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T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F H O U S T O N S A FA R I C L U B • FA L L 2 0 1 2
T h e o f f i c i a l P u b l i c at i o n o f H o u s t o n S a fa r i C l u b • c o n v e n t i o n 2 0 1 4
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Hunter’s Horn • convention 2014
Table of
Contents
c on v en tio n 2014
Cover Photo:
Theodore Roosevelt in Search of Elk, oil on panel, 12 x16 inche,s by John Seerey-Lester
pg 19
pg 33
4
pg 27
Hunter’s Horn • Convention 2014
pg 78
Upcoming
Events
pg 39
• January 17 – 19, 2014
Capture, The 2014 Houston Safari
Club Annual Worldwide Hunting
Expo & Convention at The
Woodlands Waterway Marriott
Hotel and Convention Center in The
Woodlands, Texas.
pg 58
• February 12, 2014 Monthly Meeting at the Houston
Racquet Club
Special guests: Tony Makris, host of the
hit TV show, “Under Wild Skies”
and Johan Calitz, professional hunter
and outfitter.
5
• March 28 – 30, 2014
Y.O. Ranch Weekend
pg 93
pg 96
19 “Magic" Cole's story by Wyatt McBride
27 Hunting in Tajikistan by Mike Simpson
33 Pakistan...Success snatched from the jaws of defeat
by Deb Cunningham
39 Long Range Shooting – Should You Do It? by Kerry O’Day
44 Mongolia – The Gobi to the Altai by Melanie Pepper
54 One Million and Counting… by Deb Cunningham and Gary Rose
58 dan L. Duncan scholarship awards recipients
71 Capture 2014 exhibitors
78 HSC Artist of the Year – John Seerey-Lester by john houseman
86 What’s in a pin? By J. Earle Freeman
93 President’s Rifle by Ivan Carter
96 YWCE by Susan Kalich
100 Capture 2014 live auction preview
is
wildlife
Conservation.
Sport Hunting
6
2013-14 Houston Safari Club Officers
Melanie Pepper, President
Kevin Comiskey, President Elect
Gene Human, Immediate Past President
J.D. Burrows, Vice President
Mark King, Vice President
Julianne King, Treasurer
Jerry M. Henderson, Secretary
Houston Safari Club Directors
2012 – 2014
Cope Bailey
Steve Crawford
Deb Cunningham
Ted Trout
2013 – 2015
Harold Inman
Shaun Nelson
Kevin Ormston
Matt Pyle
Scott Scheinin
Headquarters Staff
Scarlett Darby, Director of Publications and Marketing
Carol Mueller, Accounts Manager
Jessica Welch, Office Manager
Hunter’s Horn Production Staff
Scarlett Darby, Executive Editor
Jessica Welch, Associate Editor
2013/2014 Editorial Board
Julianne King
Deb Cunningham
T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F H O U S T O N S A FA R I C L U B
•
FA L L 2 0 1 2
C2-Studios Inc., Consulting & Design
Alliance Printing and Graphics
Hunter’s Horn is published quarterly by
Houston Safari Club
4615 S.W. Freeway Suite 805
Houston, Texas 77027
713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f)
[email protected]
www.houstonsafariclub.org
Hunter’s Horn welcomes contributing articles, stories, photos and research that would be of benefit
and interest to members of Houston Safari Club. Contributed materials will be published at the
discretion of Houston Safari Club Editorial Board. Houston Safari Club reserves the right to edit
contributed materials for content and/or length. Please submit material with a self-addressed
stamped envelope if you wish for your materials to be returned.
The views expressed in Hunter’s Horn are expressly those of the author and do not automatically
represent those of Houston Safari Club, its members, employees, or partners.
president's
Message
Hunting Season! For Houston Safari Club
members, it means just one thing – now is
the best time of the year! Hunting season
is in full swing, the holidays are quickly
approaching and our annual Worldwide
Hunting Expo & Convention – Capture
the Experience – is just around the corner.
The hard work of Kevin Comiskey and his
Convention committee is paying off with
a sold-out exhibit hall, a superb lineup of
auction items and special events that you
won’t want to miss, including popular
entertainer Bill Engvall’s much anticipated
return for the Saturday Night Gala. Several
of us saw Bill move mountains and multiple
obstacles in order to juggle his schedule to
be with us this year. HSC is indeed fortunate
to have Bill as a friend. The Friday Night
Banquet will include outstanding silent and
live auctions and truly special trophies for
this year’s Hunting Award recipients. Mitzy
McCorvey and Anna Morrison have planned
another fun-filled Gazelles Luncheon that
will feature a special surprise, so definitely
plan to be there to share the fun.
I’m especially pleased to announce that
the first HSC Youth Wildlife Conservation
Experience (YWCE) will be held during
the 2014 Convention. On Friday, January
17, 2014, high school students will arrive for
a morning of classes, exhibitions and handson workshops involving firearm safety
and gunsmithing, wildlife conservation,
hunting, volunteerism and law enforcement
taught by our very own HSC members and
exhibitors. Lunch will be provided and the
YWCE will end with each student having
the opportunity to tour the Convention
exhibit hall. This program is a big step
forward for HSC’s Youth Program and
further solidifies HSC’s dedication to youth
hunting and conservation.
This huge step in the HSC youth program
is thanks, in large part, to the sponsorship
of Brenda and Larry
Potterfield, founders
of Midway USA. This generous sponsorship
is truly making the HSC YWCE possible.
The Potterfields underwrote our first-ever
youth endowment of $210,000.00! A very
special thanks from HSC and Houston’s
youth for their generosity! Also Susan and
David Kalich are to be congratulated on
taking on this first YWCE event with their
expertise, dedication to youth hunting,
energy and sincere enthusiasm.
Your Club hasn’t only been working to
make Capture the Experience a very special
event. Our highly successful monthly
meetings have also been very special. In
August, longtime HSC member and alwayspopular Irvin Barnhart gave an entertaining
and informative presentation on his hunting
trip in the Sudan. Tim Fallon and Doug
Prichard of SAAM/FTW followed up in
September with an informative discussion
on the ethics and principles of long-range
shooting.This is a topic every HSC member,
and indeed any hunter, should understand
and endorse. If you haven’t taken a long
distance shooting course to make your
mountain hunting trips a success, believe
me, FTW is the place to go.
In October, Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice
President of the National Rifle Association,
addressed a fully-packed Houston Racquet
Club on the many issues currently facing
American gun owners. Wayne is a tireless
advocate for our Second Amendment
rights and HSC is fortunate that Wayne
and his senior management team took the
time from their busy schedules to address
our Club. I presented Wayne a check from
HSC for $15,000 for NRA’s Institute for
Legislative Action, and I was excited and
proud to learn that HSC members raised an
additional $27,000 that evening to further
support the NRA and its very important
mission. HSC members are the BEST; we
all make a difference together. A special
thank you also goes to Texas Wildlife
Association and SCI-Houston for joining
us for the event. Of course I cannot leave
out a very big thank you to HSC Past
President and Program Chairman Gene
Human for all that he does to make these
meetings so efficient and dynamic. Thanks
Gene for taking time away again from your
law practice for HSC.
HSC’s
great
monthly
meeting
schedule continued in November with
internationally acclaimed big game hunter
Ivan Carter. Ivan gave a wonderfully
entertaining presentation on hunting the
Big Five to a sold-out crowd. I am sure
there were many in the audience that
went to bed that evening dreaming of
elephant and buffalo hunting. Ivan is also
the author of a special series of articles in
Hunter’s Horn detailing the making of this
year’s President’s Rifle – a HEYM Double
Barrel .470. Ivan’s knowledge of big bore
double rifles and his special affection for
HEYM rifles is readily apparent as you
read his articles. And to top it off, Ivan
showed his support for HSC by becoming
a Life Member of HSC. Welcome to HSC
Ivan! We look forward to many years of
friendship and hunting advice from you.
7
Working with so many hard-working and
dedicated members these last few months has
not only been exciting, but also a humbling
experience. It is fabulous to see so many
new volunteers stepping up. Never forget
that you, the membership, are what make
HSC the premier hunting and conservation
organization in the world. Thank you and
see you at Capture in January!
–Melanie Pepper, HSC President
!
w
o
N
r
Registe
Become an SCI
Official Measurer
Presented by
Houston Safari Club
Join us Friday, January 17, 2014
From 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Cost: $150 USD
The seminar fee includes entrance into seminar, official measuring
kit and official measuring test. All official measurers are required to
maintain a current SCI membership. Registration will be $160
after January 10. Course instructed by Herb Atkinson.
Don’t miss the HSC Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention
Friday, January 17 through Sunday, January 19, 2014
For further details, please call the HSC office at (713) 623-8844.
Big Texas Thanks!
A BIG Texas thanks to Peter Tam of Tam Safaris, the entire Tam family and Henriette for
helping to make a long-awaited dream come true. It was a great adventure leaving us with
memories to last a lifetime. We love you all!
–Kem and Linda Donaho
HSC Life Members
Bob Abernathy
John Abraham
Shannon Alston
Michael Ambrose
Anne Avara
Dannine Avara
Jacob Avara
Skip Avara
Kenneth Bailey
Freddie Bailey Jr.
Jack Barksdale
L. Irvin Barnhart
Wendy Barnhart
James Bell
Lyndel Berry
Tony Bessette
Craig Boddington
Jay Bonano
E. Tay Bond
Greg Bond
Pete Bonora
Jeri Booth
James Braus
J. Downey Bridgwater
Jack Brittingham
Robert Burke
Quint Burris
Byron Burris II
Prentiss Burt
Daniel Yturria Butler
Don Byrne
C. Jack Cagle
Dennis Cain
Thomas E. Cain Jr.
Rick Callison
Alex Campbell
Bill Carter
Ivan Carter
Ben Case
Preston Cavner
Chris Caywood
Tracey Cearley
Alan Cegielski
James Clark
Steve Clark/ 888 Ranch
Stephen Coale
Randall Coleman
Russell Coleman
Joe Collett
Dwayne Collier
Kevin Comiskey
Alan Cooke
Dian Cooper
Rocky Cooper
George Councill
Steve Crawford
Kenneth Crockett
Gary Crouch
Deb Cunningham
Ford Cunningham
Ralph S. Cunningham
Ralph Daigle
Joe Davis
Armando De Leon III
Armando De Leon IV
Elliot Desautels
Jennifer Desautels
Randy Donato
Barry Donoho
Tim Doucet M.D.
James H. "Red" Duke
Jan E. Duncan
Scott Daniel Duncan
Bruce C. Edwards
Robert N. Elkins
Susan Ellerbeck
Gary E. Ellison
Will Ellison
Shaun Essery
Travis Findley
Charlene Floyd
Tommy Fogle
Nathan Foyil
Bobby Frederick
Aaron Freeman
Warren Gallant
Scott Garrett
Tanya Garrett
Zachary Garrett
Paul Geiger
Frank T. Giacalone
Gary Glesby
William Gouldin
Sandra Green
Edward Guinn
Dodd Hackman
James Halley
Greg Harvey
Charles Head Jr.
Mark R. Herfort
Robert Hibbert II
Steven Hill
Edward L. Hoffman
William Holder III
Bill Honza
Gene Human
Tanya Hurlburt
Terry Hurlburt
John J. Jackson III
Jack Jensen M.D.
W.A. Jentsch Jr.
Robert D. Jones III
Harris Junell
Darrell Kainer
David Kalich
Kirk Kanady
Julianne King
Mark King
Robert Kneppler
Philip Koehne
George Kollitides
Phil Koonce
George Kopecky
Wayne La Pierre
Keith Lake
Joel Pat Latham
Richard Leibman
John Lindholm, Jr.
Tom Lipar
Mark Livesay
Ricardo Longoria
Ricardo Tomas Longoria
Doug Luger
Paige Manard
James L. Masten
Wyatt McBride
Mitzy McCorvey
Tony W. McCorvey
Ed McCrory III
Vickie McMillan
Travis McWilliams
Gerald Meinecke
Lewis A. Metzger
Brook Minx
Howard Monsour
Forrest Montealegre
Paul Montealegre
G.L. Jerry Moore
Tommy E. Morrison
Ron Mostyn
Dustin Mykyte
Shannon Nash
Bob Neese
Scott Nelson
William Newlin
Rudy Nix
Carol O'Day
Kerry O'Day
Charles Onstead
Kevin Ormston
Neal Overstreet
John Painter
Michael Park
Michael D. Parr
Steve Pate
Trevor Penny
John Pepper
Melanie Pepper
Timothy J. Peter
Bryce Phillips
Carson Phillips
Dusty Phillips
Wilson H. (Woody) Phillips Jr.
Thomas Powell
Kevin Poynter
Charles Prince Jr.
Sharon Propes
Carlos Ramirez
Lawrence Rearick
William Reed Sr.
Dr. Gayle M. Rettig
John Robberson
Larry Robinson
Mike Robinson
Chuck Rod
Robert J. Rod
Stephen Rogers
William J. Rohrbach
William Roosevelt
Gary Rose
Jerry Rubenstein
Chris Ruhman
Gerald Russell
Byron G. Sadler
Sandra Sadler
Michael Sample
Scott Scheinin
Robert Scherer
Wade Schindewolf
Richard Shepherd
Jason Shrieve
William Simmons
Jody Simpson
Mike Simpson
Sam Skipper
Jason Smith
Steve Smith
Dr. Norman Speer
Larry Stifflemire
Mark Ducros Stouse
Randy Strickland
H. Allen Stuart
David Swan
Dr. Lloyd B. Swiedom
Sally Swiedom
Peter Tam
Larry Tatom
Terry Taylor
Mark Terpstra
J.B. Tinney
Ted Trout
Hal Tryon
Don Turner
Phillip Veale
Thom Venus
Amanda Vick
William T.Vick
Glenn Vincent
Pierre Carl Vorster
Joshua Walker
Greg Walla
Rob Walsh
Dana Weber
Rick Weber
Larry L. Weishuhn
Brian Welker
Robert Wells
Lawrence West
Bruce Whitmire
Bill Wilkinson
Ron Willenborg
Steve Willenborg
Gregory Williamson
Alan Winslette
Kurt Wiseman
John Wood
Bill Woodall
Patricia Woods
J.D. "Des" Woods Jr.
Preston Young
Brian Zaitz
Great time at
Sanctuary Ranch!
11
The Welker family would like to say THANK YOU to the Sanctuary family.
To one and all at Sanctuary Ranch – you all make this week something we look forward to all
year, and for that, we all thank you!
Best hunt ever!
Bob Boswell and
his Cape buffalo.
Bob Boswell and his lion.
12
Duke Walton and his steinbuck.
Jeremy Bailey and his Caracal.
We would like to thank Louis Loots of Ka Maoto Safaris in South Africa for the best hunt
ever. He, his family and his staff did everything possible to make our hunt memorable. Not only did
Louis make sure we got our trophies, he made sure they were really great animals!
Happy Trails,
Duke Walton • Bob Boswell • Jeremy Bailey
Save the Date:
HSC Y.O. Ranch Weekend
March 28-30, 2014
Make your reservations now
for one of the most anticipated
weekends of the year! Join fellow
HSC members for a memorable
weekend of relaxation and
recreation at the Y.O. Ranch.
All activities, food, drink and
accommodations are included for
only $275 per person!
