HSCF Hunter's Horn Fall 2022

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION • FALL 2022

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About Houston Safari Club Foundation

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage.

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HSCF has awarded 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences for hundreds of students each year.

HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives.

HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization.

Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information.

2022-2023

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION OFFICERS

Shaun Nelson, President Monica Williamson, President-Elect Jeff Birmingham, Immediate Past President Will Perry, Vice President Kevin Comiskey, Vice President JD Burrows, Treasurer Jamison Smith, Secretary

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION DIRECTORS

2021-2023 Jeff Garrett Monica Williamson Bryan Ray Kevin Ormston Chris Ruhman 2022-2024 James Lofton Prentiss Burt Jody Simpson Suzanne Hixson

HEADQUARTERS STAFF

Joe Betar, Executive Director Angi McCarthy, Director of Administrative Services Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Nancy Oka, Director, Events & Membership

Nate Silva, Design Consultant

Alliance Printing and Graphics

Hunter’s Horn™ is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club Foundation 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 265 Houston, Texas 77079 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@wehuntwegive.org wehuntwegive.org

© Copyright 2022 Houston Safari Club Foundation

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

HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.

Stewards of a Natural Resource

Build your legacy

It’s not out of character for property owners to be in touch with the land. However, amongst this diverse population, you find agrarians who view its capabilities and longevity in unison, understanding the responsibility to sustain one of earth’s largest and highly coveted commodities. The Wuest family has been doing just this for more than 100 years near San Antonio, Texas.

The Love of the Land

Since 1883, the Wuest family property has been used for ranchland and managed for the family’s cattle operation. Their property claims home to Natural Bridge Caverns and the cave system that Texans travel far and wide to experience.

“By being stewards of Natural Bridge Caverns, we became more conscientious of the relationship between the subsurface and the surface. By stewarding the cave system below, we also wanted to be good stewards of the land on the surface,” says Brad Wuest. “Our focus shifted from practices that were only for livestock, to practices that were also best for the habitat and wildlife who call the ranch home.”

The Wuest family incorporates a wildlife managing system on their ranch, administering supplemental feeding for deer and an additional wild turkey population.

“We’ve worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and participated in programs for successfully clearing Ashe Juniper to restore native grasses to the area,” says Wuest.

The roots of these native grasses are now growing as they did hundreds of years ago. These healthy grass systems in turn have been beneficial to both the quail and small mammal populations.

In addition to supporting the benefits of the ecosystem, the Wuests are also working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to manage invasive species, including cowbird trapping and the management of the feral hog population.

It’s all in the Family Brad and his brother Travis are the 5th generation who have managed the ranch with their children on deck to be the 6th generation. Over the past 20 years, Capital Farm Credit has been

the relationship needed to help the Wuests build upon their family legacy.

“Capital Farm Credit is so willing to work with us. Y’all refinance when it makes sense, revalue and release collateral when it can be done. It has been so helpful for us. We really appreciate all that. We were able to close deals on original family property. Wonderful experience with our CFC relationship.”

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

SHAUN NELSON, HSCF PRESIDENT

Ialways dreamed of far away places as a child. I dreamed of riding across the prairies, up into the mountains on horseback hunting elk and mule deer. I dreamed of these things because my grandfather, MC “Tubby” Nelson, had mule deer antlers and whitetail antlers hung in his garage in Orange, Texas. When we visited my grandparents, my memories are of sitting in that garage and looking at those antlers and saying, “I’m going to do that one day.” My grandfather passed when I was 5 or 6, and I wish I had a little longer with him to hear more of those stories. Fast forward 25-30 years and now I am a father with the same dreams of the 5-year-old from years before. But I don’t have anyone to tell me the stories of camping in the mountains, sitting on the shores of Lake Kariba having morning breakfast cooked over a fire, staring down a Cape Buffalo or hiking miles over the tundra hunting Caribou. My soul needed someone to tell me those stories. Enter the Houston Safari Club. I met Mark Herfort in Reno at an SCI show. He told me about this great organization in Houston whose members had hunted the Dark Continent, hiked the Rockies, shot birds in South America, and fished the Amazon. I was completely hooked. My first HSC meeting in 2005 was an annual convention. I listened to Craig Boddington talk about his exploits and met several members. (I bought the youth rifle built by MG Arms and plan to have my grandkids shoot their first deer with it, just like my kids did) The people I met that night changed the trajectory of my life. I heard all the stories, I listened to people who had lived out my dreams, and I could not get enough. The Houston Safari Club Foundation has been a big part of my life for many years. I have met some of my closest and most trusted friends in the club. We have shared hunts, travelled on vacation together, fished together, drank together, and shared many memories. We’ve watched each other’s kids grow up, seen them take their first animal, celebrated graduations, and watched them get married. This club has made my life better. I thank God every day that he put each and every one of you reading this article in my life. We are a CLUB. Webster defines that as, “to be bound to by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership”. In some ways all of those apply to my experience in the Houston Safari Club. We are a group of hunters and huntresses who enjoy spending time telling stories of our exploits, giving each other tips and advice on where to go, planning trips together, and teaching the younger generation that hunting is who we are. It is in our DNA. We all have a spirit inside of us that wants to seek out the adventures, to go somewhere we haven’t seen before, and to participate fully in the creation that God has given us. Much like the American Indian has done for generations, we also want the chance to tell the stories of the hunt with friends. The Houston Safari Club Foundation is our chance

to do just that. I am so looking forward to the coming year where I have the honor to serve all of you in the club as your President. I do not take this role lightly and will do all I can to make sure that the HSCF grows and succeeds. My vision is to maintain an atmosphere of friendship, camaraderie, and adventure. I want to see all of you at the events we are planning. Bird hunts, crawfish boils, clay shoots, monthly guest speaker meetings and many other opportunities to get together and share a cocktail, a meal and a story. I want to especially thank Jeff Birmingham for being a great predecessor who is ending his term as President and leaving the Club in outstanding shape financially and socially. He rallied the Club out of the Covid nightmare and led us back to a thriving organization. I am looking forward to working with the Board who you have elected. We have some great individuals who share my passion for HSCF and hunting. And I am looking forward to working with the amazing staff who make the Club run every day. I hope you have had a great summer; I am looking forward to getting together with all of you soon. Until then, in the words of one of my favorite people in the world, Tommy Morrison, “shoot straight and stay downwind!” Take care, see you down the trail!

Shaun Nelson HSCF President

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE

JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It is a new year! Fiscal year that is. HSCF’s new fiscal year kicked off July 1st and with it, we welcome a new Board of Directors for HSC and HSCF. I look forward to working with our newly elected Board of Directors as we plan for the upcoming year and the HSCF 2023 Annual Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention. We encourage you to sign up as a volunteer for convention this year. Putting on such a big event is a lot of work but also a lot of fun. Call the office or email Nancy Oka from our team at nancy@wehuntwegive.org to learn more. For more information about your board members, please see their profiles at hscfdn.org/about-us/board-members/ and hscfdn.org/houston-safari-club-2/

In August, we celebrated our 50th anniversary at Conroe Taxidermy’s incredible showroom. What a turnout! From my perspective, everyone had a really great time and it was nice to see so many new faces and many of the folks who were there from the beginning. It has been an honor to meet several of our founders and witness how our organization has grown and taken shape over the years. Thank you to our event sponsors, Ox Ranch and Conroe Taxidermy-especially Barret Simpson, the Simpson family and all of the Conroe Taxidermy staff who went out of their way to accommodate us for this grand celebration. Here’s to the next 50!

In July, HSCF awarded twenty-one scholarships to students majoring in the fields of wildlife management and range management. That brings our scholarship numbers to 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million dollars. You will learn more about these future leaders of conservation and hunting in upcoming issues of Hunter’s Horn. We so appreciate Dan L Duncan’s vision to initiate this scholarship program for our future thought leaders and the commitment of his family to continue this landmark program. Thank you to our scholarship committee members for all of their arduous work and dedication in vetting the applicants—Deb Cunningham, Gary Rose, Darrell Kainer, Mark Herfort, Rudy Nix, Keith Lake and the team at the San Antonio Area Foundation.

The HSCF grants program is stronger than ever. Over the previous fiscal year, HSCF awarded $110,000 in grants to various organizations and individuals doing great works in the areas of hunting, shooting sports, conservation and youth education. Recipients included Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Conservation Force, Texas Wildlife Association Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, Ashby Bowhunting Foundation, Operation Game Thief, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance, Trinity Oaks Foundation, Higher Calling Wildlife, OATH, Inc., TAMU Foundation and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. In support of our mission statement, the HSCF Finance Committee and Board of Directors have approved an increased grants budget for 2022-2023. We look forward to helping support the

future of hunting through our grants program, overseen by HSCF Grants Committee Chairperson, James Lofton, as he takes the helm for another year.

HSCF’s Stag & Dove Society, our young professional’s group, is embarking on another year of adventure. Under the previous leadership of Chase Schaefer, Stag & Dove flourished and set a course for growth. Thank you to Chase for his hard work and dedication to this vital group and next generation of Houston Safari Club Foundation. The new leadership consists of Co-Chairperson Kyle Fritz, Co-Chairperson Tim Grimes, Engagement Chairperson Cidney N. Cardenas and Finance Chairperson Mackinzie Van Voorhees. We look forward to remarkable things from the Stag & Dove Society over the next year. If you wish to join or learn more, visit their web page at hscfdn.org/ membership/stag-dove-society/.

In case you have not heard, HSCF’s Hunting Matters radio program and podcast wrapped its 100th episode in June. The program also captured a few awards over the past year—a 2022 AVA Digital Awards Gold and a 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver. Hunter’s Horn magazine also continued its awardwinning tradition garnering these awards—a 2022 Silver Marcom Award, 2022 Communicator Award, American Graphic Design Award (GDUSA) for Publication Design and 2021 Best Outdoor Publication from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association. Well-deserved congratulations to Carla Nielsen, HSCF Marketing & Publications Manager, Jeff Birmingham’s team at Alliance Graphics & Printing and Madavor Media.

I hope each of you have a great season of hunting this fall, wherever your outdoor adventures may take you. Remember to call a friend and tell them about HSCF. Encourage them to become a member and take part in the great activities. The more, the merrier!

In support of hunting and conservation,

Joe Betar Executive Director, Houston Safari Club Foundation

HSCF

HSCF

Trevor Penny John Pepper

Pepper

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION CORPORATE MEMBERS

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING HSCF

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FROM THE

CONVENTION CHAIR

TREY WHITE, 2023 HSCF CONVENTION CHAIRMAN

Hello fellow members. The 2022 Houston Safari Club Foundation Worldwide Hunting Expo and Convention was a great success! By almost every metric last year’s Convention was the best one that HSCF has ever had. After Covid-19 forced us to cancel our 2021 Convention it was fantastic that everyone had a chance to come together in 2022 for fun, fellowship, and to support our ongoing mission of conservation and the protection of our hunting rights.

This year our Convention will be at the George R. Brown Convention Center Hall E and the Hilton of the Americas on the weekend of January 20-22, 2023. The expo will take place at the convention center and will be open all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

We kick off the events at the Hilton with a casual dinner and auction Friday night, which is always a great way to reconnect with fellow members, outfitters, and friends. We are changing things up a bit this year, the Dan L Duncan Scholarship winners will still be recognized on Friday, but we will celebrate our hunting and photo award winners at

their own separate event in May. Saturday, the ladies of the Gazelles will host their annual luncheon - the highlight of the weekend that features a live and silent auction as well as food, drinks, and games. This lunch is not just for the ladies in our organization and all are more than welcome to attend this rocking good time. Saturday night we conclude with our annual black-tie gala featuring a formal dinner with an open bar. The gala will conclude, as always, with a fantastic live auction.

Our annual Convention is a critical component of supporting our ongoing mission of education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. After the fun and success of the 2022 Convention, I am sure that you are as excited about the 2023 Convention as I am, and I hope that you are planning to attend. If you have any questions feel free to call or email me at: (713) 444-3977 or treywhite77@gmail.com. For tickets call or email Nancy Oka at: (713) 6238844 or nancy@wehuntwegive.org.

Trey White 2023 Convention Chair

SCT CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

DEREK HAM, SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN

SPORTING CLAYS SPONSORS

Corporate Sponsors

Wildlife Partners

Capital Farm Credit FORLOH

Title Sponsor

Ruple Properties

Underwriting Sponsors

COKINOS

Sam Skipper Companies

Plateau Land and Wildlife Management

Sam Skipper Companies

Strategic Construction

Alliance Printing & Graphics Space City Services

This past Convention we broke attendance records every day. We also broke other records like the temperatures from our long, hot summer! We’ll leave that one in the past and concentrate on a new record. This new record needs to be broken because it involves our youth. It involves making a difference in the future of hunting. We need to break the attendance record at our Sporting Clays Event – Clay Crushing for Youth on Thursday, October 6th. We’ve got a morning start this year with registration starting at 9:00, we shoot at 10:00 with lunch at 1:00, then awards and you’ll be out by 2:30 which is soon enough to head back to work – ahem, if you so choose. The event’s proceeds are donated to our youth programs including outdoor education programs, youth hunting & fishing trips, firearms safety training, and youth wildlife conservation experience (YWCE). Being a part of HSCF means giving back and moving forward with our hunting heritage and making sure our kids have the same rights and privileges we enjoy now. What I’m hoping for is our members to come out, have fun, meet some

new people, maybe win an award but also bring one person or an entire team that maybe aren’t members and show them what we’re about. We have a great event every year and this one will be as well with even better raffle items, games, lunch, drinks and fellowship, and fun. Raffle items this year include a New Zealand Hunt donated from New Zealand Hunting Adventures, a bow from X10 Archery, a JP Sauer and Sohn SL5 Turkey Shotgun from the Blaser Group, and others. Same great location at Great Houston Sports Club and we have some great sponsors this year with Ruple Ranch & Land being the title sponsor and other sponsors including: Capital Farm Credit, Wildlife Partners, FORLOH, Cokinos, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, Sam Skipper Companies, Strategic Construction, Space City Services, Alliance Printing & Graphics and more.

Come out and have fun! I’ll be there to help make sure you do.

