Hunter's Horn-Spring 2017 by Houston Safari Club Foundation

T H E OFFIC IA L PU BLIC ATION OF H OUS T ON S AFARI CLUB â&#x20AC;¢ S P RI NG 2 0 1 7

The Legend

TABLE of

CONTENTS

FEATURES

SPRING 2017

2017 HSC CONVENTION 18 2017 CONVENTION: CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

48 EDUCATING LEGISLATORS ON OUR SPORTSMEN’S HERITAGE

By Andy Treharne

50 STRANDED? 10 TIPS FOR SPENDING A (SOMEWHAT) COMFORTABLE NIGHT IN THE AIRPORT

By Aaron Laurich

54 THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT OF HSC'S SUPPORT TOWARDS THE PROTECTION OF THE WILDLIFE IN THE LOWER ZAMBEZI VALLEY’S SAFARI AREA

By Lynn Taylor

60 RANCHO MESCALERO 2.0: WHITE WING DOVE IN THE SHADOW OF THE SIERRA MADRE ORIENTAL

By Harold Inman

By JD Burrows

24 2017 OUTSTANDING HUNTER OF THE YEAR: MICHAEL AMBROSE

26 2017 OUTSTANDING HUNTRESS OF THE YEAR: CAROLYN NEWLIN

28 2017 PROFESSIONAL HUNTER OF THE YEAR: BRUNO ROSICH

30 THE YWCE EXPERIENCE: GETTING

YOUTH INVOLVED IN CONSERVATION

By Susan & David Kalich

34 2017 CONVENTION PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 39 2017 CONVENTION YOUTH HUNTING AWARDS 40 2017 CONVENTION HUNTING AWARDS

64 HUNTERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES

By Mark Damian Duda, Marty Jones, and Tom Beppler, Responsive Management

70 LOW AND SLOW: HOW TO TAME THE TOUGH CUTS

By Scott Leysath

74 TWO BRITISH WOMEN & HUNDREDS OF AMERICAN BIRDS

By Victoria Knowles-Lacks and Clair Sadler

78 EXPLORING THE WORLD WITH WEST UNIVERSITY TRAVEL

84 WHAT IS TROPHY HUNTING? By Shane Mahoney

86 A HUNTING RETREAT IN EAST TEXAS By Kaylin Martinez

90 FALCONRY: THE SPORT OF KINGS By Ryan Anthony

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Cover Artwork: 2017 Convention Photography Awards, Best in Show by Suzanne Hixson

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UPCOMING EVENTS APRIL 7-9:

YO Ranch Weekend

MAY 12:

Sporting Clays Tournament

JUNE 7:

Monthly Meeting featuring The Sporting Chef, Scott Leysath

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OUR MISSION Preserving the

sport of hunting through

education,

conservation and the

protection of

hunters’ rights.

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2016–2017 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB OFFICERS Mark King, President Scott Scheinin, MD, President Elect Kevin Ormston, Immediate Past President Deb Cunningham, Vice President Jeff Birmingham, Vice President John Pepper, Treasurer Jerry Henderson, Secretary

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB DIRECTORS 2015–2017 Linda Cunningham Harold Inman Mitzy McCorvey Shaun Nelson Matt Pyle 2016–2018 Monica Williamson John Bowers JD Burrows Darrell Kainer HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Dawn Fuselier, Office Manager Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Abby Rapp, Events & Membership Manager Vic Williams, Editorial Consultant Nate Silva, Design Consultant Alliance Printing and Graphics Hunter’s Horn is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club 9432 Katy Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77055 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@houstonsafariclub.org www.houstonsafariclub.org © Copyright 2017 Houston Safari Club

Houston Safari Club welcomes contributing articles, photos and research. Houston Safari Club reserves the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, organization and punctuation and to abridge length. Houston Safari Club reserves the right not to publish submissions. Content may not be repurposed without the express written consent of the author and publisher. Please submit materials with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned. Houston Safari Club is not responsible for lost or unsolicited submissions. Digital submissions are preferred. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Houston Safari Club, its members, employees or affiliates.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MARK KING, HSC PRESIDENT

t seems impossible to me that Houston Safari Club’s 2017 Convention Into the Wild has come and gone. All the time and effort that the HSC staff and the many volunteers spent to put on our convention has been incredible. The money we raised from the results of their time and effort are still being tallied as of this writing, but Into the Wild was a huge success. I cannot adequately express my heartfelt gratitude to all the people who graciously commit their time and energy to HSC’s continued success. Joe Betar, our Executive Director, pulled off another great convention. I am sure that our membership would be amazed at the number of late nights and weekends that Joe has spent working for our club. It’s difficult enough to organize and execute an event such as our convention and Joe did it with an all new staff this year. He and his wife Charlotte are very deserving of our gratitude. Our “new staff ” was simply phenomenal. Abby Rapp, Carla Nielsen, and Dawn Fuselier proved their capabilities in planning and executing such a huge event. From my perspective, Into the Wild was nearly flawless and that was largely due to our staff. From stuffing tote bags to managing exhibitors, they wear many hats during our convention and I am extremely grateful for all their hard work. My good friend J.D. Burrows accepted the responsibility as chairman of our convention and did an outstanding job. He never failed to answer a phone call or question from me (regardless of the hour) and shouldered the burden of convention chairman with uncanny ease. I really appreciate the hours J.D. spent to make sure I didn’t screw it all up. As always, Angela Burrows helped in so many ways — in addition to co-chairing the Gazelles luncheon. Thanks, Angie. I must thank Jason Hewlett, the entertainer for our Saturday Night Gala. It can be a risky proposition to have a relative

unknown perform at such an event, but I think he did an amazing job in crafting a show specifically for our audience. He’s a professional and a heck of a nice guy as well. I bet we see a lot more of Jason in the future. The Houston Safari Club was honored that Wayne LaPierre and the National Rifle Association chose our venue to roll out the NRA Hunter Leadership Forum’s communication plan. The NRA intends to defend hunting the way they defend our Second Amendment rights by confronting the anti-hunters head on. I look forward to continuing HSC’s relationship with the NRA and specifically NRA-HLF. Our annual Convention would literally not be possible without our dedicated and committed volunteers. All our committee chairmen and chairwomen worked tirelessly to ensure our convention went off without a hitch. Our volunteer committee chairman, Harold Inman, organized a great group of people who helped wherever and whenever possible. It is our numerous volunteers that handle much of the behind-the-scenes “heavy lifting” of our convention. With our upcoming move, downtown to the George R. Brown Convention Center in 2018, we could certainly use as many volunteers as we can get. I encourage everyone to volunteer — I’m sure HSC has a committee or volunteer opportunity just for you. A very special thanks to Carole Henderson, Angie Burrows, Mitzy McCorvey, Anna Morrison, Scott Scheinin, McKenzie Nix, and Laurie-Leigh White for heeding the call and going above and beyond when it was needed. Sincerely,

Mark King HSC President

SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 9

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

elcome to your Spring 2017 issue of Hunter’s Horn! I am sure many of you are wrapping up hunting seasons in North America and also what is known as “convention season.” From January to February, most of the outdoor/conservation world’s annual meetings are held — DSC, SCI, SHOT, WSF and more. Speaking of annual conventions, we are pleased to announce the 2017 HSC Convention wrapped up on January 15th. The expo hall crowds were very good and the banquets were at capacity. Saturday night, the Texas State Reserve Desert Bighorn Sheep Tag was auctioned at $120,000 — the second highest amount in the history of this tag. Ninety percent of the funds raised will be put directly back into conservation through the Texas Desert Bighorn Sheep program. A big thank you to Texas Parks & Wildlife for selecting HSC as the 2017 holder of this rare and prestigious tag. Tremendous thanks to the staff, volunteers, committee chairs, exhibitors, sponsors and members for making the 2017 Convention a success. Beginning January 2018, the HSC Convention will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The move allows HSC to accommodate the ever-expanding list of exhibitors that wish to be part of the annual event. The new location affords 104,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space at a central location within Houston. The newly redesigned convention center and adjacent plazas are a destination for locals and tourists. Education programs and evening fundraising events will be hosted by Hilton-Americas Houston Hotel. We will see you there January 26-28, 2018. This year is HSC’s 45th anniversary. You will see our 45th anniversary logo in various places. We will also be featuring nostalgia and the history of HSC in the form of photos from members over the years. If you would like your photo to be published, contact us at the office and send in your photos. We are planning a 45th anniversary event so be on the lookout for more information. As we consider the past 45 years for HSC, we should remember the early and humble beginnings of our club. Founders and early members like Ray Petty, Jerry Henderson, Mike Simpson and many others had the vision to create the building blocks of who we are today. As we move into 2017, we are planning new initiatives for our organization, to improve processes and operations. It is critical for organizations to adapt and change to meet the needs of a

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changing world. But more importantly, HSC is really about our members. It is who we are and it is what makes us run. Members are truly the engine of this organization. If I may, allow me to focus on two points in regards to membership. Point One: Get Involved. I cannot express enough how important it is for our members to be actively involved in HSC. Whether it’s Convention, the annual Sporting Clays Tournament, or serving as a committee chair, HSC does not work without its members giving of their time and talents. The consideration of 2017-2018 committee chairs, board members and officers is in progress as we speak. Trust me — there is never a shortage of volunteers. We ask that you put your gifts to work in a volunteer role. Point Two: Let’s grow membership! First, remember to renew your membership each year. Second, invite your family and friends to become members. We have members that are fishermen or simply outdoor enthusiasts. Some rarely hunt and some do not hunt at all. However, they see the purpose and the effectiveness of HSC in supporting education and conservation. You do not have to live in Houston and safari-style hunting does not have to be your preferred choice of hunting to be a member. The thing to remember is we are a non-profit organization that raises funds, to support efforts in the outdoor world, through scholarships, grants, youth programs, veterans programs and more. Over the past year, the support of members, advertisers and sponsors has made it possible for 25 college students to continue their education in wildlife and range management, for 150 high school students to attend our annual Convention youth experience, to help build an anti-poaching ranger base in Tanzania, to relocate desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope and mule deer in west Texas, to oppose airline embargoes against the transport of legally harvested game animals and so much more. Think of what we can do this year! Yours in Conservation,

Joe Betar Executive Director

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Donald Harford Ken Holbrook Alan Hollis Kevin Hunter Bob Larkin John Linscomb Chris Lyons Payden McVey Jeff Medley Matt Montgomery Klint Myers

Keith Myers Rodney Norrell Rob Patton Jeffrey Pitts Mallory Potts David Rayburn Cindi Rulon Caylon Walker Christopher Webb Jordan Williams

夀⸀伀⸀ 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀椀猀氀漀挀愀琀攀搀椀渀䴀漀甀渀琀愀椀渀䠀漀洀攀Ⰰ 吀堀愀渀搀漀昀昀攀爀猀瘀椀猀椀琀漀爀猀愀琀爀甀攀眀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀琀栀爀漀甀最栀栀甀渀琀椀渀最攀砀瀀攀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 琀漀甀爀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀漀琀栀攀爀漀甀琀搀漀漀爀愀挀琀椀瘀椀琀椀攀猀⸀

夀伀刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀夀伀刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀䠀甀渀琀椀渀最䀀礀漀爀愀渀挀栀栀焀

倀氀攀愀猀攀樀漀椀渀礀漀甀爀䠀匀䌀昀爀椀攀渀搀猀䈀礀爀漀渀愀渀搀匀愀渀搀爀愀匀愀搀氀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀渀攀眀漀眀渀攀爀猀愀渀搀洀愀渀愀最椀渀最瀀愀爀琀渀攀爀猀漀昀琀栀攀夀⸀伀⸀ 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀Ⰰ 昀漀爀礀漀甀爀渀攀砀琀栀甀渀琀漀爀昀愀洀椀氀礀漀甀琀椀渀最⸀

㠀㌀ ⸀㘀㐀 ⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀⼀㠀㐀㐀⸀㠀㌀㔀⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀眀眀眀⸀夀伀刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀⸀挀漀洀

HSC LIFE MEMBERS Bob Abernathy John Abraham Richard Alexander MD Crystal Allison Shannon Alston Michael Ambrose Skip Avara Dannine Avara Jacob Avara Anne Avara Kenneth Bailey Freddie Bailey Jr. Cope Bailey Camp Bailey Frank Baird Jack Barksdale Wendy Barnhart James Bell Lyndel Berry Tony Bessette Charlotte Betar Joe Betar James Biggerstaff Craig Boddington Werner Boeer Jay Bonano E. Bond Greg Bond Pete Bonora Jeri Booth Frederick (Tony) Box James Braus J. Bridgwater Jack Brittingham Joe Bruno Robert Burke Matt Burke Byron Burris II Quint Burris Grady Burris Prentiss Burt Daniel Butler Turner Butts MD Don Byrne C. Cagle Thomas Cain Jr. Dennis Cain Rick Callison Alex Campbell Bill Carter Paul Carter Ivan Carter Ben Case Barbara Cavender-Lewis

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SPRING 2017

Preston Cavner Chris Caywood Tracey Cearley Alan Cegielski Steve Clark James Clark Craig Clendenin Stephen Coale Russell Coleman Randall Coleman Joe Collett Dwayne Collier Frank Comiskey Kevin Comiskey Alan “Bink” Cooke Rocky Cooper Dian Cooper George Councill Steve Crawford Kenneth Crockett Gary Crouch Ralph & Deb Cunningham Deb Cunningham Ford Cunningham Linda Cunningham Mandy Daigle Ralph Daigle Joe Davis Laurent Delagrange Armando DeLeon III Armando DeLeon IV Gregory Desautels Elliot Desautels Charlie Desautels Perry Dillon Jr. Randy Donato Barry Donoho Tim Doucet MD Jan Duncan Scott Duncan Bruce Edwards Robert Elkins Walton Eller Gary Ellison Will Ellison Shaun Essery Travis Findley Charlene Floyd Tommy Fogle Randy Fowler Nathan Foyil Bobby Frederick Aaron Freeman Warren Gallant

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

HSC LIFE MEMBERS Wayne LaPierre Joel Latham Kyle Lehne Richard Leibman John Lindholm Jr. Tom Lipar Bryant Littlefield Mark Livesay Ricardo Longoria Doug Luger David Mafrige Paige Manard John Martin III James Masten Chad Matherne Wyatt McBride Tony McCorvey Mitzy McCorvey Ed McCrory III Vickie McMillan Travis McWilliams Gerald Meinecke Lewis Metzger Greg Mills Brook Minx Howard Monsour Paul Montealegre Sr. Forrest Montealegre G.L. Moore Reed Morian Tommy Morrison Ron Mostyn Dustin Mykyte Shannon Nash Bob Neese Rob Neilson Scott Nelson William “Bill” Newlin Rudy Nix K. Nunnally Kerry O’Day Carol O’Day Charles Onstead Kevin Ormston Neal Overstreet John Painter Michael Park Michael Parr Steve Pate Trevor Penny John Pepper Melanie Pepper Timothy Peter Wilson (Woody) Phillips Jr.