Space is limited, so make your
reservations early! Please RSVP
by calling Jessica Welch at the
HSC office, (713) 623-8844,
or e-mail her at
[email protected].
Fun and
Memorable!
Kayla Ormston and her father Kevin would like
to thank Gary Ploch and the Patio Ranch
for making Kayla’s first harvest a very fun and
memorable experience. Thanks Gary!
Board of Directors
officers
Melanie Pepper, President
Gene Human, Immediate Past President
Kevin Comiskey, President-Elect
14
Mark King, Vice President
J.D. Burrows, Vice President
Jerry Henderson, Secretary
directors
Top row from left: Cope Bailey, Kevin Ormston, Ted Trout, Steve Crawford
Bottom row from left: Harold Inman, Scott Scheinin, Deb Cunningham, Shaun Nelson, Matt Pyle
Julianne King, Treasurer
Wonderful Experience!
I would like to thank Andrew Pringle with Crusader Safaris for the wonderful free range
experience for my nephews and myself. You have a wonderful camp, professional hunters and it
was a total success. Thank you for everything, Mike Ambrose
Custom Designed
Trophy Rooms
Like No Other!
Works of Art Handcrafted by Mike and Frank Baird & Staff
“
Magic
”
Cole’s Story
by Wyatt McBride
“ M ag i c ”
C o l e ' s
s to ry:
B y
w yat t
m c b r i d e
I
n 1999, a lifelong dream was realized! My father and I started a premier
hunting ranch in New Zealand, Spey Creek Trophy Hunting. Over the
years, Spey Creek has become one of the top hunting destinations in the
South Pacific. More than the business success, the best part for me is I get
to work side by side with my dad. My dad has always been someone that
I have looked up to and who has taught me how to be a good businessman. The
number one thing he says to me is to “live by the 10 commandments, practice
the golden rule and you will be a good man.”
My fondest memories in life are of hunting with my dad. We have hunted all
over the world, first with rifles, and now primarily with bows. Before I could
even walk, he would load me up in my car seat, and off we’d go dove hunting. It
is a passion that we have always both shared, and now we have the sheer joy and
pleasure to work together doing what we mutually love. I could go on forever
telling you endless stories about the fun and excitement of our many hunting
adventures, but this story is about Cole, a young man who changed my life!
First, a little about me. I am 35 years old, never married and never had the
pleasure of having my own children. Someday I hope I will have the pleasure,
as I love being around kids. Many people say I am still a kid at heart, so maybe
that’s why I enjoy them so much! Their energy and desire to learn makes guiding
young kids the highlight of my season.
19
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting, with its luxurious lodge and abundance of record
breaking animals, attracts clients from all over the United States. Spey Creek
hunters hold the record for the largest stag in the world for the past several years
both with rifle and bow. Several others are also in the top ten of the record book
in the rifle, muzzleloader, bow and crossbow categories.The old adage, “Records
are meant to be broken,” has become the norm at Spey Creek, year after year.
Outfitting is so enjoyable, as you meet great people and develop long lasting
friendships with many of them. Our guests arrive as strangers and leave as
family. When you think about it, how much better could it get, than go to a
beautiful country, meet great people, stay in a first class facility, see an abundance
of wildlife right out your bedroom window, eat delicious food and hunt in a
hunter’s paradise! It just doesn’t get any better than that!
I’m getting a little off track here. Back to the Cole story.
“ M ag i c ”
C o l e ' s
s to ry:
B y
w yat t
Cole and David Dutton with Coles Arapawa ram.
20
This year, we had a very special guest visit
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting. In June of
2013 my life was irrevocably changed for
the better. A boy from Boerne,Texas, rocked
my world in a way that will bless me for
the rest of my days. David Dutton, a true
cowboy and well-known horse veterinarian
in the Texas Hill Country brought his son,
Cole, to hunt with us. Cole is 11 years old
and is different from most kids; he was born
with muscular dystrophy. At the age of 10,
Cole lost the feeling in his legs and is now
in a wheelchair full time. He can still use his
arms and he is making the most of the time
he has left with that mobility.
“...he will hunt
until he can’t pull
the trigger.”
Cole’s passion is hunting and he says he will
hunt until he can’t pull the trigger. Cole is
smart, kind and polite, not something you
always see in an 11 year old these days. The
first words out Cole’s mouth are “yes sir” or
“yes ma’am.” He is very wise and mature
beyond his age. Adversity becomes his
challenge. Cole is a strong-hearted young
man who knows God has a plan for all of us,
and the best we can do is live the time we
have to the fullest. He is blessed with parents
who make sure he gets to do just that!
The first night out hunting at Spey Creek,
Cole, his father David and I spotted the
biggest Arapawa Ram I had ever seen. The
Cole has what it takes to be a great hunter.
m c b r i d e
only problem was we knew Cole's 308
single shot wasn't going to be able to get
the job done. If Cole had the ability to walk,
we could have closed the distance to 100
yards without any problem, but that wasn't
an option. I asked Cole, “We have our Best
of The West Rifle with Huskama scope in
the truck but it's a 7mm; can you handle
that?” He replied, “Wyatt if you can get me
prone I will give it a try!”
We were pushing dark with only 10 minutes
of light left. Time was of the essence, so I
called for backup. Getting Cole an animal
was the top priority in camp, and to get this
huge Arapawa Ram would be the best thing
ever.Two of us carried Cole to a small knob
about 50 yards up the hill by making a seat
out of our hands, with him griping onto our
shoulders for dear life. The trust Cole put in
us to get him safely up the rugged terrain
humbled me. We laid him on his stomach,
loaded the Best of the West 7mm, secured
the gun and dialed the scope to 500 yards.
I asked, “Cole, you see him?” He answered
“Yes sir.” I cranked the scope to 20 power.
“Can you still see him?” Once again he said
he could. “Cole, when you’re comfortable,
take the shot.” He took a breath to steady
himself and then BANG! Every breath was
held. We watched with intensity, all hoping
that the animal fell. Only a mere second
passed but that second lasted an eternity.
“ M ag i c ”
C o l e ' s
Then it happened. I yelled, “You got it! You
got it!” We all celebrated Cole’s great shot
with smiles, congratulations and tears.
s to ry:
B y
w yat t
m c b r i d e
Cole, his Dad David and Wyatt McBride.
Let me tell you, no animal taken at Spey
Creek was as special to me as this ram. It
stood for so much more than another trophy
on someone’s wall. It was symbolic of a little
boy who had been dealt a tough hand and
was making the best of every moment that
he was given, who wasn’t willing to let
life beat him. It was about a father’s love,
to travel thousands of miles and countless
hours with a child in a wheelchair, just to
make one of his son’s dreams a reality. It was
so much more than an Arapawa Ram. It was
life altering for every person on that hillside
that day. It was priceless to see a young man
who couldn’t walk shoot the biggest ram
ever taken at Spey Creek, and at 505 yards!
Tears of happiness were flowing from us all.
21
Wyatt McBride, Cole Dutton and Jake Franklin with Coles Spey Creek elk.
The hunt continues! At day break the
second day, we loaded Cole in the front seat
of the Polaris ranger with his seat belt on
and his feet wedged into the dash to keep
him upright. In Cole’s own words: “The
second day we didn’t get anything but we
spotted a stag that I really wanted…” The
next morning we located the stag. We took
the Ranger until it would go no farther,
then loaded Cole into his wheelchair and
off we went. Cole said he was comfortable
shooting his .308 Marlin 300 yards.We were
able to close the gap with his wheelchair,
and then set Cole up for the shot. Slowly,
he squeezed the trigger and down went the
stag! Two shots, two animals! All celebrations
started again!
We were out hunting the next morning
when we spotted a huge 8x8 elk. By this
time, Cole had gained my total respect, and
at the same time stolen my heart. I told
him that if he thought he could take it
with one shot, it would be my gift to him.
After a discussion with his dad, he received
the green light to give it a try. With the
same confidence he displayed with his two
previous animals, Cole squeezed the trigger
one more time, and down went the elk!
“He’s the biggest animal I’ve ever shot and
by far the widest rack I’ve ever seen! Thank
you Wyatt!” Priceless!
We were all sad when Cole and his dad had to
leave early the next morning after breakfast.
They were returning home to Texas after
a successful trip, meeting new friends and
taking home some well-earned trophies
that would remind them of memories that
would last forever. I personally was left with
a much greater gift. The gift of knowing
that with a positive attitude and the refusal
to give up, anything is possible! Cole proved
that!
Since then, I returned to Texas after our
season ended in July, and Cole and I have
gone on several hunts together. He continues
to amaze and impress me. His dream is to
hunt and guide, so today Cole’s dad and
I are trying to help him live his dream by
taking people to the Dutton’s private ranch
in the Hill Country for exotic hunts.
Cole has impacted my life so much and has
shown me why God has put me where I am
to do what I love…so I can share amazing
stories like his with others. Cole never
complains and knows the time he has on
earth is shorter than most, so he makes a
point to enjoy the time he has. The lesson
I learned from Cole is we should stop for a
minute and look at our life. Make sure we
are living our dreams, and be thankful for
what we have.We only get one shot at life, so
live it to the fullest! I thank God for bringing
Cole into my life. God bless Cole! ★
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Thank you for everything, Mike Ambrose
26
Mike's Marco Polo ram.
h u n t i n g
i n
ta j i k i s ta n :
B y
m i k e
s i m p s o n
Hunting in
Tajikistan
By Mike Simpson
W
ridges from 13,000 to 16,000 feet. The
never-ending wind keeps the snow blown
off of the sparse grass and is ideal grazing
for sheep. The Great Pamir’s area borders
to the north of the Wakhan Corridor of
Afghanistan, where early sheep hunters
traveled for Marco Polo in the late 1960s.
In those early years, the hunters told of
Tajikistan is home to some of the highest traveling north into Tajikistan to get their
mountains in the Himalayas, including sheep.
the Pamir and Alay Ranges and, most
importantly to us, home to the great The Pamir Mountains have been famous
Marco Polo sheep. Most of Tajikistan is since the early travels of Marco Polo to the
mountainous with altitudes ranging from silken courts of Kublai Khan 800 years ago,
984 feet to 24,589 feet, with nearly half of traveling thru Tajikistan and seeing these
great sheep alive before any other European
Tajikistan above 10,000 feet.
had even heard of them.
We were hunting in the Great Pamir
Mountains of the Himalayas, in the Our hunt was arranged by Bob Kern and
southern area of the Gorno-Badakhshan his son Rob, of The Hunting Consortium,
region of Tajikistan, for the greatest sheep and was perfect in every detail, including
trophy in the world, the famous Marco Polo applying for U.S. trophy import permits,
(Ovis Ammon Poli). In mid-November, with Tajikistan gun permits and visas.
temperatures averaging 10 to 20 degrees
below zero, the rams join the ewes for the After easily clearing customs, we had plenty
rut in great numbers, as I had the great of help loading three 4x4 cruisers for our
opportunity to witness.
16-hour drive south to the city of Khorog.
The major highway, M4, which runs north
The name “Pamir” reflects the description and south, was a single gravel road in some
of the fertile high mountain pastures and places and only pavement through a few
semi desert areas of windswept valleys and villages. Khorog, a city with a population of
e journeyed from
the skyscrapers and
roaring highways of
Houston to the deep
valleys and soaring
mountainsides of picturesque Tajikistan in
search of the regal Marco Polo sheep.
27
h u n t i n g
i n
ta j i k i s ta n :
B y
m i k e
s i m p s o n
29,000, is a university town located between
steep rugged mountains on the border of
Afghanistan, connected by a modern
bridge for traffic and shoppers to cross both
ways. Upon arrival, my crew and I stayed
overnight at the Presidential Guest House
and then drove eight hours to camp the
next day, arriving early enough to test our
rifles and meet our guides.
After months of planning and years of
dreaming of hunting these famous high
altitude sheep of the Pamirs, I was finally
there, in the well known “Hot Springs
Camp,” an area owned by the three
Bekmurody brothers: Zafar, Karim and
Otobek. My son, Barret, who was there
to share this adventure with me and hunt
a Mid-Asian Ibex and a wild Himalayan
Yak, made for a dream experience for any
father. Beau Bisso and Roy Buchler of The
Woodlands, Texas, and John Charpentier
of New Orleans, Louisiana, also joined us.
All three were hunting sheep, Ibex and Yak.
This was their first Asian sheep hunt and we
were all excited for what lay ahead of us.
28
We were each provided with a driver,
assistant guide and main guide. Moreover,
on all of Bob’s Asian hunts he has an
employee in camp, looking after all of the
logistics, even meeting us at the airport and
traveling with us all the way to camp. Our
logistics representative was Oleg Stupar,
Barret Simpson and his Mid-Asian Ibex.
Barret Simpson and his Himalayan Yak.
whom I had previously hunted with in the
far east of Russia. My exceptionally skilled
guides were Zafar and Karim, brothers with
20 years of sheep hunting experience who
spoke excellent English. Bob’s hunters have
always enjoyed total and complete success in
taking a trophy sheep and our hunt proved
to be no exception. I personally saw over a
thousand sheep each day on my hunt.
The camp was well stocked with plenty of
water, fruit juices and sodas for everyone.
There was a doctor in camp monitoring
everyone’s blood pressure twice a day and
always pressing us to drink more liquids.
Our camp was located at 13,300 feet and
was very comfortable, with heat and showers
supplied by hot springs out of the ground.
A generator and small
wind turbine furnished
plenty of electricity to
charge satellite phones,
computers and camera
batteries. Camp food
was very good with
plenty of meat, rice and
fresh vegetables.
All of the hunting was
from 4x4 warm cruisers
or jeeps with final
approaches by stalking
in white camouflage.
All of the guides were
experienced
using
spotting scopes and range
finders, calling out the
distances for the hunters.
Carol and Kerry O’Day
of MG Arms, had built
Barret and myself each a 7mm-STW caliber
rifle with a 3x18 power Z6(1)Swarovski
scope for 300 yards out to 600 yards. With
a twist of the dials to the appropriate color
dots, these proved to be very accurate as
we practiced shooting at long distances.
With MG Arms Precision Rifles and handloaded ammo for all five of us, we were well
equipped for the long range shooting that
we all experienced.
After circling around the ridge during the
morning, we located a group of rams and
began judging their size and age. What a
wonderful sunny day we had looking at
sheep and enjoying lunch within ten feet of
the Afghanistan border. Looking into the
Asku Valley (of the Wakhan Corridor) in
Afghanistan with the “Little Pamirs” in the
background, we saw only two uninhabited
yurts. Every direction was snow and ice, no
army and no human tracks, only tracks of
sheep and ibex.
After lunch we spotted a group of 35 rams
and were able to get within 1,000 yards of
them at 15,000 feet. They started drifting
off the top to feed, with us following till
about 3:00 pm. With their sharp eyes we
were spotted even in our white suits. Zafar
and his brother’s knowledge of the sheep
and their habits contributed to our success
in heading the sheep off.