Derek Ham Sporting Clays Tournament Chairman

OFFICERS

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB

Shaun Nelson, President

Kevin Comiskey, Vice President

Shaun Nelson, President

Monica Williamson, President-Elect

JD Burrows, Treasurer

JD Burrows, Treasurer

Jeff Birmingham, Immediate Past President

Jamison Smith, Secretary

Jamison Smith, Secretary

Will Perry, Vice President

DIRECTORS

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION

HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB

Gib Surles, 2021-2023

Jeff Garrett, 2021-2023

Kevin Ormston , 2021-2023

Prentiss Burt, 2022-2024

Ross Melinchuk, 2022-2024

Monica Williamson, 2021-2023

Chris Ruhman, 2021-2023

Jody Simpson, 2022-2024

Bryan Ray, 2021-2023

James Lofton, 2022-2024

Suzanne Hixson, 2022-2024

Thank You Chase Schaefer

BY NANCY OKA

It has only been a year since we last interviewed HSCF Member Chase Schaefer. Chase spearheaded the revival of HSCF’s young professionals group from the ground up. From choosing the logo and the name (Stag & Dove Society), to recruiting its first new members, Chase has given his time and talents to getting the program off the ground.

Since the inception of the Stag & Dove Society (SDS), Chase has more than doubled the SDS membership numbers, conducted monthly events, and encouraged participation of our younger members at all HSCF events. Chase’s dedication to the success of Stag & Dove Society, as well as HSCF, has been invaluable and appreciated. As with our HSCF board members, the time has come for Chase to turn over the reins to a new set of committee members.

Thank you, Chase, for getting the Stag & Dove Society off the ground and leaving us with a sustainable group to carry on.

To further continue your mission of growing the younger membership numbers and their participation in HSCF and the future of hunting, tell us about this past year and your plans for the future.

in a previous Member

Spotlight you were asked why a young HSCF member should join the Stag & Dove Society. You answered, “to build relationships with likeminded and same age group members as yourself”. Now that you have two years under your belt, would you like to add to this answer?

Yes- to learn more about the outdoor world such as obtaining various skill sets (stalking, processing, managing, cooking wild game, etc.), discovering which outfitter to use to match the type of experience you are looking for, and the politics involved with continuing the freedom to hunt and conservation.

Tell us some of the highlights of your past year with HSCF and Stag & Dove Society.

The first highlight that comes to mind is meeting my current girlfriend over a year ago. My favorite event was learning how to cook venison from Scott Leysath at the Conroe Taxidermy trophy room. Scott literally whipped up eight different meals in forty-five minutes using a single pan and a spatula right in front of us. The key takeaway that night was to not overcook the meat!

Starting up a young professionals group had to be challenging. What did you learn from the experience?

I’ve learned that the most challenging obstacles to overcome in life add the most satisfaction in myself. I am extremely proud of what SDS has become.

What nugget of wisdom will you pass on to the next set of committee members?

Show up to the events that interest you, regardless of who is hosting it. I’ve had a blast at events by HSCF, Gazelles, and Stag and Dove. Nancy Oka and others put a ton of consideration into planning these events, and will more than likely surprise you with how much fun they can be.

Now that you have established a strong young professionals group within HSCF, what’s next for you?

I would love an opportunity to help with the HSCF Convention in the future and possibly climb the ladder to the board. ★

ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN HIM AND YOU IS WHAT’S STANDING HERE

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All Show and No Go

How We are Fighting Scientifically Bankrupt Trophy Importation Bans

BY JEFF CRANE PRESiDENT AND CEO OF CSF

At the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), it is our privilege to work with elected officials, partners, and like-minded advocacy organizations to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping. What many individuals may not know is that the protection and advancement of our time-honored traditions may be affected by decision-makers acting on policies that extend beyond the borders of our great country. Particularly, CSF is actively engaged in educating lawmakers and advocating for science-based policies regarding the importation of “trophies” from legally hunted “Big 5” African species.

The battle to preserve the importation of legally harvested hunting trophies is more than just a philosophical one for me, as I was fortunate enough to be a professional hunter (PH) in Southern Africa in the 1990s.  I know firsthand that legally sustainable hunting provides the highest economic return to local communities and provides them the incentive to conserve. Working in partnership with the local communities to manage the wildlife and their habitats, conduct anti-poaching patrols, staff the safari op erations, and utilize the meat from the harvested game is a win-win situation for the wildlife populations and the people most directly connected to these animals.  With the support of the local communities, I have seen hunting concessions improve in terms of both quantity and quality of game in a relatively short period of time.  Conversely, I have seen the negative impacts of hunting bans where the animals lose their economic value to the local communities, poaching increases and habitat is con verted to other purposes.  Regulated, sustainable hunting is a bedrock of successful wildlife conservation in Africa and CSF will remain on the frontlines of the battle to defeat the antis attacks on trophy importations.

In recent years, several states have sought to restrict the importation of parts and products from legally harvested game animals, particularly the “Big 5” species, through misguided legislation. These are the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the African lion, white/ black rhinoceros, and the African leopard. In an attempt to boil a complicated wildlife management concern down to a simple wedge issue, preservationists and animal rights groups have conflated the legal taking of wildlife with poaching, painting a picture of declining wildlife populations in Africa as being a result of hunting. In many cases, the nuance of the situation has been lost for the sake of making splashy headlines and generating easy press. However, the evidence is quite clear—not only does legal and regulated sport hunting generate significant revenue for local, rural communities (which is then reinvested back into conservation), it also funds anti-poaching programs and positively affects population levels.

According to a 2015 study conducted by Southwick Associates,

between 2012 and 2014, hunters visiting eight countries—Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—created more than 50,000 jobs and contributed over $400 million to the GDP of those eight nations. Additionally, after the legalization of white rhinoceros hunting in South Africa, the population grew from 1,800 to over 20,000 in a 50-year period. The inverse can also be seen in Kenya, where wildlife populations have plummeted by nearly 70% since 1977, the year a hunting ban was put into place. The facts are clear, the harvest and importation of legally hunted game animals in Africa is generating the revenue needed to improve wildlife habitat, fight poaching, and support robust economies. Unfortunately, there is a growing and emotionally based movement to ban these activities—one that flies in the face of science-based practices and threatens to undo decades of critical conservation work.

Regardless of the ill-advised intent expressed by several states, the law is quite explicit with regard to the importation of some of the covered Big 5 species. Under Section 6(f), “Conflicts Between Federal and State Laws,” of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), “Any State law or regulation which applies with respect to the importation or exportation of, or interstate or foreign commerce in, endangered species or threatened species is void to the extent that it may effectively (1) permit what is prohibited by this Act or by any regulation which implements this Act, or (2) prohibit what is authorized pursuant to an exemption or permit provided for in this Act or in any regulation which implements this Act.” To put it simply, this section of the ESA preempts state efforts to legislate or regulate the importation of endangered or threatened species, such as the African elephant, black and white rhinoceros, and leopard. As the past few years have evidenced, some states have placed little weight in that fact.

In the United States, an early precedent was set in New Jersey relative to combatting state-led efforts to ban the importation of African trophies. In 2016, New Jersey enacted legislation (S. 977 and S. 978) that specifically targeted lawfully harvested hunting “trophies” by banning the importation and possession of several Big 5 species by residents of the Garden State. CSF submitted numerous letters to then Governor Chris Christie urging his veto should the bills reach his desk. Nonetheless, the bills passed, setting the stage for a lawsuit filed by Conservation Force and several industry partners in July of that same year. The groups sued to prohibit the implementation of the legislation, arguing that these bans were preempted by Section 6(f) of the ESA. The state even conceded that the legislation could not be enforced against federally authorized or permitted imports. Later that year, the court ultimately entered a judgment against the State, overturning the trophy import bans and sending a message to those seeking to implement similarly restrictive policies.

Only two years later, then Governor Jerry Brown of California

utilized his executive authority to veto the Iconic African Species Protection Act (SB 1487)—legislation that mirrored what was seen in New Jersey. Recognizing that this legislation did not muster legal authority, Governor Brown stated the following: “SB 1487 imposes a state civil penalty for activities expressly authorized by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Even though I share the sentiments of the author, this bill, if enacted, would be unenforceable.” Prior to said veto, CSF was part of a coalition of sporting conservation groups expressing staunch opposition, highlighting the fact that this bill would eliminate legal, regulated safari hunting—the primary source of conservation funding in many southern and eastern African countries. Despite the precedence established on this issue, there have still been efforts in recent years to move similar legislation forward in Connecticut, New York, and now at the federal level.

On June 16, 2021, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed Senate Bill 925—a perennial effort to implement a trophy import ban—into law. While originally crafted to end the legal importation and possession of parts and products from certain African species, CSF testified against the legislation and worked with advocacy partners and leaders of the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to amend the bill language to allow for instances where “the possession of such specimen . . . is expressly authorized by and federal law or permit.” While this critical work defanged parts of the bill and brought it in line with what has been established through the ESA, it still reflects a general misunderstanding of African selfdetermination over wildlife management. It is especially disturbing to see legislators in the United States attempt to utilize antiquated imperialist mindsets by removing a significant revenue stream from African nations, stripping away a piece of their sovereignty.

Since the passage of legislation in New Jersey, there have been multiple attempts in New York to implement a trophy import ban, most recently through the introduction of Senate Bill 2814. This bill passed the Senate in May, prior to the legislature’s adjournment in June. If enacted, this legislation would have prohibited the import, sale, and possession of parts or products made from African elephant, leopard, lion, black/white rhinos, and giraffe. Despite testimony by CSF in opposition to SB 2814, along with efforts by the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus’ leadership to fight the bill, it made its way through committee before passing through the Senate on a partisan vote. While the legislation wasn’t ultimately enacted, it does set the table for 2023 and perhaps signals the viability of this type of bill to lawmakers in other states.

The list of cases from the states that we have highlighted thus far is by no means exhaustive. In addition to monitoring and working at the state level, CSF is also actively opposing anti-hunting efforts on Capitol Hill. In late June, CSF, Houston Safari Club, and several other partners signed onto a letter to Leadership of the House Appropriations Committee in opposition to the inclusion of Section 439 in the FY2023 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This language would effectively prohibit the import of legally hunted elephant or lion trophies from Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe by restricting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from using federal funds to issue import permits for these species. Essentially, this bill is taking a recurring issue—one that CSF has been engaged with since 2018—and trying to pass it in the form of an appropriations bill that would effectively prohibit the import of these trophies. To quote the conservation industry’s letter of opposition, “Section 439 is antithetical to proven, effective wildlife management practices. Conservation, habitat protection, and biodiversity all stand to decline without the resource framework

international hunting provides.” This legislation comes on the heels of a settlement between partner conservation groups and the FWS regarding the processing of permits related to the importation of elephant carcasses, on which there had been a hold since November of 2017. On July 20, this appropriations bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives, despite efforts by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus member and former Co-Chair Representative Jeff Duncan to propose an amended version that excluded Section 439. As we have in the past, CSF will continue to work against the inclusion of this language in the final package and towards the education of lawmakers on this crucial topic.

To that end, CSF recently held a webinar entitled Unintended Consequences: How American Trophy Import Bans Harm Conservation Efforts Abroad. This discussion focused on the efforts surrounding trophy import bans and featured a diverse panel of speakers. CSF discussed its efforts—both at the state and federal levels—in combatting these restrictive bans and outlining a brief history of the topic for the viewers. The discussion then moved forward to the effectiveness of nations incorporating regulated hunting into their conservation programs, as well as the global fight against trophy import bans. Additionally, the lack of science behind trophy import bans, along with where the dollars spent on legally harvested African species end up, such as funding anti-poaching units, supporting community infrastructure, and establishing meat donation programs, was covered. Rounding out the program was Tom Opre, Founder of the Shepherds of Wildlife Society. Opre treated viewers to a trailer for one of his latest films, Killing the Shepherd—a documentary capturing the story of a rural Zambian community’s efforts to better conserve the wildlife and habitat on its lands. Programs such as this webinar go a long way toward the education of elected officials across the nation.

As it is far too often the case, some politicians and interest groups are attempting to supplant science-based and data-driven wildlife management. Whether it is because of public pressure or to capture headlines is not always clear, but what is evident is that African trophy import bans are ineffective. The case is clear, hunters are the original conservationists—letting the conservation funding and species flourishment speak for itself. Sportsmen and women care deeply about wildlife—game and non-game species alike, and regardless of what landscape they inhabit It is because of this rich appreciation that CSF will continue to fight against these unjustified trophy import bans and advocate for the science-based wildlife management decisions to rule the day. ★

An older buffalo taken by Jeff Crane.

Above: Stand of Fever trees

Below: Author, trophy Waterbuck, and MG-Arms rifle, all partly submerged

An Exceptional Waterbuck

BY M. ARNOLD

I wondered if we were going to make it. I felt the five tons of Hägglunds BV start to float free while I watched the water begin to flood into the trailer of the articulated, all-terrain vehicle. Making the situation even more intimidating was the dense stand of grass that closed in on all sides, towering several feet over our heads. Professional Hunter, Julian Moller, quickly shifted the gears from forward to reverse and began the process of regaining traction by rotating the wheel, thereby fishtailing the trailer and cab back-and-forth through the muck. Ever so slowly we began inching backwards out of the deep hole into which we had fallen. I commented to Julian on how impressed I was with his ability to get us out of the dangerous predicament. He grinned at me and admitted, “I sunk a BV one time.”

Since we still had extensive grass stands to go through, I tried to forget the crocodiles and hippos cruising around us. I was unsuccessful. My concern wasn’t purely theoretical. A croc recently grabbed a young apprentice PH as he was walking through a site near where we were trying to sink. His companions were able to pull him from the croc’s jaws, but he nearly lost his arm from a resulting infection. Like I say, I was having a hard time ignoring the possible, dire outcomes if the BV went under.