Bryce Phillips Carson Phillips Dusty Phillips Thomas Powell Kevin Poynter Andrew Pratt Kymberly Pratt Charles Prince Jr. Sharon Propes Carlos Ramirez Lawrence Rearick William Reed Sr. Gayle Rettig MD Keith Riggs John Robberson Larry Robinson Chuck Rod Robert Rod Stephen Rogers William Rohrbach William Roosevelt Gary Rose Mark Rose Jerry Rubenstein Chris Ruhman Gerald Russell Byron Sadler Sandra Sadler Michael Sample Scott Scheinin MD Robert Scherer Wade Schindewolf Wayne Sheets John Shelby Richard Shepherd Jason Shrieve William Simmons Jody Simpson Travis Simpson Barret Simpson Mike Simpson Becky Simpson Weston Simpson Michael Simpson Autumn Simpson Austin Simpson Jacob Simpson Tristan Simpson Sam Skipper Jason Smith Steve Smith Tom Snyder Norman Speer MD Larry Stifflemire

Mark Stouse Randy Strickland H. Stuart Greg Stube David Swan Lloyd Swiedom Sally Swiedom Peter Tam Larry Tatom Terry Taylor Mark Terpstra Heidi Thomas Robert Thomas J.B. Tinney John Tobin Pete Trammell Hal Tryon Don Turner Phillip Veale Thom Venus William Vick Amanda Vick Juan Villaveces Glenn Vincent Pierre Vorster Joshua Walker Greg Walla Rob Walsh John Waltz Dana Weber Rick Weber Larry Weishuhn Brian Welker Denise Welker Robert Wells Lawrence West Matt West Bruce Whitmire Steve Willenborg Ron Willenborg Gregory Williamson Alan Winslette Robby Winstead Kurt Wiseman John Wood Bill Woodall J.D. (Des) Woods Jr. Patricia Woods Preston Young Debi Young Brian Zaitz

*DECEASED

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SCT CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE JEFF BIRMINGHAM, SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN

have sent in a request for beautiful weather on Friday, May 12th, so please join me for the 2017 Houston Safari Club Sporting Clays Tournament at Greater Houston Gun Club. I promise there will be plenty of great fellowship and lots of hunting stories shared from this past season. There will also be a fabulous raffle and auction, but most importantly, we will make sure fun is had by all who attend. Once again our goal for this year’s shoot is to get our members, families, and friends out for a day of fun and fellowship while raising money for HSC’s mission of preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the protection of hunters’ rights. The funds raised are implemented in programs benefitting habitat and species preservation, youth education, veterans’ programs and more. An event like this doesn’t happen without countless hours

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from our committee volunteers, HSC staff, and most importantly, you. For our sponsors and those of you who participate, we guarantee that this event will continue to be one of the premier shooting events in the Houston area. If you are interested, please go to the HSC website and register a team. Also, we still have a few open sponsorship opportunities and we would greatly appreciate your support. I encourage all HSC members to bring a couple of friends out for a day of fun and hopefully break a few clays. We will make sure your attendance at the 2017 Houston Safari Club Sporting Clays Tournament will be an experience you won’t soon forget! Sincerely, Jeff Birmingham 2017 Sporting Clays Tournament Chairman

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SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 17

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Chairman’s Message BY JD BURROWS, HSC DIRECTOR, 2017 HSC CONVENTION CHAIRMAN, 2016–2017 GRANTS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

ell, friends, our 2017 Worldwide Hunting Expo and Convention “Into the Wild” is behind us. What an outstanding success! Visitors saw some of the most diverse adventure opportunities and met professional guides and hunters from around the world. Attendance this year was at an all-time high and our banquet fundraising events set new records. A big thanks to all of our exhibitors and donors for making this year’s Convention and Expo a thrilling success. Last year as we set out to plan for the 2017 Convention, I set two goals. You may recall in one of my earlier letters that these goals were to raise funds for our scholarship programs and for our guests to have fun. I can proudly say that both goals were met. One highlight of the event for me was our Saturday night gala where we raised an incredible $120,000 for the Texas Bighorn Sheep tag, the second highest bid ever for this tag. Well done, and thank you! Awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the majority of the proceeds are donated back to the Texas Desert Bighorn sheep program. I’m proud that HSC was able to contribute to such an important cause. Another highlight of the event was our entertainer, comedian Jason Hewlett. I found his comedy routine and musical impressions to be very funny and from the sound of it, you did too. I was honored to have inspirational speaker, Mr. Shane Mahoney of Conservation Visions, speak at Friday evening’s 18 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

event while Mr. Wayne LaPierre of the NRA provided the call to arms in support of our mission at Saturday’s gala. I was moved by what Shane said about the American model of wildlife conservation, and I was proud to see the new NRA commercials that Wayne debuted at our event. I want to thank everyone involved and especially the volunteers. They rose to the challenge and donated time and expertise to ensure that our event was a huge success. An even bigger shout-out to the dedicated HSC office staff, Joe, Abby, Carla, and Dawn for their efforts each and every day. I was moved by everyone’s generosity. Through your kindness and dedication, HSC was able to generate the much-needed funds to continue our mission of conservation, education, and the protection of hunters’ rights. Finally, a special thanks to our sponsors: Sonic Automotive, Wildlife Partners, Capital Farm Credit, Enterprise Products, Gordy & Sons Outfitters, and many others for their continued support and trust in our organization. As you know we are moving the HSC Annual Convention and Hunting Expo to the George R. Brown Convention Center in 2018. We are going to need everyone’s help! We know that we wouldn’t be able to fulfill our mission without the help of conservationists like yourself. If you are ready to rise to the challenge and would like to volunteer your time, please reach out to the office staff.

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Chairpersons

CONVENTION 2017 CONVENTION CHAIR JD Burrows

YOUTH EDUCATION & HUNTING COMMITTEE Susan & David Kalich

CONVENTION RAFFLE COMMITTEE Kevin Ormston

CONVENTION SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE Matt Pyle

CONVENTION REGISTRATION COMMITTEE Carol Mueller

CONVENTION BANQUET TABLE SALES COMMITTEE Barret Simpson

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE John Bowers Leigh Martin

CONVENTION VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE Harold Inman

EXHIBITS COMMITTEE Jerry Henderson

MERCHANDISE COMMITTEE Monica Williamson

LIVE AUCTION COMMITTEE Darrell Kainer

SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR COMMITTEE Deb Cunningham

SILENT AUCTION COMMITTEE Michael Ambrose Greg Mills

CONVENTION ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN Barret Simpson

ART DONATION COMMITTEE John Pepper Melanie Pepper

BANQUET & DECORATIONS COMMITTEE Julianne King

DAN L. DUNCAN SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE Gary Rose

GAZELLES LUNCHEON COMMITTEE Julianne King Mitzy McCorvey Anna Morrison Angie Burrows

FIREARMS COMMITTEE Gene Human HUNTING AWARDS COMMITTEE Lloyd Swiedom PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS COMMITTEE Matt Mann HUNTER OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE Travis Simpson HUNTRESS OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE Mitzy McCorvey YOUTH HUNTER OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE Deb Cunningham

Thank you to all of our auction & raffle donors for their generous contributions to the 2017 Convention.

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Sponsors

Suzanne & Mike Ambrose

Nancy & Gary Ellison

Melanie & John Pepper

Marla & Herb Atkinson

Robin & Gene Human

Susie & Matt Pyle

B & B Taxidermy

Cheryl & Darrell Kainer

Stephen Rogers

Angie & JD Burrows

King Design Group, Inc.

Andi & Scott Scheinin

Stephen Coale

Arlette & Fred Lamas

Sally & Lloyd Swiedom

Frank Comiskey Insurance Hunter & Frank Comiskey

McCorvey Sheet Metal

Monica Williamson & Greg Mills

Estelle & Ron Mostyn

Kevin Comiskey

Cheryl & Kevin Ormston

Deb & Ralph Cunningham

Des Woods W4 Hunting & Fishing, LTD

Dan L. Duncan S C HOL A R S H I P PR OGR A M S P ON S OR S

LEGACY

PATRON

Deb & Ralph Cunningham

Ellen & Hank Bachmann

Ann & Randy Fowler

CB&Y / Craig E. Power

Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Sandra & Byron Sadler Edwin Smith

SUPPORTING Peggy & Lewis Metzger

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8/18/15 SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 41 12:44 PM

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P h o t o s

Gazelles Luncheon

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS Deb & Ralph Cunningham High Heel Huntress Sandra & Byron Sadler

1: Mitzy McCorvey and Anna Morrison. 2: McKenna Ratliff and Grayson King. 3: Chris Hill, Heidi Hanna, and Ed Phillips. 4: The Texas Blues Brothers Band. 5: Kevin Comiskey, President Mark King, Ed Phillips, Dr. Scott Scheinin, Dr. Lloyd Sweidom, Shaun Nelson. 6: Steve Smith and Suzanne Hixson. 7: Bill and Carolyn Newlin. 8: Phil Pillips and Karen Mehall. 9: Kevin Comiskey, Amy Dunn, Cheryl Ormston, and Kevin Ormston. 10: Dr. Scott Scheinin and Andi Scheinin. 11: Kathy Rainey and Frank Comiskey. 12: Julianne King and Sandy Reagan. 13: Arlette Lamas and Robin Human.

SILVER SPONSORS Angela & JD Burrows Julianne & Mark King Mitzy & Tony McCorvey Carolyn & Bill Newlin BRONZE SPONSORS Suzanne Hixson & Steve Smith Laurie-Leigh & Trey White Susie & Matt Pyle Robin & Gene Human Anna & Tommy Morrison Estelle & Ron Mostyn

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Saturday Night Gala

1: Julianne King, Meredith Watts and Angie Burrows. 2: Dr. Robert and Lisa Burke. 3: 2017 Frank Green Award winner Earle Freeman. 4: 2017 Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award winner Harold Inman and President Mark King. 5: Dr. Scott Scheinin, Skip Avara, President Mark King and Darrell Kainer. 6: NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.

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7: Mackenzie Nix, Julianne King, and Laurie-Leigh White. 8: Entertainer Jason Hewlitt had the crowd laughing and on their feet throughout his set. 9: Fun was had by all while raising funds to continue our mission. 10: 2016 Hunter of the Year John Colglazier and 2017 Hunter of the Year Mike Ambrose. 11: Diane Tasto and Chrissie Jackson. 12: President Mark King. 13: Jeff and Sheila Birmingham. 14: President Mark King, Jason Hewlitt, Charlotte Betar, Ross Melinchuk, and Executive Director Joe Betar. 15: Monica Williamson and Greg Mills.

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P h o t o s

20 16: Mike Simpson and NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre. 17: 2016 Hunter of the Year Mitzy McCorvey and 2017 Huntress of the Year Carolyn Newlin. 18: NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and Shane Mahoney. 19: Sandra Sadler and Jerry Henderson. 20: Patt and Diane Mayfield with Melanie Pepper. 21: 2017 Convention Chairman J.D. Burrows. 22: Terry and Tanya Hurlburt.