As the Marco Polo started up the next high
ridge, we were able to close the distance
to approximately 400 yards. Luckily, my
ram was slower and bringing up the rear of
the herd and Zafar started calling out the
distances. My first shot was at 425 yards
h u n t i n g
i n
ta j i k i s ta n :
B y
m i k e
and one I don’t like, hitting him in the rear
ham, slowing him down. My second shot
was at 500 yards and went over him. I had
not remembered the bullet would go high
shooting up at a steep angle. The third and
last shot at 625 yards put him down for
good.
in camp and back in Dushanbe at the new
Hyatt Regency Hotel. Gratefully, we did
not experience any problems importing
our trophies as checked baggage back to
Houston, thanks to the help of John Rulon
and Lynette Lilly of WELL Logistics
Custom Brokers.
What a great ram he was, with magnificent
horns measuring 59”x 62” scoring 225 7/8
for SCI record book. Barret collected a
heavy knobbed 41” Mid-Asian Ibex and a
giant Himalayan Yak. Beau and the others
collected trophy rams in the 56” to 57”
class and a trophy ibex. They also collected
trophy yaks with Beau’s possibly the new
No. 2. All of the yaks were guided by Oleg,
Bob Kern’s employee, and all were scoring
in the top ten. We celebrated our great hunt
Another member of Houston Safari Club,
Ted Trout, arrived in camp one week behind
us and was guided and hunted exactly as I
had described to him. He also collected a
trophy sheep and ibex. Behind Ted, Ken
Bailey, also a member of Houston Safari
Club, and his son and son-in-law hunted
and were also 100% successful in collecting
trophy Marco Polo sheep and ibex. Many
thanks go out to all that helped our hunt be
such a success. ★
s i m p s o n
Mike Simpson
Barret and Mike Simpson
29
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pa k i s ta n. . . s u c c e s s s n atc h e d f ro m t h e
B y d e b c u n n i n g h a m
jaw s
o f
d e f e at:
Pakistan...
Success snatched
from the jaws of defeat
By Deb Cunningham
33
R
alph and I are in the air
somewhere
between
Iran and Pakistan. This is
probably wishful thinking
but I believe a cup of
hot coffee is in my near future. We left
Houston on Monday, December 26, 2011,
headed to Pakistan to hunt six sheep and
two ibex. Our goal is to be successful with
Blanford Urial, Punjab Urial, Afghan Urial
and Sindh Ibex for both of us. We booked
this hunt with Kaan Karakaya of Shikar
Safaris at SCI in Reno last January and it
will end an amazing year of hunting for us.
We have managed to take all booked hunts
except for Iran, which was cancelled due to
permitting problems in the Iranian Wildlife
Department. We are both a bit travel weary
at the moment but we are also excited about
this new adventure.
We were met at the airport in Islamabad
by Farhad, who works for Kaan in Pakistan.
After all entry requirements were met, we
were taken to a nearby hotel where we
enjoyed coffee and were given details of our
upcoming hunt. After coffee and discussion
we went back to the airport (domestic)
where we were met by Ejaz. The three of
us flew together to Karachi. On arrival in
Karachi, we were met by Prince Julkifer
Bhutani and were to be driven to the
hunting area in Dureji where we would be
staying in his home and hunting Blanford
Urial and Sindh Ibex.
I am a very confident and accurate shot….
normally. I have been quite successful,
especially with my 7mm STW custom built
for me by MG Arms; however, my mettle
was to be tested in Pakistan. We shot our
rifles after arriving in Dureji, which is 2 ½
hours NE of Karachi. We were “camped”
quite comfortably in the Prince’s home and
were treated beautifully, with much respect
and kindness by all. My rifle shot dead-on at
100 yards and Ralph shot well also.
Ralph was first up for the Blanford Urial.
We set out with high hopes around 6:30
am on Thursday to drive to the base of the
mountain where we began what turned
out to be 9 ½ hours of climbing, walking,
hunting and then descending back to the
desert floor. We spotted a good group
of rams around 9:00 am; Ralph was able
to set up a great shot on his ram once he
was able to pick him up in his sights….
these sheep blend very well into the rocky
hillsides, which became even more apparent
when it was my turn. The trackers located
another large group of Urial and with high
excitement had me set up. All was going
well until I tried to pick up the best ram in
my scope. Sadly, I simply could not find it…
argh, I have rarely been more frustrated.
I was ultimately unable to shoot and with
some disappointment we began the search
for another ram. I could go into nauseating
detail about the multiple times we repeated
this, but I would rather go straight to the
happy outcome instead.
I finally was able to adjust my scope to get
it clear and made a great shot on a lone
ram. He obviously had my name on him
at 378 yards. When he dropped, the team
of nine patient and long-suffering Pakistanis
cheered, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
My pride was shaken but not crushed and
I was sure that my rifle was now ready for
peak performance.
jaw s
o f
d e f e at:
Ralph (center) with his Blanford Urial.
On Friday morning, we drove about an
hour to begin another day of 9 ½ hours of
climbing, walking and hunting for the Sindh
ibex.The ibex were plentiful and my faithful
trackers and guides team had grown to 12
determined, exuberant, shall I say frenzied
males who wanted nothing more than for
me to shoot first this day. To be fair, they
really liked me and wanted my success…can
you sense the pressure building?
34
The only excuse I can give for missing the
first Ibex I set up on is that I was frustrated
and had a severe lack of confidence after a
couple of misses, language barriers, 12 men
talking at once and on and on. In short, I did
not feel that I could hit the broad side of a
barn, but the reality was that the shots were
long…450 to 500 yards and the ibex were
constantly moving. But hey, I have mastered
these shots before…somehow my mojo had
been left at the base of the mountain.
This story has a good ending, however, for
three reasons. First, Ralph was able to jump
in and take his Sindh Ibex after one of my
frustrating misses. Second, my Pakistani
posse never gave up on me or even looked
upset. And, third, we kept persevering until
after a seeming eternity, I was able to set up
Deb and Ralph with her Punjab Urial.
flat on my belly on a harsh bed of jagged
rocks and take aim across a deep and wide
canyon at an ibex moving along a narrow
trail on the mountain side 278 yards away.
The ibex paused a second too long on the
steep trail, and he was mine….amid whoops
and hollers and admittedly a “girlie” tear
or two, the recent misses were forgotten.
“Sucaria” (thank you) all around and four
hours later, in the pitch black of night at
the base of the mountain, we took some
of my hardest earned photos ever. (I must
confess that I have not
sugar coated this because
Ralph threatened to write
the story if I even remotely
thought about leaving out
the gruesome details.)
In addition to these
successful hunts, we had a
lovely morning with Prince
Bhutani hunting Chinkara
Gazelle for Ralph. The
weather was beautiful and
from our Land Rover it felt
like Africa as we watched
the gazelle run across the
desert floor. We spotted a
good one right away and
Deb with her Sindh Ibex.
Ralph dropped him. It is not possible to
import this gazelle to the U.S. currently, but
they will hold it for us for the possibility of
future importation.
Tomorrow we will leave this beautiful area
and travel back to Karachi where we will
take a flight back to Islamabad and our next
camp. There I am hopeful my reputation
will have preceded me and they will have a
sheep tied up for me.
jaw s
o f
d e f e at:
To very briefly summarize the rest of the
hunt, Ralph and I took our Punjab Urial
within an hour or so of each other in another
area several days later.We had travelled to the
Punjab area on busy congested highways out
of Islamabad with vehicles in every shape,
age, condition and make maneuvering for
position and dodging pedestrians, making
our traffic in Houston seem sleepy by
comparison. In the midst of this “orderly
chaos” we spotted farm tractors rolling along
with whole families on board, as well as the
occasional horse drawn cart. All of this after
leaving one of the most impressive marble
hotel lobbies I have ever seen, by way of an
exit equipped with x-ray security machines.
On the way to this new area where we will
stay in the Malik family’s private home, we
stopped at a roadside fuel/food station for a
delicious “tea” with chicken curry, rice, fish,
barbequed chicken and of course sweet hot
chai (tea). The restroom had an attendant
who kept it spotless and who even came
in to turn the water on for me and put
soap on my hands to wash. After this lovely
respite, we were back on the super highway
with a three hour drive to our destination.
We arrived at dark and after a lovely meal
with our host, we fell into bed for a welldeserved night’s rest.
On our second day of hunting, after
enduring a cold, heavy rain and an
unsuccessful hunt on the first day, Ralph
was able to take his Urial first and then my
trackers, while scouting for me, radioed to
tell us that they had spotted a good group
of rams. Ejaz, Ralph’s trackers and I literally
ran about ¼ mile to get up the mountain
where we could spot the herd from which
he had taken his Punjab at around 3:30 pm.
We ran over huge rocks and wait-a-bits, and
climbed straight up over large boulders to
get in place. There were at least two good
rams left in the group, and miraculously,
breathing heavily, I was able to get on the
best ram and make a fabulous shot to take
him. Happy day!
Ralph was also successful in taking the Indian
Gazelle here and after completing our hunt,
we made our way back to Islamabad where
we spent a lovely day with Farhad driving
Deb with her Blanford Urial.
around the city. Islamabad is beautifully laid
out with some lovely hotels including the
Serena (where we stayed) and the Marriott
(where we had a delicious lunch in their
Chinese restaurant).
We truly enjoyed this hunt in Pakistan,
which was beyond our expectations due
in great part to the people. It is a beautiful,
exotic, diverse country with countless
surprises and layers in the society. We were
treated with respect and consideration
wherever we went. Our guides and trackers
were excellent, strong and committed to our
success. They were also courteous and kind,
and their pleasure in the simple process of
preparing their chai over an open fire on
the mountaintop, and the savoring
of fresh backstrap roasted there as
well, was magical. The contrast in
their lifestyles and the luxuries we
take for granted on a daily basis
was highlighted by the fact that
our head trackers carried AK-47
rifles wherever they went in the
field…and in spite of significant
challenges, they worked hard to
provide a fabulous hunt.
memories of this mysterious, exotic country
and its people. In fact, due to some strife
in the area in northern Pakistan where we
were to be hunting for the Afghan Urial, we
had to forego that part of the trip…so we
are looking forward to a return in the future.
35
And as a conclusion to my journal entry…
On board Turkish Air headed to Istanbul.
We were up at 1:15 am at the Serena Hotel.
Now 5:15 am…took over an hour to clear
rifles for departure. Otherwise smooth
thanks to Ejaz and Farhad’s competent care
of us through the maze of check in, security,
immigration, etc. Whew…sleepy little
Houston will be heavenly. ★
It was definitely a trip of a
lifetime and left us with very fond
Wonderful
Family Safari!
The McCorvey family would like to thank Mark “Ellos” Ellement, Houston Safari Club
Professional Hunter of the Year in 2012, for being a fantastic PH on many of our safaris.
Matupula Hunters (Ellos and Mark Butcher, also a recipient of the HSC Professional Hunter of
the Year in 2002), have donated an African safari every year for over 20 years and continue to do
so. Matupula Hunters, along with Tommy Morrison of Sporting International, organized a
wonderful family safari last year that will forever be in our memories as well as our children’s and
grandchildren’s. Thank you, Ellos, for guiding us on multiple, successful leopard and elephant hunts.
We look forward to many more.
–The McCorvey Family
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On the Swarovski Ballistic Turret – each color ring designates the range of choice (ie: 300, 400 and 600 yards)
Long Range Shooting
Should You Do It?
By Kerry O’Day, MG Arms
Shooting long range when hunting is more
than a challenge, it is a judgment call.
B
ack in my younger days, I
had the unique opportunity
to shoot at the 50 Caliber
Shooters Association-1000
yard Benchrest Competition,
as well as Long Range Handgun Silhouette
competition, and performed with notable
success. As a hunter, I have tried to shoot
game at a distance that I felt comfortable
with. In all of my hunting years, there have
only been a handful of times that I have had
to shoot a trophy animal beyond 200 yards.
I once shot a Blue Sheep in China at over
550 yards, Pronghorn in Montana at 475
yards, elk in Colorado at just over 400 yards,
and several other long shots that had perfect
weather conditions for the shot to be made.
A shot like that takes practice, acquired skill
and, to be honest, a great deal of luck!
There is a significant difference between
shooting at a known distance from a solid
bench versus shooting off a bipod or rock
at a range in which you are guessing. The
difference that 50 yards makes in the drop
of a flat shooting rifle is incredible. A 7mm
STW drops 30 inches at 500 yards, and at
just 50 yards more you need to add 11 more
inches. For example, you see a whitetail at
890 yards. He is still and there is a light wind
blowing from your right.You set your scope
to the highest power, hold steady, with the
cross hairs about three feet above his back.
You squeeze the trigger and miss him by
a mile; your bullet hit 11 feet low and 1/2
ft. to the right. Sound familiar? Well, this is
why your perfect shot went awry. The total
drop at that range is 170 inches and that’s
only if you guessed the correct range. That
little wind pushed the bullet off 19 inches, as
long as it stayed constant and didn’t change
direction (like it so often does). The perfect
long-range shot is mystifying at best, as there
are many factors that must be accounted for
and aligned. The good news is that there are
some products and practices that will help
when you must make that long shot.
Second, determine the drop and hold over
on your target. Ballistic reticle and ballistic
turret scopes are a big help. Scope companies
have taken some of the “guess work” out of
adjusting for hold over. Leupold, Swarovski,
Nikon and many other scope manufacturers
have bullet drop compensating lines built
into the reticle of the scope for estimating
hold over on an animal. The way this works
is to sight in your rifle at 200 yards using
the normal cross hair, and then applying the
drop compensating cross-hairs or dots for
longer ranges. If you know that your target
is at 300 yards, you simply hold the next line
down from the cross hairs and squeeze the
First, be able to range the distance of your trigger.
shot. A good range finder is worth its weight
in gold. Most of the major optic companies This method and tool is not perfect. There
like Bushnell, Leica and Swarovski is still a small amount of guesswork using
make laser range finders. Range finding the lines or dots, therefore room for human
binoculars are the latest new technology error. If you have a flat shooting rifle like
and to find a pair that really works can be a 300 Ultra Mag as compared to a 45-70
pricey, but well worth the purchase. A select which drops like a rock, then your lines will
few manufacturers are making scopes with not be perfect for either caliber.They shrink
built in range finders as well, but be careful your margin for error though, and with a
when adding too many options and gadgets little practice you can figure out the right
to your scope. If you are on a hunt and don’t lines to use at any given range.
have a range finder, try to figure the yardage
by thinking about the length of a football You also have the option to add a custom
field or the 100-yard range you shoot on. If ballistic turret built for your scopes that will
it is too far to decide how many 100-yard take all the guesswork out of shooting long
ranges it is, then it’s best to make the call range.You have a custom dial on top of your
that it is too far for you to shoot.
scope that has yardage lines cut into a ring
39
LO N G
R A N G E
S H O OT I N G
–
S H O U L D
YO U
D O
I T ?
B y
K E R RY
O ' DAY
that tell you how many lines are required to
hit at different ranges. If the animal is at 400
yards, simply dial the turret to 4, place the
cross hairs on the game and pull the trigger.
It’s exceptionally simple, yet the question
remains – do have to have time to use the
turret?
Additionally, if you choose to shoot
long range, you will need a PA (parallax
adjustment) or an AO (adjustable objective)
scope. These features help perfect the cross
hairs for long range shooting. If you cannot
remove the parallax and clear up the cross
hairs, you will miss by four or five inches
and it won’t be from anything that you or
the gun did; it was the parallax in the scope
that made you miss. Many higher power
scopes have front or side-focusing rings
made specifically for adjusting the parallax.
