I’ve been part of the DSC family since September 1, 1994, when I was hired as the Office Manager. The position had been vacant for a while, so the wife of our then-Executive Director, Tommy Humphrey, stopped by to give me a bit of training.
One of the very first projects she taught me was how to use Microsoft Publisher to create our monthly Camp Talk newsletter. I picked it up quickly and each month the newsletter was updated, published, and mailed to all our members—via U.S. Mail, of course.
The process was . . . a lot.
First came creating the newsletter in Microsoft Publisher. Once it was proofed and ready to print, the real work began. Donna Collins, my co-worker, made sure we had plenty of copy paper on hand and helped get the copier running. Our office copier could print the newsletter on 11” x 17” paper, double-sided, which felt fancy at the time.
As the pages poured out of the copier, a dedicated crew of volunteers was ready to jump in.
The process went like this: Pick up the pages, stack them neatly, fold once, then fold again. To get them flat enough to run through the postage machine, we had a final and very official step—we called it “the butt press.” About five or six folded newsletters would go under one butt cheek for a solid press, then you’d switch sides and repeat. Left side, right side, until all were neatly pressed and ready for postage.
Another group of volunteers applied member address labels, and once everything was pressed and addressed, postage was added. From there, the newsletters went into the mail bucket for pickup— though sometimes, depending on timing, we delivered them straight to the post office ourselves.
So many volunteers gave their time each month to make this happen. Just to name a few: Dorothy Flagg, Lucy Blachly, Barbara Franklin, Bill Waggoner, Elizabeth Kratze, Marilyn Wessel, and many others. It’s been a few years, so if I missed your name and you’re reading this, please know it wasn’t intentional.
Of course, no newsletter day would have been complete without proper fuel. We made sure to be well-stocked with Mr. Goodbars and an assortment of sodas—Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi, root beer, and Sprite. We’d set up tables and chairs and gather around to fold, press, label, and enjoy a candy bar and a drink along the way.
Those days were the highlight of my month. There was laughter, catching up, and a real sense of community. It was hard work—but it was also some of the best memories, and a reminder of how special it was to work alongside such a wonderful group of people.
Bringing back the Camp Talk Newsletter as a quarterly publication is exciting! I consider myself somewhat in the “old school” era and thinking back on the early newsletter days reminds me of so many happy memories and good times. We are in a new era now, without the need for the “butt press” method; however, should the need arise, we can do it. It’ll be just like riding a bike.
CEO Message
Welcome Back to Camp Talk
RUSSELL STACY, CEO
Whether standing proudly in the field with a hard-earned harvest or leading the charge from DSC, the lifelong passion for conservation is what drives every decision.
It is with immense excitement that I welcome you to the revived edition of Camp Talk. For many of our long-time members, this name carries a wealth of fond memories, and bringing this classic publication back to life is a true passion project for us. Over the next few months, you can expect to see even more of this nostalgia woven into our community spaces as we honor the rich history and traditions that define the Dallas Safari Club.
Reviving Camp Talk is about much more than just putting “ink to paper”; it is about getting back to the very roots of our organization. Our mission is strongest when we focus on what has always mattered most: robust membership engagement, open communication, and—above all—celebrating your incredible achievements in the great outdoors. This quarterly newsletter will serve as a dedicated space to connect, share stories, and stay informed on how we are advancing conservation and protecting our outdoor heritage together.
Looking ahead, the energy within DSC is higher than ever as we prepare for the upcoming Summer Expo and Foundation Gala. The 2025 event was an absolute hit with our membership base, and it was incredible to see our community come together in such a massive way.
In fact, last year’s event was such a resounding success that we have officially added a fourth day to the show this year! The 2026 Summer Expo and Foundation Gala will take place from July 23–26, 2026. This extra day will give us even more time to explore, connect, and support the vital mission of the DSC Foundation. I am truly looking forward to seeing everyone there.
Looking even further down the road, January 7–10, 2027 will mark our final annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. We deeply appreciated and enjoyed the fine hospitality extended to us during our time there, but moving the convention to Houston in 2028 is a thrilling next step that brings this premier event much closer to home.