46 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

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Educating Legislators on Our Sportsmen’s Heritage: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Issue Briefs BY ANDY TREHARNE WESTERN STATES DIRECTOR, CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION

s the New Year is underway, state legislatures across the United States are back in full swing, meaning hundreds of bills directly impacting sportsmen and women are currently making their way through the halls of government. As each state faces its own challenges to the future of our outdoor heritage, it is imperative that the sportsmen’s community work to educate legislators on these issues, and draw upon experiences on issues from other states to help inform legislators’ decisionmaking processes. Each year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) publishes a set of issue briefs – one-page educational and reference documents that focus on a wide range of topics of interest to sportsmen and women. CSF’s issue briefs are made available to the public and updated annually as new issues affecting our sportsmen’s heritage emerge in state capitals. These briefs summarize each topic, highlight key points of consideration, provide examples of how other states have addressed these issues, and direct the reader toward resources to assist them in further understanding the issue. The 2017 issue briefs cover nearly 70 topics relating to hunting, angling, recreational shooting, trapping, and other conservation issues. New 2017 issue brief topics include game meat donation liability exemptions, resources for managing feral swine, national monument designations, and exotic invasive species. Below, we have highlighted and summarized a few of the top issue brief topics for 2017, including several new ones. For a complete download of the 2017 issue briefs, go to: www.sportsmenslink.org/policies/state. Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation – Participation in hunting has been generally declining since the 1980s. Hunting license sales produce valuable funding each year for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration, while hunter expenditures generate billions of dollars annually for the national economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs. Development and use of partnerships and strategic models, in addition to careful examination of the efficacy of existing programs, must continue to be utilized to halt and reverse the declining trend in hunting participation. American System of Conservation Funding – For over 75 years, sportsmen have played an integral and unique role in providing the vast majority of conservation funding in the United States through a “user-pays, public-benefits” structure in which those who consumptively use the resource pay for the privilege, and in some cases the right, to do so. Animal Rights Intrusion into Public Institutions – Misinformation on our hunting and angling traditions directed to impressionable students can have wide and long-lasting repercussions, especially as these students grow up to be voters, legislators, attorneys, and public officials. Overall, American students are not hearing about the value of science-based conservation and the integral role of hunting and angling in natural 48 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

resource management. State legislators are encouraged to consider policies that promote the teaching of ethical and humane fish and wildlife management as well as the ecological, societal, and economic benefits of hunting and fishing in our public educational institutions. National Monuments (New for 2017) – Monument designations and the subsequent development of their associated resource management plans pose unique challenges for sportsmen and women as well as professional wildlife managers. It is critical that any potential monument designations address the priorities and values of sportsmen and women and include planning processes that are transparent, locally driven, and guided by science-based conservation principles that elevate consideration of wildlife habitat and existing hunting, fishing, and recreational target shooting uses. Game Meat Donation Liability Exemptions (New for 2017) – The vast majority of states now have some system in place (whether through the state or through a non-profit) to provide hunters the option of donating game meat to people in need. However, processors’ ability to participate in donation programs may be limited by state contract or license agreements that require them to carry onerous liability insurance policies. In some instances, these liability insurance requirements have now become a barrier for processors to participate in the program. To view the 2017 Issue Briefs, visit: http://sportsmenslink. org/policies/state ★

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Stranded? 10 Tips For Spending a (Somewhat) Comfortable Night In the Airport BY AARON LAURICH

From cell phone chargers to a spare set of clothes, there are some crucial items you should always pack in case you’re stuck overnight.

50 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

If you’re an adventurous hunter, it’s not a question of if but when: You’re going to wind up spending a long night in an airport. Delays are bound to happen, and whether you’re headed to or from your hunting destination, one bad night can ruin a whole trip.

Getting stuck in an airport can be a grueling, solitary experience, but there are a few things you can do to make it just a little bit easier.

So, your plane was delayed, and now you’ve missed your connection. It’s after midnight, and the next available flight doesn’t depart until dawn. A hotel room is out of the question. What do you do? Aaron Laurich, a Global Rescue Security Operations Supervisor, is no stranger to spending a night in an airport as a paramedic and a former U.S. Army special operations combat medic who has operational experience planning and conducting complex rescues from austere and remote locations. Over the years he has developed some tried and true techniques to making an airport overnight a little more comfortable. The ability to nab restful sleep on the go in places like airports and bus stations might make or break a trip when the unexpected happens. Before your next never-ending layover, here are a few tips and tricks you can keep in mind to survive a night in the airport. Lower your expectations. Aim for rest and relaxation instead of hoping for eight solid hours. Make your goal to just be as relaxed as you can be, and sleep will likely follow. If not, even the restful quiet time will help you recharge. Remember to stretch first – and last. Fellow travelers might raise an eyebrow

From weather to equipment failure, there are a lot of things that keep airplanes grounded. Be prepared for the unexpected.

as you do light yoga in the concourse, but you’ll start your rest feeling loose. Hours on a hard floor or seat will not be kind, so do some more stretching when you wake up, too. Pamper yourself with a few comfort items. We all have a bedtime ritual, and even in an alien environment, you can stick to at least some of yours. Have your toothbrush and toothpaste handy, as well as a

travel size bottle of your daily moisturizer or lotion. Keeping even some of your routine intact will give you some control over the situation, which is huge for your peace of mind as well as your ability to achieve meaningful rest. Carry a spare t-shirt, socks, and underwear with you. I like to keep a soft exercise shirt with me that I’ll change into if I get stuck sleeping somewhere. It’s as close to SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 51

Airports are usually bustling places where people are constantly on the move. So it can be jarring to find yourself stuck in a place that is dedicated to transience. Be prepared.

If you are traveling with other people, set up shifts to guarantee everyone gets sleep but someone is awake throughout the night to monitor any travel changes.

Fortunately, airport terminals can be pretty quiet late at night, but earplugs can be useful to block out the noise of cleaning crews and other ambient sounds.

You can turn a lightweight jacket into a blanket or even a pillow, which beats the heck out of sleeping on one of these. 52 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

pajamas as I get and it’s an easy way to tell my brain that it’s bedtime. Prepare to keep warm. Whether I’m traveling to Patagonia or Dubai I carry a small pair of gloves and a light stocking cap in my pack. They come in handy during cold nighttime flights and are worth their weight in gold when the air conditioning has you shivering. Bring your ear plugs. Standard foam ear plugs will suffice, although silicone ones can be cleaned easier. You don’t need much protection – just enough to lower the volume of that overhead speaker. Bonus Tip: Carry two pairs; being neighborly is worth it during rough travels. The jack(et) of all trades. You will find a lightweight, insulated jacket in my luggage year-round. I can drape it over me like a blanket, and I usually opt for a hooded model – the hood helps block out harsh airport light. The large pockets are perfect for securing valuables on your person while you snooze, and you can stuff the jacket into its own sleeve for a crude pillow. Make your bed and lie in it. Some folks need more creature comforts than a minimal puffy jacket thrown over them. For this, consider a small air mattress, travel pillow, or a sleeping bag. If I’m going on a long trip with the likelihood of being in small regional airports, I will likely carry these along. This is especially relevant internationally. Traveling alone? Put your valuables in your pockets or in a purse or backpack slung across your shoulder. Pull other items as close as possible and if possible, route your arm or leg through a strap. It’s not as secure as keeping a waking eye on everything, but it will make you feel better, and hopefully help you relax. Traveling as part of a group? Establish a guard shift and create a roster – yes, even for a well-lit major airport. It might feel like overkill, but you’ll feel more comfortable knowing your items are safe. As a bonus,

If you’re traveling alone, remember to put your valuables in a pocket or a bag that you sling across your shoulder for safe keeping.

the “guard” can keep tabs on any developments with your travel.

THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT ARE THE WORST PLACES TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY

If something goes wrong on your trip, your objective will quickly turn from harvesting that one last prize to simply getting yourself home. Global Rescue offers field rescue, medical advisory, and evacuation services when you need us most – no matter what – and those services are all included in the cost of membership. In addition to the gear, clothing, and supplies you pack for your hunt, you should also have a Global Rescue membership. ★ Global Rescue has provided hunters with field rescue, medical advisory and evacuation services since 2004, with more than 10,000 missions completed. Before your next hunt – especially one that takes you into cold wilderness – you should consider a Global Rescue membership as part of your survival plan. Global Rescue www.GlobalRescue.com Member Services 617-459-4200 memberservices@globalrescue.com

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Rangers being deployed by donated helicopter hours

Thank You, Houston Safari Club! The Importance And Impact Of Its Support Towards The Protection Of The Wildlife In The Lower Zambezi Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Safari Area BY LYNN TAYLOR

Four poachers are sitting on a hard, hot, concrete floor in a stifling jail cell in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. They are on remand and awaiting conviction. How they got there is a pretty incredible story, at the cost of one vehicle written off in a chase in the latter part of the mission, and one ranger has a head injury. However, dead elephants have been avenged and their ivory recovered. This is because Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife rangers care about their wildlife and they are amongst the most dedicated personnel anywhere across the world. Rangers even use their own vehicles, if they have one, to give chase to poachers should the opportunity arise. In this case, the vehicle is a write-off with no insurance (of course!) but this ranger is a hero in everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book. He stands tall because of his dedication and commitment. 54 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Rangers on a specific 4-day survival course - this was day 2 of the 4 days. Many of these rangers have delivered outstanding results in the effort to protect wildlife.

At the end of this particular mission a few days ago, the patrol unit, their supportive officer commanding, and the relevant area manager (warden) returned to their base. If you are an avid reader of Hunter’s Horn you will have read of the plight of this rapid response ranger patrol group, of up to 20 rangers divided into four-man patrol units, who have camped in pup-tents for more than two years enduring subhuman conditions during this period in all respects, but still delivering on the job. Houston Safari Club responded fantastically to a proposal from The Tashinga Initiative Trust for funding towards the completion of an anti-poaching rapid response ranger patrol base. As you read this story, those very rangers have finally been able to move into the base, resting up on beds and mattresses; they are enjoying the best showers and ablutions in the Lower Zambezi Valley. They have benches to sit on and tables to eat from. They have cooking places, and secure, hygienic areas in which to store their precious food supplies. They have just joined the rest of the civilized world, and are so happy!

Fully qualified Ranger Coxswain Timothy Tembo with Pelican Boat. This is a sample of the boat that we will be delivering in November to Chewore.

The base commander writes to me: “Thank you so much, exactly, I never ever dreamt of a thing of this nature! Keep the fire burning!”….”this is excellent!”…“the entire team has run out of the words especially the Reaction Pioneer Team!”… and “Rangers from station are now troubling me, saying they want to join Reaction Unit, and I asked them why, and they are saying, — it’s awesome!” Houston Safari Club and its members

have played such a vital part in this enthusiastic reaction, and I know that each and every one of those rangers expresses their deepest and heartfelt gratitude to Houston Safari Club, through The Tashinga Initiative.

RIVER PATROLS TOWARDS THE PROTECTION OF ELEPHANT.

I am driving through the exquisitely wild Chewore Safari Area with my SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 55

Part of the base, on our phase that we have just completed. The Rangers have moved in, and we have a little more work to do, and will return on November1, 2017.

colleague Chris. Behind the vehicle on a trailer is a long and narrow 22-foot speedboat with 60hp engine, which we are delivering to Kapirinhengu Ranger Field Station, situated on the eastern side of the Chewore River where it flows into the mighty Zambezi River. It is a slow and painstaking journey with our precious cargo, on a long and windy bush track. The boat will provide mobility, security, antipoaching operational efficacy, and will also be a morale booster to the rangers who are based on the Zambezi River. Once the rain and mist descend over the Zambezi River escarpment, and these arrive shortly, the only way rangers can reach civilization is by boat, and by traveling downriver to Kanyemba the very remote north-eastern border town of Zimbabwe. The vegetation is exquisite. We pass by rocks and trees that have been rubbed by passing elephants for eons and are worn smooth like glass. This road is not passable once the rains have fallen, turning into thick mud. During the American winter, this place is hot, wet, and humid, when so many wild babies are born, tiny, slippery, and muddy-grey, brand new baby elephants fall gently onto the soft earth, and stumble onto their four legs in a comical manner, learning how to control all four at the same time. The 56 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Smart Gatsi driving the only boat that services the vast length of Cheworeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern Zambezi river boundary

mom and baby are so vulnerable at this exquisite moment. The ranger coxswains will take charge of the boat we are delivering, after a formal, licensed training course implemented on Lake Kariba, and provided through the Lake Navigation Control Captain who specializes in a personalized approach to his training courses. The pair returns to Kapirinhengu to undergo further river training from the area manager, Smart Gatsi, who has decades of experience of boating through the treacherous,

strongly flowing waters of the Zambezi River, avoiding sandbanks, and gigantic submerged rocks in the Mupata Gorge. Enormous crocodiles live there, enjoying the frequent banks of pure khaki colored sand for egg laying, and the abundance of fish. Foreign poachers employed by middlemen have access to tin boats, fiberglass boats, and sometimes resort to making their own boats from woven saplings. In this usually flimsy craft, they paddle across this powerfully flowing river of

The ground training effect

Africa, submerge or hide their craft on the Zimbabwean bank and sneak under the cover of darkness into our protected areas, carrying weapons, ammunition, and food. The full moon is a poacher’s moon and rangers know it. We have provided them with one extra boat to patrol vast stretches of Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia. They have two boats in total in Chewore. A professional hunter and his client stumble upon an awful sight: an elephant carcass lies in the rocky and sandy bed of the Tunza River, a beautiful and very wild seasonal river that runs through the Chewore Safari Area and flows into the Zambezi River. It has been dead for a while, the putrid smell making them turn away for a moment, and the ivory is hacked out. The elephant must have died alone, a slow and painful death with no other spoor around him except that of the shoe treads of poachers. Tashinga Initiative continues to seek funding to provide these bare basics for these extraordinary rangers to perform their duties.

THE GROUND TRAINING EFFORT…

Twenty rangers are standing at attention on a newly hardened and hand-stamped parade ground at Nyakasikana Antipoaching Base. This is their first day of training of a 21-day course in anti-poaching, specializing in tracking training. Some candidates have received such training before, even at three different levels, basic, intermediate, and advanced, but as long ago as four years ago — for many of them, a lifetime ago. Their trainer holds his steadfast gaze on each and every one of the men, assessing them, one by one, one of Africa’s finest, and renowned for bringing out the very best in each candidate. The candidates sweat profusely; not only is it a mid-November day with temperatures well into the 40s Celsius, but the rangers know they are going to be put through all the paces in tracking ability, lost spoor procedures, shooting, GPS day navigation, Ground Air Control (GAC), bushcraft, survival, observation point tactics, concealment, and more. The tense anticipation

and nervousness, possibly excitement, show on their faces. I have personally witnessed how rangers want to give their very best, but also know they lack all the necessary equipment. Tashinga Initiative wishes to step in to provide all the support that it can. Every ranger feels more confident, capable, tougher, and well equipped when he is out there fighting for the protection of the wildlife, amongst which he patrols on a daily basis.