40
Lastly, and I feel the most importantly,
practice at a long range is a must. A loyal
customer just sent a photo of a Marco Polo
sheep which he shot at 988 yards. He was
using a MGA Ultra-Light custom rifle
chambered in .300 Ultra Mag, shooting
a 180 grain Barnes Triple Shock bullet at
14,000 feet elevation with a temperature
of minus ten degrees. My customer had
practiced so much with his rifle that he
shot out the first barrel and had to have
it re-barreled just before his hunt. Most
shooters will find that shooting a 300yard course is too far, but when you try
shooting a 600-yard course, it will make a
believer out of you.
If you can’t shoot an 8-inch group at 300
yards off a bench, then you better re-think
shooting game at that distance. Moreover,
simply being able to shoot a good group off
a bench doesn’t mean you can do it in the
field. All good hunters and shooters should
practice in various scenarios. You should
practice shooting from a bipod, shooting
prone or even off-hand. I prefer sitting
while using a bipod and standing while
using shooting sticks with three legs. The
more support you can have the better.
To conclude, always steer clear of blaming
the rifle. It is up to you to shoot accurately,
not the rifle or options which you use. ★
Mid-Asian Ibex shot at 432 yards with a Swarovski Ballistic Turret scope
Long Range Shooting Graph
How flat does your favorite rifle shoot?
Caliber
600-yard drop
800-yard drop
800-yard energy
270 Win 130 gr.
-53.3 inches
-135 inches
740 ft. lbs.
7 Rem 150 gr.
-48.4 inches
-121.6 inches
987 ft. lbs.
300 Win 180 gr.
-49.3 inches
-121.9 inches
1,272 ft. lbs.
300 Ultra 180 gr.
-38.6 inches
-95.2 inches
1,663 ft. lbs.
338 Lapua 250 gr.
-47.5 inches
-118.9 inches
1,724 ft. lbs.
All calibers use a 300 yard zero and use a Barnes TXS bullet for ballistic information
Congressional Sportsmen's
Foundation
by Dennis Cain
HSC Washington DC Liaison
T
he Congressional Sportsmen's
Foundation (CSF) is made up
of bipartisan U.S. Senators and
Congressmen, state legislatures
and a unique, collective force of the
Congressional Sportsmen Caucus (CSC),
Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC) and
National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses
(NASC). All working closely with CSF,
they serve as an unprecedented network of
pro-sportsmen elected officials that advance
the agenda of America's hunters and anglers.
Houston Safari Club has been a member of
CSF since it was founded in 1989. ThenCongressman Jack Fields, HSC member,
suggested that HSC become involved. Ray
Petty, HSC’s first representative, with the
support of then-President Irvin Barnhart
and Immediate Past President, Mike
Simpson, along with Jerry Henderson,
shared the vision of what became a respected
and trusted sportsmen's organization in the
political arena.
Since those early meetings, CSF has
earned that early vision with a mission to
work with Congress, governors and state
legislatures to protect and advance hunting,
recreational angling, shooting and trapping.
After 23 years, not only has the mission been
accomplished, but we are stronger than ever.
CSF is the only organization represented on
four federally chartered advisory councils
dealing with hunting and recreational
fishing.
The 24th Annual Banquet and Auction was
held in Washington DC on September 11,
2013, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.
HSC President Melanie Pepper and I were
the HSC representatives that attended this
year.
The yearly CSF banquet
and auction provides an
opportunity for the outdoor
sporting community to
recognize the work of CSF
in keeping sportsmen in the
field. Members of Congress
typically walk across the
street from the Capitol
building offices to attend
this annual event and meet
with leaders of the hunting,
fishing
and
shooting
sports communities, to
acknowledge their efforts
on legislation directly
impacting sportsmen.
Traditionally, each HSC
President attends the annual
event and participates in
the banquet and auction,
and makes select visits to Capitol Hill for
meetings. HSC donates to the silent auction
each year and is represented in the official
event program magazine. Last year, HSC
President Gene Human attended along with
the largest attendance ever, over 1,000 in
the grand ballroom of the hotel. Being a top
Houston attorney, he fit in and represented
our club well.
HSC President Melanie Pepper attended
many congressional meetings that enhanced
HSC on a national level. President Pepper
and I wish to give thanks to Doug Centilli
and Jack Fields for their help in logistical
support of introductions and arranging
meetings. In addition to the CSF meeting,
we visited the NRA headquarters and also
toured the new NRA museum.
41
Regional CSF banquet held in Houston on
September 26, 2013. HSC was represented
by me, President Elect Kevin Comiskey,
Immediate Past President Gene Human and
HSC Office Manager Jessica Welch.
Funds raised by grants and banquets help
retain the necessary staff to provide support
and guidance for three distinct caucuses
operating at both the federal and state level.
The history page provides a brief 20-year
history in support of the sportsman.
For additional detailed information about
CSF, please visit www.sportsmenslink.org. ★
For the first time, there was a Texas
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OUTSTANDING BUFFALO
-
DANGEROUS GAME
-
ARNHEM LAND WILDERNESS
Mongolia
The Gobi to the Altai
By Melanie Pepper
B
44
attulga silently motioned
for me to join him across
the large boulders that
loomed between us.
As I crawled over the
topmost boulder I could see Zorigt
intently glassing the flat area in front
of him. As Battulga offered his hand
to me, I realized why he was being so
chivalrous – to get to Zorigt, I had to
cross a narrow rock bridge over what
looked to be a bottomless ravine. As I
grasped my rifle sling tightly, grabbed
Battulaga’s hand and started across
the “bridge,” all I could do is wonder,
“What in the world am I doing here
in the middle of Mongolia’s Gobi
Desert?”
Hunting Mongolia has always been a
destination that I have looked forward
to, especially as we heard of the great
Melanie and her Gobi Argali.
Argali and Ibex hunts that so many of our
Houston Safari Club friends had taken. A
serious sheep hunter friend of ours, David
Combs, had made two successful hunting
trips to Mongolia with Hunt Mongolia, LLC,
owned and personally managed by Battulga
Tumurdash. When we contacted Battulga
in early 2011 about possibly booking a hunt,
he mentioned that he actually had permits
for all three argali and both ibex in 2012.
John and I discussed it for all of a minute
and quickly moved to seal the deal – I was
going to Mongolia! And here it was, July
2012, and I’m crawling across a narrow rock
bridge in the mountains of the Gobi Desert!
“Hurry Melanie!” hissed Zorigt as he
motioned me towards a large boulder
directly in front of him. With a final
supporting hand from Battulga, I had
crossed the narrowest bridge across one of
the deepest gorges I’d ever seen. Zorigt
took my rifle, quietly
placing it into position
on the boulder above
us. As I slowly slid
into position on my
rifle, I saw why he was
so animated. There
before us, grazing less
than 200 yards away,
were six Gobi Argali
with a very nice
ram leading the way.
Zorigt pointed to the
lead ram, which I was
already sighting in
on. I quickly dialed down my scope
for the 150 yards to the ram, slid off
the safety and I was ready. “Take him,”
whispered Zorigt and I squeezed off
the shot. As I worked another round
into the chamber, I watched the ram
running almost directly across the front
of us. I had the ram in my scope and
was squeezing off a second shot just as
Zorigt said to shoot again. This time
I heard those wonderful words, “He’s
down!”
The Gobi Argali was a magnificent,
mature ram that Zorigt, Battulga and
the entire hunting party were very
excited about, which just increased the
excitement and relief that I felt. And
best of all, (not including the two days
it had taken to get to the Gobi camp) it
was just our first full day of hunting. I
had six animals on my license and now
one was safely in the salt. We could
now focus on a White Tailed Gazelle,
indigenous to and numerous in this
area. My good luck continued and I
was fortunate to take a mature White
Tailed Gazelle late that very same
afternoon. The mood in camp that
evening was upbeat and optimistic as
we all looked forward to hunting our
next trophy – the Gobi Ibex!
We broke camp at daylight and were on
the road again – or at least what is called
a road in Mongolia. Road is a relative
term there, even within Ulaanbaatar,
45
M O N G O L I A
–
T H E
with vehicles driving pretty much wherever
they see the least traffic and in whatever
direction it is that they want to go! Eight
hours later we finally reached camp. Unlike
the Gobi Argali where we hunted in at least
some semblance of a mountain, this terrain
was endless rolling steppe cut into deep,
steep cliffs by the swift flowing rivers. It
was here on these steep cliff faces that we’d
see our Gobi Ibex.
Camp was three gers on an otherwise flat,
barren steppe – if you didn’t know about
the rivers and cliff faces they had cut into
these bare plains, this would be about the
last place you’d look for an ibex! Our ger
was sparse but comfortable and spacious.
After the long, hot drive, dinner was quickly
over and the camp was very quickly, very
quiet – it had been a long day.
We were up well before daylight and soon out
on the edge of the steep cliffs that fell away
from the flat steppes almost straight down
in to the small river below. I was amazed
46
Glassing the Altai Mountains for Altai Ibex
G O B I
TO
T H E
A LTA I :
B y
at how such deep, steep cliffs could exist
in such an otherwise flat, sterile landscape.
Battulga and Zorigt spotted several rams
that they watched intently for a long time.
Sure enough, they eventually saw what they
had hoped for – a large, mature ram came
into view as the smaller males they had been
glassing scattered. Motioning quietly to me,
Battulga and Zorigt piled into the vehicle
and we were off for the other side of the
river. How they ever found a route down
the cliff, across the river and up the rock
face on the other side is miracle – but we
did it.
The climb up and across the steep cliff face
wasn’t as bad as I’d feared because the large
rocks provided plenty of foot and hand
holds. As I settled down next to Zorigt and
saw the ram for the first time, he informed
me in his broken English that the ram we
were watching wasn’t the one we wanted.
The big ram was in a small cave directly
behind the younger ibex standing in front
of us 350 yards away. Time to wait. And
M E L A N I E
P E P P E R
wait we did – for nearly two hours. I
probably sighted in on the younger ibex
at least 100 times, just as John constantly
ranged the distance for me. It was a straight,
no windage correction, 350 yard shot from
a good rest – if the big ram ever showed up.
Finally, Zorigt nudged me, “Him coming.”
I settled in on my Blaser and as I focused
on what had been the now very familiar
young ibex, I immediately realized why
we’d been waiting. The mature ram filled
my 18x scope and I almost forgot why I
was there as I admired him. “Shoot,” said
Zorigt impatiently. As I squeezed off the
shot, all I remember is how stunning the
ibex was silhouted against the darkness
of the cave behind him. And then those
wonderful words, “Good shot – he’s down.”
Sure enough, as I looked over the top of my
scope I could see the ibex tumbling off of
the cave ledge and the young ibex scurrying
up the cliff.
Although it took a while to navigate the
M O N G O L I A
–
T H E
steep valley between the ibex and us, it
was well worth it. The big, mature Gobi
Ibex was magnificent. The only problem
was that the cliff face was so steep, that
getting the ibex into a position to take the
perfunctory pictures was almost impossible.
But we persevered, took our pictures and
made the long, cautious climb down the
cliff and back to camp. Since it was just
early afternoon and the drive to the Hangai
area was relatively short, Battulga decided to
break camp, load up and head out for our
next trophy – a Hangai Argali.
As we approached the Hangai hunting area
the terrain became noticeably more steep
and mountainous. The Hangai camp was
located in a very picturesque location - in
a deep valley situated next to a large, broad
river. But to call Hangai camp a “camp”
is a stretch. Basically an old Soviet Area
Headquarters building, it was a square
concrete block building with three rooms
and few windows. A steel bed frame lay on
the concrete floor with a board across the
springs, a sheet and some blankets rounded
out the facilities – home for the next few
days! But at least the entire hunting party
had a roof over their heads and the camp
was well situated close to the main hunting
area.
Hunting this area was much more like true
mountain hunting – walk, spot, stalk and
judge. And judge we did for the next two
days. The sheep were there but none that
were accessible or large enough to excite
Battulga and Zorigt. Finally on the third
day Zorigt saw what he’d been looking
for – a heavy, mature ram with a good
size harem. Although the stalk was long,
fortunately it wasn’t too arduous. As usual,
Zorigt and Battulga got me in an almost
perfect setup – a good, flat rock for a solid
Melanie and her Hangray Argali
G O B I
TO
T H E
A LTA I :
B y
M E L A N I E
P E P P E R
Melanie, Battulga and her Gobi Ibex.
rest and a 300-yard shot straight across the
valley. I easily found the big ram in my
scope and at the shot, the ram took off
uphill almost directly towards us for 100
yards and piled up. The guys whooped with
excitement and immediately took off down
into the valley towards the ram. This was
truly a great Hangai Argali – big, heavy and
with very large bases. He was definitely the
“head sheep” of this small herd, a fact that
was validated by the other eight or so sheep
silently watching us from the top of the
mountain. It was now only day eight and I
had four of my six trophies!
As much as I would have preferred to move
out of Hangai camp right away and on
to the Altai, Battulga had other ideas. We
were ahead of schedule and since the Altai
camp was not to be fully operational for a
couple of days, he decided we would spend
at least a day here at Hangai
camp working on vehicles,
cleaning equipment and
yes – cleaning ourselves! So
clean we did – clothes in
the river and ourselves in a
makeshift shower on the side
of one of the vehicles. Feeling
clean and wearing clean
clothes almost cancelled out
spending the additional two
days in the Hangai camp. I
was now really ready for my
next trophy – an Altai Ibex.
The drive to the Altai was another full
driving day – partially on roads and mainly
driving across the barren steppes. How
Battulga and his guys actually end up where
they want to be is beyond me – John and I
agreed that it had to be a Mongolian thing!
Of all the camps, this was our favorite. We
were given one of the local herdsman’s
gers complete with all of their personal
belongings, fermenting bowls of goat cheese
and a goatskin full of yogurt. Now this is
why we love to travel to destinations such
as this on our hunting adventures. In fact, I
could have spent a couple of days not even
hunting and just enjoyed the herdsmen, the
hundreds of goats and sheep surrounding
our ger and of course, the children. The
children are precious and I could write an
entire article on them! The loving way
the children interacted not only with their
parents but also with all of their beloved
animals, especially the lambs and goat kids,
was precious. These Altai Mongolians know
what duty, honor to parents and respect are.
They know hard work and the benefits that
come with all of these values. I will always
treasure what I experienced there, what
is important in life and what transcends
politics. God bless them as well as the many
other cultures John and I have been able to
experience in our many hunting adventures
throughout the world.
47
M O N G O L I A
–
T H E
G O B I
TO
T H E
A LTA I :
B y
M E L A N I E
P E P P E R
Typical hike up Altai Mountains
48
But of course, I was here to hunt and hunt
we did. We were now in real mountains,
rugged and complete with long mountain
slides of slick, slippery scree. Okay, enough
already! Two steps up and one step back
down was the mantra for this area. The
next two days were tough – period. Up and
down the scree-covered slopes was tough
on both the body and clothing as I tore the
seat out of two pairs of pants. Fortunately
on the third day, Zorigt spotted three rams
well off on the next mountainside. After
a long, tiring stalk, the last hour with just
Zorigt, John and me, Zorigt motioned for
me to settle down and get on them. “Get
on what?” I whispered. “The brown
one – right there in front of you,” he
responded. John confirmed there were
indeed ibex there, ranging them at only
180 yards. I desperately looked for them,
but just couldn’t see. (Later I understood
that I was in a different and lower position
than Zorigt.) After a minute or so of frantic
pointing by Zorigt there they were – yes,
right there in front of me! But now, more
confusion – which one? They all looked
big and they were all brown. The language
issues without Battulga there were evident.