It was day six of a 10-day hunt with Zambeze Delta Safaris The concession known as Coutada 11 had lived up to its reputation as a game rich ecosystem. Previous outings had yielded trophy Suni, Cape Buffalo and Nyala. Today we were looking for one of the Waterbuck bulls that wander across the floodplain. The fact that there were any Waterbucks to hunt in this area, let alone the countless animals we were seeing, was another conservation miracle pulled off by business partners, Carlos Pacheco Faria and Mark Haldane and the Zambeze Delta Safaris staff. Poachers had reduced the Waterbucks from nearly 50,000 animals in 1978 to a few hundred when Carlos, Mark and crew entered the picture in the mid-1990s. With funds from sport hunting, Mark and his colleagues had established an aggressive anti-poaching program. The current number of Waterbucks was not quite back to the 1978 level, but what we were observing indicated that they were well on their way. Though our focus was on the herds of Waterbucks, we were continually in sight of Buffaloes, Reedbucks and Lichtenstein Hartebeests. Even the relatively elusive, Selous Zebras were out in force, their stark black-and-white striping glittering in the sunrays reflecting off the standing water.

To reach the greatest concentrations of Waterbucks meant an earlier than usual departure, with breakfast at 5:30 and driving away from camp less than an hour later. We traveled through the dense Miombo Sand Forest, past the wide open ‘pans’ bordered by so-called Fever Trees. Given their common name by Europeans who noticed that catching malaria was likely when sleeping near the yellow-barked trees, we now know that the swampy, mosquitoinfested environs surrounding the sleepers, and not the beautifully mottled trees, were to blame. Along the way Warthogs with antennalike tails scampered away. Reedbucks and Oribis stood stock still, blending into the brown background. Lichtenstein Hartebeests used their rocking-horse gait to disappear. Pairs of Saddle-billed Storks launched from their watery feeding areas and clusters of Hadeda Ibis sat silhouetted on the branches of dead trees. Finally, we entered the floodplain proper. Deeper into the inundated landscape, hippos appeared. Legs buried in the mucky ground, the second-largest land mammal resembled groups of huge, purple-brown larvae, slithering

No doubt it’s a floodplain, when catfish are hand caught.

slowly through the aquatic vegetation.

We encountered our first Waterbucks upon reaching the edge of the floodplain. Stopping to glass, we looked over single bulls as well as groups of cows, mature bulls and youngsters numbering up to 10 or so. As with most of his descriptions of places, people and animals, Robert Ruark got this one right as well. He said of Waterbuck bulls, “there is no more ruggedly handsome animal in Africa.” And, again, “he has a thick, tufted elk’s neck, a noble face, a compact, heavily furred body.” That is what I saw through my Vortex binocular/rangefinder. Not just older bulls, but the youngsters as well moved with a grace and dignity surpassing even the hunter-coveted, spiral-horned kudu.

I could have watched the first groups for hours without tiring, but Julian fired the BV’s engine up and we moved on. Again and again, we stopped, stood up in our seats and studied the scattered assemblages of Waterbucks. After the first groups, we were never out-of-sight of mature bulls. When I asked Julian what an above average trophy might be, he answered “If they carry 28 inches of horn, they are a very nice bull.” We were already seeing a number of animals that fitted that description. But it wasn’t yet 8 am. We had plenty of time, and Julian wanted to push further out into the swampy terrain. That’s how we found ourselves floating in the more than BV-high grass.

After regaining a semi-solid footing, Julian steered us toward a distant island. We continued our journey, past more Zebras and Hartebeests. We disturbed a herd of 100+ Cape Buffaloes, causing

Below: Lichtenstein Hartebeests use their Rocking Horse gait to quickly leave the scene

their Cattle Egret passengers to rise as a white cloud. The birds called out their ‘Group Song’ as they circled. Cattle Egrets ride along on the backs of the buffaloes, feeding off the grasshoppers and other insects kicked up by the feet of the slowly-feeding animals. They probably also take some ticks from the buffaloes’ scabby hides, but the majority of that job falls to Oxpeckers. Unlike the Egrets that circled 50 or so feet off the ground, the cloud of Red-billed Oxpeckers bobbed up and down within 10 feet of their bovine rides, screaming their alarm call. It took no time at all for this herd to decide to stop stampeding and return to grazing on the grass growing between the stands of aquatic plants. Their avian symbionts slowly returned to their perches on backs, necks, rumps, and between ears.

Shortly after passing the buffaloes, we crossed a branch of one of the streams that wind, intertwine, and separate again as they make their way across the Delta. This stream was deep, but not so deep as to bar our path. As Julian pushed the BV through the vegetation, water off the leaves drenched our clothing and skin. We also became the resting place for small, green-and-white-marked, Hylid frogs, their sucker-equipped toes adhering to clothing and skin. The other hitchhikers disturbed from their roosts among the aquatic plants were large green grasshoppers. Both the amphibians and insects seemed surprised to find themselves inside the roaring machine and quickly took the opportunity to hop and fly back into their grass home.

We continued to stop and judge the trophy potential of Waterbuck-bull-after-Waterbuck-bull. The largest were 28-ish inches, and I thought everyone one of them would look beautiful on my trophy room wall, but I kept my opinion to myself. We would have to pass them again when we headed back toward the woodlands. I figured we would just collect one on the way back once we finished looking for something larger. I am glad I kept my naïve thoughts to myself.

It was not yet 9 am when we rounded yet another stand of 13 –16-foot tall, pale green swamp grass. Off to the left of the island of vegetation stood a small group of Waterbucks. Even I could see that the bull had a more massive set of horns than any seen so far. Julian quickly told me to climb down from the BV. Dolish and Francisco, our trackers, unzipped the case holding my MG Arms Ultralight rifle chambered to 7mm Remington Magnum and handed me the Ultimate Carbon shooting rest from the French company, StableSticks. I chambered one of the handloaded cartridges topped with Hornady’s ELD-X bullet. I had the highest confidence in rifle, shooting rest and ammunition, having used them the year before in Namibia to take Mountain Zebra, Springbok, Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, and Leopard. On the current Safari, the combination had already accounted for a beautiful Nyala.

Julian led as we slowly made our way to the back of the BV. As soon as he cleared the end of the trailer, he extended the legs of the Ultimate Carbon and stepped slowly to the side. Raising his rangefinder/binocular to his eyes, he almost immediately whispered “159 yards.” At that distance, there was no need to adjust my hold, I could place the crosshairs right where I wanted the bullet to strike. The Waterbuck bull was moving slowly from right to left, at a slight quartering away angle. There was a resounding slap from the 162grain bullet. I chambered another round as the Waterbuck began a staggering canter. After only 75 yards, he toppled to the ground, disappearing into the dense, aquatic vegetation.

The realization that we were in a floodplain hit home as Julian, Dolish, Francisco and I sloshed in the direction of the downed Waterbuck. I quickly learned that a client is unlikely to keep up with a PH and trackers who are not only significantly younger, but who

also enjoy much better physical conditioning. The water, grass and mud tried to simultaneously trip me and suck-off my high-topped tennis shoes, causing me to stop several times to catch my breath. When kidded about my many breaks, I told Julian that I was simply trying to adjust my bearings for where I thought the Waterbuck might have fallen. Finally, while leaning down a last time with my hands on my knees, I saw Julian and our trackers circle around an object still unseen to me. I made my way to the spot. Julian’s broad smile said it all. He took his hat off, stuck out his hand and stated, “This is an exceptional Waterbuck.” The horns swept out in the typical Waterbuck ellipse, but unlike many of those seen during our hunt, the tips seemed to spread out forever, rather than quickly bending inward. With both horns over 30 inches, 10-inch bases and the extensive secondary growth of a mature bull, this was a trophy of a lifetime. It mattered not at all that I had to stand, and kneel, in water two feet deep for the trophy photographs. Getting wet was a very small price for the memories that I could hold onto of this morning spent in the Zambeze Delta floodplain.

As we reversed our course from the morning – passing across the floodplain, skirting the edges of the Fever Tree/Mahogany woodlands and finally passing into the jungle-thick Miombo Sand Forest – I thought of the fact that hunters are some of the very few who could appreciate all that nature has to offer. We have earned that appreciation from spending days-and-days surrounded by the wonders of the wildlands. Ironically, we have also gained our understanding of nature by sometimes taking the life of an animal. The profound responsibility of such an act should bring a sobering to the soul. The sacrifice is real, and we often find ourselves thanking the animal and God for the laying down of a life. Such is the seriousness of our calling. ★

To read more about this wonderful area and the restoration of the habitat and people, please check out Mike’s new book, BRINGING BACK THE LIONS: International Hunters, Local Tribespeople, and the Miraculous Rescue of a Doomed Ecosystem in Mozambique which can be ordered from bringingbackthelions.com or Amazon.

The look on the author’s face is classic – the water was cold!

Ground Game

BY SCOTT LEYSATH

I UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY HUNTERS

choose to have the bulk of their antlered game run through a grinder. Ground meat is versatile. All your favorite domestic ground meat recipes can be replaced with ground wild game. Some folks are just fine with using lean ground game without adding any fat or fatty domestic meat to the mix. Not me.

Perhaps you’ve played around with a few ground game recipes. The most common involve antlered game like deer, elk, and antelope. Texans have a few more choices with the exotics. Ground nilgai burgers are about as good as it gets. But what about audad? Every chef likes a challenge, right? The goal might be to make it taste like something other than audad. Cooking ground game is more forgiving than grilling a perfect medium-rare deer steak, but it’s still best to start with meat that has been handled properly. A pot of venison chili can be delicious, but if the meat has soured along the way, you just can’t hide that funky edge. If the meat doesn’t smell or look like it’s been handled properly, I don’t cook it.

Browned ground meat

Most game fat is best left on the cutting table. There are a few exceptions, but domestic fat is more dependable than most wild game fat. I trim as much fat away from antlered game and, of course, feral swine, especially old boar hogs. If you happen to shoot a wild pig that’s been feeding daily on Macadamia nuts (The Big Island) or sugar cane (Florida), the fat won’t hurt the flavor. As a matter of fact, I’ve added the white, creamy Macadamia nut pig fat to my sausage grind. Sounds nuts, right?

A good meat grinder comes in handy, but cubed meat can also be processed by pulsing in a food processor. Cut trimmed meat into 1-inch chunks and place in the freezer for an hour or so. You want the meat to be almost frozen to help keep it from turning into mush. Pulse in small batches until the meat is ground into pea-sized pieces before mixing with the other ingredients. If you do decide that grinding your own meat makes sense, a decent electric grinder can be found for around one hundred bucks. You can save some cash with a hand-crank unit, but make sure to buy a box of bandaids for your sore knuckles.

THE BASiC BURGER MiX

This mixture can be used as an outline for any ground game. That includes ground waterfowl, wild turkey, and all antlered game. This also works well with wild hogs, but I usually add twenty-five percent 80/20 burger to the mix, rather than domestic

pork. Unless your feral swine have been feasting on Macadamia nuts or sugar cane, remove anything that’s not muscle. Adding the skin from puddle ducks like mallards, pintail, and gadwalls works well, but remove any fat or skin from divers and sea ducks and the flavor will improve dramatically. I add salt to the mix. Some claim that adding salt to the interior will adversely affect the texture of the cooked meat, but I haven’t found that to be true.

After removing any fat, silver skin, or gristle, place the game, uncovered, on a rack in the fridge with a drip pan underneath. Leave it there for twenty-four hours or more to help evaporate some of the excess moisture in the meat. If I think far enough ahead, which happens only occasionally, I let it air-dry in the fridge for at least three days before running it through the grinder. Then, cut the meat into one to two-inch pieces.

Makes about 2 pounds of ground game

• 3 cups cubed game meat

• 1 cup pork untrimmed pork shoulder, cut into small cubes

• 1 cup onion, minced (better if you grill it first)

• 1 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon each coarse salt (like Kosher) and freshly ground pepper

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

BURGER PATTiES

What you put on top of your burger is entirely a matter of personal choice. If in the past, you’ve struggled with wild game burgers falling apart on the grill, this should help. Adding egg and breadcrumbs binds the patty together as does refrigerating for 6 to 12 hours before grilling. Take the patty from the fridge to a well-oiled grill or cast-iron skillet. Nobody will complain if you brush a little butter over the burger just before taking it off the heat.

4 - 8 Patties (1/2 to 1/4 pound each)

• The Basic Burger Mix

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

• butter

1. Mix well (except butter) and form into equal-sized balls (or big ones for adults and smaller for the kids). Give them a good squeeze. I like to toss them back and forth between my hands

Duck burger

Venison slider

to help compact the mixture. If grilling, form into patties and refrigerate for several hours. If cooking in a skillet, leave the portions formed into balls while refrigerating.

2. Grill. Lightly coat patties with olive oil and a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Place on a medium-hot grill and grill until liquid starts to seep out of the top. You can also make a slight indentation in the middle of the patty so that the seeping juices puddle there. Give the patty a quarter turn with a spatula. This makes the classic diamond pattern. If the meat sticks to the grill, don’t force it. If the grill is clean, hot, and oiled, the burger will turn easily once it is sufficiently charred on the bottom. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, then flip over and grill to the desired temperature. Just before removing it from the grill, add a slice of chilled butter to the top.

3. Skillet. Heat skillet over medium-high heat with a thin layer of olive oil. Place burger balls on the hot skillet and gently press down to form patties. Cook until evenly browned on the bottom, flip over, and cook to desired doneness. Top with a slice of chilled butter and serve.

MEAT SAUCE

Red meat sauce can be used for anything from pizza topping to hot dogs, but spaghetti sauce is probably the American favorite. This is a basic sauce that is designed for the home cook to add his or her own ingredients, depending on the intended

use. When making an Italian-inspired dish like lasagna or spaghetti sauce, I usually replace the pork shoulder from The Basic Burger Mix with Italian sausage. Once cooled, sauce can be frozen for a year or so.

Makes about 1 1/4 quarts sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced

• 5 garlic cloves, minced

• The Basic Burger Mix

• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons dried basil

• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red peppers flakes salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onions are translucent. Add The Basic Burger Mix and break it apart while browning. Once browned, add remaining ingredients except salt and pepper. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring often. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Meat sauce on fettuccine noodles

Above: Meatballs | Below: Meatballs on pasta

MEATBALLS

Whenever I make meatballs, I make them in large quantities. After forming into balls, place on a lightly greased baking sheet and place both raw and cooked meatballs in the freezer until completely frozen. If you have a vacuum-sealer, the frozen meatballs won’t get smashed when you package them. You can also place the frozen meatballs in freezer-safe zipper-lock bags. Once loaded, place the bag in water with just a small opening above water. The water will force out most of the air before sealing for storage in the freezer.