THE POISONING EFFECT….

Poachers stop at nothing to gain their bounty. Today, a zebra is dead, guinea fowls, and doves lie strewn on the ground as though pieces of litter. This wildlife has died from a poisoned water source. A ranger patrol walks into a less patrolled area in the southern Chewore Safari Area and loses VHF radio and cell phone contact with their colleagues – for four days. A message reaches the area manager from a villager to the south, saying they’ve been poisoned and are dead. Tashinga Initiative SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 57

The Zambezi River as it runs through Mupata Gorge

launches through its network of highly supportive hunting safari operators and contacts, aerial searches using fixed wing and helicopter. A dramatic two-day period passes, and eventually the voice of one of the members of the missing patrol is heard on the Motorola handheld radio, tightly grasped by the anti-poaching coordinator. He touches his hat briefly: they are fine, there is no poisoning. This gives us all a foreboding of what could have been, but what was not, and the security of our water sources and how to protect these. Tashinga Initiative is tasked with establishing ranger “picket-posts,” or patrol unit remote field outposts, provided with a resupply of food, solar power to recharge batteries, and a secure, good night’s rest. Just as rangers so positively respond to a secure anti-poaching base which Houston Safari Club has helped establish, equally so they will positively respond to a “half-way stop” that provides a strengthening zone, to enforce and consolidate the patrol task or mission, and to see it through successfully to the end. 58 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

At the tail end of a mud bath—Magnificent Matusadona Bull

AND INTO THE RAINS…

…That wash away the dust and the grit, the dry and sharp grass ends, the hard thorns that pierce the soles of my shoes — these are almost upon us. The rains bring absolute life for another year. The rivers come to life and flow, sometimes furiously, the bush thickens into solid mats of impenetrable green, the scent of flowers, and rich herbs fill the air, the ground underfoot is muddy and mushy, carpets of green grass cover all the bare dry and harsh

brown patches of the month before, and the transition is a sight to be seen. The wildlife regains condition, young animals are seen everywhere, and the cycle of life carries on into another year. Houston Safari Club’s Annual Convention brings awareness of the Zambezi’s extraordinary wildlife areas, and despite the current restrictions, the incredible privilege and the thrill of the hunt remain as vibrant and as powerful as always. We want to keep it that way. ★

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The Beretta 391 autos provided by the lodge functioned flawlessly throughout our visit.

Rancho Mescalero For years, Marcela and Danny Putegnat ran Rancho Mescalero in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The lodge, situated between Lake Guerrero and the Gulf Coast, hosted a loyal clientele of dove, quail and waterfowl hunters. Unfortunately, like most hunting lodges in the area, Rancho Mescalero had to close its doors in 2011 due to drug violence. Like many avid wing shooters, I had grown accustomed to Mexico white wing dove hunting every August and had been suffering from acute withdrawal for years. Consequently, I was excited to learn that Marcela and Danny were opening a new operation in the State of Nuevo Leon, about 100 miles Northwest of the original Rancho Mescalero. It was not difficult to assemble a group of fellow recovering white wing addicts and we booked the entire lodge for the 2016 season opener. The anticipation was palpable when John and Gloria Rabon, my nephew Matt Young, and I met at Bush International for our non-stop to Monterey. The Interject flight was on time, we breezed through 60 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

White wing dove in the shadow of the Sierra Madre Oriental BY HAROLD INMAN PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLORIA TOMBLIN PHOTOGRAPHY immigration, and our luggage was waiting for us at baggage claim. Customs was a mere formality, and Danny was waiting for us with his Suburban and a full cooler. After a 45-minute drive from the

airport, we arrived at Rancho Mescalero 2.0, changed clothes, hit the pool and enjoyed nachos and margaritas served by a courteous and attentive staff. We were just getting relaxed when the second contingent of our group, Barry, David, Dean, and Dean Jr. (8 years old) Putegnat and another nephew of mine, Rusty Young, arrived. Dean is a pilot and he had flown them in from Brownsville on his plane. We had all hunted together in Mexico and had known each other for a long time, so we spent the balance of the afternoon catching up on each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives. Dinner consisted of giant rib eye steaks grilled to perfection over ebony charcoal, salad, baked potatoes and grilled asparagus. After dinner, each of us had to perform the mental calculus of whether to turn in early and get a fresh start for opening day the next morning or continue to enjoy the camaraderie and cactus juice. The answers varied largely according to age. The next morning, Friday, had us all up for a hearty breakfast and a half hour trip to an uncut sorghum field. The scouts had seen large concentrations of white wing

feeding on the standing grain the previous evening. We arrived shortly after day break and our bird boys (palomeros), shotguns, coolers, and ammunition had all been prepositioned at our designated shooting locations. No sooner had we set up than the action started. Large numbers of birds began flying out of the impenetrable brush (monte) over the field. It quickly became apparent that the white wing dove was en route to another field, rather than feeding in the one we were in. This made for high pass shooting, but lots of it. High birds, uncut sorghum, and dense monte made it challenging to find downed birds, but the palomeros did a good job and surprisingly, few downed birds were lost. When the shooting heated up, so did the temperature. Since we were not that far from the Tropic of Cancer this was expected. What we did not expect was the humidity. Uncharacteristically, it had rained shortly before our arrival and the field was a virtual sauna. However, after all the action, happy hunters piled into the vehicles and headed back to camp. Upon arrival at the lodge, it was the usual routine, change clothes, nachos, and margaritas in the pool, and lunch. We feasted on enchiladas with the usual Mexican sides and sauces, after which it was time for a siesta. While we were sleeping, Danny and the scouts did a post mortem on the morningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hunt. The scouts insisted that the dove habitually fed in the field we had hunted that morning, so we uncharacteristically headed back to the same field that afternoon. Despite my skepticism the birds returned in droves and this time they were intent on feeding on the standing sorghum. This made for a great shoot. When we returned to the lodge, margaritas, and palomitas (hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres made of filets of dove breast, jalapeĂąo, and onion, wrapped in bacon and grilled) awaited us. Concurrently, Danny drove up with my son, Charlie, who had just flown in on a United non-stop from Bush. He had to stay in Houston until the conclusion of his well control school that afternoon. However, he quickly picked up the pace, and we dined on dove and retired for the evening, again largely on the basis of age. The next morning, Saturday, we hunted over an irrigated sorghum field which had been recently harvested. The shooting was steady and the temperature and humidity high, but everyone got to shoot all they wanted. In many cases, the shooting stopped before the birds stopped flying, as recoil was

Relaxing by the pool became a twice-daily ritual.

Palomitas fresh off the grill. Discada being prepared over an open fire.

Our last hunt was over a harvested cornfield overgrown with weeds.

starting to become an issue for some of us. I had a very good bird boy who found virtually every downed dove. After a dove kabob lunch and siesta, we drove about 10 minutes for the afternoon hunt which featured lots of birds presenting a variety of shots. By the time we got back to the lodge, Chris Putegnat, the final member of our group, was waiting for us. After a delicious skirt steak dinner, I turned in to get a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep before our third, and final day of shooting. Sunday dawned overcast and somewhat cooler as we departed for the morning hunt. We split up into smaller groups hunting various types of cover in the same area. Charlie, Matt and I were assigned to a tree line between a field of knee deep wild gourds in front of us, and green sorghum to our backs. This was clearly pass shooting, but the biggest problem was finding birds. If the dove fell in the green gourd vines, the bird boys had to have a perfect mark to have any chance of finding them. The tree line at our backs had grown up around a barbed wire fence which was a significant impediment to the pursuit. We 62 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

quickly realized that combining forces was the answer to the dilemma. We found a gap in the tree line and were able to concentrate our attention in both directions. We put one bird boy on the sorghum side of the fence and the other two on the side of the gourds. By shooting in the same location we could better triangulate on downed birds. Plenty of shooting ensued and our strategy enabled us to find an acceptable percentage of dead dove. By the time we got back to Rancho Mescalero, it was raining. We feasted on a delicious lunch of discada (a stew of dove breast fillets, vegetables, and local seasonings). The rain had become a steady downpour and we reconciled ourselves to the fact that we had probably had our last hunt of the trip. The afternoon was devoted to socializing and naps and fond reflection on the events of the last few days. However, my siesta was interrupted by a frantic knock on the door. The scout who was at the ranch we had been scheduled to hunt, had called in asking why we were not hunting. Apparently the rain and overcast had

forced the white wing into an early feeding frenzy. Even though the field was only 10 minutes from the lodge, it was not raining there, and upon our arrival, there were swarms of dove intent on feeding. The field had been planted in corn which had been harvested a good bit earlier and lain fallow for some time. Weeds from knee-deep to head-high had grown up in the field and the white wings were determined to feed in anticipation of an elongated period of bad weather. We quickly got in position and the fun began. The amount of shooting varied only by your position in the field, and tolerance for recoil. Danny and his staff expertly moved hunters as necessary to assure that everyone was optimally placed. Low flying birds were everywhere, coming from all directions. You basically could shoot as fast as you could load. The major challenge was focusing on a single target as large groups were coming in from different directions simultaneously. The flight showed no signs of letting up as hunters began to succumb to exhaustion and recoil, here again, largely

depending on age. Eventually, the bloodlust of even the youngest hunters was satiated and we assembled for a group picture with our bag for the afternoon. What had appeared to be a nonevent turned out to be the best hunt of the trip. With muddy boots and high spirits, we cleaned up for a dinner of grilled chicken, new potatoes, and asparagus. The next morning we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. As we crossed the Pesqueria River and went through the village of San Isidoro for the last time (at least for a while), we were already making plans for coming back next year.

EPILOGUE

The harvest from our last hunt of the trip.

Rancho Mescalero offers 4 night/3 day and 3 night/2 day packages for serious dove hunters. Abundant birds, short drives to the hunting fields, good food, and excellent service all made for a great trip. Facilities

and accommodations are basic but comfortable. We were not immune to typical third world inconveniences, but it should be remembered that we were the first group of the first season. I am sure that Marcela and Danny will continue to upgrade the

operation. Suffice it to say that I have already booked my spot for next year. To learn more, please go to http://mexico-bird-hunts.com/hunting_lodge.htm, e-mail Danny at dpute76547@aol.com, or call him at (956) 371-6141. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 63

Hunters’ Contributions to Wildlife Conservation in the United States MARK DAMIAN DUDA, MARTY JONES, AND TOM BEPPLER, RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION

Americans care deeply about wildlife. Surveys have confirmed as much for as long as the topic has been measured, with concern for the well-being of wildlife populations spanning generational lines, political affiliation, geographic region of the country, and numerous other attributes. This concern frequently leads to action: millions of Americans each year donate to initiatives or causes benefiting various species and their habitat, and millions are also members of organized groups that work in the same areas. Even those Americans who do not donate to such causes and who remain unaffiliated with specific organizations frequently take steps in their own daily lives (often on their own properties) to practice conservation, the umbrella concept under which most efforts to benefit wildlife fall. Conservation cannot exist without wildlife management, which is why the biologists, wardens, education experts, and other professionals who staff federal and state fish and wildlife agencies and non-governmental organizations play such a critical role in the health of the nation’s species and habitat. While it is undeniable that countless groups and individual Americans support wildlife conservation through federal and state taxes, donations, organized support, and other means, one constituency stands apart in terms of its outsized contribution to the cause: hunters. The collective source of billions of dollars spent directly on wildlife management and other conservation efforts, hunters make up the grassroots of a support structure unparalleled in its size and monetary influence. It is no wonder, then, that former U.S. President and renowned conservationist Theodore Roosevelt once remarked, “In a civilized and cultivated country, wild 64 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen.”