Thank you for your continued passion and dedication to the wild; enjoy this issue, and I’ll see you this summer!
Erica Tergeson, Government Affairs Director, ext. 119
Chapters Bruce Boroski, Chapter Development Manager, ext. 117
Mike Hoffstatter, Chapter Development Coordinator, ext. 118
For advertising opportunities and rates, contact Terri Lewis at terri@biggame.org or call 972-980-9800
Officers
Rick Warren, President
Knighton Sample, President-Elect
Ray Mulholland, Immediate Past President
Stephen H. Miller, Secretary
Richard Biggers, Treasurer
Directors
2024-27 Kyle Allison, Corey Goss, Ken Heard 2025-28 Michael Oropallo, Rebecca Jones, Jay Leyendecker 2026-29 Colby Hale, Daniel McGehee, Chris Ruhman
Vice Presidents
Bob Brininstool, Gray Riatti, Erin Throckmorton (Chapter Liaison)
Assistant Vice President
Tom Benavides
International Assistant Vice Presidents
Richard Burdon, Michael Schneider, Danene van der Westhuyzen, Georg Versch
Assistant Chapter Liaison
Jared Habel (DSC Utah)
Convention Co-Chairs
Rebecca Jones, Chris Ruhman
13709 Gamma Road · Dallas, TX 75244 USA
Phone: 972-980-9800
Email: info@biggame.org Website: www.biggame.org
Advertising inquiries, letter and member stories are welcome. Queries, manuscripts and photos are welcome. Digital submissions only. DSC reserves the right not to publish, or to edit for content and length. Photos that have been altered to misrepresent will be rejected. The views expressed in Game Trails are expressly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of DSC, its members, employees or assigns. DSC assumes no responsibility for lost items or unsolicited materials.
Beyond the Zebra
One Bid at Elk Camp, One Shot in Africa, One Life Changed
DIXIE C. BRANSCUM
“There’s no limit to how much you’ll know, depending on how far beyond zebra you go.”
DR. SEUSS, Author and Cartoonist
This is the story of how three unlikely paths—speech-language pathology, a chance encounter at a hunting convention, and the wilds of Africa—converged in the most unexpected place: me.
My world was consumed with serving young children in public schools with speech-language impairments. One of my friends, a professor at a nearby university, had invited me to join her team for six weeks and help supervise graduate students at a mission in Zambia. Our work would focus on enhancing feeding and swallowing abilities, building core strength to support speech development, and encouraging responsiveness to sound, expression, and language cues. This mission work aligned with my own passion and the opportunity to help children in need.
At the same time, my husband Coy and I attended a hunting convention and met Stan and Jacqueline Burger, who own Iwamanzi Wilderness Reserve in South Africa. An idea took root: why not go serve the children in Zambia, then travel to South Africa to join our friends and hunt for the first time in my life? We prepared to bid on a donated hunt from the Burgers at the hunting convention.
The stars aligned. I would spend six weeks in Zambia mentoring future speech pathologists, then meet Coy and the Burgers in South Africa. I felt a profound shift within me. I was stepping out of my comfort zone, embracing new experiences, and challenging my preconceived notions. This shift would have a lasting impact on my life and my perspective.
I already knew what I wanted to hunt: a zebra. Thus began a year-long journey of serious study and preparation. The hunting shows on television that were usually background noise to me became a source of great interest and learning. I became familiar with African plains game as I dug into Kevin “Doctari” Robertson’s The Perfect Shot: Shot Placement for African Big Game. I read hunting blogs and magazines, intensified my workout routine, and even embraced yoga.
The rifle mattered most. Coy introduced me to the .330 Dakota—a weapon with deep family history. My only shooting experience had been as a teenager in Arkansas, plinking beer cans with a .22. Decades later, I was preparing to carry a rifle that once symbolized an extraordinary moment for our family. Back in 1998, our 16-year-old son drew the first elk tag issued in Arkansas in more than a century. Along with it came the .330 Dakota rifle, equipped with a Swarovski scope, and the honor of hunting with legendary elk caller Wayne Carlton. That rifle, which had seen our son’s first successful elk hunt, became part of our family story and carried the memories of his excitement and the pride we felt in his achievement.