This meatball recipe is for general use. If you are more likely to use them for Italian dishes, substitute Italian sausage for domestic pork in the mix. If you lean more towards spicy or Southwestern flavors, add some minced spicy peppers and try it with chorizo to replace the domestic pork.

Makes about 14 - 16 Meatballs

The Basic Burger Mix

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Place the oven rack in the middle position and preheat to 450-degrees. Place all ingredients in a large bowl and use hands to mix thoroughly. Divide mix into egg-sized portions (about 1/3 cup each). Press with your hands to compact meatballs.

2. Place on a lightly greased baking pan. Place pan in preheated

oven and bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until meatballs are wellbrowned. Reduce heat to 350-degrees and bake for 5 minutes more.

MEATBALL SANDWiCH

A personal favorite. Sturdy, crusty bread loaded with meatballs, sauce and melted cheese. Three meatballs is plenty for each person. This is best eaten with a knife and fork. Avoid light-colored clothing because there’s a good chance you will end up wearing some of the sauce. Paired with a cold beer or glass of good red wine, it’s nap time.

4 servings

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 12 Meatballs, not cooked

• 2 cups Meat Sauce

• 8 slices provolone cheese

• 4 sturdy rolls - sourdough, Ciabatta, etc.

• 4 tablespoons melted butter

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add meatballs and cook until evenly browned on all sides. Add sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. While meatballs are simmering, brush melted butter onto both inside pieces of the rolls. Place open-faced under a broiler until lightly browned. Once browned, add provolone cheese the to top half of each roll until melted.

3. Place rolls on plates, add meatballs and spoon sauce over. ★

Meatball sandwich

MORE THAN MEDEVAC

From Evacuation to Advisory, Global Rescue Has Your Back

Contributed by

www.globalrescue.com/hsc f

“Ihad no clue how expansive the operation and services of Global Rescue were,” said Joe Betar, executive director of the Houston Safari Club Foundation, during a February 2022 “Hunting Matters” podcast where he interviewed Harding Bush, operations manager at Global Rescue.

Betar was under the impression that Global Rescue only specializes in emergency medical evacuation from remote corners of the world. And that’s not his fault. Because of the unique (and sometimes extreme) medical evacuations heavily covered in the media for adventure-travel types—think mountaineers seeking to bag their next big summit to paragliders, cave divers, heli-skiers, hunters, and anglers—it’s natural to assume that’s what we do exclusively.

But there’s a lot more to Global Rescue than dramatic helicopter rescues. From enterprise travel risk management, information and destination intelligence, and emergency evacuation to general advisory services, Global Rescue’s services are broad, comprehensive, and essential.

What does Global Rescue do, and how might it apply to your unique travel situation? How are our operations centers structured, and who’s answering the phone when a member calls? Here’s an overview.

Not Just Reactive, But Proactive Services

Global Rescue may be better known for our reactive services, meaning when a member experiences a serious emergency during travel, they contact us to get the life-saving help they need. Depending on the level of severity, the situation may require an evacuation or extraction of the individual.

There are two types of emergency reactive situations:

• MEDICAL EMERGENCY: When a member becomes severely injured or sick (including COVID-19), they contact our medical operations team to get the care and transport they need. “It could be from the side of a mountain to the nearest clinic or medical facility, where they will be evaluated, stabilized and we determine what follow-on care is required,” Bush said.

“Then, if additional hospitalization is required, we get them all the way home.” If necessary, Global Rescue will also deploy a paramedic, nurse, or physician bedside to help oversee the care provided and coordinate an evacuation.

• SECURITY EMERGENCY: If a member encounters an unforeseen natural disaster, civil unrest, or armed conflict and cannot evacuate on their own, our security operations team helps you get home—or to a safe location and then home. Our security services are available as an upgraded membership.

“That’s the reactive part of what we do—meaning an incident happens, you call us and we help you get out of trouble,” said Bush, who served 20 years in the U.S. Special Operations forces and 12 years in international and corporate travel security. “But we don’t want you to get into trouble in the first place, so that’s why we also have all the non-emergency advisory and support services for before and during your travel. This is the proactive part of what we do.”

There are two types of non-emergency proactive services:

• PRIOR TO TRAVEL: We help with research for any member’s trip. For example, say you’re planning a trip to India. What kind of risks—prevalence of certain diseases, potential security threats, or other destination details—should you be aware of before going?

Global Rescue’s intelligence team maintains detailed destination reports for 215 countries and principalities, which members can access through the My Global Rescue app. “Or give us a call, and we can have a direct discussion,” Bush said. “You might be surprised to learn satellite phones are illegal in India. If you bring one, you could be arrested or fined.”

• DURING TRAVEL: What if you’re traveling and you simply have a medical question? “You might develop a rash, but it’s not something you necessarily want to go to an emergency room for in a place like Botswana,” Bush said. Contact us anytime—24/7/365—and get medical advice and support you know you can trust. Global Rescue can also help locate coronaviruscapable hospitals and testing facilities.

We also offer advisory services related to general travel questions: visa and passport issues, translation, legal locators, and real-time security events that may unfold during your trip.

WHO’S ON THE LiNE WHEN YOU CALL

No matter your situation—emergency or not, medical or security, prior to or during travel—you call just one number and one number only: +1 617-459-4200. This is the number you should program into your cell or satellite phone (you can also contact us via the My Global Rescue app). It’s also a good idea to have this number written down in case your phone dies or breaks. (It’s also located on your Global Rescue membership card)

Your call will always be answered by an on-staff employee, specifically, one of our Member Services associates, which includes former 911 operators, customer support analysts, and dispatchers. Member services personnel will ask a few questions to transfer you to the appropriate contact in one of the following operations departments:

• MEDICAL OPERATIONS: In the case of a medical emergency or question, you speak directly with a registered critical

care paramedic, all of whom are overseen by our team of medical directors. We also work with board-certified physicians, clinicians, and specialists from Elite Medical Group and the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations.

“Our doctors specialize in all sorts of things: emergency medicine, high-altitude medicine, infectious disease, and more,” Bush added. Whatever your issue, we have a doctor with the appropriate medical specialty.

• SECURITY OPERATIONS: In the case of a security emergency or question, you’ll speak directly to a team that is made up of veterans of the military special forces community, including former Navy SEALS, Green Berets, Pararescuemen, Army Rangers, and Intel Officers.

Not only does the team’s background include military experience in every major conflict from Desert Storm to the Syrian civil war, but they have enterprise-level security experience. “This is very, very important to understand and meet the needs of our corporate clients and consumer members,” Bush said.

Our member services team and integrated medical and security operations are all based in-house in Global Rescue’s international operations centers. That means there is no call center—you speak with a real medical or security expert immediately to get the care or answers you need.

GET A GLOBAL RESCUE MEMBERSHiP

Whether you’re headed out on vacation or to the backcountry to hunt, Houston Safari Club Foundation recommends you purchase a Global Rescue membership. It provides necessary travel protection services such as field rescue, medical evacuation, and advisory services in case of any emergency. Single trip, annual and family options are available.

For more information, visit  info.globalrescue.com/ hscf or call 617-459-4200 and tell them you’re a Houston Safari Club, Foundation member. ★

Sulfur Lake in Rotorua, New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND

A UNIQUE ISLAND COUNTRY

BY JACKY KEITH, PRESIDENT JKEITH@ESPLANADETRAVEL.COM

Elijah Wood, an American actor, and producer, said, “There is a real purity in New Zealand that does not exist anywhere else. It’s not an easy thing to find anymore. It’s a unique place because it is so far away from the rest of the world. There is a sense of isolation and also being protected.”

Let Esplanade Travel create a trip you will not soon forget. This island country in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean consists of two land masses, the North Island and the South Island. Subtropical forests, thermal geysers, and golden beaches will give you lasting memories from the North Island while mountainous peaks, majestic fjords, and ancient glaciers will exhilarate you on the South Island. There is so much to see and do in such a small area, it is unlike any other country.

MAORi CULTURE

Maori culture is an integral part of New Zealand life. Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand. They originally used it in reference to the North Island.

However, in the 19th century, the word came to refer to the entire archipelago.

There are many aspects to the Maori culture. You should experience the passionate Haka War Dance. The Haka is ceremonial and displays the tribes pride, strength, and unity. It was used when two groups met as an encounter. On the battlefield, warriors were prepared mentally and physically by chanting and performing the Haka. It is used today in many sporting events. Most notably by the New Zealand men’s national rugby team. Before each match, the team performs the Haka and it is riveting.

The Hangi is a Maori feast cooked in an earth oven for hours. The Hangi is Maori cuisine at its finest. It

Tribal Haka Dance.

can include lamb, pork, chicken, seafood, sweet potatoes, and more. The food is placed on top of stones and then covered with dirt to trap in the heat.

Maori art includes carving. The Maori used wood, bone, or stone with unique special meanings and designs. Though styles will differ between tribes, they use common patterns and symbols. The environment often inspired the carvings. For example, many include spider webs, fish scales, and fronds of the fern.

The trees used for wood carvings represent the god of the forest, Tane Mahuta. Greenstone, or Pounamu from the South Island was used for its strength and beauty. They carved adornments from greenstone as a sign of prestige, such as ear pendants, breast pendants, and combs that were worn in the hair. Bone, as well as Pounamu, also shaped adornments from whale ivory and whalebone.

Weaving is a living form of Maori art. The Kete is used each day as a bag or basket to carry food. It may also represent a holder of knowledge or wisdom. Weaving is a strong symbol of the survival of Maori culture.

Ta Moko is a traditional Maori tattoo. As a symbol of nobility, men received, traditionally, a Mataora on their faces. The Maori believe the head is the most sacred part of the body. Ta Moko showed a man’s ancestry and signified social rank, knowledge, and eligibility to marry.

Women received a Moko Kauae tattoo on their lips and chin. It represents her leadership in the community and social status.

The Te Arawa Maori have provided visitors for over 150 years with a warmth of welcome and hospitality. So journey to a Maori village where you will see Maori lifestyle and traditions. You will be entertained with singing, dancing, and the traditional Hangi feast.

ADVENTURE

If it is adventure sports you desire, let Esplanade Travel arrange for you to fulfill those desires while in New Zealand.

Heliskiing in New Zealand is a pure adrenaline rush and freedom in pristine fresh powder. A helicopter will take you to a ski site not accessible by any other means. It will drop you in steep chutes and your anticipation will not be believed. Heliskiing is for intermediate or advanced skiers, so please assess your ability.

Jet boating may be enjoyed by all ages and levels of fitness the whole year. You might experience the thrill of jet boating on the longest river in New Zealand, the Waikato River. You will ride through the Aratiatia Rapids or experience the geothermal phenomena of Orakei Korako.

Combine the New Zealand invention of the jet boat with the magnificent landscapes of Queenstown. Take the braided Dart River as it journeys into Mount Aspiring National Park which winds its way through the filming locations of the Lord of the Rings. You will see dramatic landscapes and Maori heritage that will have your heart pumping.

Take a jet boat ride through wilderness areas in the Southland. Cruise along Lake Hauroko and the Wairaurahiri River to view the majestic Fjordland Mountains. The Southland offers the longest and most remote jet boat trip in New Zealand. Esplanade Travel can personalize tours for you and include hiking or fishing.

If rafting gives you an adrenaline rush, Esplanade Travel can arrange a calm trip through the forest wilderness or a white-knuckle trip as well. New Zealand’s mountains feed a plethora of flowing rivers through the forests to the sea. A grade 1 river will be a relatively quiet journey whereas a grade 5 is considered extreme

Rafting on the North Island is usually east of Lake Taupo, Bay of Plenty, and Hawkes Bay. The Tongario River has sections of white water that range from grade 2 to grade 4. You can also raft around the resort town of Queenstown, Christchurch, and on the West Coast in the South Island. Rafting trips may last a few hours or a few days. Each trip is led by an experienced guide and all equipment and special clothing is provided for you.

Female Maori tattoo.

New Zealand Mountains.

Caving in New Zealand has some of the most spectacular caving systems in the world. Even the first-time spelunkers (cavers) will enjoy the underground landscape. Waitomo Caves in the Waikato region is the best-known caving area in the North Island. Choose to float through caves which is called black water rafting or simply walk through them. There are also caves that will have you climbing and squeezing.

A three-hour drive from Auckland is the Waitomo Caves. In all of New Zealand, these caves will give you the best glow worm experience. A boat ride underground will show you the wonder of thousands of these tiny creatures. The glow worms will light up the roof of the cave as if you were outside looking at the stars above.

Glow worms are found throughout the country. You can spot their glowing blue-green lights on the banks of lakes, rivers, and forest undergrowth. Nighttime hiking, boating, or kayaking are great ways to spot them.

The caving experience in New Zealand will range from a drift through a glow-worm grotto to rope-dangling action in a subterranean adventure.

If glacier hiking is on your bucket list for adventure, then New Zealand is the place to go. Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier are found on the west coast of the South Island. These are the two most accessible glaciers. No matter what your ability level, there are opportunities to experience the glaciers. Both of these glaciers extend almost to sea level. Access to the Fox Glacier is along the river valley floor or by helicopter to reach the top section. However, you can only access the Franz Josef Glacier by helicopter.

Tasman Glacier is New Zealand’s longest glacier. There are many ways to explore this massive glacier. You can fly over it, or perhaps ski down the glacier, or take a boat that will get you close enough to touch the gigantic slabs of ice and explore Tasman Glacial Lake. This is suitable for the entire family.

Many companies offer guided glacier walks which Esplanade Travel can arrange for you. You should allow at least a couple of hours for these at a minimum.

FOOD

Get to know Kiwi food and discover unique flavors and food fresh from the source. Let us start your culinary delights with New Zealand’s must-eat seafood. The seafood here is world famous.

New Zealand produces over half of the world’s king salmon. King salmon has the highest natural oil content. The salmon is sold whole, in fillets, or sliced. The New Zealanders suggest you try the king salmon smoked, grilled, or raw. It is rich in flavor but quite delicate.

If you are looking for something akin to lobster, be sure to try the New Zealand Crayfish. Crayfish are clawless and have one fewer pair of legs. The crayfish is considered a delicacy and often adorn the dinner table during the Christmas break or other special events.