SOURCES OF FUNDING FROM HUNTERS

The Pittman-Robertson Act In the early part of the 1900s, modern ideas about wildlife management were still developing. One of the most important Acts pertaining to wildlife conservation, and the funding for it, was passed during this time: the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, sponsored by Senator Key Pittman of Nevada and Representative A. Willis Robertson of Virginia and therefore commonly called the Pittman-Robertson Act. The legislation was prompted by knowledge that populations of many species, particularly game species, had become low as a result of poor (or no) management. The Pittman-Robertson Act established a funding mechanism for wildlife conservation through an excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition and, later, a similar tax on archery equipment and handguns. The funds, collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via the Wildlife Restoration Program, are then appropriated to state fish and wildlife agencies based on a formula accounting for each state’s land area and the number of paid license holders. One of the requirements of the Pittman-Robertson Act is that the excise tax revenues may only be used for wildlife conservation and hunting management; the Act further stipulates that hunting license sales revenues generated by the states can be used only by the state’s fish and wildlife agency. By establishing the requirement that Pittman-Robertson tax revenues must be used for the purpose of wildlife management,

the Act guaranteed that conservation funding in America would come principally from sportsmen. (By this token, non-hunting target shooters and archers are also important contributors to wildlife management through the Pittman-Robertson excise taxes.) The Pittman-Robertson Act is therefore widely recognized as one of the most important accomplishments in conservation, as the Act’s excise tax on hunting and shooting equipment ensures a mechanism to fund conservation on a continuous basis. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, since its passage, the PittmanRobertson Act has provided approximately $18 billion for the conservation, restoration, and management of wildlife in the United States, as well as the other projects to which the excise tax revenues are dedicated—that’s billion with a “B,” an incredible amount of money that goes directly to wildlife conservation programs. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in Pittman-Robertson tax funding, thanks to the notable uptick in firearms and ammunition sales in the United States since 2008. While the Pittman-Robertson Act is at the forefront of hunters’ contributions to wildlife conservation, other sources also help to generate essential and substantial funding for the same efforts. The Federal Duck Stamp Preceding the passage of the PittmanRobertson Act by just a few years was the 1934 introduction of the Federal Duck Stamp. A required purchase for any duck hunter in the United States, the Federal Duck Stamp is nonetheless available to all Americans to purchase as a way to contribute to conservation. The Federal Duck Stamp allows free entry into any of the nation’s National Wildlife Refuges, and its design is chosen each year through a national art contest coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Like the PittmanRobertson Act, the stamp is a key funding source for wildlife conservation: by law, 98% of the stamp’s proceeds are used directly for the protection of wetlands and associated habitats. Since 1934, sales of the Stamp have generated roughly $800 million to secure wetlands and wildlife habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. State-Level Licenses, Tags, and Permits Another hugely important funding source for conservation occurs on the state level through the licenses, tags, and permits which hunters in each state are required to

purchase. Revenues from the sale of these items are used expressly to fund the state fish and wildlife agencies themselves (either in whole or in part) and, by extension, fish and wildlife management and conservation. The latest estimates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service put the number of paid hunting license holders at around 15Â million nationwide, bringing in around $821 million for wildlife conservation. Nonprofit Conservation Organizations Another important source of funding for wildlife conservation from hunters comes from not-for-profit organizations and their members and donors, many of whom are hunters. Many such organizations spend a substantial portion of their membership and donation income on on-the-ground conservation projects. A number of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prominent not-for-profit conservation organizations relate to hunting in some way, such as Ducks Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Hunters are also strongly represented in the membership ranks of some organizations not specifically involved in hunting, perhaps because many hunters have developed a close connection to wildlife, including nongame species, through hunting. Interestingly, one research study examining propensity to donate to such organizations found that hunters voluntarily donated, on average, more than four times the amount that non-hunters voluntarily donated to wildlife conservation across the American landscapeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not just donations to hunting organizations, but donations to wildlife conservation organizations of any kind.

HOW THE FUNDS GENERATED BY HUNTERS ARE SPENT

Breaking Down the Funding from Pittman-Robertson According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, about two-thirds of PittmanRobertson funds available to the states are used to buy, develop, maintain, and operate wildlife management areas. This includes

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In 2013, the most recent year for which complete data are available, hunters spent about $821 million on licenses and permits and almost $813 million in excise taxes, for a total financial contribution of around $1.63 billion to wildlife conservation. This is to say nothing of the accomplishments made possible through the work of nonprofit organizations supported by hunters, but these too factor into the overall contribution.

approximately 4 million acres that have been purchased by states since the program began. An additional estimated 40 million acres are managed for wildlife in agreements with landowners. For comparison, this total acreage benefiting wildlife exceeds the size of roughly half of the states in the United States, including Washington (42.6 million acres) and Florida (37.5 million acres). A few examples of the hundreds of efforts that have benefited from PittmanRobertson funding include the creation of watering holes for wildlife to drink; the planting of tree and shrub cover for pheasants and quail and other wildlife during winter storms; and controlled burns of brush and grass to improve habitat for wild turkey and quail. Some Pittman-Robertson funding goes toward scientific studies, in line with modern conservation strategies that use a sciencebased approach to wildlife management. These efforts include animal population estimate studies, hunter harvest surveys, and other studies related to wildlife and habitat. Another portion of Pittman-Robertson funding is used for educational purposes, primarily for hunter safety, but also for hunter ethics and to help hunters (and the general population) understand wildlife and wildlife management. Wildlife Management and Species Recovery Species recovery is a critical conservation impact made possible by hunters, as the original intent of the PittmanRobertson Act was the recovery of species that were in precipitous decline. A few specific examples help to reinforce the achievement of management efforts that saw species near extinction resurging to healthy populations: • The white-tailed deer population went from less than 500,000 in 1900 to more than 30 million today; • Wild turkey went from under 650,000 in 1900 to more than 7 million today; • The wood duck, extremely rare in 1900, has increased to 5.5 million today; • The Rocky Mountain elk has gone from 40,000 individuals in 1900 to about a million today; • There were just 13,000 pronghorn antelope in 1900 compared to about a million today; • And while just 25,000 bighorn sheep roamed North America in 1950, that number has climbed to 80,000 today. Species recovery efforts are not confined to game species. Nongame species benefit 66 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

from habitat conservation as well, with funding from hunters being used to bring back animals like the trumpeter swan and the brown pelican. An especially prominent example is the bald eagle, of which only about 400 breeding pairs existed in the lower 48 states in 1963. Today, it is estimated that there are around 11,000 breeding pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Habitat Conservation and Protection Conservation of habitat through the setting aside of lands is one of the most important tangible benefits of hunting. All states now have some lands that are set aside in the public domain for habitat protection, with funding from hunting being integral to acquiring those lands. Habitat, even for an individual species, does not comprise only one type of habitat; rather, it comprises feeding grounds, breeding grounds, denning and nesting grounds, and wintering grounds, as well as migration routes, movement corridors, and associated resting grounds. Pittman-Robertson funding helps with all of these types of habitat, in part because it is a federal program whose benefits apply to all states across far-reaching animal ranges. Beyond Pittman-Robertson funding, proceeds from the Federal Duck Stamp have helped to secure millions of acres of critical habitat. For example, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia, an area encompassing more than 14,000 critical acres of habitat for hundreds of nongame species (including more than 300 species of birds alone), was purchased entirely by hunters through the sale of the Federal Duck Stamp. Wildlife Refuges throughout the country also provide habitat for a diversity of endangered nongame species. Florida’s Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge (encompassing 980 acres) is home to loggerhead and green sea turtles; Mississippi’s Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge provides more than 19,000 acres for its namesake species; and Wildlife Refuges throughout California ensure habitat for the California condor, the long-toed salamander, the least tern, and Lange’s metalmark butterfly, among others. The Federal Duck Stamp helped to fund habitat for all of these species and many more. Biological Research A component of species recovery and habitat conservation is research to guide managers on how well species populations are doing and what their habitat needs are. Without this research, the most basic work toward species recovery and habitat

conservation would be haphazard and based on mere guesswork. With research on the health of populations, recovery efforts can be evaluated and fine-tuned as necessary. And with research on various species’ feeding and breeding needs, habitat conservation can be more targeted toward the habitats that should have the highest conservation priorities. Funding provided by hunters through the Pittman-Robertson Act has allowed for this important research. The Work of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Fish and wildlife agencies on the state level are supported wholly or in large part by license revenues (typically revenue from both hunting and fishing licenses). This funding is then used to administrate agency programs focused not only on species recovery and habitat maintenance but on enforcement and education. While the enforcement of a state’s fish and wildlife laws is primarily the responsibility of the state’s fish and wildlife agency, the outcomes of such enforcement routinely benefit hunters and non-hunters alike. A case in Indiana, investigated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, involved the theft of walnut trees from a person’s property — the effect was the destruction of an important tract of unique habitat in the area. State fish and wildlife agency enforcement personnel regularly investigate pollution and dumping violations. They are also called upon to help with the rescue of missing people. Even shootings of people are sometimes investigated by fish and wildlife agency enforcement personnel, as was recently the case when the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police responded to a call of a man shot while sitting in a car in the parking lot of a local pond. The agencies involved in all of these cases depend on funding that comes from hunters. A final component of in-the-field work supported by hunter dollars consists of education programs, primarily hunter education, but also nature-related education programs used by students, wildlife watchers, and others. Of course, basic hunter education is an important responsibility of fish and wildlife agencies. The Pittman-Robertson Act stipulates that some of the revenue must be used for hunter education, although states also supply a percentage of matching funds to cover the costs. For instance, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports that through Pittman-Robertson dollars, more than 67,000 people received hunter education certification from September

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2013 to August 2014 — in other words, 67,000 in one year’s time. In Oklahoma, Pittman-Robertson funds paid for education courses in 85 high schools and 20 junior high schools across the state. Additionally, Larry Voyles, Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and former president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, has compiled data that demonstrates the collective reach and impacts of fish and wildlife agencies across the United States: • • • •

50,000 employees; 11,000 degreed biologists; 8,400 certified law enforcement officers; 190,000 volunteers working with the agencies annually; • 465 million acres of land managed or controlled by agencies; • 168 million acres of water managed or controlled by agencies; • A total of 990,000 square miles of wildlife habitat (almost four times the state of Texas, and more than ten times the size of all five Great Lakes combined); The Work of Nonprofit Conservation Organizations The final source of funding relates to the work of nonprofit organizations, including many with extensive hunter support, and how their membership dues and donations are used to impact conservation. Many nonprofit organizations are dedicated to the recovery and health of specific animal populations. Major organizations that concern themselves with one (or a few) species include the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Ruffed Grouse Society, to name only a

few. These organizations, primarily through donations (most of which come from hunters), conduct conservation efforts for their given species. Nonprofit organizations also set aside extensive lands for conservation. An example of a recent Ducks Unlimited project for habitat conservation in our home state is a 1,300-acre restoration project on the Hog Island Wildlife Management Area, undertaken in 2014-2015, which involved the installation of new pump stations, watercontrol structures, canal enhancements, and embankments on Hog Island. In Virginia alone, Ducks Unlimited has restored and/or enhanced at least 45,000 acres of wetlands that are used by ducks as well as many, many other species. Another example of the work done by a nonprofit organization that is almost wholly funded by hunters is the elk range that is protected by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Using a combination of acquisitions, access agreements, and easements, the organization protects elk winter and summer ranges, migration corridors, and calving grounds. The Foundation has had a role in hundreds of projects, including the purchase of a ranch adjacent to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The acquired land provides important elk habitat and allows for additional public access to hunting and fishing lands. In total, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has protected more than 1,700 square miles of habitat for elk and other wildlife.

CONCLUSION

Hunters are integral to conservation in the United States. Through excise taxes, license and permit fees, and organizational membership dues and donations, hunters help to recover species, preserve habitat,

and ensure that state fish and wildlife agencies, including their crucial enforcement and education programs, are properly funded. Americans care deeply about wildlife and consider the nation’s healthy wildlife populations to be an essential and inseparable aspect of the outdoor experience in the United States. Each year, millions of wildlife viewers, anglers, boaters, hikers, and other recreationists head outside to experience the wildlife and other natural resources that have been preserved and maintained by hunters. From Theodore Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway to Aldo Leopold, John James Audubon, and the modern American who purchases a license and steps into the woods today, hunters throughout the years have played a critical role in the stewardship of America’s wildlife populations and ensured their viability for future generations. A final point regarding the dedication of hunters to conservation is worth noting. Decades ago, when the U.S. Congress was eliminating some excise taxes, hunters lobbied Congress to keep the PittmanRobertson excise taxes in place — they were volunteering to be taxed in the interest of wildlife conservation. As Lonnie L. Williamson, former Vice President/ Treasurer of the Wildlife Management Institute, asked, “How often have you encountered that situation?” ★ This article first appeared in the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum website, NRAHLF.org. Dedicated to keeping American hunters apprised of local, national and global issues affecting hunters, hunting and wildlife conservation in the 21st century, the website is a tool to help hunters go on offense against anti-hunting extremists in their culture war on hunting. SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 67

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Low and Slow

How to Tame the Tough Cuts BY SCOTT LEYSATH

Braised Venison

hen it comes to cooking wild game, my standard mantra is “Don’t Overcook It,” however, there are some notable exceptions. The tender parts of most

animals are better cooked quickly and with relatively high heat, but fast-fired

venison shoulders, necks and shanks just aren’t all that edible, assuming that you can

actually gnaw the meat off the bone and still keep your teeth intact. And while there are some useful kitchen appliances that will help you turn tough cuts into tender morsels, most of the time a trusty Dutch oven or another heavy-duty cooking vessel will get the job done.

70 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

As a general rule, the parts of any animal that require “low and slow” methods of cooking are those muscles that get the most exercise. The reason that tenderloins and loins are so prized by hunters is that they just go along for the ride and aren’t required to do much work. Less work in the woods means more tender meat at the dinner table. Slow-cooked meats are typically used in soups, stews, pot roasts and “pulled” dishes that practically fall off the bone when cooked. For those who are put off by juicy rare to medium-rare meats, you do have a few good options.

BRAISING

Braised meats are simply browned and then cooked in a covered container at lower temperatures, usually between 275 and 325 degrees. Take a pile of venison shanks that many hunters throw away — an especially bad habit Sous Vide Goose — season and brown them evenly in a Dutch oven. Remove the browned shanks, add some roughly chopped celery, carrot, and onion and cook until lightly browned. Add a big splash of wine or broth to the pan and scrape up any bits that are stuck to the pot. Return the shanks to the pot, add some more liquid to cover an inch or so of the shanks, cover, and place in a 325-degree oven.