The .330 is no gentle firearm. My first shot bloodied my eyebrow when the scope met my face. More shocking was the emotional aftermath: a sudden, primal urge to cry. The rifle’s power rattled something deep inside me—power, fear, respect, danger, and excitement. Over time, though, I learned to control it—feet planted, grip steady, breath measured. Shooting became a kind of dance. Slowly, I grew into the rifle and into the idea of myself as a hunter.
My first shot backfired.
While mentoring students in Zambia, I stumbled into a cultural divide that left me enlightened. When I shared my plans to meet my husband in South Africa for my first hunt, I expected curiosity and maybe even admiration. Instead, I was met with disbelief and moral outrage. The excitement I anticipated was replaced with a stark contrast. “Why would you kill a zebra?” “That cute little horse with stripes? Are you going to name it before you shoot it?”
I could feel their struggle, their minds grappling to reconcile the woman who had spent weeks teaching them to nurture fragile children with the woman who now spoke of taking an animal’s life. To them, the two could not coexist. Inside, I wrestled with my own emotions. I felt defensive, but also saddened that an activity I saw as both reverent and responsible appeared monstrous through their lens. For a brief moment, I wondered if I had the words—or even the right—to shift their perspective.
I gathered my thoughts and was about to speak when the dinner bell sounded and the head supervisor summoned us. I wanted to gently discuss conservation, habitat protection, and the revenue that sustains local communities, as well as how ethical hunting ensures balance and provides food. But I realized timing mattered more than winning an argument.
The irony was not lost on me. Here we were in rural Zambia, where wild game often provided essential protein, where families depended on the land for survival, and where conservation was not an abstract concept but a daily necessity. Yet the students,
shaped by modern narratives and limited exposure, had only ever seen hunting portrayed as reckless slaughter.
No one mentioned zebras again, but the exchange stayed with me. Sometimes silence plants seeds more effectively than words. Their questions lingered in my mind, forcing me to think more deeply about my own motivations. By the time I reached South Africa, those reflections had settled into conviction: hunting, when done ethically and with reverence, was not a contradiction to service—it was another way of serving and of respecting life.
I reunited with Coy at the Johannesburg Airport, where Jacqueline greeted us for the two-hour drive to Iwamanzi. Their 12,000acre reserve unfolded like a breathtaking painting: savannah, bushveld, riverine forests, hills, and gorges—home to three of the Big Five and more than 250 bird species.We were met with warm hugs, broad smiles, and a celebratory shot of sherry from “Bwana Stan,” his children, and the gracious staff. That night, we fell asleep beneath a thatched roof, lulled by the steady murmur of a waterfall.
At dawn, the world felt hushed, as if holding its breath. We drank coffee on the porch outside the dining area, where the first light of morning spilled across the river and illuminated the ridge beyond. There, eland, warthogs, and impala grazed in the quiet, their movements unhurried against the waking landscape. The silence was broken only by the chatter of a distant monkey or the sudden call of a bird. In that stillness, Africa introduced herself— not with words, but with light, breath, and presence.
Our first game drive was electrifying. The air itself seemed alive, heavy with possibility. I felt my pulse quicken, not just from the anticipation of the hunt but from the awareness that we were guests in a vast, timeless theater where every creature had its part. Each moment deepened my sense that we weren’t simply observers—we were entering something sacred.
Then came the pursuit. Stan’s assistant, Onias, drove as we glassed and stalked. They read the land like scripture. One late afternoon, a zebra stepped into view, and my heart pounded as I raised the rifle—only to watch it bolt away. Disappointment was sharp, but so was determination. Tomorrow, I told myself, I would be ready.
The next day when we spotted the herd, Stan and I slipped from the jeep in silence, crouching in an attempt to blend in with the terrain. We stopped at 140 yards. He pointed me to the right animal, an aged specimen past his prime. I steadied the .330 on the sticks, crosshairs aligned on the chevron mark near the front leg. I squeezed the trigger.