Next on the seafood menu are Green-lipped Mussels. These are easily distinguished from other mussels by the dark green shell with a bright green lip. These mussels are harvested all year round.

They are most commonly steamed and infused with white wine and garlic. You will find them equally delicious baked or as a fritter.

The local Kiwi favorite and a must-try are the New Zealand Scallops. The Sweetness of the New Zealand scallop means cooking them in butter, and that is all that is needed.

A popular delicacy is the Paua (abalone). The meat is dark green in color and is commonly eaten as a fritter or in a creamy chowder. The meat is also often minced. The shell reveals swirls of bright purple green and yellow, and jewelry is often made from the shells.

Roast Lamb is a favorite for the Kiwi’s. Throughout the world, New Zealand lamb is held in high regard and is the country’s top export meat. The Kiwi’s enjoy their lamb best when flavored with rosemary and served with plenty of seasonal roasted vegetables. They also favor lamb cutlets as well.

Another favorite of the Kiwi’s is their Fish and Chips. They enjoy it most sitting by the beach on a summer evening. In New Zealand, this takeaway meal is usually accompanied by white bread and tomato sauce.

NATiONAL PARKS

The diverse natural scenery is ready to explore by foot, boat, car, or air in New Zealand’s 13 national parks. If you spend time in the parks, you will begin to understand the soul of New Zealand. Natural heritage, forests, wildlife, and landscapes are preserved and treasured as it was before people arrived in this beautiful land.

Heliskiing in New Zealand.

Hokitika Gorge, New Zealand.

CLiMATE

The climate in New Zealand varies, however, since most of the country lies close to the coast, the temperatures remain mild most of the year.

The most popular time to visit New Zealand is in the summer, December through February (winter in the United States). As people arrive from overseas to vacation while it is warm, the number of visitors increases. More Kiwi’s are traveling at this time to take advantage of the sunshine.

If you decide to travel in the autumn, March through May, you will still enjoy sunny days, but the crowds will have thinned out.

If you are wild about snow sports, the best month to visit New Zealand is either July or August. Queenstown and the Central Plateau are transformed into winter wonderlands with light dustings of snow. So pick up your skis or snowboards and head down the slopes of the Southern Alps.

September through November brings the arrival of spring. There is still a high chance of rainfall in the spring, but the weather starts to warm. Outdoor activities are perfect this time of year, such as hiking. New Zealand’s green fields in the spring will have calves, lambs, and daffodils popping up.

MiDDLE-EARTH

The mythical world of Middle-Earth, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy, was created by New Zealand’s golden plains, towering mountains, and enchanting valleys. When you visit Middle-Earth, you will be able to explore the many film locations of these movies and step inside Tolkien’s imaginative mind.

Let Esplanade Travel take you to the purity of New Zealand and feel her isolation and protection all in one magnificent country.

Our staff has collectively traveled over 150 countries around the world, and we sell destinations we know best and love the most! Our primary destinations are Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the islands of the South Pacific. ★

MEMBER

Get To Know Me!

5 Minutes With HSCF Board Member

1.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF HSCF?

My husband Steve and I attended our first meeting in 2006 after being invited during a membership drive. We joined shortly thereafter.

2. WHY DID YOU WANT TO SERVE ON THE HSCF OR HSC BOARD

I accompanied my husband as an observer on hunts all over the world. I was quite content being behind a camera and documenting the love which Steve had for the hunt. I used to say I am not a hunter, only a photographer, but after having participated in countless stalks and being present in the moment enough times I began to consider myself part of the hunting community. I believe we all have a responsibility to the sport and to HSCF to stand up for hunters’ rights and the conservation value intrinsic in the pursuit of game.

3. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A BOARD MEMBER?

I hope to stay true to my values and represent our club and our members fairly and honestly. I do not believe it is necessary to water down our passion to be effective communicators and ambassadors of sporting life.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING AN HSCF MEMBER?

The camaraderie, whether at an HSCF event or around a campfire. The friends made through this club are genuine and lifelong, supporting each other through both good and difficult times. HSCF is a family.

5.

WHAT IS/WAS YOUR CAREER FIELD?

I spent several years working in non-profit for the Boy Scouts of America before joining my husband in the dry-cleaning industry.

Suzanne Hixson

8.

PREFERRED HUNTING WEAPONRIFLE, SHOTGUN OR BOW?

6.

I’m new to the game but already comfortable with a rifle, preferring .300 and .375 calibers. I have plans to take shotgun lessons.

7.

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

Just one? I suppose a rifle. It would also be nice to have fire and wine.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING HUNTING EXPERIENCE?

With my husband, Marco Polo in Tajikistan and Bongo in the Cameroon forest. On my own, both African hunts I’ve experienced so far have changed my perspective. There is a big difference between hunting with a camera and pursuing game with a weapon. The responsibility of making the shot and working cohesively with one’s guide team is both exhilarating and humbling.

9.

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

I just completed a plains game hunt in Tanzania with the goal of pursuing Gerenuk – it was a species that my husband was fascinated by but never had a chance to hunt. I was fortunate enough to take one the first day of safari. Later that day I shot a Lesser Kudu. The Gerenuk was for Steve, but that Kudu was all about me.

10.

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

Never apologize for your passions. Set goals but embrace spontaneity. Live the life you desire and measure success by your own definition. Be grateful to those who help you along the way and return the favor by doing the same for others.

Meet Kyle Fritz of the Stag & Dove Society

1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF HSCF?

I have been a member for nearly a year and half.

2. WHY DiD YOU BECOME iNVOLVED iN SDS?

I saw an opportunity to connect with like-minded young professionals who had a passion for the outdoors and conservation that could help further my own knowledge and make a long-term impact on the rights of hunters and conservationists.

3. WHAT iS YOUR FAVORiTE PART ABOUT BEiNG AN HSCF AND/ OR SDS MEMBER?

I love getting to connect with older, more experienced, members who can give insight and advice about all things, not just hunting. I believe there Is so much the older generation can teach us about conservation and life in general and are a resource for the next generation.

4. WHAT iS YOUR GOAL AS AN SDS LEADER?

I hope to continue to bridge the gap between the older generation of HSCF and SDS. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience that we as the younger generation need to be looking to for guidance.

5. WHAT iS YOUR CAREER FiELD? Finance.

6. PREFERRED HUNTiNG WEAPONRiFLE, SHOTGUN, OR BOW? Rifle.

7. WHAT iS THE ONE iTEM YOU WOULD HAVE iF YOU WERE SHiPWRECKED ON AN iSLAND? Satellite phone.

8. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGiNG HUNTiNG EXPERiENCE?

Growing up we would hunt deer in 16-24 inches of snow. It

made it extremely difficult to get to and from our spots as well as not to make too much noise.

9. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORiTE HUNT TRiP SO FAR AND WHY?

I recently returned from a 7-day hunt in Patagonia Argentina for Red Stag during the rut (or the roar as they call it). It was an amazing and primal experience to hear and see these animals during their mating season and is something I will always recommend someone to do.

10. DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LiST HUNT YOU ARE WORKiNG TOWARDS?

I’ve always dreamed of hunting Red Stag in New Zealand, specifically the South Island. Also, on my bucket list is Northern Arizona elk!

11. iF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD iT BE? Gotta be to fly!

12. WHY SHOULD YOUNG PROFESSiONALS JOiN THE STAG AND DOVE SOCiETY?

Joining SDS will allow young professionals to expand their network with individuals who share like-minded values and initiatives while also working towards a common goal of preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage.

MISSION:

Stag & Dove Society (SDS) is a leadership group made up of young professionals, between the ages of 21 and 39 years old, who are rising leaders across a range of industries. Members, through their time, talent and resources, help expand the capacity and advance the mission of HSCF. Stag & Dove Society helps cultivate the next generation of leaders and supporters of HSCF.

Stag & Dove Society is a gateway to engage talented volunteers, connect with other young professionals and other HSCF members, and raise awareness among a younger generation to ensure the longevity and support of our organization.

Learn more about the Stag & Dove Society here: https://hscfdn. org/membership/stag-dove-society/

NEW ZEALAND TIMES TWO

South Island New Zealand countryside with Jenifer Tule-Ham hiking.

BY DEREK HAM

New Zealand guide Heath Smith said to me with concern “Mate, you don’t want to climb these mountains to get a tahr.”

I was crestfallen. I’d got myself in great shape utilizing just about every method or piece of workout equipment other than a shakeweight or thighmaster. I was ready. That and I wasn’t getting any younger. I wanted a mountain hunt and I was going to get it.

Heath went on to say, “We can do it, but we’ll hike two days up and still won’t get high enough to get a great one. You need to use the heli. Trust me. You’ll never forget it.”

At that moment, I wasn’t convinced. I had trained hard and was ready so why take the easy way out by taking a helicopter?

Heath appealed to my sense of adventure and by stating, “We can have a go of it, but a heli tahr hunt is not what you think. If you’re good with heights, it’s wild and it’s a real adventure.”

My wife, Jeni, looked at me with wide eyes and a smile. The helicopter would give us more days on the trip, the wine country was waiting and there was, so I thought, less risk. Thankfully, I agreed. It was most certainly an adventure but not the only one we would have in our time there.

This, our second trip to New Zealand, wasn’t planned in the typical manner of an international hunt. There was no thought into dates and time of year, etc. We weren’t even sure we knew much about the outfitter—High Peak. This was a hunting trip like so many of our hunting trips bought at a charity auction. But my wife and I do well at charity auctions. If there’s a good cause and hunting involved, we’re in. That and dogs. Hence, the pack of dogs (almost literally) we have now. So, because of this

well-deserved cause—Trinity Oaks—we got to give back and go back to one of our favorite countries and, as we found out, to one of the best outfitters in New Zealand. I was going to hunt an animal I had always dreamed of pursuing. I would hunt a tahr.

Located near the Rakaia River in the Canterbury High Country of the South Island, we would be guests of High Peak and stay at one of their many private and well-maintained accommodations. Simon Guild was our contact there and couldn’t have been easier to deal with. A family-owned operation with over ten thousand acres available to them to hunt, High Peak is also family owned. We saw Simon every day after our hunts and he made sure we had anything we needed.

Our first trip to New Zealand, we brought our own rifles but had a terrible experience with a scope on one of our rifles damaged in transit. This trip we used the rifles recommended and provided by High Peak. It turned out to be a great choice. The rifles were sighted in almost perfectly and suppressed. I was given a 7mm Blaser Mag and my wife a 30.06. Both great calibers for the game we hunted.

The guide for our hunts, Heath Smith, is a veritable fixture in the guiding and hunting landscape of New Zealand. He’s been guiding a long time for several outfitters but also has his own outfitting company called New Zealand Hunting Adventures. I would find out later his passion for hog hunting and managed to get him to the states to do some helicopter hog hunting. I do hope to get back to New Zealand again and hunt how he hunts in his native country with baying dogs.

I’ve been in helicopters before and am no fan of heights but still wasn’t too worried about the flying side of things with this hunt. That all changed when we took our first dive down the side of a mountain

Derek Ham happily carries the Fallow taken by Jenifer Tule-Ham.

to get a closer look at a herd of tahr Heath spotted.

It was just the three of us on the helicopter: Heath, the pilot, and I. The helicopter was large enough and I thought my wife would be able to join us. But, because of the winds, amount of time it could take to hunt and the size of the helicopter, fuel could become an issue. That and, well, once we were in the mountains, the helicopter couldn’t land.

“Too steep for the heli to land on the mountains. We’ll just

jump on and jump off,” Heath yelled into his headset.

“What?” I said quietly.

“Ah, you’ll be fine mate. I’ve had people freeze up and won’t jump off or jump back on but I’m not worried about you.”

Heath wasn’t worried about me but I was worried about me— especially after the hunting plan was shared. The idea as explained to me was that we spot tahr, we jump off the hoovering helicopter onto a snow-covered mountain with not much of an idea how deep the snow was, we stalk the tahr without falling off the mountain, I shoot the tahr, and we retrieve it. If not for Heath’s confidence in me and casual demeanor, I’m not sure if I would have jumped the first, second, or third time…

Heath spotted a good herd, and we swung around to take a look. The tahr were running fast, but Heath was able to spot an excellent tahr in the herd. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter around to a point where the tahr couldn’t see us and Heath spotted a place that would be good to jump out and stalk.

Considering the high winds at that altitude, the pilot did incredibly well keeping the helicopter as steady as it was. Nonetheless, it was rocking a bit when Heath gestured for me to jump out.

“Into that snow?” I asked.

“Yep,” he said. “Then I throw you the gun and I jump out.”

Not knowing how deep the snow might be, I braced myself for a hard landing. Not this time. This time I jumped into snow to about my waist. Excellent. At least I wasn’t rolling down the mountain. Heath pitched me the rifle and then nimbly jumped off. The helicopter immediately flew off the opposite direction of the tahr. Then it hit me. The silence. The silence of being on top of a snow-covered mountain with no sound but the wind. The silence was quickly met with Heath telling me to keep up and not to fall. We were here to hunt after all. In all fairness, he did look me in the eye and ask if I was alright just after he landed on the snow next to me.

The first stalk was a bust. The tahr unpredictably ran off another direction and we couldn’t follow. Too dangerous. We radioed for the helicopter, and it popped up next to us a few minutes later. Now it was time to jump back on the helicopter. Somehow jumping back on seemed a bit more daunting to me. I really didn’t have to jump much but still managed to land with half my body in and my legs wrapped around the landing skid. I quickly recovered and turned to receive the rifle being thrown to me. Unloaded, of course. Heath calmly jumped in the helicopter and easily got back to his seat next to the pilot.

The next jump and stalk came up quick when the herd of tahr we spotted hadn’t spotted us. Or, at least, they didn’t run. After jumping out again without incident, we stalked over and around large rocks and snow for some time. Then Heath put his hand on my shoulder and a finger to his lips to not speak or move. He looked around a large rock, smiled and had me take a look. Probably only some 60 yards away with its body standing facing us was an

Above: Jenifer Tule-Ham and her Fallow Deer.

