pure of a hunting experience as you could respectful, thoughtful young men. ★

“Anytime a boy is ready to learn about guns is the time he’s ready, no matter how young he is, and you can’t start too young to learn how to be careful.”

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1

2

1: Two shots, two quail. A double as the sun heats up in West Texas, requiring a shedding of layers.

2: Justin Fourton, owner and founder of Pecan Lodge Barbecue, hands his son Henry a harvested quail, and teaches him lessons from the field.

3: Phil Lamb of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation holds up the bounty of the day in his Stetson.

4: Justin Fourton prepares the quail for the grill, while the author’s dog Wyatt looks on with curiosity.

5: Nothing better than a field to table meal, especially when it involves some of Pecan Lodge’s secret recipes.

4

3

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130 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ CONVENTION 2020

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