The shot was perfect. The zebra surged, staggered, and fell. In that instant, I leapt across worlds—graduating from shooting
sun-faded beer cans with a .22 along lonely Arkansas backroads to taking a zebra with a .330 on African soil. Beside the fallen zebra under the African sun, time seemed to stop. A soft wind stirred. Silence. I was filled with a profound awe—humbling and eternal. I had stepped into something ancient.
Stan collected blood for the “First Blood” ceremony, gently marking my cheeks and forehead. It was not conquest but reverence. Beside the fallen animal, I felt a spiritual connection with nature so profound it was almost overwhelming. Randall Eaton’s words echoed true: “. . . the fundamental instinct to hunt is probably linked to the spiritual because it immerses us in nature, forcing us to understand we are merely participants in something far greater than ourselves.”
I felt that truth in my bones.
There’s never just one reason to hunt. For me—and many others—hunting is a deeply personal journey, shaped by countless motivations and rewards. Each subsequent hunt has been a humbling experience. Standing before such a majestic creature fills me with a deep sense of reverence and gratitude—for the animal, the moment, and our Creator. Every hunt has felt surreal, spiritual, and humbling. I now understand why seasoned hunters often say, “It’s the hunting I love, not the killing.” Though I’m still a novice, I know I can never go just once.
And I did return to South Africa—five times now. On our most recent trip, Coy and I brought our children and grandchildren. Watching them experience their first hunts deepened the meaning even more. It reminded me why the mission of hunting organizations is so crucial: to preserve habitat, protect wildlife, and ensure future generations can share this awe. We are not just hunters—we’re guardians of something far greater: the natural beauty which is ours to discover.
Camp Talk is Back!
A Tribute to DSC’s Legacy and Mission
BRIAN FIENHOLD, COO
The return of Camp Talk, the Dallas Safari Club’s beloved member newsletter, marks an exciting new chapter rooted in a proud legacy. For generations, DSC has served as a gathering place for passionate conservationists, hunters, and advocates of wild places—and Camp Talk has long been a voice that connects them. Its revival is more than a nod to tradition; it is a renewed commitment to celebrating the people and purpose that define this organization.
Through Camp Talk, DSC rekindles a shared sense of community, offering a space to highlight member stories, conservation successes, and the adventures that fuel our collective passion. It reflects the heart of DSC: honoring our history while evolving to engage today’s members and inspire tomorrow’s stewards.
Most importantly, the newsletter underscores the mission that unites us all—ensuring the future of wildlife, wild places, and our hunting heritage. That mission is made possible through the unwavering support of our dedicated members and valued partners. As Camp Talk returns, it does so as both storyteller and steward, celebrating the impact of a community committed to conservation and the enduring spirit of DSC.
On a personal note, I am incredibly proud to play even a small role in the return of Camp Talk. As a fellow DSC Life Member, seeing this cherished tradition come back to life is both meaningful and inspiring to me, and I am honored to help carry forward its legacy for our members and the conservation mission we all strive to fulfill.
Shaping the Message
CRYSTAL ALLISON, EVENTS MANAGER
Shane Mahoney gave a speech at DSC’s Saturday night banquet my freshman year of college that changed the path of my future. It solidified my course of study and put into words something I had always known, always felt, but had never quite named: the words we use to shape our message are powerful and they deserve careful attention.
When I was hired at DSC nearly 13 years ago, I had no idea where this journey would take me. My degree was in Communication Studies, with a secondary in Natural Resources and Environment Sciences (thanks to Shane); I knew that telling the story of the outdoors was one of the most important things our industry could do. DSC already had some of the best publications in the industry and they weren’t looking for help there, so Auctions was where I found my place. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Membership and Volunteers, and now Events and Awards (along with a few other things along the way). And while publications like Game Trails, and now Camp Talk, have never technically been “my job,” they’ve somehow always felt like part of the reason I’m here.
Because this—shaping the message, telling the stories that deserve to be heard, and connecting with like-minded people in a meaningful way—is what I’ve been working for since the beginning.