Below: Derek Ham and Jenifer Tule-Ham with Derek’s Tahr.

amazing tahr. It was almost motionless except for its head grazing on something on a rock side. Having shot Whitetail deer in a similar body position, I knew where I wanted to aim. Heath nodded his approval to shoot, I took my time, leaned against a rock for support and slowly squeezed the trigger. Expecting a fallen tahr, Heath gave me a congratulatory slap on the shoulder. Nope. What we both saw next was the tahr bounding up the mountain. He wasn’t even courteous enough to give us a look back. He was gone and I was left dumbfounded as to how I missed.

“Where did you shoot?” Heath asked.

“The chest,” I said.

“If he was leaning forward, you shot through his mane and under him. That mane is really thick mate.”

Obviously, I knew tahr had a thick mane around their necks but I thought for sure I compensated for that. I’ve taken much harder shots that were much further away. I was both confused and embarrassed, but Heath wasn’t the least affected and stayed positive.

“Look mate. You’re on a mountain jumping out of a helicopter and shooting at an animal you’ve never seen in the wild. We’ll find another. Don’t you worry.”

It took a minute to get over my failure but after a while, I told Heath, “It was too easy and I’m having too much fun. I pulled that shot on purpose.”

“Yeah, right,” Heath said, laughing.

We flew around the mountains searching for more herds quite a while after that last stalk. I began to worry I truly missed my opportunity. Heath and the pilot were doing their best to spot tahr who blended in these mountains so well. We spotted a few here and there, but then the pilot thought he saw a herd. Heath saw that one tahr specifically was out in front of the others.

“Oh, mate,” Heath said emphatically. “Here’s your tahr. He makes the others look small.”

I was ready to jump out of that helicopter right then.

“Hold on a sec,“ Heath said almost in a whisper. “He’s headed down! Not up or around. They never go down.”

We watched this tahr as he outran the other tahr who, at one point, went up while this tahr was still headed down the mountain at an amazing pace. Heath told the pilot to drop us near the river at the bottom on the other side of the mountain.

“He’s still going down. But if he’s coming all the way down, he’ll likely run the river. Or go back up,” Heath said. “It’s worth the chance to set down and see where he goes.”

Heath sounded excited which only got me amped up like I’ve never been. Suddenly, that missed shot was gone and I was hoping for another chance at another tahr. The pilot was flying with purpose now. Fast and around the side of the mountain we went. He may have said hold but I already was. Heath kept saying it was a great tahr and we had to try. I was game for anything. I had spent a good part of the day jumping on and off a moving helicopter at I don’t know many thousand feet and didn’t want this ride to end.

Once on ground, Heath and I knew what direction the tahr would be coming from—if he continued down the mountainand looked for a good place to set up. There was only one. A big

boulder in the middle of the shallow river. Where we set up, the tahr would run by us on one side or the other. 50/50. We were on a curved part of the river so if I guessed wrong it would be hard to get another shot. But then again I kept wondering if he would even come?

We stayed silent for what seemed like hours. Then I heard it. Heavy hoofs hitting the rock. But I was sure it was a herd of tahrs. The hoofs hitting the ground sounded heavy even so far away.

“It’s him. He’s coming,” Heath said, almost out of breath he was so excited.

I couldn’t speak. I was just listening. Then the hoofs were hitting stone and water. He was still a ways away but coming down the creek and fast. Almost decision time. Left or right? We were crouched down behind that rock and when the sound changed again, I knew he was coming around the corner. And still fast and hard. I couldn’t stand up too soon or he could change direction and I’d have no shot.

With a quick nod, Heath whispered, “Pick a side and put him down.”

I picked right and was right. This majestic tahr was running full gallop when our eyes met. The tahr couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Neither could I. No time to set up on my knee or brace myself. I had to take the shot. In his disbelief, the tahr had tried to slow down and regroup but he was still running. I took the shot. The tahr went down, and Heath jumped up.

“What a shot mate! We never shoot them down in the river! Never!”

So much for the hiking up the mountain. I’ll do more mountain hunts until I can’t do them anymore. But this helicopter hunt was just as Heath had said it would be and more. Most importantly, though, I have a great story of a great hunt and made a great friend in Heath Smith. Many thanks to both High Peak and Heath Smith.

New Zealand is open again. Do yourself and your family a favor and get there soon. I promise you won’t regret it. ★

Helicopter ready for its hunting flight.

A

Long-Awaited Safari

BY TIM HERALD

Thirty-five years ago, I honestly never thought it would be possible for me to hunt in Africa. But I scrimped and saved and made that happen on a short plains game hunt in South Africa.

As my life and career evolved, I have been incredibly fortunate to make my living in the outdoor industry for 20 years and have had some fantastic opportunities to hunt and fish all over the world. In those early years of reading Hemingway and Ruark, Kenya and Tanganyika seemed to be the hallowed grounds of safari.

Kenya closed hunting in the late 1970s, and Tanzania was always one of the most expensive safari destinations in Africa and was just totally out of reach to many like me. Fast forward to last year, and I was discussing buffalo hunt prices with one of Worldwide Trophy Adventures’ (WTA) Tanzania outfitters. He told me that fewer and fewer hunters were coming through his camps and wanted to know what we could do to increase those numbers. I told him it was simple, we needed to reduce his prices on buffalo hunts to be competitive with other destinations like Zimbabwe and Mozambique. There is

no doubt many government fees must be paid on a Tanzania hunt, but we were able to get the price down to a competitive number, and a few months later, I was on a plane headed to Dar es Salaam to meet six friends and then head into the famed Selous Game Reserve for a ten-day buffalo hunt. It was almost surreal to think I was finally going to get to hunt the Selous. It took me 34 safaris, but I was going to the hallowed ground I had dreamed about for decades.

PH Ryan Shallom and I had been trying to figure out a way to hunt together for years, and this trip saw that come together. Six of the seven of us were hunting 2x1, and my hunting partner was Casey Terry, so Ryan, Casey, and I were ready to roll.

On this hunt, each hunter could take two buffalo, a zebra, Niassa wildebeest, warthog, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. I planned to just hunt one buffalo with my double rifle (as I was saving for a leopard hunt the next year), do a bit of tiger fishing, and hunt along with my friends and experience the Selous with them.

On the third day, we spotted a lone old bull-headed up into some hills from the truck. We continued on for a few hundred yards, parked, and got out to stalk back. We found the old buffalo ambling along, and we were able to cut the distance pretty quickly. We were fifty yards away following him, but he never turned to give Casey a shot. We crept along behind him for a couple of hundred yards, and finally, he turned to feed, and Casey sent a .416 bullet into the boiler room. The bull ran about 75 yards and disappeared in a thick patch of brush, and as we approached, he stepped out to face us, and Casey knocked him down for good.

Above: The author’s bull taken with a Trijicon topped .470 double and CEB bullets.

Below: Casey Terry and PH Ryan Shallom with an ancient old dagga boy.

HOT WEATHER BUFFALO GEAR

I knew it would be hot in late October in Tanzania, and I dressed accordingly. I wore KUIU Tiburon shorts, and Peloton 118 Zip-T’s. Both are incredibly lightweight, breathable, and dry super fast. I am a serious sweater so, this is very important to me, and the Peloton 118 also provided UPF50 protection against the blazing African sun.

I used my Verney-Carron .470NE topped with the aforementioned Trijicon RMR2 reflex site. I absolutely would not have even considered that shot with open sights, and I felt it was quite an easy shot because of using that small durable sight. I use an RMR2 on my turkey shotgun as well and find it makes me much more accurate with double rifle and scattergun.

As always, I shot CEB Safari Raptor bullets through my .470NE. These devastating brass bullets penetrate a few inches and then 6 pedals sheer off in a star shape cutting as they go. The back of the bullet travels on like a jagged solid for maximum penetration. I pulled the 3 bullets out of this bull just under the skin on the offside. All the energy was transferred, but I got full penetration, along with massive trauma from the pedals. These are the ultimate buffalo bullets in my opinion.

He was a wonderful old dagga boy with smooth worn bosses and broomed tips. The three of us were very pleased that Casey was able to take such an aged bull, and it was a super way for us to break the ice.

We hunted in late October, and it was extremely hot during mid-day. The temperatures hit 105 degrees a couple of times, so around lunchtime each day, we would try to find a big tree or two for shade, eat lunch and have a siesta until the temps began to drop.

I was having a siesta after lunch one day and I heard a bunch of whispers but didn’t think much of it. A few minutes later an ant was crawling up my leg, and when I sat up to smack it, I realized everyone was gone. I stood up and looked around a bit, and finally saw Ryan and Casey putting a stalk on a lone Lichtenstein’s hartebeest bull.

I slipped up to a downed tree where I could watch the whole thing unfold, and within a few minutes, Casey had his bull with one well-placed shot.

There was an area where we had seen a couple of big buffalo herds on two occasions, and Ryan said there was a series of small water holes in the valley. He wanted to walk the game trails from water source to water source and see if we could pick up fresh dagga boy tracks or spot some actual buffalo.

There was a lot of sign around the first pan, but it was from a big herd, so we started a walk down into a shallow valley via a buff trail. We walked for a few miles without any action, and the temperature was on the rise. One of Ryan’s trackers picked up the fresh spoor of three bulls, so we followed their weaving trail for another hour.

Sweat was rolling, and mentally, I was thinking our efforts were in vain when suddenly the trackers stopped and pointed ahead. Binos came up, and we could see the bulls at about 200 yards through the miombo forest. We slowly crept closer, and there was a steady breeze in our faces. Two of the bulls were lying down and one was standing watch.

At 130 yards, Ryan said the standing bull was hardbossed, and we should go for him. He and I left the trackers behind and slowly moved from tree to tree when the standing bull was not looking our way. We got to 105 yards and were running out of cover. Ryan pointed out one large tree in front of us a few more yards ahead and told me to get low and try to sneak up to it and that would be as far as we could go.

I made it to the tree, peeked around, and ranged the bulls at exactly 90 yards. I was completely out of cover, and though I have shot plains game out past 150 yards with my .470, all the buffalo and elephants I have taken with it have been inside 45 yards. I was a bit worried about the distance, but when I raised the rifle and looked at the sight picture through my Trijicon RMR2 “red dot” optic, I knew that II could 100% make the shot.

I wiped the sweat out of my eyes and leaned on the tree to steady myself. The bull was almost broadside, slightly quartering away, so as my dot settled, I fired my right barrel and sent a 465-grain Cutting Edge Safari Raptor that hit him in the crease behind his shoulder. He lurched forward and took off through the Miombo. Ryan and I gave chase as I reloaded, and after about 100 yards,

the bull was standing with head held low, and I gave him both barrels dropping him there.

I looked at my GPS, and we had walked 5.8 miles since leaving the truck, and the temp was 104. We had earned this bull, and it was a wonderful experience putting in the steps in the hot sun and being able to finally track the bulls and get into double rifle range. My trip was a total success at that point.

Over the next five days, I hunted some more with Casey and also jumped on the other hunting vehicles to tag along with some of my other friends and their legendary PHs Luke Samaras and Gerard Miller.

Everyone else in camp took two buffalo, hartebeest, and wildebeest, with a couple of zebra and warthogs mixed in. We were able to fish a couple of times, and we saw a plethora of wildlife including lions, leopards, crocs, hippos, elands, sable, kudu, wild dogs, etc. There is a reason the Selous is a UNSECO World Heritage Site. It is a very special, wild place, and I feel most fortunate to have been able to hunt it with good friends and some of the best PH’s in Africa. ★

Above: Russell Marshall with a nice Niassa wildebeest Below: A pod of hippos in a hidden pool in the hills

EMBER

Staying Alive

A CRASH COURSE IN AVOIDING AMERICA’S WILDLIFE DANGERS

BY CHESTER MOORE, JR.

As the sun rose over the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, the silhouettes of bison dotted the horizon.

Truly wild bison are a rare commodity and seeing them in person is a powerful experience when considering their nearly extinct status 120 years ago. While slowly driving through this incredible setting, a couple of beautiful pronghorns caught my attention.

I pulled over to take some photos.

Another gentleman had just stopped to do the same and as we adjusted our lenses, his wife shouted from their truck. “Bison!”

Turning around, we found ourselves nearly eye to eye with a massive bull.

And he looked angry. Really angry.

The whites of his eyes showed as he grunted at the distance of about fifteen feet which means we were about half of a second away from 1,500 pounds of fury. We gently backed up and then a couple of other bison that just crossed the road caught his attention. He immediately ran out and slammed into one of them. The other, younger bull struck back but then ran off leaving the big bull on its own. He then proceeded to roll in the dirt, grunt and buck up and down like a bronco.

Yes, this was the same bison that walked right up to us a few seconds earlier.

Bison hurt more people in Yellowstone than any other animal and in fact, there have been a couple of attacks in the park since my visit in 2021.

I was aware of my surroundings, didn’t purposefully approach the bison, and in fact, didn’t see it until it was within a short charging distance. Sometimes danger finds you in the great outdoors and does so in very unexpected ways.

Over the years of traversing the wilds of the United States, I have had some very close encounters of the dangerous kind. Some of

them were the results of my mistakes while others were just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Join me as I look back at these misadventures and hopefully give you some pointers on what to look out for and what not to do in the great outdoors.

KiLLER BEES

While bowhunting for turkeys near Brackettville, TX, I heard what I thought was a low-flying plane in the distance.

All of a sudden, a shadow passed overhead, and I looked up to see a massive swarm of bees less than 30 feet above.

I was there filming an episode of legendary television host Keith Warren’s television program.

As the swarm moved away, I was shaking a little. This looked like something from a 1970s post- “Jaws” nature strikes back movie.

The cameraman wanted to record a reaction shot.

“They say bees can smell fear,” I said.

“I’ve just proven that untrue. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

After talking with ranch officials, I learned the more aggressive Africanized kind is present in the area and one of the ranch workers had an issue with them the previous year.

That wasn’t my only wild encounter with bees. Back in 1998, I guided my father on a hunt for red deer out in Kerr County. After bagging a big 8-pointer, we hoisted it into a strong oak and began to skin it. Suddenly, thousands of bees moved in, started buzzing all around us, and began to cover the animal. Dad backed his truck up under the deer, I cut the hoist down, and we moved more than a mile away.

