
4 minute read
Ensuring the Future
by Paige Culver
WSF Development Manager RENO, HERE WE COME!
To everything there is a season as they say, and my friends… it’s SHEEP SHOW® SEASON! Wild Sheep Foundation staff and volunteers are getting organized. We expect to have another incredible show with record turnout. The registration numbers are up, the exhibitors are mapping out their booth spaces, and the multiple auction and raffle opportunities being assembled will not disappoint! Before we know it, we will be in Reno putting the final touches on what is sure to be a heck of a good time. I mean, we are “sheep people”… how can it not be fun?
As we have done for several years we will have a dedicated space for all Chadwick Ram, Marco Polo, and Legacy Society members. The Ensuring the Future Lounge, in Hall Three of the Reno Sparks Convention Center will be open during regular expo hours and will offer a hosted bar, some snacks, and respite from the show floor for existing members and for those who want to learn more about how they can support our purpose of Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain® with varying pledge options beyond a regular membership or a life membership. I thoroughly enjoy seeing our existing society members from year to year and look forward to seeing our impact on wild sheep conservation grow with each new member. Thank you to Snowy Mountain Rifle for again sponsoring the Ensuring the Future Lounge.
Thursday, January 12th, we will be recognizing new Legacy Society members during a special Ensuring the Future cocktail reception in The Edge nightclub from 4:30 p.m. – 6p.m. prior to the Thursday evening banquet. This reception is open to all Chadwick Ram, Marco Polo and Legacy Society members. It’s a great way to kick off the evening and we look forward to seeing you all there!
We have several new society members who have joined this year, including the five new Marco Polo Society (MPS) members who will hopefully join us to celebrate! Having just welcomed Marco Polo Society member 80, our campaign to “Race to the Summit” is off to a great start. The “Race to the Summit” is a push to complete the goals set forth in 2008 to reach 100 Marco Polo Society members. With only 20 spots left to fill as of press time, we are quickly climbing and expect to meet that 100-member goal very soon. If you have been on the fence about joining this premier giving society…now just might be the time. We look forward to recognizing all new Marco Polo members at a special reception on Saturday, January 14th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Capri Ballroom of the Peppermill Hotel and Casino prior to the Saturday evening banquet. Members will enjoy a hosted wine tasting thanks to our friends at Cervantes Family Vineyards. They will bring a selection of their estate grown wines for all to enjoy. Additionally, Wyoming-based custom rifle manufacturer, Best of the West, has generously sponsored this special reception and will be giving away a custom rifle to one lucky MPS member whose name will be drawn at the reception. Must be present to win!
Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to seeing all of you in the New Year! WS
(must be present to win)

Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 14th from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
(Additional details and personal invitations to follow)
This year’s Marco Polo Society reception is proudly being sponsored by our friends at Cervantes Family Vineyards and Best of the West. We hope you will join us for this special gathering of friends and conservationists for a fabulous winetasting event, plus someone is going to walk away with a custom Best of the West rifle package.

The Conklin Foundation board is pleased to announce the 2023 winner of the Conklin Award. Bradford T. Black, MD is the 21st winner of the “Tough Man” award, named after the late Dr. James Conklin, a Weatherby Award winner, who liked to pursue diffi cult animals throughout the world.
Brad began his big game hunting in 1997 at the age of 40. Since then, he has hunted 43 countries taking over 527 animals. 191 of these are Conklin animals, including over 70 sheep and goats.
Brad has practiced urology for over 33 years and is part of the Glickman Urology Department at the Cleveland Clinic. He lives in North Canton, Ohio with his wife of 40 years, Sharon, and has fi ve children, Danielle, Marissa, Alexandra, Bradford, and Victoria.
Brad was a fi nalist for the last three years. He persevered over the other challenging fi nalists: Jan Dams, Jeff Demaske, Mark Hampton, Wayne Farnsworth and Barbara Sackman.
The Conklin Foundation would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous donations. The support of donors makes it possible for the Conklin Foundation to continue its efforts to educate youth about hunting.

Barranoff Jewelers Beauchamp Knives Fernando Saiz-Spain Giuseppe Carizosa Spain Go With Bo Booking & Guide Service Hunt Conexion Mexico Indus Safaris Pakistan Tony Hernandez Jewelers Laser Shot Legelada Safaris Link’s Wild Safaris M.J. Mitler & Company Safari Outfi tters S.M.C. Spain Hunting Ibex Vidale Safaris

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