Finally, as one of the ibex moved in front,
Zorigt excitedly hissed to shoot. I dialed
back my 300-yard zero and squeezed the
trigger. “Way over!” said Zorigt dejectedly
as we watched the ibex streak out of sight.
I had missed, cleanly shooting over – way
over according to Zorigt and John. But then
Zorigt whispered quickly, “They coming
back – ready!” As I swung my gun around
towards the area that Zorigt was pointing at,
a brown ibex suddenly appeared less than
100 yards away. I shot and the ibex dropped
in its tracks. But instead of the usual, “Good
shot,” all I heard from Zorigt was “Shoot
wrong ibex!” If I’d felt badly about missing
my first shot, it was nothing compared to
how I felt now. There’s a saying, “When life
gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” So
I did my best to make lemonade out of the
situation. I apologized to the guys, telling
them that although the ibex wasn’t as big as
the one I should have shot (bottom-line, I
pulled that trigger), he was still magnificent,
he was my ibex, my hard hunt, and I thanked
them for the experience of a lifetime! We
got the “great” ibex into position, the best
we could on the steep cliff face for pictures
and then slowly made our way down the
scree-covered cliff face. Right ibex or not,
this had been a tough hunt and one that I
wouldn’t trade for the world. And my ibex
still had magnificent classic sweeping horns
and a good full beard.
As we broke camp the next morning, we
said good-bye to Zorigt. The Altai Argali
hunting area has its own, local PHs and
Zorigt wasn’t licensed in that area. He is
a truly a hard-working, expert mountain
hunting PH and one that I’d gladly hunt
with anytime. It was also time to say goodbye to the two young girls that lived in the
ger we had been assigned. These precious
children had been a delight and I knew that
I’d miss them. And to make saying goodbye even harder, their mother gave us a large
bowl of homemade cheese and curds. How
special that was! As we drove away, the sight
of the three gers, the two little girls waving
and the mountainside full of grazing sheep
and goats will be a memory that I’ll always
treasure!
Our drive to the Altai Argali area was
another full day’s drive over even fewer
marked roads than before. When we arrived
M O N G O L I A
–
T H E
in the Altai, our first stop was at the local
Governor’s ger. And what a stop it was.
We were met by Governor Shinarbek and
welcomed into his large ger by his wife
who was busily setting the “table” for lunch.
The “table” was actually the rug and pillow
covered floor and a truly wonderful spread
of local foods were laid out in front of us.
However, before starting to eat Governor
Shinarbek poured each of us a glass of
vodka and proposed a toast in celebration
of our arrival. Not one to insult a host, I
happily accepted and the stage was set for
a great, memorable lunch. The Governor
and his family are some of the friendliest,
engaging people we’ve ever met and lunch
that afternoon one of the highlights of our
trip. This was the Mongolia that John and I
had looked forward to experiencing.
G O B I
TO
T H E
A LTA I :
B y
feeding in and among themselves and my
Mongolian was only slightly worse than
Khardval’s English. Fortunately, Battulga
was summoned up to us and the sheep both
Battulga and Khardval determined to be the
largest was clearly evident. At the shot I saw
the ram jump and all four sheep were gone
in a flash. As we made our way to the where
the sheep had been, the consensus was that
it had been a solid shot. However, there was
no blood trail.
The guys took off down the side of the
mountain as John and I struggled to catch
M E L A N I E
P E P P E R
Ulaanbaatar with the vehicles. I was taught
that if you can’t say anything good, don’t say
anything at all. So I’ll just say that when
it was time to finally leave Khovd, neither
John nor I were in the least sad. Boarding
the Mongolian Airways flight to Ulaanbaatar
gave us both a wonderful feeling of relief
after our two day “experience” in Khovd.
Arriving in Ulaanbaatar it was time to say
good-bye to our wonderful outfitter and
good friend Battulga. He’d been with us
the entire trip and the success of our trip
was almost entirely due to his hard work,
planning and organizational ability. I’d
All too soon it was time to bid good-bye to
our new Altai friends and head to our last
camp – Altai Argali camp! Because of our
late start and some issues with bridges (they
weren’t there) we made it to camp well after
dark. This camp was also a very nice set-up.
Three gers were nestled in a broad valley
alongside a small creek. And the best news
of all – there was a string of horses grazing
peacefully among the gers. Looking up at
the tall mountains surrounding our camp,
I knew that the horses would be a very
welcomed addition to our hunting party.
Hunting Altai Argali in these mountains
is worthy of an article itself. The rocks
covering these mountains are huge, with
large areas covered hundreds of feet deep
with boulders as large as (or larger than) a
house. Even with the horses, climbing to
the top of these mountains was a several
hour affair. I shudder to think of trekking
up them on foot!
For two days we worked the heights usually
in a steady, cold rain without seeing a single
sheep. But during lunch on the third day,
Khardval – our very expert Altai PH –
spotted four rams on what appeared to me
to be three mountains away. The stalk was
on; we could only use the horses so far and
the rest of the approach was on foot. We
crawled the last several 100 yards as Khardval
and Battulga once again got me into great
shooting position, almost exactly 300 yards
from the grazing sheep. The problem again
was, “Which sheep?” The four rams were
49
Lunch with Governor Shinarbek (Governor of the Altai District) and his wife.
up. Half way down, we came on a flat
rock with a fresh pool of blood – surely
he’s piled up around here somewhere, I
thought. Unfortunately, that thought was
not to be. As darkness put an end to our
search that awful realization – “I’d pulled
my shot” – began to sink in. Suffice to say
that we searched that mountain for the next
several days with no success. Did he fold
up in one of those million large crevices,
falling way down and out of sight? Or did I
just make a non-lethal shot and he’s still out
there happily grazing away? It’s a story that
unfortunately, I’ll never know the end of.
In any event, with my license punched out it
was time to head back to Ulaanbaatar. A full
day’s drive got us to Khovd, the provincial
capital of the Altai. We checked into one
of the few hotels for our two-day wait for
the next flight, and the guys headed for
taken five of the six trophies on my license
and it was no one’s fault but my own that
I wasn’t six for six. John and I had spent
three weeks enjoying Mongolia from the
Gobi to the Altai, experiencing all of the
wonderful people, sights and culture of this
great country.
It’s easy to understand why so many
serious international big game hunters
consider Mongolia a “must” on their
hunting schedule. It was certainly a trip
that I consider one of my most important
and enjoyable hunting experiences –
and you should, too! I will return to the
Altai next year with more experience and
determination then ever before. And I look
forward to seeing our very good friends
Battulga, Khardval and Governor Shinarbek
once again. ★
AHG324
www.brushcountrystudios.com Cypress, Texas
PH. 281-256-0742 Email: [email protected]
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51
One Million
And counting...
T
he legendary Dan L. Duncan was the impetus behind Houston Safari Club’s outstanding scholarship program. Dan’s vision
and personal commitment to this program has inspired our members and aspiring college students since 1999. After Dan’s
sudden passing in 2010, the HSC Board was presented with a proposal to rename our existing scholarship program to the
“Houston Safari Club Dan L. Duncan Scholarship” in his honor. This proposal received enthusiastic and unanimous approval
by the Board. Dan’s vision for a scholarship for Texas students who
were studying Range and Wildlife Management is recognized as one
of the best programs not only in Texas, but in the entire country. The
program began with five $2,500 scholarships the first year and has grown
to twenty-four $5,000 scholarships presented in 2013, bringing the total
scholarships given to the million dollar mark. This is an important and
very proud achievement for all involved.
54
Justin Foster (left)
Beau Robertson
Jeff Breeden
Dollars
By: Scholarship Sponsors Committee Chairman
Deb Cunningham and Dan L. Duncan Scholarship
Selection Committee Chairman Gary Rose
The following outstanding recipients of the Houston Safari Club Dan L. Duncan
Scholarship should also be recognized for the following notable achievements:
• Bart Ballard: Director of Waterfowl Research at Caesar Kleberg Center,
Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Dr. Bart Ballard and his lab, Decoy
Jenna Moon
•
Ryan Luna: Borderlands Institute, Director of Desert Quail Research, Sul
Ross University.
•
Matt Butler: In charge of Biometry (wildlife statistics), Texas Tech University.
•
Jeff Breeden: In charge of the Wildlife Department, Tarleton State University.
•
Jena Moon: Professor/researcher specializing in Mottle Duck ecology.
Wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
•
Dean Wiemers: Professor/researcher dealing with native plants and animals
in South Texas, Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Also notable are the following Houston Safari Club scholarship winners employed
as game wardens and state, federal and private biologists scattered across the country,
such as:
• David Long: Team Leader, U.S. Department of Agriculture Lab – in charge of
identifying disease and parasite problems in South Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas.
•
Able Ruiz: Manages land for the Bureau of Land Management in Montana –
in charge of enhancement of native plants and animals.
•
Shawn Locke: TPWD, mule deer and pronghorn program leader – in charge
of management and harvest regulations for mule deer and pronghorn.
•
Shawn Grey: TPWD, Reeves County Biologist – responsible for management
of state wildlife for Reeves County.
•
Justin Foster: TPWD, Director of Research – leads all research projects for
TPWD in the Texas Hill Country.
•
Chase Curry: Biologist, San Pedro Ranch, Carrizo Springs, Texas – biologist
for very large private ranch in South Texas.
•
Bill Adams: TPWD, Director of Piney Woods Wildlife Management Areas
of Texas – responsible for all personnel and land on all East Texas Wildlife
Management Areas.
•
Brandon Meinkowski: TPWD, Conroe area Game Warden, Shikar Safari
Club – voted Texas Game Warden of the Year for the state of Texas.
•
Beau Robertson: Lieutenant Game Warden – Cameron Parish, Louisiana,
Game Warden supervisor.
•
Keith Lake: Biologist, Flying A Ranch, Bandera, Texas – biologist for large
ranch in Texas Hill Country.
55
It is with great appreciation not only for Dan’s vision, but for the wonderful
support this outstanding program has received from HSC, scholarship donors and
live auction hunt donors, that we celebrate 306 scholarship recipients for a total of
$1,038,250 to date….one million and counting!
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2013
Scholarship
Dan L. Duncan
57
recipients

Amanda Winn
Andrea Bruno (M.S.)
Andrew Olsen
Seasonal food habits of sable
antelope at Mason Mountain
Wildlife Management Area using
DNA analysis.
Survey for Trichomonas gallinae
and assessment of helminth parasites
in bobwhites from the Rolling
Plains Ecoregion.
Survey for Quail Parasites in
South Texas.
My research involves determining
the seasonal food habits of
approximately 15 sable antelope
at Mason Mountain Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) using a
technique of DNA analysis. I have
collected fecal samples from the two
herds of free-ranging sable antelope
on the property, collected numerous
plants for reference material and
conducted vegetation surveys on
the property. This will allow me to
compare my reference plant material
to the plants found in the fecal
material using both methods. The
vegetation surveys will allow me to
test for diet selectivity by comparing
the plant species found in the feces
to that species availability on the
property. After determining the
diet and assessing dietary selection,
this basic ecological information
can be used to address competition
between sable and other native/
non-native ungulates, compare the
sable diet in Texas to the diet in their
native range, assist those ranching
exotic game in determining the
feasibility of maintaining sable on
their property and assess the use of
DNA analysis of fecal material as
a technique for determing diets of
large herbivores.
Factors regulating bobwhite
populations are under intense
analysis. Seldom do researchers
consider parasitic diseases as a
potential cause of decline; however,
an intensive study began in 2011
to examine the possible link
between parasites and bobwhite
population decline in the Rolling
Plains ecoregion, an economically
and ecologically significant quail
region in Texas. We examined 199
bobwhites from 2011 to 2013 using
trapping and hunter donations. In
trapped birds, eye and cecal tissue
were taken to assess potential
damage from parasitic infections.
Live-trapped bobwhites were also
surveyed for Trichomonas gallinae, a
potentially fatal protozoan found
in doves. Preliminary results show
high prevalences and intensities of
cecal worms, followed by eyeworms,
and proventricular worms. No
birds tested positive for T. gallinae.
Findings from eye and cecal tissue
histological are currently being
analyzed. Our final sample of
birds will be analyzed in the
spring of 2014.
(Funding provided by the Rolling Plains
Quail Research Foundation.)
Graduate Instructional Assistant
Texas State University
Wildlife Ecology
Graduate Program
58
Graduate Research Assistant
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife
Research Institute
Graduate Assistant
Research Institute
Quail conservation efforts have
primarily focused on habitat
restoration, preservation and
creation in Texas. However, with
the continual long-term decline in
quail populations, there is renewed
interest in parasitic diseases of quail.
Several species of helminths are
known to cause disease in quail
and it is essential to determine if
these species occur in South Texas.
Unfortunately, the last northern
bobwhite parasite study conducted
in South Texas occurred 30 years ago
and no parasite-related information
is available on scaled quail within
the region. Using hunter-shot birds,
necropsies are conducted to identify
helminth parasites of these quails
and to characterize their infections.
The findings from this study will
provide a better picture of helminth
infections occurring in quail within
South Texas and provide insight
into the possible negative effects of
parasitic infections.
One
Becki Perkins
Graduate Student/
Research Assistant
Texas Tech University
Department of Natural
Resources Management
Impacts of transmitters on avian flight
and survival.
My research investigates the impacts
of global positioning systems (GPS)
and radio transmitters on the flight
agility of birds of prey (hawks,
falcons, etc.) and survival of avian
prey species (quail, sparrows, etc.).
Transmitters are common tools in
wildlife research; however, we do
not completely understand their
impacts on the studied individuals.
My worry is that wildlife researchers
have biased our studies, or even
worse, impacted populations of
animals with our use of transmitters.
As part of this project I have become
a falconer and am flying a trained
Harris’s Hawk to test her agility
when fitted with transmitters. I am
incredibly grateful to Houston Safari
Club for the scholarship money – it
has helped me immensely with the
costs of being a falconer!
Blaise Korzekwa
Bobby Allcorn
White-tailed deer behavior patterns.
Small mammals, birds and fire.
My objectives are to determine
the effect of deer density and
supplemental feed on deer sexual
segregation and their activity
patterns, and the effect of deer and
feeder density on fawn visitation
rates at supplemental feed sites.
Global positioning system (GPS)
collars were placed on does and
bucks in enclosures of varying
density. The collars recorded both
head movements and GPS locations
for an entire year to determine the
degree of sexual segregation. The
distance between each buck and
each doe in the same enclosure will
be calculated for each GPS fix. I will
use the distance moved between
GPS fixes and the head movement
value to determine activity patterns.
Camera surveys will be conducted
to determine fawn visitation rates
to supplemental feed sites. GPS
collars and ear tags will be placed on
fawns to keep track of individuals.
This study will help landowners
determine what effect their deer
management program has on
deer behavior.
We are evaluating the response of
small mammals and grassland birds
to fire in a semi-arid grassland of
west Texas. I am implementing a
trapping regimen using metal box
traps to evaluate small mammal
populations and conducting summer
and winter surveys to assess the
grassland bird populations. While it
might not seem that small mammals
and grassland birds would have much
to do with hunting, they indirectly
affect populations of game species.