Always approach blinds cautiously and examine them before the actual hunt and never under any circumstance approach a beehive. Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem, but sometimes they do attack.

THE SATAN HOG

Back in the mid-1990s, I hunted hogs with dogs at Clarkrange Hunting Lodge in Clarkrange, Tennessee.

The first morning of the hunt, we jumped up a nice, reddishcolored boar I bagged with my .54 caliber muzzleloader.

Above: Be careful when you take selfies in bison country. You might end up getting more than you bargained for.

Left: This big bull bison came shockingly close to the author before it struck another one and then rolled around in the dirt and bucked like a bronco as pictured here. Bison may seem passive but they can flip attack in a flash.

On the way back to the cabin, the dogs jumped up another hog.

“I think it’s the Satan hog,” said the guide.

Well, that got my attention.

“What is the Satan hog?” I asked.

“It’s this black boar that charges unprovoked and has killed several dogs. It almost got me once and we haven’t been able to kill it,” he said.

I for some reason thought it might be a good idea to go photograph this hog if the dogs had it bayed up.

Bad idea!

As soon as we arrived on the scene, this black hog, which was only around 150-pounds, ran straight at me, forcing me to seek refuge in a tree. I did notice it hooked as it ran by. As soon as the dogs got it again, I jumped back down and started shooting photos and got charged again.

Just as I started to think this was a really bad idea, the hog took off and the dogs behind it, but they soon returned. They simply could not hold the beast.

“Man, that Satan hog is something else,” I said.

“No, that wasn’t it. I’ve never seen that one before. The Satan hog is a whole lot meaner than that,” replied the guide.

Hogs are truly dangerous animals. I have found many hunters get too comfortable with them because most of the time they don’t charge. We should not forget that while most will run there are other Satan hogs out there.

And trust me, you don’t want to meet him.

COTTONMOUTH iN A KAYAK

“Hey Chester, I need your help. There’s a cottonmouth in my kayak. A big one!”

An acquaintance of mine who lives on a bayou a short distance from my house had put his kayak in the water. And just as he was about to crawl in for an evening of bass fishing, he looked down and saw fangs and a white mouth gaping.

And of course, he called me to help.

Five minutes later I arrived with my snake hook in tow, expecting to see that either the snake had crawled out of the kayak was full of holes from a barrage of gunfire.

This guy doesn’t like snakes, at all.

What I found was a very large cottonmouth that was still showing its white mouth and giving a very clear “Don’t tread on me!” message.

To say this snake was mad when I picked it up with the hook was an understatement. It hissed, struck, and practically caused the kayak owner to pass out in the process. I put the snake in a custom-made snake-catching bucket and took it with me to photograph at another location far away from people where it was eventually released.

Snakes are not out to get people but when we are in snake country, we need to be mindful of where we walk and sit. And also keep in mind, especially in the South, snakes don’t truly hibernate so they can be present even during winter.

You can easily sit against a little oak on a South Texas Sendero in December to rattle up a buck and find you’re next to a rattler.

GAR ATTACK (SORT OF)

Early in my wildlife journalism career, I set many trotlines for blue catfish in the Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana border.

One cold winter day I set out to check one of my lines and found that it was removed from its post along the bank. The line was floating in the frigid water.

Immediately, not-so-kind words flowed through my mouth

to whoever cut the line, but then as I started to pull it in something happened.

The line moved.

I pulled in a little more and felt a great weight at the end and soon realized I had a seven-foot-long alligator garfish on my line.

In the Moore family, gar trumps blue cats any day of the week so I was excited. Even more so when I saw the huge gar barely moving.

Gar will often drown on trotlines (seriously), and this one looked a little worse for the wear, so I thought it would be easy pickings.

I pulled the line up to the beast and hooked my gaff under the only soft spot on the fish, which is directly below the jaw. I jammed it in there to make sure it would hold and to see how lively the fish was.

It did not budge. The fish was alive but did not seem lively.

I then took a deep breath, mustered up all the strength I had since this was a 200-pound class fish, and heaved the gar into the boat. That’s when the big fish woke up.

It pulled back with full force, and all of a sudden, I found myself headed down into 30 feet of water with the gar. In an instant, I realized one of the other hooks on the trotline had caught in my shoe. I was now attached to 200 pounds of toothy fury.

I had just enough time to take a breath and went under. All I could focus on was getting back to the surface and toward the light.

I am not sure how deep I went, but according to my cousin who was just down the shore from me, I did not stay under very long. A 200-pound gar and a 200-pound young man snapped the lead on the line. However, the hook remained in my shoe as a reminder

The author removed this huge cottonmouth from inside a kayak. Always look before climbing in any boat stored by the water and be mindful of where you sit in the woods.

Above: The author's closest brush with death in the outdoors was being attached to a 200-pound alligator garfish on a trotline in deep water. Anglers should always be careful with large, hooked fish.

Right: Hunters should be mindful of snakes in fall and even in winter in the South and Southwest. They will prowl on warm days. And as you can see of this photo of the author’s snake boot and this copperhead, they can be difficult to spot.

I was very near death.

Make sure not to run trotlines alone. That was my first mistake. Also, be careful to run the line along the side of your boat and not allow the hooks to fall in the boat or they could hook you as they did me.

DEATH iN THE LONG GRASS?

It felt like paradise.

Rainbow trout were biting and hitting a dry fly fishing in the Cherry River fishing access area just outside of Bozeman, MT.

I had just caught a nice rainbow that jumped as if it were a sailfish when I heard grunting behind me. I was on the stream’s edge, down a rock embankment. The grass was tall leading to this spot and as I gently turned my head, I saw movement.

Whatever was in the grass grunting was black with grizzled gray mixed in.

Was it a bear? Perhaps even a grizzly?

This particular location was out of the range of common grizzly sightings, but it was still technically in their range and black bears were certainly in the area.

I decided not to do anything out of the ordinary and to keep casting.

I heard the grunt again, but this time a single grunt, muffled by increasing winds blowing from the mountains in front of me.

Suddenly I hear the lapping of water.

Almost afraid to look, I turned my head to the right and there stood a poodle. It was one of those big, standard poodles. This old poodle was black with grizzled gray and was grunting as it drank. It sounded as if it had a really bad cold.

I was never so relieved to see a poodle in my life.

I walked down and patted it on the head and at about that time, I heard someone hollering, “Suzie! Suzie! Come here!”

I walked up to the bank and saw a man with desperation in his eyes.

“Are you looking for a poodle?” I asked.

“Yes sir. She got away from me and I was concerned a bear or mountain lion might have gotten her.”

“No, she’s down at the stream drinking,” I replied.

Suzie saw her owner and ran to him, grunting all the way.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Here I was in the wild state of Montana and my first close encounter was with a poodle.

The next day, however, I had the bison encounter described at the beginning of this story, which reminded me to always be prepared in the wild.

You might have a close call with a grizzly, a rattlesnake, or even an old, coughing poodle.

Don’t laugh!

Suzie the poodle sounded pretty darn scary in the long grass. ★

Chester Moore is an award-winning wildlife journalist from Orange, Texas. He is the founder of the Higher Calling Wildlife youth-conservation outreach, blogs at highercalling.net, and hosts the Higher Calling Wildlife and Dark Outdoors podcasts. You can follow him on Instagram @thechestermoore.

Theodore Roosevelt

GUNWERKS MEDIA DAY

Introduction of the new NEXUS Rifle System

BY JOE BETAR, Executive Director, HSCF

MID-JUNE FOUND ME WINGING MY WAY TO CODY, Wyoming. At the invitation of Gunwerks founder and CEO, Aaron Davidson and Neal Emery, Director of Brand Experience, several of the top outdoor writers, firearms writers and organization representatives attended a media day centered around the introduction of their latest rifle. Attendees were provided a comprehensive overview of their company history, innovative product line, a tour of their manufacturing facility, and classroom instruction. The experience culminated in an afternoon of outdoor long-range shooting.

As I stepped off the plane, I new I was not in Texas any longer. The temperature was sixty degrees cooler and the winds gusted up to thirty miles per hour. Only an hour’s drive from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Cody is located on the Shoshone River in the Bighorn Basin. This basin is surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides: the Absarokas to the west; the Owl Creek Mountains to the south; and the Bighorn Mountains to the east.

When visiting Cody, you get the feeling you are stepping back into the old west. The people there have done an excellent job in

maintaining the buildings and relics of the Buffalo Bill Cody era, including the Irma Hotel and Restaurant. Bill oversaw its construction, paying $80,000 for the build out in 1902. Its namesake was Bill Cody’s youngest daughter, Irma. The restaurant’s cherrywood bar was a gift from Queen Victoria. We were told that Cody is also the final resting place of American frontiersman, fur trapper, trader, hunter, and explorer Hugh Glass. A depiction of Glass’s survival of a grizzly bear attack in 1822 was brought to life in the movie, “The Revenant”, released in 2015.

We came together as a group our first evening at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The complex accommodates five museums on Native American culture, cowboys and cowgirls, Western art, and firearms. We were provided a behind the scenes look at the Cody Firearms Museum which hosts over 7,000 firearms. Very few are allowed in the museum’s coveted vault, so we felt like royalty when the knowledgeable staff opened its doors to us for a behind the scenes tour. The rare collection is expansive and includes firearms formally owned by Teddy Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway and even

Shooting instruction at elevated positions.

a rare 12-inch Colt Paterson. Other rare firearms include Buffalo Bill’s Lucretia Borgia, 2nd Model Allin Springfield, Annie Oakley’s 1892 Winchester, Wild Bill Hickok’s 1851 Navy Colt, and Zane Grey’s 1895 Winchester. The collection also includes several thousand Winchester firearms and 30,000 original Winchester engineering drawings.

Our day with Gunwerks began at their new Cody offices and manufacturing facility. Aaron was kind enough to walk us through their history and product line, including their proprietary rifle systems and advanced optics line. This man has an unapologetic passion and vision when it comes to revolutionizing the future of long range shooting. This session was followed by an extensive tour of the development, testing and manufacturing facilities. The Gunwerks line includes more than just rifle systems. Suppressor systems, ammunition, stocks, rifle scopes, range finders, observation optics, and accessories are all created within the facility. The technology and the people behind each product were impressive to say the least. Davidson has sought out some of the brightest young engineering minds to push the limits on rifle design and manufacturing. The general feeling is that the question “what if we…” is asked multiple times, on a daily basis.

Late morning was spent in the classroom learning more about the product line and the introduction of Gunwerks’ newest creation— the Nexus Rifle System (more about that later). That afternoon, we ventured just outside of Cody for an afternoon of shooting and instruction by the company’s expert shooting school team. Picture this—winds at thirty miles per hour with intermittent periods of rain, snow and sleet. Your lying prone, shooting six hundred yards

Shooting from prone and seated positions at six hundred yards.

with about every Gunwerks rifle system they build, with the aid of their Revic BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder and Revic Acura Spotting Scope. Why do you need these optics aids? Because you are shooting in gusting winds, six hundred yards downrange. Not challenging enough for you? Well, the Gunwerks team takes you up in the mountains to shoot from elevated positions, down into a valley, thirteen hundred to fifteen hundred yards away. That is how we spent our incredible afternoon. I learned more about ballistic profiles, MOA, MIL, wind holds and shooting accuracy in two hours, shooting at long range, than in my entire life.

The main focus of our experience was the introduction of the new Gunwerks Nexus Rifle System. This rifle has been in development

The Nexus rifle system.

for over two years. We were provided the opportunity to collaborate directly with the engineers and staff to assemble one of these beauties and then evaluate them in the field.

Let us begin with the stock. Most people do not realize the critical importance of a well-designed, well-balanced stock. The Nexus stock features a built-in trigger guard and an improved thumb shelf, adjustable length trigger shoe, and improved vertical grip which helps position your hand for a smooth trigger break. The flush mounted, integrated picatinny and ARCA rail allows for simple bipod mounting and easier transition between shooting positions. The adjustable trigger shoe on the Trigger Tech trigger has a .5” total forward and rear adjustment. Flush QD sling mounts are also a welcome addition. The composite stock is also extremely attractive and rugged with its combination of straight carbon matte finish and leather paneling.

The Nexus is designed to accommodate interchangeable barrels, allowing for 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC capabilities, with more to come. This feature makes the rifle suitable for big game pursuit across multiple continents. The patent-pending design allows removal of the stock and barrel with only a T25 wrench. Barrels may be easily changed without any concerns for part fitment or headspace safety. The design allows for reassembly with a new barrel and allocation for a new cartridge in only a few minutes. The barrels are comprised of stainless steel, are carbon wrapped and feature a directional brake.

The Nexus also features the Gunwerks NXT action, machined from aircraft grade 7075 aluminum and finished with a type III hard anodizing for extreme conditions. The NXT also features a billet aluminum, 3-round double stack detachable magazine that fits flush in the bottom metal with zero rattle, The magazine may

be loaded from the top which helps to eliminate bullet tips from mashing due to recoil. There is also a three-position safety and the bolt can be easily broken down in the field to allow for easy cleaning and reassembly.

The barrel length is available in 20” or 24” and the system may be custom fit with a Leupold 5-25x56 RH1 MOA non-III or Kahles k525iMOAK + scope. The overall length of the rifle is 40 3/4” with a weight of only seven pounds, two ounces with the 20” barrel, and seven pounds, ten ounces with the 24” barrel, making it easy to carry in the field, and up the side of a mountain.

The Nexus rifle system is easy to carry, easy to use and easy to maintain in the field, under the harshest of conditions. The engineering design allows for minimum recoil and adjustments in the field. While the rifle is exceptionally durable, it looks pretty darn nice on the shelf as well.

Gunwerks also offers shooting instruction programs tailored to the skill level of any shooter. Training classes include long range ballistics, equipment readiness, marksmanship proficiency, and mountain shooting techniques. They also provide combined instruction and pronghorn hunting experiences at the Whittington Center in New Mexico and a traditional East Cape African safari.

Reflections on the past and the rugged west, in comparison to the advances in technology we witness today, occupy two completely opposite ends of the spectrum. Yet, they are intertwined at Gunwerks. Aaron Davidson and his team have adopted the hardscrabble work ethic of the early settlers and explorers of the west and combined it with the technology of today to changing the status quo of the rifle building industry. To learn more about the new Nexus Rifle System and the entire Gunwerks product line and longrange ballistics and shooting programs, visit Gunwerks.com. ★

Gunwerks founder and CEO, Aaron Davidson, walks the group through the product line.