Check the pot after a couple of hours and try and pull the meat off the bone. It’s probably not quite done yet. If necessary, add some more liquid, maybe throw in some more vegetables, herbs and garlic, cover and return to the oven. Braising tends to rob flavor from meat so it’s good to add additional flavor to the pot. When it’s done, the meat will be moist, tender and separated from the bone. If it’s not, keep braising. Braising can be done with any sinewy cuts of game. From leathery Canadian goose breasts to deer necks and shoulders, slow-cooking in a little liquid will transform any meat into spoontender treats. One of the many benefits of braising is that the silver skin and gristle practically disappears. What is left in the pot is bone and meat. If a Dutch oven is not handy, any pot or roasting pan with a tight-fitting lid will do the trick. Once the meat is done, turn what is left in the pot into a delicious pan sauce. Add another cup or two of wine or broth, remove the lid and reduce the liquid down to a quarter cup or so. Pour the contents of the pot through a colander into another saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and whisk in a few tablespoons of chilled butter until it is incorporated into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over the meat.

SOUS VIDE

Sous Vide

Imagine taking an otherwise tough chunk of meat, rubbing it with your favorite seasoning, encasing it in a vacuum-sealed or zipper-lock bag and placing the bag into a warm water bath for several hours. I know, it sounds a little goofy, but the end result is some of the most tender meat you’ve ever enjoyed. Best of all, the meat can still be medium-rare and it loses little or no volume like something that has been grilled, pan-seared, baked or broiled. Sous vide appliances circulate warm water that is precisely temperature controlled. You set it at 128.5 degrees and it maintains that exact temperature while you go do something constructive, like check your trail camera. Meanwhile, the seasoned meat bathes in its own juices and whatever else is in the bag. Several hours later, you get home, remove the meat from the bag and give it a quick sear in a skillet or on a hot grill. One of the downsides of sous vide cooking is that, for obvious reasons, SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 71

the meat will not have any color or bark on the outside since it never comes in contact with direct heat. For that reason, meat should be cooked 5 or 10 degrees less than the desired doneness and then seared after is has been rendered tender by the sous vide process. You can spend a couple thousand dollars for a tabletop unit or less than two-hundred for something much more portable. Many, myself included, have tried converting an everyday slow

cooker into a sous vide, but the temperature will not be controlled or constant like a real sous vide appliance and the results are just not the same. New to the market is the Hamilton Beach Sous Vide Water Oven and Slow Cooker ($130) that does the job of two appliances. If you are happy with your slow cooker and just want to give sous vide cooking a try, check out Anova’s ($120) portable unit that stores easily and includes a Bluetooth monitoring connection with your mobile phone.

SOUS VIDE CANADA GOOSE BREASTS

For best results, brine the breast fillets overnight in a solution of 1/2 gallon water and 1/2 cup each Kosher salt and brown sugar. Pat dry and begin the recipe. 4–6 servings. ingredients

• 4 Canada goose breasts, skin on or off • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • 4 strips bacon • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, minced • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 1 teaspoon berry preserves

preparation

1. Season goose breasts liberally with Kosher salt and pepper. Heat bacon in a skillet over medium heat and cook until medium brown. Remove bacon strips and transfer grease to a large bowl. To the bowl, add seasoned goose and remaining ingredients. Toss to coat evenly. Place contents of the bowl in a vacuum bag or zipper-lock bag, along with the reserved bacon strips. If using a vacuum-sealer, it is not necessary to remove all the air. Squeeze as much of the air out of the bag and seal. Zipper-lock bags can be placed in water unsealed with the opening above the water line. The water will force most of the air out and allow for a tighter seal. 2. Place in a 130-degree water for 6 hours. Remove goose breasts and brown quickly in a hot skillet. Remove breasts when browned and add contents of the bag. Heat to a boil and reduce liquid by one-half. If desired, remove the skillet from heat and whisk in a tablespoon or two of chilled butter before drizzling the pan sauce over the goose breasts.

THE SLOW COOKER

Conventional slow cookers like the Crock-Pot have been around since the early ’70s. Introduced as a means of making dinner while you are at work, millions of us have discovered that cooking a meal in a slow cooker is about as easy as it gets. You brown some tough meat and cook it all day along in a flavorful liquid and some vegetables until it’s super tender. Unfortunately, some misguided home cooks have used slow cookers as a means of preparing lean game meats that are, in my opinion, best cooked quickly with traditional methods. Some people think that upland birds like pheasant, chukar Rabbit Parts and wild turkey are tough and dry. Their solution is to submerge a cut-up bird or two into a slow cooker with a can of cream of mushroom soup and some vegetables. The end result is a moist pot of stewed meat that tastes just like cream of mushroom soup. Instead, remove the breast fillets and place the legs and thighs into the slow cooker with some stock, maybe a little white 72 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

wine and some carrots, celery and onion. That’s what the slow cooker does best. It will turn the parts that often thrown away into some incredible table fare. Once the meat is tender, strip it off the bone, return to the pot and create your own delicious pheasant and dumpling stew. The saved breasts can be quickly sautéed until just cooked, but not overcooked and dry.

RABBIT, SAUSAGE, SPINACH AND WHITE BEAN STEW

Rabbits, especially the older ones, can benefit from slow-cooking for a more moist and tender meal. 6-8 servings. ingredients

• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced • 2 medium rabbits, each cut into 5 pieces (legs and back) • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • 2 15-ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed • 1 15-ounce can fireroasted diced tomatoes (do not drain) • 2 cups carrots, diced • 2 cups celery, diced

• 1 cup yellow onion, diced • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 2 bay leaves • 1 teaspoon each dried oregano, thyme and rosemary • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Pinch or two red pepper flakes • 1 quart chicken broth • 4 cups spinach, stems removed • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

As much as most of us prefer the more tender cuts of an animal, the tougher cuts, when properly prepared, can be much more flavorful. Without getting too deep into food science, tough muscles contain more connective tissue which, when slowly cooked with low heat and liquid, turn into gelatin which

preparation

1. Lightly brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. While browning, season rabbit pieces liberally with Kosher salt and pepper. Add seasoned rabbit to the skillet, a few pieces at a time and brown evenly. If needed, add vegetable oil to the pan to help brown. 2. Transfer browned rabbit and contents of the pan to a large slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients except for spinach, cornstarch, and cheese. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Remove approximately one cup of liquid and add to a small saucepan. Combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and add to the saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir to thicken. Transfer thickened sauce to slow cooker and add spinach. Cook on high for 1 hour. 3. To serve, spoon equal portions into bowls. If desired, meat can be pulled away from the bones before serving. makes the meat more tender and tasty. So, rather than having the bulk of an animal ground into sausage or burger, save those less desirable parts and turn them into something that will impress even those folks who claim that they just don’t like the taste of wild game. ★

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SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 73

Two British Women

Claire and Victoria on the prairie chicken hunt!

& Hundreds of American Birds BY VICTORIA KNOWLES-LACKS AND CLAIR SADLER Victoria Knowles-Lacks is a country girl from Shropshire and runs the UK’s largest ladies only shooting club, The Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club, and Claire Sadler is a country girl at heart who relocated to central London for her career as a city lawyer and now writes the shooting blog “Gracing The Field.” Both girls have a shared love of bird hunting, traveling and having as much fun as possible. Recently, Victoria and Claire were invited on to the Governor of Kansas’ Ringneck Classic in Oakley, Kansas, and welcomed the opportunity to experience bird hunting in the U.S. 74 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Our invite to hunt in the U.S. came after a few glasses of champagne one warm spring evening in London, celebrating a fantastic day out clay pigeon shooting. Barbara Baird (of Women’s Outdoor News) had traveled across the pond to attend National Ladies’ Shooting Day, an initiative created by Victoria’s club. We were invited to pheasant hunt as part of the Governor of Kansas’ annual Ringneck Classic. As we are both keen hunters, we could not wait to get out there and knew this had the makings of a trip of a lifetime.

Victoria in her bird hunting clothes (U.K. style)

Claire on a game shoot in the U.K.

The Ringneck Classic Hunters

SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 75

Claire and some other lady shooters

Fast-forward a couple of months as we sit on a plane, on the final leg of our journey to Oakley, Kansas, and both of us are a mix of excitement and nerves. Neither of us had hunted outside of the United Kingdom and we were looking forward to a whole new experience. From the word go it was clear that the pheasant hunting we were used to (or “game shooting” as it is known in the U.K.) is very different to that practiced in the U.S. Firstly, back in Blighty, we are regulars on the game shooting scene and, with our team of guns, can shoot anything up to approximately 200 pheasants and partridge in a day’s shooting (this is known as “the bag”). British game shoots are steeped in tradition and, on the more formal days, structured into separate drives — effectively different fields or stands where you will be positioned in a line of guns to shoot the birds as they are driven out of cover and over your head. Shooting hens is permitted unless directed otherwise. You do not need a pheasant hunting license to attend a game shoot and we have yet to see anyone wearing bright orange on a quintessential English estate...we dress to blend in. Moorland colors and thick British tweed are the outfits of choice. You can’t head over to walk-in hunting areas or public land to hunt; British shoots take place on estates and farms, which are privately owned. So, what does game shooting look like in 76 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Victoria in her bird hunting clothes (U.K. style)

We maybe divided by etiquette, format, and terminology, but we are united by a passion for field sports. the U.K.? The guns (or the shooters) stand in a line, and there are usually eight or nine guns positioned by the estate’s gamekeeper or shoot captain. Each gun is given a number and that number corresponds to a “peg” (or position) on each drive. A drive is a field or woodland on an estate and the guns line up facing cover. Pheasants are flushed out by “beaters” over the guns. Hopefully, the guns will shoot a few and there are “picker-ups” who stand behind the guns with a few dogs who retrieve shot game and put it on to the game cart, ready to take back to the game larder. It is all very “Downton Abbey” and on the most prestigious of days, the “guns” are driven from drive to drive and have full hospitality — including the obligatory champagne.

But there are some similarities — which we two Brits were very grateful for! We too use dogs to flush the birds out of the cover and to retrieve any shot game. We do have shooting similar to U.S. pheasant hunting, but these are known as “walked-up shooting” and tend to be smaller “bags,” typically around 50 birds for a day’s shooting depending on how many guns. So, outfitted in bright orange, missing our morning elevenses and champagne, we were feeling slightly out of our comfort zone. However, we very quickly realized that for all the differences we could see, and the nerves that we were feeling, it was all very familiar. We were doing exactly the same as what we do and love in the U.K. — hunting pheasants! We may be divided by etiquette, format, and terminology, but we are united by a passion for field sports. Regardless of which side of the pond you live on, there is a respect for the sport, livelihood and the pheasants themselves. Although, it did take us a bit of time to get used to the wily American pheasants — one of the other hunters called them “clever little critters” — as in the U.K. it can be a struggle to keep pheasants alive! They are not wild like the pheasants being hunted in Kansas but reared until they are released at a young age. Once the birds were up and had broken cover we no longer saw ourselves as

the token Brits and instinct kicked in, with both of us contributing to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bag.â&#x20AC;? We are now some weeks on from our trip and reflecting on our hunting experience. What has resonated with both of us is the passion in the U.S. for hunting and how it is ingrained, in most areas, in everyday life. In the U.K. there is a real lack of understanding and support in certain demographics for the hunting and shooting industries, so for us, it was so inspiring that hunters are welcome! Unless you know you are with a kindred spirit, or at the least someone with an open mind, hunting is not really discussed in the U.K. This is something that both of us are working very hard to change. It is something to be proud of. It is something to promote. It was a revelation to be able to share our experience and what we had learned with nearly everyone we came into contact with and had such a good time that we are already organizing a trip for next year. And while both of us are promoters of our sport, it was inspiring to be embraced into such a community. Even if it is on the other side of the pond.â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

What we shot!

SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 77

Exploring the World with West University Travel

ravel is an important and unique part of life. Through traveling, we learn more about the world, others, and ourselves. For most people, a trip is the most sought-after and anticipated part of the year. Why leave it up to chance? Using a travel advisor ensures that your vacation is everything you wanted… and more. Allow us to introduce you to West University Travel, Houston’s leading and trendsetting travel agency for the smart, savvy traveler. ABOUT WEST UNIVERSITY TRAVEL

West University Travel is a luxury boutique travel agency with a storefront location in Houston, Texas. In operation since 1988, West University Travel continues to innovate as we provide best-of-the-best, next generation travel services to our clients by creating and executing high-level leisure design itineraries all over the world. With experts in varying fields and access to specialists stationed across the globe, our goal is to deliver exceptional travel service and support, from the planning stage of a trip to its completion, and along the way provide our clients with access to unparalleled travel benefits

78 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Sydney, Australia

and amenities. If you can dream it, we can do it — from transportation (even private air), accommodations, and guides, to restaurant reservations and entertainment venues. We take the time to get to know you, your preferences, and your style of travel. Then, we create a custom profile that considers your travel habits — your likes and dislikes, your favorite hotels and experiences, your preferences — and we keep all that in mind when confirming your travel arrangements. Everything that’s important to you matters to us.

WHY WORK WITH US

In addition to the unique, personalized itineraries that we curate for each and every client, West University Travel is proud to be a member of the prestigious, invite-only Virtuoso international travel

network featuring the world’s best travel partners. How does this benefit you? Our travel advisors have worldwide access to the finest luxury travel providers and resources, as well as personal relationships with the best hoteliers and on-site suppliers. These relationships allow us to extend exclusive amenities to our clients such as daily breakfasts, hotel credits, upgrades, priority waitlist, and more services that simply aren’t available elsewhere. We communicate directly with our client’s travel providers, ensuring outstanding service, perks, and insider connections that elevate our client’s travel experience and satisfaction. You cannot VIP yourself, so let West University Travel do it for you. Now that you know a bit about what we do, let’s take a look at some real trip itineraries that we’ve put together for clients.