My hope is that this new version of Camp Talk does exactly that. That it fills some of the spaces left behind by a COVID-ridden world. That it tells the stories that are a little less formal and maybe a little more personal, too. That it brings you back to a campfire not so long ago . . . or maybe long, long ago . . . and reminds you why the thing that brings us all together matters so much.
Welcome back, y’all.
As Camp Talk returns, it does so as both storyteller and steward, celebrating the impact of a community committed to conservation and the enduring spirit of DSC.
Hunt Reports
We purchased this hunt at the 2025 DSC Saturday night banquet, generously donated by Stefan and Sofia Bengtsson. As a bonus, we would be joined by our good friend and hunting legend, Larry Weishuhn. As of this report, we have completed our hunts in Sweden and Poland. Calling this a successful trip is an understate-
Matt, Sylvia, Kalie, and family offer everything you could want in an African safari–a great time, food, and accommodations. Some highlights from my trip were experiencing a new part of South Africa that I had never visited before, as well as visiting
Mark and Carol Little
Roe Deer
Scandinavian Pro Hunters
Stefan and Sofia Bengtsson
May 2026
10 days
Sweden, Poland, and Scotland
ment; we have all taken gold- and silver-medal roe deer! The hospitality has been truly welcoming.
The best thing that we have learned so far is that Stefan, Sofia, and Larry’s love of hunting is only surpassed by their love of the outdoors and conservation. Hunting with these three game biologists has been an honor!
Jacqueline Pulk
Zebra
Matthew Greeff Safaris
Kalie Botes
August 2026
15 days
Mpumalanga Province of South Africa
Kruger National Park for the first time and seeing everything it had to offer. Most importantly, this was truly a trip of a lifetime because I was able to share it with my mom and sister while making unforgettable new memories together!
Chapter Events
2026
DSC New Mexico
DSC Northeast
DSC Central Texas
DSC South Louisiana
DSC Central Florida
DSC Permian Basin
DSC South Florida
2027
DSC Georgia
DSC Charleston
DSC Heartland
DSC Big Sky
DSC Mid Atlantic
DSC Great Lakes Region
DSC Iowa Sportsman’s Club
DSC Wyoming
DSC South Texas
DSC Gulf Coast Naples
DSC Oklahoma
DSC Panhandle
DSC Texas Gulf Coast
DSC Utah
DSC Central Texas Date
DSC East Texas
DSC Tennessee
DSC Coastal Bend
6
6
15
Isleta Resort & Casino, Albuquerque, NM
Avon Old Farms Hotel, Avon, CT
Goldthwaite, TX
Lafayette, LA
Winter Park, FL
Permian Basin, TX
Coral Springs, FL
3
DSC E. Tennessee July 18
4-6
5
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Harbour Club at West Edge, Charleston, SC
Scott Conference Center, Omaha, NE
Heritage Inn Great Falls, MT
Winery at Sunshine Farms, Gainesville, VA
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Acme, MI
Hy-Vee Hall, Des Moines, IA
M Building, Casper, WY
Pedrotti’s Ranch, Helotes, Texas
Quarry Golf Club, Naples, FL
Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City, OK
Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom, Amarillo, TX
The Cypress Alamo, Cypress, TX
Easton Archery Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Comanche Trace, Kerrville, TX
Nacogdoches Civic Center, Nacogdoches, TX
Nashville, TN
Corpus Christi, TX
Buddy’s Bearden Banquet Hall, Knoxville, TN
Chapter News
Two More DSC Chapter Events Advance the Mission of Conservation
BRUCE BOROSKI, CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
The momentum continues across the DSC chapter network as two more outstanding chapter events marked another successful weekend of fundraising and fellowship.
On June 5, the DSC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter held an invitation-only evening celebrating hunting, conservation, and the outdoor lifestyle. Just one day later, on June 6, the DSC East Texas Chapter also hosted a sold-out banquet, bringing together members, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who share a passion for wildlife conservation and preserving our hunting heritage.
These events are a testament to the dedication of our chapter leaders and volunteers whose countless hours of planning and hard work make each banquet a success. Their commitment, combined with the generosity of attendees, donors, and sponsors, ensures that every event creates a lasting impact.