Their presence helps to relieve
predation pressure from game
such as pronghorn, mule deer and
quail, while providing greater food
availability to predators. With this
research we will be able monitor
the rate at which these populations
bounce back from a fire and use
that information when setting up
management plans for game species.
Research Institute
Sul Ross State University
Borderlands Research Institute
Dixon Water Foundation
59
Million Dollars
And counting...
Carlos “Lalo” Gonzalez
Carter Crouch
Corey Lange
Effects of supplemental feeding and
watering on scaled quail density,
recruitment and survival.
Effects of coastal Bermuda grass on
grassland birds.
Impacts of wind energy on wintering
redheads along the lower Texas coast.
For my M.S. project, I am studying
the effects of brush management
on vegetation and arthropod
communities, and determining how
these relate to Northern bobwhite.
Starting in January 2014, I will be
continuing my education with a
Ph.D. project at the Caesar Kleberg
Wildlife Research Institute. For my
Ph.D. project, I will be investigating
the effects of coastal Bermuda grass
pastures on bobwhite and other
grassland birds, and the effects of
converting these pastures to native
vegetation. These “improved”
pastures planted for cattle lack
the heterogeneity of a landscape
dominated by native plants and likely
provide lower quality habitat for
bobwhite and other grassland birds.
I would like to thank Houston
Safari Club for their support
through scholarship.
The redhead (Aythya americana) is
a common breeding duck across
much of North America. During the
winter, the Laguna Madre along the
lower Texas coast is home to nearly
80 percent of the world’s redheads.
Redheads feed almost exclusively
on shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) in
the Laguna Madre but need to fly
to coastal freshwater wetlands and
ponds in order to maintain their
osmotic equilibrium. A large-scale
wind farm has been developed along
the coast of the Laguna Madre;
however, the impact these wind
farms have on redheads is unknown.
Using Arc GIS, I am creating a
development favorability model of
the Laguna Madre, highlighting the
most frequently used areas of the
Laguna Madre by redhead. I will
also use survey data and satellite
transmitter data to follow redhead
movement around the wind farm.
60
For the last several years, scaled quail
population have been declining.
Because of this, research to
understand the basic demographics
of scaled quail has become essential.
Supplemental feed and watering are
common practices used in west Texas
and are thought to better distribute
and increase populations size and
survival of scaled quail (Callipepla
squamata). But most studies on quail
have focused on the more popular
game bird, the northern bobwhite,
with little management information
available on scaled quail and other
western quail species. To address
the needs of landowners, managers
and western quail hunters, the goal
of my study has been to develop
management implications for scaled
quail in the Trans-Pecos, focusing
in nesting ecology, survival and the
use of Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) to determine seasonal
home range, movements, distance
from feed and water as well as
habitat selection. Over our 2 year
study, we have trapped and banded
over 2, 000 scaled quail and radio
marked with mortality sensitive
radio-transmitters over 80 females.
It is our objective that management
plans for land owners will be
developed to improve habitat for
scaled quail after completing
this research.
Research Institute
Research Institute
One
Daniel Tidwell
Use of vaginal implant transmitters to
evaluate pronghorn fawn mortality in
the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
I have conducted two years
of undergraduate research on
pronghorn in the Trans-Pecos region
of Texas as part of a cooperative
effort for pronghorn restoration in
region. This past summer I collared
40 pronghorn fawns to measure
survival and movements. We have
seen a successful translocation from
the Texas Panhandle and fawn
survival has dramatically increased
due to outstanding range conditions.
Picture caption: Daniel Tidwell (left) and Justin
Hoffman (right, fellow Graduate Student at Sul
Ross State University) holding the 40th fawn
captured of the year and 100th fawn captured for
the 3-year study.
Daniel M. Wolcott
Texas State University
Department of Biology
Understanding body development of
ungulates in variable environments.
Variation in body growth in
ungulates has been shown to have
dramatic consequences on fitness
throughout life. In order to increase
fitness, individuals may compensate
for periods of reduced development
by increasing or extending growth
rates. While compensatory growth
has been noted in many species, it
has largely been found lacking in
ungulates. At low latitudes, longer
growing seasons and reduced
winter severity may allow for
longer annual periods of body
development. This extension of
annual body development may
allow ungulates at low latitudes to
compensate for periods of reduced
body growth. In light of these
potential differences, the goal of my
dissertation is to understand ungulate
body development in variable
environments across a latitudinal
gradient. This dissertation will fill
key gaps in understanding body
development of ungulates at low
latitudes, and by extension, allow
researchers and managers to better
understand the impact that climate
change will have on high latitude
ungulate populations.
Hank Birdsall
Research Institute
Management of white-tailed deer
within the cattle fever tick permanent
quarantine area of Zapata county.
Our project focuses on white-tailed
deer management in the cattle
fever tick permanent quarantine
area of Zapata County, Texas, along
the United States/Mexico border.
White-tailed deer are intermediate
hosts for cattle fever ticks. High
deer densities and skewed sex ratios
in certain areas of the quarantine
zone have made USDA tick
eradication efforts difficult. The
goal of our project is to improve the
quality of deer herds in the region
by promoting deer management
techniques, such as harvesting does
and allowing young bucks to age,
to private landowners. We are
also working on developing deer
management cooperatives in
the region.
61
Million Dollars
And counting...
John Clark
Justin French
Krista Mougey
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) population dynamics.
Assessing the diets, nutrition and
habitat of Trans-Pecos Pronghorn.
Ecology of the repatriated stout iguana
population of Guana Island, British
Virgin Islands.
I will be working to create
population models of white-tailed
deer (Odocoileus virginianus) using
trail cameras, photographs and
capture data. I will use the collected
data to determine the extent to
which recruitment rates, body sizes
and buck antler sizes are affected by
population density and the presence
or absence of feeder sites along with
an analysis of social interactions at
feed and water sites. My project is
part of a long-term study taking
place on the Comanche and Faith
ranches, each of which have six
200-acre enclosures in which we
have manipulated deer density
and supplemental food availability.
Using the data discussed above
in conjunction with population
reconstruction techniques, I will be
able to create population models
for each density and feed strategy,
to determine how deer density
and feed availability affects the
development of antlers over the life
of a buck, and the probability of
producing trophy deer.
I am conducting a pronghorn
diet and nutrition study as a
part of the ongoing Trans-Pecos
Pronghorn Restoration project
with Borderlands Research Institute
and Texas Parks & Wildlife. My
project has three major components:
determining pronghorn diets in the
Marfa Plateau and Marathon Basin,
determining the nutritional intake
of pronghorn in these areas, and
developing a model of pronghorn
carrying capacity of a given land area
within the Trans-Pecos. The effect
of the Rockhouse fire on vegetation
communities within pronghorn
habitat is also being investigated as
a part of the model to give insight
into the applicability of fire as a
management practice for pronghorn
in far west Texas. Trans-Pecos
pronghorn diets are only understood
at anecdotal levels and little is known
about pronghorn nutrient needs
in general. This project aims to
elucidate this information to better
guide the assessment of habitat for
pronghorn translocation sites as well
as land management practices to
improve pronghorn habitat.
Research Institute
62
Student/Graduate Research
Assistant
Department of Natural
Resources Management
My dissertation is focused on the
ecology and conservation of the
West Indian stout iguana population
of Guana Island. The stout iguana
(Cyclura pinguis) is recognized as
one of the single most endangered
lizards in the world. In the 1980s,
the last remaining population of
stout iguanas was in precipitous
decline, and a decision was made to
establish an insurance population
within the historic range of the
species. Eight individuals were
successfully translocated from
Anegada to Guana Island. The
Guana stout iguana population has
grown markedly in the last several
decades; however, there has been
very little research conducted on
this population-especially in light
of the differences in the geologic
formation, elevational gradient and
vegetative structure between the
two islands. For this reason, I have
been conducting a mark-recapture
study, tracking population trends
and recording the demographic,
morphometric, physiological and
life history characteristics of this
artificially re-established
insurance population.
One
Masahiro Ohnishi
Matthew T. Milholland
Evaluation of selective-harvest practices
and molecular and demographic
information of male-mating success
and strategies in white-tailed deer.
Ecological correlates of hantavirus
prevalence in rodent assemblages.
Research Institute
Selective-harvest (or “culling”) is
widely practiced, yet the effects of
culling on deer population are not
known. Intensive management for
deer population, such as heavily
repetitive culling selective bucks, may
have potential results to influence
antler size, age distribution of
mating success and genetic variation.
Objectives of this research are to
evaluate influences of the culling
in successful mating strategies in
white-tailed deer. We use 10 years of
deer tissue samples from 2 harvesting
treatments and an unharvested
control. Genetic parentage, such
as DNA extraction, amplification
and sequencing in white-tailed
deer will be performed to analyze
genetic-based paternity assignments
in order to evaluate individual
male reproductive successes and
demographic characteristics. The
resulting information from this
study of the influence of harvest
intensity on male mating success
and selective harvesting practices
could have important management
implications for landowners and
wildlife biologists.
Ph.D. Student
Texas State University-San Marcos
Department of Biology
Zoonotic pathogens are the
dominant cause of novel and
reemerging infectious diseases.
Hantaviruses and their associated
human diseases, hemorrhagic fever
with renal syndrome (HFRS) and
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
(HPS), are acute viral febrile
diseases and can be responsible for
human mortality rates as high as
50-70%. People at highest risk for
these diseases are often hunters and
individuals working near possible
rodent populations. The 1993 HPS
outbreak in the Four Corners area
and 2012 outbreak in Yosemite
National Park are important
reminders that surveillance and
ecological understanding of rodent
reservoirs of these viruses is critical
to human health. Alterations and
disturbances in natural habitats often
bring humans in close proximity
with infected rodents. My research
involves looking at the ecological
correlates associated with hantavirus
prevalence in rodent assemblages
and analyzing these assemblages to
predict disease risk.
Nate Huck
Research Institute
Nutritional ecology of female northern
pintails along the Texas coast.
My research focuses on
understanding the food habitats of
female pintails along the Texas coast.
Pintail populations are currently
struggling and well below goals
set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. We hope that by getting
a better understanding of pintails
diets we can have a more complete
understanding of nutritional needs
of wintering pintails. To do this, we
are collecting pintails along the Texas
coast and removing the food items.
We then sort and identify all of the
diet items. From there we establish
an average diet of female pintails.
After this is complete, we plan on
looking at the body condition of the
pintails. We hope that by obtaining
a better understanding of pintail
diets and body conditions we can
provide wildlife managers with a
more complete idea of what habitats
to provide and conserve to best help
conserve populations.
Million Dollars
63
And counting...
And counting...
One Million Dollars
64
Ryan DeVore
Graduate Research Assistant, (M.S.)
Natural Resources Management
Demographics, habitat use and
movement patterns of elk at Bosque
del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife
Refuge provides habitat and food for
waterfowl and sandhill cranes that
overwinter at the Refuge or use it
during their migration. To provide
an adequate amount of nutrition
for the birds, corn is planted on the
Refuge. The resident, growing elk
herd is depredating the corn, thereby
interrupting Refuge objectives. We
are investigating the growth rate and
size of the elk herd, determining elk
habitat use and movement patterns,
and evaluating their response to
hunting and aversion techniques. To
examine these factors, we marked
adult elk with radio or global
positioning system (GPS) collars.
We will use our results to determine
management changes the Refuge
can implement to mitigate crop
damage. We will also set elk
harvest quotas to decrease the herd
size and allow limited public
hunting opportunities.
Stacy Hines
Ph.D Student/Graduate
Research Assistant
Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research
Institute
Grazing studies on East Wildlife
Foundation Ranches: cattle, deer and
nilgai interactions.
Few studies have been completed
on the impacts of cattle grazing
on preferred forbs for white-tailed
deer and dietary niche overlap
of cattle, deer and nilgai. I am
currently completing one of the
largest vegetation projects in the
United States to determine how
grazing intensity affects the growth
of forbs preferred by white-tailed
deer. We have 600 vegetation plots,
paired plots (1 inside and outside
an enclosure), spread over 6 study
sites on the East Wildlife Foundation
ranches in south Texas. In addition, I
am collecting seasonal fecal samples
from cattle, deer and nilgai to
determine dietary overlap during
peak growing seasons, autumn
and spring, and a non-growing
season, winter. If the stable isotope
signatures overlap, the animals
are competing with one another
for the same forages. Our results
will assist landowners in adjusting
cattle stocking rates and/or wildlife
densities to optimize standing crop
of preferred forbs for deer and
to minimize diet overlap among
ungulate species.
Dan L. Duncan Scholarship
Sponsors
d
Legacy Sponsors
Deb and Ralph S. Cunningham
Ann and Randy Fowler
Mitzy and Tony McCorvey
Nancy and Dennis Proctor
Sandra and Byron Sadler
Marty and Ed Smith
d
Scholarship Sponsors
Dannine and Skip Avara
Ellen and Hank Bachmann
Cokinos, Bosien & Young, Craig Power
Kathy and Mike Creel
Ann and Marc Laird – Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc.
James Masten – Beck & Masten Buick GMC, Inc.
Rudy Nix
Melanie and John Pepper – Langham, Pepper & Associates, Inc.
Jim Teague and Jane DiPaolo
HOUSTON
SAFARI CLUB
Outback
Adventure of a
Lifetime!
66
Fred and Arlette Lamas would like to thank Andrew Mackay and Australian Outfitters
for the Outback Adventure of a Lifetime.
Chairman’s Message
Convention season is almost here and Capture the Experience is
coming together nicely. The Convention Chairmen and their
committees have been working diligently to make this year’s event
a success, and the Houston Safari Club office continues to be the
glue that keeps us all moving forward. I have a few updates to share
on various facets of the Convention.
A heartfelt thanks to our returning HSC Convention sponsors,
Capital Farm Credit, S&B Engineering, Enterprise Products and
Carter’s Country, all of whom have stepped up to the plate once
again! Dr. Scott Scheinin, this year’s Convention Sponsorship
Chairman, has also been instrumental in the addition of Sonic
Automotive as a Platinum Convention Sponsor. The Hunting
Grounds was recently added to our list of valued sponsors. Many
thanks to Serca Wines and Igloo who have also agreed to partner
with HSC by providing their products for the 2014 Convention.
As always, we have a full house of quality exhibitors this year. We
look forward to seeing long-time friends and professional hunters,
but we are excited to welcome a number of new faces to the
exhibit hall as well. Many thanks go to Jerry Henderson for his
continued commitment to HSC and working with our valued
exhibitors.
Raj Paul recently delivered the Hunting Award bronzes and
they look great! Get those Hunting Award applications turned
in as soon as possible if you want one of these beautiful bronzes
presented to you at the Friday Night Banquet by Hunting Awards
Chairman, Scott Garrett.
Friday night’s silent auction item list is gaining plenty of
momentum as Co-Chairmen Angie and J.D. Burrows continue to
methodically and strategically add to their list of engaging items.
The Gazelles Luncheon promises to be a big hit this year as CoChairmen Mitzy McCorvey and Anna Morrison have plenty of
surprises in store for us. If you have never attended the Gazelles
Luncheon on Saturday, please make your reservations to do so this
year.