Anniversary Party

Thank you to all those who attended, bought raffle tickets, and bid on items in the auction. You helped make this event a huge success. It was an amazing night of fun and fellowship. Thank you to our sponsors, Conroe Taxidermy, OX Ranch, and FORLOH. A special thank you to Conroe Taxidermy for hosting us at their amazing showroom.

1: Dian Cooper, Sherry Alston, Shannon Alston, David Sitton 2: Barret Simpson and Rudy Nix 3: Kashay Mendes, Steve Crawford, Wendy Barnhart-Lamplough, Pug Mostyn, Anna Morrison, Gisela Houseman

4: HSCF President Shaun Nelson, (The Kevins) Kevin Comiskey, Kevin Ormston 5: Brad Kaufman, Ricky Kay, Christen Haufman

6: HSCF Executive Director Joe Betar announces door prize winner, Mackinzie Van Voorhees

7: Larry Weishuhn, Mark Herfort

8: Mitzy McCorvey, Gerald Russell, Chrissie Jackson, Mary Ann Russell 9: Beverly Nichols and Barret Simpson from Conroe Taxidermy

10: Beth Hotze, Bruce Hotze Sr.

11: Conroe Taxidermy 12: Welcome to the 50th Anniversary Party! 13: Tommy Morrison, Wendy BarnhartLamplough, Ann Laird, Angie Nelson, Anna Morrison 14: Leah Symens and Tyler Symens

SPONSORS:

Stag & Dove Society Members with their HSCF Board liaison, Jeff Garrett (back left). From left to right-Front Row: Kyle Fritz, John Vaclavik, Cidney Cardenas, Mackinizie Van Voorhees, Brittany Clark. Back Row: Jeff Garrett, Chase Schaefer, Kyle Clark

Prentiss Burt and Helen Burt

HSCF President Shaun Nelson (Right) thanks our Past President Jeff Birmingham (Left) for a great year of dedicated service to HSCF.

Ricky Kay from Ox Ranch, Michael Forsythe, Robert Murphy

Promoting Texas’ Hunting Heritage Report for Houston Safari Club Foundation

BY TPWF STAFF

Mentee Ashley Taylor and her mentor search for quail in West Texas.

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

(TPWF) is pleased to share the following report for Houston Safari Club Foundation’s generous support of mentored hunting through the TPWF young professionals’ program, Stewards of the Wild. Funding from Houston Safari Club Foundation supported a mentored hunting opportunity for seven novice female hunters through Stewards of the Wild. As TPWF’s young professionals’ group, Stewards of the Wild’s mission is to advance Texas’ proud outdoor traditions and conserve our state’s wildlife, habitat, and natural resources by providing education, networking, and outdoor opportunities for individuals ages 21-45.

Through the mentored hunting initiative, Stewards of the Wild provides a high-touch, low-cost experience that both inspires and provides participants the tools necessary to engage in hunting for sport on a long-term basis. By improving their knowledge about hunting and shooting sports in a comfortable yet highly professional environment, mentees will feel empowered to continue participating in the sport into the future. In the 2021-22 hunting season, Stewards of the Wild hosted eight mentored hunts for 100 total participants (including mentors and volunteers), with targets including quail, hogs, white-tailed deer, and turkeys.

Stewards of the Wild conducted a mentored hunt at King Ranch Norias Division in Kingsville, Texas, November 29-December 1, 2021, for white-tailed deer. The six female mentees all had little to no hunting experience. The hunt took place over three days, beginning Monday afternoon with target practice and gun safety and training, followed by mentored hunting with expert guides. That evening, the guest speaker was Jess Pryles, an Australian chef, meat expert, and live fire cook, who served as a mentor for the trip. Participants also heard from David Hewitt, Executive Director of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. On Tuesday, hunters went back into the field for additional hunting with expert guides; upon returning to camp, mentees received instruction on how to break down the animals, as well as return to the field for spot-and-stalking opportunities. Finally, on Tuesday evening, mentees were given time to cook wild game and ask the experts

additional questions on how they can further pursue hunting opportunities in Texas.

Ms. Pryles shared the following about her experience: “I had the most incredible opportunity this week to participate in a white-tailed doe harvest for wildlife management at the legendary King Ranch in Texas. Personally, it’s been a super cool journey from not having hunted at all when I moved to Texas six years ago, to now being able to mentor others. Hunting goes hand in hand with conservation, which is an effort to preserve the land, flora and fauna for future generations to be able to use and enjoy it just like we do.”

The mentored hunts are hugely impactful for first-time hunters. One of the mentees, Julie Shaddox, who is also a TPWF staff member, shared the following about her experience: “I am a native Texan and grew up in a family where most of the men hunted, but since I didn’t see any women going hunting, it didn’t occur to me to ask to participate, although I was always curious about it. When I joined the staff of TPWF, I had the opportunity to learn more about hunting and ask hunters about their experiences, and I knew it was something I wanted to experience firsthand. I’ll never forget the experience of locking eyes with a deer in my scope and just waiting for what seemed like an eternity for it to turn broadside so I could take a shot I was confident about. Months later, my family is still enjoying the meat I harvested—my two-year-old son can’t get enough of it, so now I know I have to continue hunting!”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is grateful for the support of Houston Safari Club Foundation in this impactful program that promotes education and conservation while advancing Texas’ proud outdoor traditions. Thank you for your dedication to conserving our state’s wildlife, habitat, and natural resources. ★

Founded in 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s mission is to support Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure that all Texans, today and in the future, can enjoy the wild things and wild places of Texas.

Mentee Eric Pocs takes aim at a white tail deer with the help of her mentor at the King Ranch.

GIFT IDEAS for 2022

1. BOYDS AGILITY PERFORMANCE GUNSTOCK

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Boyds Agility Key Features:

•Bring It Adjustable Length of Pull-Proper fit at the push of a button

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• Semi Beavertail forend- enhances stability when shooting from a rest without sacrificing offhand utility.

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2. BOYDS AT-ONE™ ADJUSTABLE GUNSTOCK

Boyds revolutionary At-One™ Adjustable Gunstock lets you precisely adjust your gun. The At-One leverages a wide range of push button adjustability and combines it with a variety of modular accessories. This allows one gun to fit you and other users. The At-One increases the utility of any firearm by giving the shooter options to tailor the grip profile, forearm configuration, accessory attachment, length of pull and comb height for their personal preference. Single point sling mount and traditional sling swivel studs are standard. Furthermore, strategically placed reinforcing screws increase strength and material removal in the forearm reduces weight and increases balance. This allows the firearm to be optimized for the target

range or in the field with the push of a button or by using simple hand tools. The At-One is a one-of-a-kind stock design that allows for unmatched versatility for your firearm.

At-One Features:

• Bring-It push button comb adjustments (9/16” range of adjustment)

• Bring-It push button butt pad adjustments (1.5” range of adjustment)

• Interchangeable grip, comb, and forearm available as accessories. *

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*At-One Traditional open pistol grip is standard. Vertical Target grip is optional

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3.

BOYDS SPIKE CAMP

Spike Camp hunting uses the strategy of bringing only the tools that are critical to success. The Boy Spike Camp delivers the same great fit, function, and style that you expect, in a light weight, minimalist design that doesn’t require any compromise. Put simply, it is the choice to make when you want to accomplish more, with less.

• Monte Carlo Comb- The integrated raised comb allows for better eye to optic alignment

• Free Floated Barrel- Increases accuracy by eliminating barr contact with the stock and aids cooling when shooting mul tiple shots.

• Light Weight- Stock material is strategically removed to reduce weight without reducing strength or rigidity.

• Ambidextrous Thumbhole design- Incorporates the inherent strength, handling qualities, and recoil reducing proper a thumbhole stock with a grip that can be fired with equal ef fectiveness from any field position.

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4.

FORLOH DEEP SPACE BASELAYER

The do-it-all-pant, any weather, any terrain, anytime. Part of FORLOH’s multi-award winning AllClima™ range, this mid-weight, 4-way stretch, water-resistant with integrated knee pad is FORLOH’s best-selling pant. Our DWR Treated water-resistant, Abrasynthetic suede bonded foam knee pads have been abrasion tested at over 150,000 cycles, keeping your knees protected. Printed to match the camo or solid color of the pants you choose, helps to further conceal them from view.

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5.

FORLOH THERMONEUTRAL DOWN VEST

The ThermoNeutral™ Collection vest keeps your core warm when you need it, dry from water on the outside and dry from sweat on the inside. The most unique benefit is its breathability when your heart rate increases and your body starts to sweat, it keeps you dry. Our team love these vests because you never need to take them off, indoor or outdoor, from cold mornings to the midday sun and back to cool evenings, these vests regulate your core body temperature without the additional

Spike Camp

warmth and coverage on your arms provided by the jackets. Find out more: www.forloh.com

6.

FORLOH ALLCLIMA STRETCH WOVEN PANT

FORLOH’s award winning baselayer top. Voted ‘Best in Hunting kit” by Outside Winter Buyer’s Guide for 2022. This 4-way stretch crew neck style base layer is the first way to improve performance during a hunt, thanks to worldclass comfort and scent detection technologies with proven results for hunters. Featuring FORLOH’s flagship warming technology Trizar™, a NASA Certified Space Technology woven in every fiber of this shirt. Trizar™ technology is optimized to capture and re-radiate your body heat, keeping your core body temperature 2.0F warmer. It diffuses moisture caused by sweat to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. Find out more: www.forloh.com

7.

 Heather’s Choice GrassFed Beef Shepherd’s Pie, Morning Glory Oatmeal, Black Espresso Packaroons

GUN & TROPHY INSURANCE

Gun & Trophy is your go-to gift this holiday season for the shooting enthusiast in your life. O ur family-owned, American company exists to protect your investment in firearms and hunting trophies. Starting at just $130 a year for blanket policies. Need a customized policy? Find out more: www.gunandtrophy.com

8.

HEATHER’S CHOICE GRASS-FED BEEF SHEPHERD’S PIE

So you’re the meat and potatoes type, huh? Well, lucky you! This recipe was developed for the person who wants creamy mashed potatoes, high-quality grass-fed beef, and a hefty dose of vegetables to boot. When you open the bag, you’ll be greeted by the vibrant colors of dried green beans, corn, and carrots. We also added dried mushrooms because, well, we’re fancy like that. Get your meat and veggies in every bite, then get back out there. No artificial flavors, MSG, fillers, or preservatives, and rich in healthy fat for long-lasting energy.

9.

HEATHER’S CHOICE MORNING GLORY OATMEAL

What’s better than a morning glory muffin and a piping hot cup of coffee on a Sunday morning? Absolutely nothing! This gluten-free oatmeal recipe was inspired by our favorite baked goods, and features nutritious ingredients such as dried carrots, raisins, and pineapple. It’s wholesome, it’s hearty, and you’ll find yourself reaching for this one out of your gear bin to enjoy any day of the week. No artificial flavors, MSG, fillers, or preservatives, and rich in healthy fat for long-lasting energy.

10.

HEATHER’S CHOICE

BLACK ESPRESSO PACKAROONS

Our Black Espresso Packaroon is loaded with chocolatey goodness, with a hint of espresso for the coffee lovers like us. It’s been a long time customer favorite, and we’re confident you’ll be squirreling these away in your pack for any time of day. No artificial flavors, MSG, fillers, or preservatives and rich in healthy fat for long-lasting energy.

11.

SAUVIGNON JOHN CUSTOM ENGRAVED BOTTLES

Our engraved bottles make the perfect gif t for any special occasion. We can engrave your bottle with any message or logo you would like. Find out more: www.sauvignonjohn.com

12.

SAUVIGNON JOHN CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Tasting Notes: Aromas of black raspberry crumble and cocoa dust lead to flavors of black cherries and sugar plums with a hint of vanilla. Food Pairing: Enjoy with red meats, roast poultry and sautéed vegetables. Find out more: www.sauvignonjohn.com

13.

OUTDOOR EDGE RAZORGUIDE PAK

The RazorGuide Pak™ combines the necessary tools for hunters in a compact waxed canvas roll pack. Featuring two RazorSafe™ replaceable blade knives and a saw, the RazorGuide Pak™ is ready to meet the demands of even the most experienced guides.

Find out more: www.outdooredge.com

14.

OUTDOOR EDGE RAZORCAPE

Built on the trusted RazorSafe™ platform, the RazorCape™ combines three interchangeable blade profiles in a lightweight hunting system. The caping blade performs intricate cuts with surgical precision while the drop-point and gutting blades effortlessly breeze through the heavy lifting of field dressing and quartering. Find out more: www.outdooredge.com

15.

 RazorGuide

Pak, RazorCape, GamePro

OUTDOOR EDGE GAMEPRO

This complete game processing kits includes all the tools you need to process like a pro. The GamePro™ comes complete with a caping knife, guthook skinning knife, boning/fillet knife, butcher knife, game shears, wood/bone saw, ribcage spreader, two stage sharpener, game cleaning gloves and a cutting mat, all of which store safely in a hard sided carrying case.

Find out more: www.outdooredge.com

16.

PATRIOT COOLERS

The Patriot Coolers 50 quart rotomolded cooler is designed to hold ice for up to 10 days, and comes loaded with features that make it built for the battlefield of life. Plus, with every purchase, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Homes for our Troops, a non-profit that builds and donates accessible housing to severely injured Veterans.

The Patriot Coolers 34 can softpack cooler is ready for every adventure. The thick closed cell insulation paired with a waterproof nylon and zipper make for a unique combination of portable and functional. Plus, with every purchase, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Homes for our Troops, a nonprofit that builds and donates accessible housing to severely injured Veterans.

The Patriot Coolers 30 ounce stainless steel tumbler is designed to be your new everyday carry. With a cup holder friendly design, spill proof lid, and 24 hour ice retention, this will be your new go everywhere, do anything tumbler. Plus, with every purchase, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Homes for our Troops, a non-profit that builds and donates accessible housing to severely injured Veterans.

Find out more: www.patriotcoolers.com

Patriot Coolers