ONE TENT, ONE RIPPIN’ BIG CAMPFIRE!

By the time this edition of Wild Sheep® arrives in your mailbox, about all of the state and provincial special hunt application processes will be behind us. So far, no luck for me in any of the western states where I apply. With the disappointment of each “Not Successful” that is received it serves as a reminder exactly how precious and coveted wild sheep hunting permits are everywhere. I speak on behalf of all of your board of directors and our staff that we are 100% committed to doing whatever it takes to “grow the pie” so we simply have more permits to be drawn. The cooperative relationship between WSF and the chapters and affiliates has always been an important one; but it became more intentional fifteen years ago at our first Chapter & Affiliate Summit which was held in Cody, WY. Our CEO/President Gray Thornton coined the phrase, “One Tent, One Campfire” and what has followed has truly helped wild sheep everywhere.

Obviously, increasing the number of permits is easier said than done. We had remarkable response to our changes in Grant-In-Aid last year and we look forward to updates from those respective agencies so we can share the outcomes of the projects. With another record-breaking convention, we hope to receive even more requests so we can once again increase our mission funding. Thank you to everyone that attended Sheep Week®, bought raffle tickets, exhibited, donated, or purchased items through our silent and live auctions. We are putting your money to work now!

We held our spring transition meeting in Boise, Idaho immediately preceding the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation Banquet on April 1. First, thank you to the Idaho WSF chapter and their leadership team for hosting us. I’ve been attending the Idaho

Teamwork

Idaho is but one of many of our chapters and affiliates that are upping their fundraising and conservation game. I made the trek across the Bitterroot Mountains in February to attend the record-breaking Montana WSF banquet in February and I had the privilege to attend my first Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society banquet in March. Once again, both events were outstanding in terms of net gain for wild sheep conservation funding and as a service to their valued membership. Well done Montana and Arizona and thank you for all you do for wild sheep.

—Henry Ford

banquet off and on for well over 20 years beginning when it was held in Nampa. The growth the Idaho WSF chapter has experienced in membership, banquet attendance and income, as well as what they are doing on the ground is astounding. Well done, Idaho! We look forward to many more cooperative projects in the future!

In closing, at our spring meeting in Boise, your board of directors held the annual election of officers to represent the board and our membership for the upcoming year. I am humbled and honored to serve as the chair of the board once again for the upcoming year. I am committed to serving you the membership of WSF and the amazing wild sheep that depend on us. Let’s make it One Tent, One Rippin’ Big Campfire! WS

Yours in Conservation,

Glen A. Landrus