ROMANCE ALONG THE AMALFI COAST

Positano, italy

For a romantic week away, Italy is hard to beat. We created a luxurious, custom itinerary for a couple that took them from Anacapri to Marina Grande to Positano, with beautiful stops and extravagant inclusions along the way. In Anacapri, we set up a stay in the Farouk Master Suite at Hotel Caesar Augustus, a resort situated on a cliff 1,000 feet above the sea, offering one of the most spectacular vistas on the Island of Capri. While there, we arranged for tours to San Michele Church and Villa San Michele, as well as private transfers. In Positano, our clients enjoyed a stay at the beautiful five-star Hotel Le Sirenuse, which prides itself on providing comforts of a luxury hotel while still maintaining the atmosphere of a private home. The resort also boasts La Sponda restaurant, where guests enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine while surrounded by more than 400 flickering candles and the thrilling views of Positano. During their stay, our clients visited the historic site of Pompeii, the beautiful Emerald Cave, and the exquisite town of Ravello. And because there is no better way to explore the Amalfi Coast, we made sure to set up our guests with a day touring Amalfi on a Vespa scooter! Before they departed on their trip, their travel advisor equipped them with restaurant guides and suggestions for where to visit on their leisure days. Furthermore, full breakfasts, spa credits, and complimentary mini-bars were just a few of the added values that their advisor was able to provide for them.

JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

When arranging travel halfway across the world, it truly helps to have personal connections to assist you with the planning. At West University Travel, we have those contacts that we can to reach out to and know that we will receive a prompt response, even with the sometimes-challenging time difference. One of our favorite trips we’ve planned has been a threeweek journey through New Zealand and Australia, with stops in all the major destinations including Queenstown, Milford Sound, Sydney, and Melbourne. In New Zealand, our clients enjoyed a Milford helicopter tour, where they soared through the Southern Alps, over glaciers and frozen lakes to the heart of Fiordland. They also experienced a truly unique New Zealand experience – jet boating! Superbly skilled 80 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

New Zealand

drivers guide a jet boat along the largest river flowing into Lake Wakatipu while making frequent stops to explain the geology and lore of the unspoiled lands traversed. It truly is an unforgettable experience. On to Australia, our clients toured the Sydney Opera House, Paddington, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and more! We also arranged for them to see an area loved by Sydneysiders but not often explored by visitors – Balmoral Beach at Mosman. For those clients who love to experience the local feel and culture while they are traveling, insight from our on-site contacts is invaluable. Furthermore, even while you are traveling halfway across the world, your West University Travel advisor is on-call for you, should you have any questions at all during your travels.

GROUP TRAVEL IN BERLIN, GERMANY

West University Travel is equally comfortable arranging large group travel as we are with couples and families. A travel advisor can be especially helpful with group planning, as we can take charge and keep track of all the different moving parts, whether it’s separate payments or different flights or just keeping everyone on schedule. We recently planned a weeklong trip to Berlin for a group of over twenty people. After arranging everyone’s airfare, we planned individual transfers from the airport to the beautiful Regent Hotel. We set them up with a guide, who met them on their first evening and guided them to a Welcome Dinner that we arranged at Brasserie am Gendarmenmarkt. The next

few days were full of visits to the Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island, KaDeWe, Hackesche Hofe & Prenzlauer Berg district, as well as guided tours of Berlin Underground Bunker, Boros private art collection, and the Royal Gardens and Sanssouci Palace. In addition to finding excursions that met everyone’s interests, we also planned many lunches and dinners at renowned Berlin restaurants. With this specific itinerary, we were very hands on and involved in the day-to-day planning; however, you tell us what you want. If you prefer more flexibility in your schedule and less rigid structure, we can provide you with general guidance and ideas of what to see and do in the area and let you take it from there. It’s up to you! West University Travel offers you the opportunity to see the world in a different way, by customizing and personalizing your travel experiences. You’ll see the world as you want to see it. Our extensive, proficient, and worldwide travel expertise means that you will get firsthand knowledge for all seven continents. Our diversity also brings with it a passion for

Berlin, Germany

travel, and fosters unbridled enthusiasm for learning while exploring our diverse planet. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime African safari or a family vacation to Alaska, your West University Travel advisor can make it happen and will create an exclusive itinerary personalized exactly for you. Leave the planning to us!

Interested in exploring more of the world’s top destinations? Need help planning your pre- or post-safari adventures? West University Travel can provide inspiration, planning, resources, and support from start to finish. Contact us at info@ westutravel.com to speak to one of our knowledgeable travel advisors. ★

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Trophy Hunting? SHANE MAHONEY

explores the complicated and often conflicting views of trophy hunting held by hunters and non-hunters alike. While hunting in general is a controversial issue, there can be little doubt that much of the harshest criticism is directed toward trophy hunting. Even among hunters who readily pursue animals and harvest them, trophy hunting is sometimes criticized. To the general public, it is often portrayed as a distortion of the original activity, and one that has entered a selfindulgent and frivolous domain. But are such characteristics and criticisms justified? Can we really define trophy hunting in such distinct terms that it truly stands apart from other forms of hunting, or are all of us, to one extent or another, pursuing the same thing when we hunt (or fish)? Indeed, has our use of the term “trophy” simply served to confuse both hunters and non-hunters alike about this issue? I was born into a hunting and fishing culture — one that relied upon wild animals for food in a very fundamental sense. The hunters I came to know in Newfoundland all hunted for meat, certainly, because that meat was nutritious, wild, and abundant. In this sense, I have always considered myself a meat hunter, but anyone who has hunted knows that hunting is more than lethal shopping. It is the pursuit of something that can only be gained in the wild chase, something far less tangible than the muscle and blood of the animal. This was as true for those Newfoundland hunters in their rough clothing and lifestyle as for any wealthy adventurer. Even for indigenous peoples, hunting has always meant more than the procurement of food, regardless of how critical this was to their survival. Regardless of whether food is the primary or secondary motivation, hunting will always be about more than meat. This is an important point and calls into question the clear distinction some like to draw between meat hunters and those who hunt for “trophies” or “sport” (another 84 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

This hunter will return home from his elk hunt with coolers full of elk roasts, memories of bugling bulls and unmatched mountain scenery, and a set of antlers that hangs on his office wall and reminds him daily of the incredible experience he had. So was this a trophy hunt? Photo by Tom Tietz

term I have problems with). Hunting is very complex, and, like many fundamental human engagements, it is greater than the sum of its parts. Despite this reality, the term “trophy hunting” has been used and interpreted by some to imply a distinct form of hunting where only one thing matters, that being some part of the animal collected as a memento or simply the record of its having been killed. From this

misguided perspective, the animal dies to satisfy a bloated ego concerned only with the taking and not the pursuit; and one that can pay its way to success by travelling far, buying access to the rare, and hiring the talent required to find and bring the animal within range. Cast in this distasteful image, the trophy hunter is really a collector, more than a hunter; the pursuit of the animal is unimportant and the meat of the animal

taken is routinely discarded. But how true is this? Does the picture match the reality? I don’t think so, and I firmly believe we need to set the record straight. Certainly, at times, any of the elements above may apply to trophy hunting. Let’s be honest: There is no form of hunting (or perhaps any human undertaking) that is always and altogether consistent and pure. Individual hunters are just that: individuals. This means that their motivations will not all be the same, nor their standards of living, nor their approach to their activity. What I find particularly true about trophy hunting, however, are the many misconceptions that apply to it and that those who oppose it seem most preoccupied with the nature of the trophy hunter, rather than the impact of trophy hunting on nature. In this regard, the criticism of trophy hunting by hunters and non-hunters alike resembles the more widely encompassing opposition to hunting by the anti-hunting community. It is centered upon the hunter’s motivation and rationale for hunting, not on the animals themselves. This, it seems to me, should make all hunters – even those who criticize trophy hunting – nervous. The basic problem may lie in the word “trophy” itself. Clearly, most evaluations of public attitudes toward hunting will immediately draw a distinction between hunting for meat and recreation, and hunting for the so-called trophy. Yet, what do we mean or understand by that word? Placed in a negative context by its critics, “trophy” refers to the biggest and the best, the rare, the exquisite, acquired for the purpose of returning with some part of the animal to hang on a wall in boast. In this sense, trophy implies elitism, like an award in sports, signifying victory in a competitive exercise. The thing is, hunters are not playing a sport and they only compete with themselves. Furthermore, very few are solely concerned with what they bring back, meat or otherwise, and their so-called trophies are really tokens of remembrance: the mounts or horns or tusks are the touchstones by which the hunter returns to the experience of the hunt and through which he or she can communicate the experience to others. In this regard, they are no more “trophies” than a wedding picture or the bronzed boots of a child. However, it is because of this desire for remembrance that so many hunters collect some tangible evidence of their days afield and particularly of hunts that end with the death of an animal. These mementos can take many forms, and are

Bull elk bugling during rut. Photo by John J. Henderson

often inconspicuous and always highly personal — just like everything about hunting. Above many a fisherman’s shed in Newfoundland, you can see the weathered antlers of moose displayed, nailed firmly to rough-hewn boards. These wind and salt-whitened specimens are no less “trophies” than the fully mounted gemsbok in a wealthy man’s collection. They are the subjects of conservation and the visible manifestation of a great animal — respected and remembered. How many times have I looked upward or touched the antlers of a long-dead moose and been spurred to ask about where and when it was taken? How many times have I witnessed the effect that relating their past hunts had on the men who would stop their work of mending nets and boats and describe the day, the location, and the animal they had pursued, killed, and brought home? These were not glory seekers or competitors in any sense — just hunters who sometimes looked up at those antlers and remembered, and who were glad that someone else was interested in the animal that had died. So, are they “trophy” hunters? If we insist on keeping this word in our vocabulary, then the answer is yes, at least in part because they took a trophy, a memento, home. Just like hunters who keep some turkey feathers, or the rack of a spike bull, or the tooth or pelt of an animal they have killed, or for that matter, those who take photographs of their hunts — so many of us are collectors

of trophies from our hunts. Thus, it is impossible to differentiate hunters on the basis of whether they are motivated to return home with a physical remembrance of their days afield. In this sense, the issue may be far more about deciding who is not a “trophy” hunter, than deciding who is. Furthermore, many socalled trophies are from animals that are neither rare, nor expensive to hunt. As my future articles will address, many other misconceptions about trophy hunting also need to be challenged and, as the evidence shows, they can be. ★

Born and raised in Newfoundland, Shane Mahoney is a leading international authority on wildlife conservation. A rare combination of scientist, hunter, angler, historian and philosopher, he brings a unique perspective to wildlife issues that has motivated and inspired audiences around the world.

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Family fishing time at one of Hawkeye’s very own lakes.

A HUNTING RETREAT IN EAST TEXAS BY KAYLIN MARTINEZ

Relax in the lakeside living room.

Most Americans have never heard of Hawkeye Hunting Club and Center, Texas. But ask your upland bird hunting buddies, especially the older ones, and they will tell you tales of Hawkeye — the beauty, the privacy, the home cooking and the great upland bird hunting. And all of this is located just over an hour from Shreveport, Louisiana and three hours from Houston and Dallas, Texas and has been in business for over 60 years. Hawkeye Hunting Club was founded in 1955 by a 19-year-old entrepreneur from Iowa named Jerry Waters with just 86 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

a small wooden structure and a few hunting dogs. Jerry liked to hunt pheasant in his native Iowa, and after he moved to Texas he used to return home to do just that. One year, however, he could not go. “Well, I just bought some birds, got some dogs and went hunting,” said the original owner of the Hawkeye Hunting Club. That decision to get some birds and go hunting evolved over 60 years into a one of a kind world-class hunting resort that has proven to be one of the greatest commercial hunting clubs in North America.

Jerry Waters and his family ran Hawkeye for 60 years until 2015, when he brought in new ownership by a family equally intent on having the premier bird hunting club in the land. Mark and Elizabeth Brueggeman of Houston purchased Hawkeye with the vision of preserving the heart of the club’s history while renovating its facilities to 21st century standards. “Hawkeye and Jerry had quite the reputation in Texas hunting circles,” relays owner Mark Brueggeman. “If walls could talk there would be some amazing stories of corporate titans, movie

Hunting groups enjoying Hawkeyes sporting clay range.

Lake views from Hawkeye

A relaxing setting inside Hawkeye's main lodge.

stars and even, the Shah of Iran!” Hawkeye Hunting Club lies nestled in 1600 acres of East Texas beauty. The property includes lakes, piney woods, and gentle hills with deeply grassed swales. From October to mid-April the Hawkeye staff is dedicated to providing a hunting, shooting, and lodging experience that is beyond compare. The three conference rooms provide opportunities for business meetings combined with some hunting fun. The picturesque deep East Texas Piney Woods gives a vivid backdrop for all hunters and guests to enjoy. Guests come from all over the country to hunt game including upland birds, deer, and hogs, to relax in the private lodges or to conduct meetings. During the summer months, Hawkeye is open for family reunions, friend gatherings, and business retreats.

Hawkeye's luxurious dining setting to serve guests their professionally cooked meals.