Raffles have always been a hit inside the exhibit hall and this
year will be no exception. Raffle Co-Chairmen Darrell Kainer
and Kevin Ormston have joined forces to compile a number of
desirable prizes with the highlights being a Merkel .416 rifle and
a pair of Rizzini 20 gauge and 12 gauge shotguns. Other notable
raffle prizes will include a wingshooting hunt, a beautiful fur and
some incredible artwork.
69
If you haven’t already heard, Bill Engvall is returning to HSC for an
encore performance that will undoubtedly bring lots of laughs on
Saturday night. Bill will be followed by HSC’s favorite auctioneer,
Ed Phillips, who will be presenting plenty of coveted items at the
auction block. Auction Chairman Ralph Cunningham has once
again brought us some phenomenal opportunities. If you have an
interest in art, fishing, wingshooting, big game hunting at home
or abroad, custom rifles and shotguns, or one of a kind vacations,
then there is something for you at our Friday and Saturday night
live auctions!
We look forward to seeing you all at The Woodlands Waterway
Marriott on January 17-19, 2014, in order to truly Capture the
Experience!
–Kevin Comiskey
HSC Convention Chairman
Convention
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
70
gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
capture 2014
E x h i b i t o r s
African Elephant Hair Bracelets
David Anderson
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
www.safarijewelry.com
BC Guided Hunting
Allan Larson
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
www.bcguidedhunting.com
Canada North Outfitting
Shane Black
Montreal, QC, Canada
www.canadanorthoutfitting.com
Alamo Sporting Arms
Pamela Young
San Antonio, TX, USA
www.alamosportingarms.com
Bear Mountain Ranch
Anne Draper
Kremmling, CO, USA
www.bearmountainranch.com
Canadian Guide Outfitters, Ltd.
Sean Lingl
Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
www.canadianguideoutfitters.com
Alaska Fur Gallery
Malena Hausinger
Anchorage, AK, USA
www.akfurgallery.com
Bear Paw Guide & Outfitters
Dennis Smith
Chetwynd, BC, Canada
www.bearbc.com
Cape to Cairo Safaris
Karin Nieuwoudt
Roswell, GA, USA
www.huntinafrica.com
Alaskan Fishing Adventures
Tim Berg
Soldotna, AK, USA
www.alaskanfishing.com
Bill Wiseman & Co., Inc.
Bill Wiseman
College Station, TX, USA
www.wisemanballistics.com
Capital Farm Credit
Matt Seymour
Bryan, TX, USA
www.capitalfarmcredit.com
Algar Safaris
Liliana Saccomano
Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.algar-safaris.com
Billiard Factory
Joe Elwood
Houston, TX, USA
www.billiardfactory.com
Carlson Fine Art Studio
Laura and Cory Carlson
Ruston, LA, USA
www.corycarlson.com
Argentina Puelo Expeditions
Ramiro Gonzalez Allende
Villa Allende, Cordoba, Argentina
www.pueloexpeditions.com
Briley Manufacturing
Hannah Manion
Houston, TX, USA
www.briley.com
Cavner & Julian, Inc.
Preston Cavner
Port Alsworth, AK, USA
www.huntingadventure.com
Atascosa Wildlife Supply, Inc.
Larry Friesenhahn
Jourdanton, TX, USA
www.atascosawildlifesupply.com
Buckbrush Outfitters
Rod Hunter
Vermilion, AB, Canada
www.buckbrushoutfitters.ca
Cazatur – Spain & Europe
Eduardo De Araoz
Madrid, Spain
www.cazatur.com
Australian Buffalo Hunters
Graham Williams
Mandurah, Australia
www.biggameaustralia.com
Bush Africa Safaris
Schalk van Heerden
Lephalale, Limpopo, South Africa
www.bushafricasafaris.co.za
Celtic Field Sports
David Moore
Hockley, TX, USA
www.celticfieldsports.com
Australian Outfitters
Andrew Mackay
Katherine, N.T., Australia
www.Australianoutfitters.net
Cala Grande Ranch
Phil Sharp
Corsicana, TX, USA
www.calagranderanch.com
Cheetah Safaris/Sable Safaris
Carina and Pieter Bothma
Thabazimbi, Limpopo, RSA
www.cheetahsafaris.co.za
Baranof Jewelers
Luis Hernandez
Park City, UT, USA
www.baranofjewelry.com
Call of Africa Galleries
Ross Parker
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
www.callofafrica.com
Connecticut Shotgun
Manufacturing Co.
Louis Frutuoso
New Britain, CT, USA
www.connecticutshotgun.com
71
capture 2014
E x h i b i t o r s
72
Conroe Taxidermy
Barret Simpson
Conroe, TX, USA
www.conroetaxidermy.com
EAI Outdoors
Ed Rymut
Fort Akinson, WI, USA
www.eaioutdoors.com
Gold Schläger
Robert Ohlenschläger
Rosemount, MN, USA
[email protected]
Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail
Robert Gegenheimer
Corsicana, TX, USA
www.cottonmesawhitetail.com
Ekland Safaris
Yawan Kayali
Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
www.eklandsafaris.com
Great Grey Outfitters, Ltd.
Susan and Wayne Schigol
Meath Park, Saskatchewan, Canada
www.greatgrey.ca
Crusader Safaris
Andrew Pringle
Bedford, RSA
www.crusadersafaris.com
Estate Trophy Hunts
David Blankman
Round Rock, TX, USA
www.estatetrophyhunts.com
Great Spanish Hunts
Ignacio Navasques
Madrid, Spain
www.greatspanishhunts.com
De Klerk Safaris
Hans de Klerk
Bray, Northwest Province, South Africa
www.dksafaris.com
Fishtail Ranch
Lee Weiss
Chama, NM, USA
www.fishtailranch.com
Gsell’s Whitetail Refuge
Robert Koontz
Fayetteville, PA, USA
www.gsellswhitetailrefuge.com
Deborah Vaughn Jewelry Designs
Deborah Vaughn
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
www.deborahvaughndesigns.com
Fouchè Studio
Leon Fouchè
Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa
www.fouchestudios.co.za
Hartland Whitetails
Al Morhart
Briercrest, Saskatchewan, Canada
www.hartlanddeer.com
Detail Company Adventures
Jeri Booth
Houston, TX, USA
www.detailcompany.com
Four Seasons Safaris New Zealand
Shane Johnston
Darfield, Canterbury, New Zealand
www.fourseasons.co.nz
HEYM USA/Double Gun Imports, LLC
Chris Sells
Dallas, TX, USA
www.heymusa.com
Distinctive Burl Design
Janice Oliver
Post Falls, ID, USA
www.distinctiveburldesign.com
Frontera Wingshooting
Tomas Frontera
Cordoba, Argentina
www.fronterawingshooting.com
High Desert Ranch
Brian Cline
Bloomfield, NM, USA
www.highdesertranch.com
Double R Ranch
Blake Revels
Houston, TX, USA
www.revelsracks.com
Frosch Travel
Miriam Clingensmith
Houston, TX, USA
www.frosch.com
High Mountain Hunts
Pat Latham
Arlington, TX, USA
www.highmountainhunts.com
Dove Island Lodge
Duane Lambeth
Sitka, AK, USA
www.doveislandlodge.com
Garry Kelly Safaris
Garry Kelly
Dargle, KZN, RSA
www.gksafaris.co.za
Hill Country Rifle Co.
David Fuqua
New Braunfels, TX, USA
www.hillcountryrifles.com
Dubarry of Ireland
Charlotte Brooks
Nottingham, PA, USA
www.dubarry.com
Giuseppe Carrizosa – Spain
Giuseppe Carrizosa
Madrid, Spain
www.giuseppecarrizosa.com
The Hunting Grounds
Marc Hightower
Caulfield, MO, USA
www.thehuntinggrounds.com
capture 2014
E x h i b i t o r s
Hunt Trip Spain by Francisco Rosich
Francisco Rosich
Rubio, Barcelona, Spain
www.hunttripspain.com
Kingham Safaris
James Webster
Kilcoy, QLD, Australia
www.kinghamsafaris.com
Leo van Rooyen T/A Safaris Africa
Leo Van Rooyen
Pongola, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
www.leovanrooyensafarisafrica.com
Hunters Namibia Safaris
Marina Lamprecht
Namibia
www.huntersnamibia.com
Klawerberg – Namibia
J.H.Visser
Windhoek, Namibia
www.namibiahunting.net
Leota’s Indian Art
Leota Knight
Sugar Land, TX, USA
www.leotasindianart.com
Huntershill Safaris
Greg Harvey
Queenstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
www.huntershillsafaris.co.za
Knives by Thomas & Debi
Debi and Thomas Rucker
Spring, TX, USA
www.knivesbythomas.com
Lincroma Safaris
Al Weaver
Groves, TX, USA
www.lincroma.com
Impala African Safaris
Arnold Payne
Phoenix, AZ, USA
www.impalasafaris.com
Köbus Moller Studios, LLC
Holly Mathew
Rosharon, TX, USA
www.kobusmoller.com
Lone Star Outfitters
Walt Isenhour
McDade, TX, USA
www.lonestaroutfitters.com
Intrepid Safaris Africa
Phillip du Plessis
Alldays, Limpopo, South Africa
www.intrepidsafaris.com
Kudu Exclusives
Pat Carney
Seguin, TX, USA
www.kuduexclusives.com
Lost Horizons Outfitters
James Jeffrey
Barker, TX, USA
www.losthorizonsoutfitters.com
Johan Hermann Safaris
Johan Hermann
Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa
www.johanhermannsafaris.com
La Gloria Land Company
Matt Mann
Sugar Land, TX, USA
www.laglorialandcompany.com
Madubula Safaris
Lauri Abraham
Cascades, KZN, South Africa
www.madubula.com
Joshua Creek Ranch
Joseph Kercheville
Boerne, TX, USA
www.joshuacreek.com
Lategan Safaris
Bennie Lategan
Aliwal North, Freestate, RSA
www.lategansafaris.co.za
Marromeu Safaris
Linda Ferreira
Porto, Portugal
www.marromesafaris.com
Julian & Sons
Thomas Julian
Heber Springs, AR, USA
www.julianandsons.com
Laurentian Wildlife Estate
Alistair Greenfield
Quebec, Canada
www.laurentianwildlife.com
Matlabas Game Hunters
Flippie Frost
Lephalale, Limpopo, South Africa
www.matlabas.co.za/hunting
K.D.F., Inc.
Phil Koehne
Seguin, TX, USA
www.kdfinc.com
Leaf River Lodge & FPQ
Alain Tardif
St. Henri, Quebec, Canada
www.leafriverlodge.com
McMillan Fine Art Gallery and Studio
Vickie McMillan
The Woodlands, TX, USA
www.vickiemcmillan.com
Kalahari Safari
Janneman Brand
Namibia
www.kalahari-safari.com
Legends Ranch
Colby Bettis
Bitely, MI, USA
www.legendsranch.com
MG Arms Inc.
Carol and Kerry O’Day
Spring, TX, USA
www.mgarmsinc.com
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capture 2014
E x h i b i t o r s
74
Moore Security
Heath Moore
Houston, TX, USA
www.mooresecuritysafe.com
Outdoor Visions
Bob Harper
Richardson, TX, USA
www.outdoorvisions.com
Sally Maxwell
Sally Maxwell
La Grange, TX, USA
www.sallymaxwell.com
Murray Custom Leather
Dick Murray
Aledo, TX, USA
www.murraycustomleather.com
Peter Blackwell Wildlife Art
Peter Blackwell
Austin, TX, USA
www.peterblackwellwildlifeartist.com
Scandinavian Prohunters
Stefan Bengtsson
Vimmerby, Sweden
www.scandinavianprohunters.com
Namibian Safari Hunts
Kevin McAdams
Conroe, TX, USA
www.orpahunt.com
Pierre Vorster Safaris
Amanda Vorster
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
www.pvsafaris.com
Shingalana Lion and Rhino
Game Reserve
Frikkie Jacobs
Hartbeesfontein, Northwest, South Africa
www.shingalana.co.za
National Rifle Association
Sasha Slacum
Fairfax,VA, USA
www.nra.org
Quagga Safaris
Erik Visser
Lepualale, Limpopo, South Africa
www.quagga.co.za
Nhoro Safaris
Gordon Stark
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
www.nhorosafaris.com
RecordBuck Ranch
Chuck Herndon
Utopia, TX, USA
www.recordbuck.com
Nick Nolte Hunting Safaris
Nick Nolte
Omaruru, Erongo, Namibia
www.nicknoltesafaris.com
Reveille Hunting Ranch
Botha Jansen
Okahandja, Namibia
www.reveille-hunting.com
North Haven Resort
David Brahm
Pewaukee, WI, USA
www.northhavenresort.ca
Rex Foster Artist
Rex Foster
Comfort, TX, USA
www.rexfoster.com
Northern Giants Trophy Ranch
Jason Smith
Eckville, Alberta, Canada
www.northerngiantsranch.com
Royal Rut Ranch
Kelly Hymas
Eagle Mountain, Utah, USA
www.royalrut.com
Northern Zuzuland
Kristel Landman
Pongola, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
www.northernzuzuland.co.za
SAAM Training/FTW
David Fallon
Barksdale, TX, USA
www.ftwoutfitters.com
Otjandaue Hunting Safaris
Roy Van Der Merwe
Omaruru, Namibia
www.otjandauehuntingsafaris.com
Sadaka Safaris
Ewert Vorster
Hartebeesfontein, Bela Bela, South Africa
www.sadakasafaris.com
South Pacific Safaris New Zealand
Deborah Wilks
Kaikoura, New Zealand
www.huntingnewzealand.info
South Texas Tripods & Feeders, Inc.
Chuck Cashdollar
Spring, TX, USA
www.southtexastripodsandfeeders.com
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting
New Zealand
John and Wyatt McBride
Visalia, CA, USA
www.sctrophyhunting.com
Spiral Horn Safaris
Louis van Bergen
Pretata, Gauteng, South Africa
www.spiralhorn.co.za
Sportear
Alta Sylvester
Draper, UT, USA
www.sportear.com
Sporting Classics Magazine
Chuck Wechsler
Columbia, SC, USA
www.sportingclassics.com
capture 2014
E x h i b i t o r s
Sporting International
Tommy Morrison
Channelview, TX, USA
www.sportinginternational.com
Threeways Safaris
Tokkie van der Merwe
Bitbridge, Zimbabwe
www.threewayssafaris.com
W.C. Russell Moccasin Co.
Joe Gonyo
Berlin, WI, USA
www.russellmoccasin.com
Stukel’s Birds & Bucks, Inc.