The funds raised will help support DSC chapters’ missions to conserve wildlife, protect habitat, advocate for hunters’ rights, and educate future generations of conservationists. Beyond the money raised, these gatherings strengthen relationships, inspire new members to become involved, and reinforce the important role our chapters play in communities across the country.
Congratulations to both the DSC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter and the DSC East Texas Chapter on two exceptional events. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, and supported these banquets. Together, we continue to make a meaningful difference for conservation.
We hope to see you support our DSC New Mexico Chapter’s event on July 18, either online or in person.
DSC Northeast - Avon, CT
DSC South Texas - San Antonio, TX
DSC Permian Basin - Midland, TX
DSC New Mexico - Albuquerque, NM
DSC Heartland - Omaha, NE
Charleston Safari Club - Charleston, SC
DSC Wyoming Chapter - Casper, WY
DSC Oklahoma - Okhaloma City, OK
DSC Texas Panhandle Chapter - Amarillo, TX
DSC East Texas Chapter - Nacogdoches, TX
DSC Georgia - Atlanta, GA
DSC Great Lakes Regional Chapter - Traverse City, MI
DSC Utah Chapter - Salt Lake City, UT
DSC Iowa Chapter - Des Moines, IA
DSC Mid-Atlantic - Gainsville, VA
DSC Tennessee - Nashville, TN
DSC Central Florida - Melbourne, FL
DSC South Louisiana - Kenner, LA
DSC Big Sky - Great Falls, MT
DSC South Florida - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
DSC Gulf Coast - Naples, FL
Central Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
East Tennessee Safari Anyone - Knoxville, TN
Texas Gulf Coast Chapter - College Station, TX
Texas Coastal Bend Chapter - Corpus Christi, TX
Summertime and the Living is . . .
LARRY WEISHUHN
As a youngster growing up just north of Texas Gulf Coast Plains in the then-mostly German-speaking rural community of Zimmerscheidt, I learned early about the outdoors. My maternal granddad, A. J. Aschenbeck, would come by our home built on property that had been in our family since the 1860s. We would “chop worms” and then head for Cummins Creek to fish for perch.
During the fall we would hunt squirrels, follow Dad’s coonhounds at night, chase rabbits with beagles, and hunt deer during the deer season. Heavy on “hunt.”
We had but very few deer in our area. If you saw a deer during the regular fall rifle season, this before archery and other special seasons, you were someone truly special. If you happened to shoot a buck, which back then only bucks with at least one forked antler were legal, you were a hero and talked about around many a wood stove and campfire for months on end. Screwworms had not yet been controlled back in the early 1950s. Once screwworm flies were eradicated, the whitetail deer population and other wildlife flourished. We went from hardly any deer to too many.
That increase in deer population had much to do with taking my first buck back in 1961, the first year that bucks with spike-antlers were legal. Memories of my first whitetail are as vivid today as they were the morning I took him.
As a youngster, I was forced to attend school. When I entered first grade, I seriously thought I had been sentenced to Hell. I con-
tinued to feel that way until my senior year when I started working for the Texas Wildlife Disease Project, then four years later working as a wildlife biologist in several capacities throughout Texas. At the time, too, I began doing some “serious” outdoor writing.
In the early 1980s, I was introduced to the Dallas Safari Club and soon became involved with the organization. I wrote and spoke about DSC at every turn. When I started doing outdoor television shows, I asked DSC to be a sponsor. They agreed and have continued to sponsor many things I’ve done since back in the early 1980s.
I have long been a huge proponent of DSC and all it has accomplished during the 40-plus years it has been in existence. I can hardly wait to see what the organization will accomplish in the future.
Take it from a former freckled-faced, red-haired little kid who grew up and spent his lifetime as a professional wildlife biologist and outdoor communicator: there is no finer, nor better, nor more important wildlife conservation organization in the world that supports hunting and fishing than DSC. If you are not already a member, you should be!
With the approach of summer, I hope to see you at our DSC Summer Expo and Gala July 23, 24, 25, and 26. I’ll be there, actually celebrating my birthday—incidentally not my 39th. Look forward to seeing you there! Once again there is a good reason for Summer!