WELCOME HOME

As you enter Hawkeye property, new signage directs you to the office where you can check in before being shown to your private lodge. On the drive in you get your first glimpse of the plantation-style terrain that you will be hunting in. Tall pines, hardwoods, and low grasses provide shelter for the birds and interesting challenges for the shooter. Hawkeye Hunting Club’s lodging is not your average log cabin in the woods! The resort offers six different gorgeous lodges that are the definition of luxury. Each lodge offers the modern comforts of home surrounded by the beautiful East Texas scenery. Mark and Elizabeth Brueggeman have renovated all six of the resort’s lodges and brought them back to life and luxury. Cedarclad inside and out with tall stone fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows in the great

Hawkeye's English Setter Sue retrieving her bird

rooms, the natural beauty of the surrounding area is a special part of the Hawkeye experience. All bedrooms have en-suites with most rooms having two queens each. Whether you are coming with a small group or a corporate party, Hawkeye can accommodate all sized groups with lodges that sleep anywhere from eight to sixteen guests. Every lodge has a fully equipped kitchen and bar that comes with your own personal cook and bartender. At Hawkeye, your lodge is reserved for your group and your group only. “We never put two groups together in one lodge,” says Travis, the Hawkeye office manager. “Our guests appreciate the privacy that Hawkeye provides.” Wild game meals are a Hawkeye specialty but the menu offers a variety of choices, with a combination of East Texas, Cajun, and Southern Food to choose from. The menu was revamped this year to accommodate SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 87

guests’ lighter eating habits but still includes old favorites like eggs, biscuits and grits for breakfast, gumbo for lunch and stuffed quail for dinner. New options include marinated pheasant with onions and apples and a sweet tea brined chicken which will certainly remind you of our Southern roots. The wine list has been expanded as has the cigar selection. “Our new guests are always surprised by the beauty and size of Hawkeye,” says owner Elizabeth Brueggeman. “Apparently, no matter how many new pictures we take and post on social media, we have yet to capture the true essence of Hawkeye!” Her husband, Mark, added, “We did not know what to expect the first time we came to visit back in 2014. We were wowed by the beauty and the potential of this place. Every time we returned we fell more and more in love with it and finally just decided we needed to buy it and preserve this treasure for the next generation.”

HUNTING AT HAWKEYE

Hawkeye is first and foremost an upland bird hunting resort. Hawkeye’s most popular bird packages include traditional walk-up hunting with experienced guides and trained field hunting dogs with a chance at chukar, pheasant, and quail. Hawkeye has a kennel of roughly 40 bird hunting dogs that live in a new, state of the art dog kennel facility. Hawkeye dogs are a mixture of English and German Shorthair Pointers and English and Red Setters that are all trained on site by their in-house dog trainer. The dogs are trained to both point and retrieve, providing an exciting and beautiful experience for the hunters to watch. Other bird hunting options include a Presidential tower shoot using the newly renovated tower or a chucker shoot using the cannon at the wobble trap. Both of these provide an opportunity for larger groups to hunt together in friendly competition.

SHOOTING OPTIONS

Shooters are always challenged at Hawkeye. The Five Stand facility is renowned and open both day and night for some friendly rivalry. Where else can you shoot over water with stadium lights? One guest wrote,“Without a doubt the best Five Stand I have ever, ever seen. The lake and speed of the clays were very challenging and great fun. You have a winner here!” The Brueggemans moved the sporting clay course in 2016 off the main entrance. Ten stations overlook water, woods or 88 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Bird hunting in the piney woods of East Texas

ravines. The clays come fast, both high and low, side to side and away. Kevin, the general manager, helped design the course and says, “It will definitely challenge even the most experienced shooter. We have actually been asked to ‘dial it down’ so guests can still boast about how good a shot they are!” The Brueggemans believe in supporting the next generation of shooters and hunters. Upon purchasing Hawkeye they reached out to the local 4-H Shooting Club and invited them to use Hawkeye to develop their skills. “It is great fun to get to know these kids and see their love for outdoor sports grow here at Hawkeye,” says Kevin.

ACTIVITIES AT HAWKEYE

But what if you or your guests want something else to do while enjoying the great outdoors? Hawkeye offers the opportunity to hunt East Texas whitetail deer (during the season) and wild hogs from the comfort of blinds along the Huana Creek. The club offers fishing excursions for both the casual fisherman and those looking for a bit more excitement. The property has two stocked lakes filled with bass, catfish and perch just steps away from the guest lodges. The staff can also set up professional fishing guides to take guests to Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, or Lake Murvaul for either half-day or full-day excursions. Many people don’t know that Toledo Bend Reservoir was voted America’s top fishing destination two years in a row by Bassmaster Magazine.

to a group. Food and shooting activities can be added or you can bring your own food and cook out. A renovated swimming pool and spa are located outside of Main Lodge’s bedroom wing. The pool is available to all guests. Lakeside lodge has its own hot tub for guests staying there. Many lodges have fire and horseshoe pits, pool tables and other game space. For business guests, Hawkeye has three conference rooms that are available with or without lodging year-round. Back in 1990, the Wall Street Journal reported that “… Professionals and companies want to hold meetings and hunts at the same place — the best of these is Hawkeye Hunting Club and Conference Center. The club has long had legendary accommodations. It is considered the best of all hunting facilities.” If the Wall Street Journal came back today they would say the same thing, as the Brueggemans renovated all of the lodges and conference rooms in order to continue offering businesses a place to hold private meetings with some fun breakout activities. “Hawkeye is a special place that needed to be preserved,” says owner Mark Brueggeman. “There aren’t many places like it in the country and especially not in Texas, in close driving distance to Houston, Dallas, and Shreveport. Hawkeye was for many years that place where your grandfather or maybe father hunted. Our goal is to keep Hawkeye Hunting Club open and thriving for the next generations of hunters and guests.” ★

YEAR-ROUND FUN

Hawkeye is open year-round. The typical hunting season is October 1 through midApril. In the summer months, the lodges are available for family reunions and friend outings. As during the hunting season, privacy is continued by renting the whole lodge(s)

For more information please contact Hawkeye Hunting Club: Elizabeth Brueggeman ebrueggeman@hawkeyehunting.com 936-598-1000 www.hawkeyehunting.com

Falconry The Sport of Kings

| BY RYAN ANTHONY

THE RED-TAILED HAWK

It’s a typical humid January day in Houston when Chuck Redding checks the weather: 62 F. Chuck had hoped for a cooler day as all hawks, including his red-tailed hawk Cisco, are keener to hunt when frigid. Chuck grabs his hawking bag and weighs the bird — 33.23 oz, perfect hunting weight for Cisco. He jots down the weight in his journal next to the temperature he had noted earlier. Chuck drives to an abandoned lot of woods 30 minutes from his house and gets Cisco out of the travel box he has been perched in. He turns on the telemetry transmitter on Cisco’s back and lets him go. The bell attached to Cisco’s tail jingles as he flies to a high perch in a tall elm. It is the 83rd day in a row that Chuck has gone hunting and cottontails have been difficult to find. Chuck will, therefore, focus his attention on squirrels. He walks around the timber, beating and shaking trees, waiting for a squirrel to abandon his post. Cisco has learned to follow Chuck, knowing that eventually he will shake a squirrel out of a tree. After walking a quarter mile, a squirrel base jumps out of a nest with Cisco in hot pursuit. Cisco crashes through the branches of the ash tree and nabs the squirrel just before it hits the ground. Chuck rushes to help Cisco dispatch the squirrel before it gets a chance to bite. A red-tailed hawk has been the classic hawk of American falconry. Cisco’s demeanor is more manageable than Chuck’s ex-wife, who was unhappy with his daily disappearance during the fall and winter to pursue his passion of falconry. Cisco’s main staple has been cottontails and squirrels although he has nailed the occasional unlucky jackrabbit, cotton rat, and lizard that happened to move at the wrong time.

THE FALCON

The same afternoon in Iowa, Tom Deckert dons his Carhartt overalls prepared for the bitter cold and the wind. His hunting partner is a hybrid of a peregrine falcon and a gyrfalcon. Tom drives around until he finds a field where he spots a covey of pheasants moving in some corn stubble. He drives over to the farmer’s house and asks permission to hunt the pheasants. The farmer is excited to see the hunt and readily allows Tom to hunt the pheasants on his property. Once released, the falcon begins to circle overhead gaining pitch (height) with every spiral. Down on the ground, Tom’s pudelpointer begins to excitingly work to sniff out the

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roosters tunneled in snow. With a slight quiver of excitement and a frostbitten mustache, the dog locks up in a point. While Tom trudges through the knee-high snow, his falcon gains sufficient pitch and uses the wind to hover in place. As the rooster flushes, the falcon falls like lightning into a magnificent stoop and thwacks the cock bird in the head. An explosion of feathers confirms the hit. Tom will allow the bird to gorge on the rooster’s leg and keep the delicious breast meat for himself. Since the bird will be “fed-up,” he will want nothing to do with Tom the next day. Tom will have to wait a day before he can go out and hunt again. “‘An Eagle for an Emperor, a Gyrfalcon for a King: a Peregrine for a Prince, & a Saker for a Knight, a Merlin for a Lady, a Goshawk for a Yeoman,

a Sparrowhawk for a Priest, & a Kestrel for a Knave.’ — Selected from the boke of St Albans, 1486, and a Harleian manuscript.

Historically, the peregrine and the gyrfalcon were only allowed to be used by royalty. Hybridization of the gyrfalcon and a peregrine falcon species have led to a mix of an efficient hunter. These hybrids are generally the most successful title winners at the Utah and Texas “Sky Trials”— a contest between falconers where the speed, form, and grit of a falcon are tested.

THE COOK’S BIRD

A goshawk was traditionally given this title because this was the bird that would always fill a pot with fresh game. If you can get within 25 yards, few birds can accelerate fast enough to outfly a goshawk. Harry McElroy is past the 80-year age benchmark and unable to keep up with the physical demands of falconry. Most hunters trade their “good ol’ days” for a lapful of grandkids at this age. But Harry is a falconer. He, therefore, recruits a Peruvian Paso and a few pointing dogs to do the legwork for him. Harry claims that the Peruvian Paso is a mellow horse with a smooth gait, easy to saddle and ride. Harry pursues Gambel’s quail in the Arizona desert from the back of a horse while the dogs point quail on the ground. This is a complex circus of three different species of animals being controlled by one old man to catch a fourth species. But 92 HUNTER'S HORN SPRING 2017

Harry has over half a century of experience under his belt.

GANG HAWKING WITH HARRIS’S HAWKS

Falconry doesn’t always have to be a big horse and pony show. For just that reason, many falconers hunt with a Harris hawk, or three. Harris hawks can be found in the wild living in family groups of two to seven. This is the only raptor that truly hunts in cooperation with others of his species. The cooperative hunting ability of the Harris hawk allows it to be easily trainable. Furthermore, many Harris hawks will hunt cooperatively with another Harris hawk that they have never seen before. Therefore, hunting parties of falconers and Harris hawks get together every falconry meet to pursue game together. A Harris hawk is also a very versatile hunter. In fact, any game that can be taken by all other raptors used in falconry has also been taken with a Harris hawk. Therefore, Harris hawks have become a premier bird in falconry all over the world. Captive

breeding programs in nearly every country make this bird readily available to every falconer. We know that God loves falconers because he gave us the Harris hawk. We also know God loves Texas because in the U.S., Harris hawks are native only to Texas, Arizona and New Mexico with the largest population in Texas. Many Texas falconers, therefore, choose to trap a passage (a juvenile) Harris hawk from the wild. These wild caught Harris hawks tame down like a puppy dog and are often catching game with the falconer within a month of being trapped.

THE LURE OF FALCONRY

Falconers, in general, are a very dedicated subset of hunters. Training a hawk or falcon to hunt and successfully catch game requires being in the field at least three times a week throughout the fall and winter period. A disproportionately high percentage of falconers are dedicated conservationists and involved in wildlife management and conservation in one form or another. To claim the title of a falconer, you must

pass a difficult test scoring at least 80 percent correct answers. You must build your “mews” where a hawk can safely live when resting. In Texas, you are also required to have a “weathering yard” where the bird can be tethered and allowed to bathe in the sun and enjoy the pleasant weather. When you have done all that, you can buy all the furniture and gear you would need for the husbandry of the raptor. Lastly, a two-year period of apprenticeship under a Master or General Class falconer is required to be approved to be a fully-fledged falconer. Falconry is the most regulated sport in the U.S. yet it has the least amount of impact on the environment. Research conducted by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2005 concluded that the take of raptors from the wild for falconry has zero impact on raptor populations. Yet we are constantly running into issues with the authorities that prevent us from taking raptors from the wild and keeping this sport alive. We are a very small sportsman’s group and therefore do not have the large resources a big group such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation may have. Yet, falconers are a very passionate group and have constantly defended hunting throughout our heritage. The big impact of this small group is obvious in the text of the Bald and Golden

Eagle Protection Act, when falconers went to the U.S. congress to request allowing golden eagles to be taken from the wild for falconry. Conservation values of falconers are also evident in the creation of The Peregrine Fund. A large number of peregrine falcons were bred and released in the U. S. by a small group of falconers when the peregrine nearly went extinct due to DDT. The peregrine has made a great comeback but The Peregrine Fund remains

to conserve raptor species worldwide. UNESCO recently declared falconry as a human cultural heritage. Falconry has weathered the storms of many monarchies, oligarchies, and other governments. We hope that it is here to stay and will do everything to make sure that it does. We thank the Houston Safari Club (HSC) as an organization that has always advocated hunting. As a member of HSC, you are the other small group with a large impact.★ SPRING 2017 HUNTER'S HORN 93

T HE T HE T HE T HE T HE

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: (281) 452-6223 • Fax: (281) 457-5412 • 15608 South Brentwood • Channelview, TX 77530-4018 E-Mail: sport@sportinginternational.com • www.sportinginternational.com