WSF Ambassadors - Part II

AMBASSADORS PART II

The term “firing on all cylinders” means an engine is running at peak performance. In other words, all the pistons are contributing toward a common goal.

WSF is blessed to have just completed another record-breaking Sheep Week® . We were firing on all cylinders. Our staff, volunteers, contractors, and vendors all did their part. Our exhibitors, sponsors, donors, and buyers all contributed at a high level, as did our members, Chapters and Affiliates, and other partners. They are all recognized, as they should be, in some way across the pages of this post-convention issue. Another group that contributed significantly to our success is what we call our ambassadors.

These are individuals that are respected communicators and advocates within the Wild Sheep Family and broader hunterconservationist community that helped us spread the good word on WSF and Sheep Week® to all those that look to them for insights and credible and inspiring information. The “buzz” leading up to, during, and after the convention was largely their doing.

Please join us in thanking them for their efforts and loyalty when you get the chance and watch future issues of Wild Sheep® for features on WSF Ambassadors Rachel Ahtila, Craig Boddington, Amanda Caldwell, Adam Janke, Jason Matzinger, J. Alain Smith, Jana Waller, Remi Warren and new 2022 additions to the WSF Team! WS

Award-winning international big-game hunter, businessman, musician and writer, J. Alain Smith, has traveled the world seeking out the most elusive and thrilling adventures across the globe. In 2014 he created the number one hunting series which is now available on YouTube, Rugged Expeditions! As an avid outdoorsman and sustainable use conservationist, J. Alain is dedicated to giving back to the sport of hunting and is proud to volunteer his time and financial support of The Wild Sheep Foundation and encourages all hunters to be proactive in promoting hunting whenever they can.

J. ALAIN SMITH

RACHEL AHTILA

Rachel Ahtila is a born-and-raised British Columbian whose love for horses and mountain hunting started at a very young age. She’s cut her teeth as a guide in western Canada’s most prestigious mountains, and is usually found with a string of horses in tow. Conservationist, author, and mountain junkie, WSF’s Sheep Week® has a been an integral proving ground for building forever friendships, starting up conservation collaborations, and mountain pursuits over the years.

ADAM JANKE

Adam Janke is the founder of the Journal of Mountain Hunting and Beyond the Kill podcast as well as a Life Member and Chadwick Ram Society member of WSF. He is a lifelong hunter, outdoorsman and mountain sport enthusiast and takes full advantage of living in British Columbia, where he spends as much time as he can outside with his wife, two young boys, and their ageing GSP Toby.

AMANDA CALDWELL

Growing up on a ranch in the heart of beautiful Montana, I have an immense reverence for the outdoors and nature. I feel fortunate to say I was born to a long lineage of hunters. The lessons I gleaned throughout my youth have enabled me to continually harvest mature big game animals on public ground. As a fifth generation Montanan, my father was adamant that I understood the importance of being a steward of the land and to always give more than you take. I am devoted to supporting conservation organizations that give back to the wildlife and incredible places that I am so passionate about. Additionally, I am a huge advocate for females in the hunting community and the Wild Sheep Foundation has gone above and beyond in developing an entire program, known as Women HuntTM , dedicated to helping women cross barriers on their journey into the mountains. I am proud to stand behind the Wild Sheep Foundation and respect their efforts to protect the future of hunting.

CRAIG BODDINGTON

Craig Boddington was born and raised in Kansas, where his early big-game experience, in the mid-1960’s, included pronghorn and mule deer in Wyoming, whitetail and mule deer in Kansas, and mule deer in Colorado. When not involved with hunting and shooting, much of his early years were spent in Boy Scout activities. At 14 he became an Eagle Scout, at 16 received a Silver Palm on his Eagle, and at 17 was the youngest person to become Activities Director at his regional Boy Scout camp. A member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, he attended the University of Kansas on an NROTC scholarship, graduating with an English degree and a regular commission in the United States Marine Corps. His outdoor writing career began in college and continued while on active duty. In 1979 he joined Petersen Publishing Company, where he served as Associate Editor, GUNS & AMMO magazine; Editor, GUNS & AMMO Specialty Publications; Executive Editor, Petersen’s HUNTING magazine; and from 1983 to 1994 Editor of Petersen’s HUNTING magazine. He was the longest-running Editor in Petersen’s HUNTING’s history. His current position with Outdoor Sportsman Group (formerly Petersen’s, Primedia, and Intermedia) is Executive Field Editor of GUNS & AMMO, Petersen’s HUNTING, and RIFLESHOOTER; and co-host of Guns & Ammo TV and Petersen’s Hunting Adventures TV. Craig and his wife, Donna, divide their time between the California Central Coast and a small farm in Kansas.

REMI WARREN

Remi Warren is a well known hunter, writer, outdoor TV personality, and guide. Working as a field editor for Western Hunter Magazine, host of the popular Live Wild Podcast, and selffilming his DIY hunts around the world on Solo Hunter. Aside from media, Remi works as a western big game hunting guide and outfitter. With his extensive hunting experience, Remi has become a leader in sharing his knowledge and information on hunting public lands across the west..

JANA WALLER

Jana Waller is the Host and Executive Producer of Skull Bound Chronicles, a hunting and conservation series, currently in its fourth season on CarbonTV. Previously she produced and hosted Skull Bound TV for nine years on The Sportsman Channel. She’s been a lifelong hunter and ardent conservationist belonging to numerous conservation organizations for which she’s raised over $82,000 with her skull artwork. Jana was awarded the Communicator Of The Year Award in 2015 by the National Wild Turkey Federation as well as received an Alumni Award in 2016 from her alma mater, the University Of Wisconsin~Whitewater, for “promoting women in the outdoors” with the use of her public relations degree. She was also awarded the Carbon TV Fan Favorite Award for Best Host in 2019 and in 2020. Jana lives in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana where she was recently appointed as a Montana Wildlife Commissioner by Governor Greg Gianforte in the fall of 2021.