Welcome New Members
LIFE MEMBER
Howard Cannon
Jayson Davison
Benjamin Deskins
Justin Krull
Carl Schroeder
Reuben Tams
Leroy Ussery
Maxwell Walker
PROFESSIONAL
Joe Amos
Nathan Bishop
Luke Clayton
Sam Dieringer
Hulett Edward Evans IV
Scott Hanson
Jeffrey Hardin
Samuel Harrison
Alex Houlton
Timothy Lowry
Charl Moodie
Josh Powell
Mark Russo
Rodrigo Suarez
CJ Tucker
Hannah Tuma
Edward VanHoy
Willem van Rooyen
David Vernon
Chris Wisecarver
YOUTH
Triston Bosek
Adley Brown
Braxtin Campbell
Harper Cheever
Wyatt Conyers
Wyatt Hale
Ridy Hayes
Olivia Herstein
Aubree Herstein
Theodore Horst
Jimmie Huffman
Avereigh Hull
Maren Kohout
Marshall Kohout
Madeline Kopocis
Charlotte Kopocis
Kinsler Kotil
Nolan Lodholz
Mack Marshall
Justin Metzger
Lily Pilcher
Jentry Pilcher
George Van Horn
Charles Van Horn
Steven W Parmelee
Brian Strickland
Nick White
Valerie Widmeyer
SPONSOR
Jason Apodaca
Joseph Barner
Brian Beakler
Troy Bloomquist
Samuel Campassi
Brett Conyers
Frances Espinoza
Terry Harris
Camila Hurtado
Kyle Jackson
Adam Mack
Mitchell Manning
Kyle Marsh
Carina Mayer
Lee Morgan
Allysin Prudencio
Paul White
DSC Foundation Names Steve Hornady as 2026 Legacy Award Honoree
DALLAS, TX – The DSC Foundation (DSCF) is proud to announce that Steve Hornady has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 DSC Foundation Legacy Award, recognizing his enduring contributions to conservation and the legacy of hunting.
The DSC Foundation Legacy Award was established to honor hunter conservationists whose passion and dedication have left a lasting impact not only on the past, but on the future of wildlife conservation through hunting.
For decades, Hornady has been a leader in both the shooting sports industry and the broader conservation community. Through his leadership at Hornady Manufacturing and his personal commitment to ethical hunting, wildlife stewardship, and education, he has helped advance the principles of responsible conservation across generations.
“Steve Hornady exemplifies the very spirit of this award,” said Russell Stacy, CEO of DSC Foundation. “His commitment to conservation, his respect for wildlife, and his leadership within the hunting community have made a lasting and meaningful difference. We are honored to recognize his contributions and the legacy he continues to build.”
Hornady’s influence extends beyond business success. He has been a strong advocate for science-based wildlife management,
hunter education, and preserving the traditions that connect people to the outdoors. His work has helped ensure that conservation through hunting remains a viable and impactful model for conserving wildlife and preserving wild places.
“Steve’s impact reaches far beyond his professional achievements,” said Scott Tobermann, President of DSC Foundation. “He represents the values of integrity, stewardship, and responsibility that define true conservation leadership. His dedication has strengthened not only our community, but the future of conservation itself.”
In accepting the honor, Hornady reflected on the role of hunters in conservation and the importance of continuing that legacy.
“It is truly humbling to be recognized by DSC Foundation,” said Steve Hornady. “Conservation has always been at the heart of what we do as hunters. We have a responsibility to protect wildlife and ensure that future generations can experience the same opportunities we have enjoyed. I am proud to be part of a community that is committed to that mission.”
Hornady will be formally honored at the 2026 DSC Foundation Gala on July 25 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX, where leaders in conservation, hunting, and wildlife management will gather to recognize his achievements and continued impact.
About DSC Foundation
The DSC Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the conservation of wildlife through sustainable hunting, education, and advocacy. By supporting conservation initiatives around the world, DSCF works to conserve wildlife, preserve habitats, and promote responsible hunting as a critical tool for conservation.