Frank Stukel
Gregory, SD, USA
www.stukels.com
Tracy Vrem’s Blue Mountain Lodge
Linda and Tracy Vrem
Chugiak, AK, USA
www.bluemountainlodge.com
Wanganui Safaris
Paul Bamber
Wanganui, New Zealand
www.wsafaris.com
Su King Fashions
Su King Hand
Richardson, TX, USA
[email protected]
Tri-State Taxidermy/Save Safaris
Ben Cromeens
Houston, TX, USA
www.tri-statetaxidermy.com
Wild Arts by Raj S. Paul
Raj Paul
Houston, TX, USA
www.wildartsbyrajspaul.com
Tam Safaris
Peter and Stephen Tam
Cradock, EC, South Africa
www.tamsafaris.com
Trophy Hunters Africa
Larry Rider
Houston, TX, USA
www.trophyhuntersafrica.co.za
Wildman Lake Lodge
Kathy and Butch King
Mt. Home, TX, USA
www.wildmanlodge.com
Terry Wilson Antler Designs
Melinda and Terry Wilson
Kemp, TX, USA
www.wilsonantlers.com
Trophy Hunting Spain
by Bruno Rosich
Bruno Rosich
Olerdola, Barcelona, Spain
www.trophyhuntingspain.com
Wollaston Lake Lodge
Mike Lembke
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
www.wollastonlakelodge.com
Texas Ag Realty
Steve Bilicek
Houston, TX, USA
www.texasagrealty.com
Thandeka Safaris
Tommy van Vuuren
Lichtenburg, Northwest, South Africa
www.thandekasafaris.co.za
Tropic Star Lodge of Panama
Raleigh Werking
New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA
www.tropicstar.com
Woods & Water Taxidermy
Dena Woodson
Conroe, TX, USA
www.woodsandwatertaxidermy.com
WOW Africa
Izak Kirsten
Vryheid, Natal, South Africa
www.wowafrica.com
Xtreme Whitetail Adventures
Bryan White
Strafford, MO, USA
www.xtremewhitetail.com
75
hunting award
sponsors
d
Angela and J.D. Burrows
Helen and Prentiss C. Burt
Frank Comiskey Agency, Inc.
Jenny and Kevin Comiskey
Deb and Ralph Cunningham
Gary E. Ellison, P.C.
76
Robin and Gene Human
Julianne and Mark King
Matt Mann
Cheryl and Kevin Ormston
Melanie and John Pepper
Sandra and Byron Sadler
Andi and Scott Scheinin
Ted Trout Architect & Associates, Inc.
W4 Hunting & Fishing, LTD.
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Artist
Year
of the
78
J o h n S e e r e y- L e s t e r
By John Houseman
W
ith his paintings hanging in the White House, John
Seerey-Lester has become one of the most renowned
wildlife and historic artists in the world today. “When
it comes to reliving in both words and paint, the world’s greatest
explorers and hunters, no artist does it better than John SeereyLester,” says Sporting Classics Magazine. His passion for painting
the great outdoors from life has enabled him to gain a unique
understanding and vision drawn from years of study in the wilds
of every continent except Australia.
Seerey-Lester’s featured painting, “TR In Search of Elk,” depicts a
scene from over a century ago. It was September 1891, in Wyoming,
and the youthful hunter, Theodore Roosevelt, was embarking on
what he would remember later as one of his favorite hunts.
TR’s hunting party, which was comprised of his ranch partner Bob
Ferguson, longtime friend Tazewell Woody, and Edward Hofer,
who doubled as cook and packer, were heading for Two-Ocean
Pass to hunt elk. The party had 20 horses, 6 to ride and 14 for
packs. This was a large outfit, even for TR. Although many of the
ponies had seen better days, they were hardy animals who, despite
the usual problem of occasionally straying, the horses, served them
well on the long hunting trip. They carried three tepee-style tents,
two for sleeping and the other for storing the hunter’s gear and to
serve as a dining tent during adverse weather.
Before producing the painting, John and his wife Suzie travelled
the exact route taken by TR over a century ago, from Heart
Lake in Yellowstone through Two-Ocean Pass and the Shoshone
National Forest to the badlands. “I chose to paint the scene from
the elk’s point of view with TR’s hunting party and 20 horses
winding their way through the background,” says John. This
painting appears on page 53 of Seerey-Lester’s new book, Legends
of the Hunt – Campfire Tales, copies of which he will be signing and
personalizing at the Sporting Classics booth during the Houston
Safari Club 2014 Convention. Paintings by the artist will be
offered for sale at Call of Africa’s booth.
Ross Parker and Call of Africa were instrumental in offering
Seerey-Lesters original historic wildlife paintings and giclee prints
since the conception of this art theme in 2007 and his first book,
Legends of the Hunt, in 2009. Over 250 paintings have appeared in
the 2 books, and Call of Africa exhibited and sold most of them at
their 2 galleries in Ft. Lauderdale and Naples, Florida.
There are very few paintings left from the two books and Call of
Africa will be offering these and Seerey-Lester’s new collection of
work at their booth during the convention.
When asked, Seerey-Lester said; “Being chosen as the Artist of the
Year for HSC was an honor indeed. The very best traditions of
hunting and conservation are represented by this organization and
I am most proud to be part of it this year.”
Last year John Seerey-Lester was knighted in Houston by his
Imperial and Royal Highness, the Archduke Andreas of Austria on
behalf of St. Hubertus.★
79
Thank You!
Denise and Brian Welker say a huge "THANKS" to Ryan Bollman at Sanctuary Ranch,
the incredible Ivan Carter, the super perfection of Kerry O'Day with MG Arms and
Kevin Roberts at South East Timber Creek Outfitters in Florida!
–Denise and Brian Welker
Convention
Art
Preview
81
Africa's King of the Beasts, oil on canvas, 30 x 46 inches, by Cory Carlson
Malachite Kingfisher, framed original pastel, by Leon Fouche
82
Royal Family, oil on canvas, 22 x 10.5 inches, by Kobus Möller
Back Away, giclee painting, 60 x 40 inches, by Vickie McMillan
83
Early Moon, oil on Belgian linen, 24 x 18 inches, by John Banovich
Passage to Gold, bronze sculpture by Lorenzo Ghiglieri. Limited edition, piece 24 of 1897.
84
Pool of Opportunity, oil on canvas, 15 x 22 inches, by Peter Blackwell
Texas Ranch, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 inches, by Vickie McMillan
85
Morning Flight, oil on panel, 12 x 16 inches, by Suzie Seerey-Lester
What’s in a pin?
By J. Earle Freeman,
Convention Volunteer Chairman
"AT-TA-BOY"
1. used to express encouragement, approval, or admiration.
2. a phrase condensed from “that a boy,” that is said when one
has done a good job on something.
I
86
joined Houston Safari Club in 1983
when Ronnie Boyd was President,
and by 1987 I was a volunteer at the
HSC Convention on the unloading
and loading lock. Soon I saw the
effort that the Club members put into the
Convention, which is the “life blood” for
the Club. By the time Dennis Cain became
President in 1993, I had received a large
number of Sunday Evening “Atta Boy”
awards for my help, as had a large number of other volunteers. Not long after President Dennis
Cain arrived on the floor, I went to him with the idea of replacing the “Atta Boy” awards with a
pin that the volunteers would be proud of.
President Dennis Cain and I set out the master plan for the Houston Safari Club Convention
volunteer award pins. The would be set out in a series, starting with the Big Five, then the sheep
collection, followed by the Alaska series. As of this date, the big five pins have been awarded: the
Cape buffalo, the rhino, lion, leopard and elephant. After the big five, the sheep series of four
pins were awarded: the Dall sheep, the Desert bighorn sheep, the Stone sheep and the Rocky
Mountain bighorn sheep.
The Alaska series was started in 2004 and the following pins have been presented to the
Convention volunteers for their help with the yearly convention: the brown bear, the mountain
goat, the wolverine, the sockeye salmon, muskox, polar bear, walrus and arctic wolf. To receive a
2014 Alaska series volunteer pin, sign up now to be a volunteer!
The pins make a great collection for your office or trophy room. They are one-of-a-kind and as
the saying goes, “Use them, just don’t lose them.” They cannot be replaced, as only 95 are made
every year.
If you have never worked on a committee and would like to, there are always spots available for
the long, short, tall, young or old to volunteer. So volunteer! Pick where you would like to fit
in and come join the ranks of the chosen few. You will not only have a great time, but you will
become the owner of a “HSC volunteer/thank you for your help” pin. So what’s in a pin? Join
us and start your collecting at the 2014 HSC Convention. You will be glad you did. ★
convention
volunteers
Convention Chairman
Kevin Comiskey
Art Donation Co-Chairmen
Convention Sponsor
Co-Chairmen
Scott Scheinin and Matt Pyle
Auctioneer
Ed Phillips
Convention Volunteer
Chairman
J. Earle Freeman
Exhibit Hall Coordinator
Jerry Henderson
Exhibits Chairman
Jerry Henderson
Security Coordinator
Jerry Henderson
Convention Activities
Coordinator
Barret Simpson
Decorations and Banquet
Activities Chairman
Julianne King
Live Auction Co-Chairmen
Firearms Coordinators
Carol and Kerry O’Day of MG
Arms
Silent Auction Co-Chairmen
Angie and J.D. Burrows
Raffle Co-Chairmen
Darrell Kainer and Kevin
Ormston
Gazelles Co-Chairmen
Anna Morrison and Mitzy
McCorvey
Gazelles Sponsor Co-Chairmen
Anna Morrison and
Mitzy McCorvey
Attendee Registration
Coordinator
Carol Mueller
Hunting Award Sponsor
Chairman
Kevin Ormston
Hunting Awards Co-Chairmen
Irvin Barnhart and Scott Garrett
Hunter of the Year Chairman
Mike Simpson
Outstanding Huntress of the
Year Chairman
Chrissie Jackson
Youth Hunter of the Year
Award Chairman
Deb Cunningham
Photo Awards Chairman
Cope Bailey
YWCE Co-Chairmen
Susan and David Kalich
Membership Booth Chairman
Cody Tinney
Gala Activities Chairman
Gene Human
Merchandise Chairman
Sue Lehrer
Hunt Donation Co-Chairmen
87
HSC Volunteers
2
1
3
4
7
5
88
6
9
8
10
1. David and Susan Kalich,YWCE Co-Chairmen
2. Deb Cunningham, Scholarship Sponsors
Chairman and Youth Hunter of the
Year Award Chairman
3. Deb and Ralph Cunningham,
Live Auction Co-Chairmen
4. Diane Delagrange, Gazelles Committee
5. Gary Rose, Dan L. Duncan Scholarship Selection
Committee Chairman
6. Matt Pyle, Convention Sponsor Co-Chair and
Hunting with Heroes Chairman
7. Gay Rod, Sporting Clays Tournament Committee
8. Pug Mostyn, Gazelles Luncheon Committee
9. Irvin Barnhart, Hunting Award Co-Chair
10.Monica Williamson, Gazelles Committee
11
12
13
15
16
14
89
17
18
11.Carol and Kerry O'Day, Firearm Co-Chairmen
12.Carole Henderson, Gazelles Committee
13.Chris Manuel, Day Pass Co-Chair and Silent
Auction Committee
14.Chrissie Jackson, Outstanding Huntress of the
Year Chairman
15.Cody Tinney, Membership Chairman
16.Cope Bailey, Photography Award Chairman
19
17.Darrell Kainer, Convention Raffle Co-Chair
18.Mandy Daigle, Gazelles Luncheon Committee
and HSC Sporting Clays Tournament Committee
19.Scott Scheinin, Convention Sponsor Co-Chair
HSC Volunteers
20
21
22
23
27
25
26
90
24
30
28
29
31
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Ann Laird, Gazelles Committee
Anna Morrison, Gazelles Luncheon Co-Chair
Becky Simpson, Gazelles Committee
Mark King, Grants Chairman
Sue Lehrer, Merchandise Chairman
Armando DeLeon IV, HSC Sporting Clays
Tournament Committee
26. Scott Garrett, Hunting Award Co-Chair
27. Ralph Cunningham,
Finance Committee Chairman
28. Wendy Barnhart, Gazelles Committee
29. Barret Simpson, Convention
Activities Coordinator
30. David Kalich, Hunting with Heroes
Committee and Youth Education and
Hunting Activities Committee
31. Susan Kalich, Hunting with Heroes
Committee and Youth Education and
Hunting Activities Committee
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
91
40
41
39
42
43
44
32. James Jeffrey, Sporting Clays Tournament
Chairman
33. Jason Shrieve, Day Pass Co-Chair
34. Jeff Birmingham (left), Sporting Clays
Tournament Committee
35. Jerry Henderson, Exhibits Chairman
36. John Pepper, Art Donations Co-Chair
37. Julianne King, Convention Decorations and
Banquet Activities Chairman
38. Kermit Brence,Youth Education and Hunting
Activities Chairman
39. Kevin Comiskey, Convention Chairman
40. Gene Human, Gala Activity Sales Chairman
41. Kevin Ormston, Hunting Award Sponsor
Chairman and Convention Raffle Co-Chair
42. J. Earle Freeman, Convention
Volunteers Chairman
43. Mike Simpson, Hunter of the
Year Award Chairman
44. Mitzy McCorvey, Gazelles
Luncheon Co-Chair
92
the
President’s
Rifle
By Ivan Carter
A
gunmaker once told me “a
gun is a gun, but a gun in a
case? Well, that’s something
special...” Original hardsided gun cases were made of
solid oak with the wood grain exposed on
the exterior. Less expensive versions were
later made of cheaper woods (some even
from cardboard) and covered with canvas.
All are a means to an end, but the iconic case
we’ve come to know and expect for fine
firearms were perfected in the Victorian era
of fine gun making. Many would argue that
Britain’s craftsmanship was at its apex, and
things we might consider excessive today
were not only functional, but proper for the
period. It was a time for the appreciation
of life’s finer things, and cases for fine guns
were no exception.
TSA locks on plastic or aluminum cases
weren’t required in 1880, but then again,
your luggage was kept in your stateroom
on a steamer with your personal effects,
not in the belly of a jetliner, and safaris
weren’t days or weeks, they were months.
Fine firearms from European, British and
American hunters found their way to the
Dark Continent nestled neatly inside handcrafted “oak and leather” cases.
A hand-fitted compartment inside the
case gently cradled the butt-stock and
action, a separate
compartment held
the barrels, and
smaller nooks and
crannies
neatly
secured the various
accoutrements. The
interior was lined
with the finest 100%
worsted wool, and
although the case
had no padding to
speak of, the precise
and snug fit of the
various components
ensured that they
would not move inside the case. Not only
is the oak and leather case functional in
protecting the rifle from life’s bumps and
bruises of travel, but it is befitting a fine gun.
The 2014 President’s Rifle built by HEYM
has exactly such a case. Like the rifle, this case
speaks to an era of quality and craftsmanship
rarely seen today.With the exception of one
or two electrically-powered tools, Jim Wear
hand-crafted this case in his shop the same
way it would have been in 1880. Starting
with the best oak, the corners of the case are
all finger-jointed for exceptional strength.
The interior is perfectly fitted to the rifle
and lined in wool. Brass fittings are cut by
hand from solid sheets and shaped with a
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file and polished to a mirror luster.The lock
is the traditional keyed nozzle lock of the
period and is precisely mortised into the
rugged oak frame, while the dust shields and
all interior wooden surfaces are polished to
perfection.
Oak and leather cases were traditionally
covered in cowhide. That would have been
sufficient for most any other case, but this
rifle needed something special…. something
to set it apart… something more “African.”
One quick call to Ben Cromeens of TriState Taxidermy solved that challenge, and
Ben graciously donated the hippo skin to
cover the case. The unique texture of hippo,
punctuated with their natural scars, adds a
t h e
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p r e s i d e n t ' s
“This HEYM
470 is the
finest rifle
commissioned
and auctioned
by HSC, and
its proceeds will
directly benefit
the missions
of HSC.”
r i f l e :
B y
i va n
c a rt e r
depth and history to the
case that not even the
most luxurious mombe
could approach!
If a rifle in a case can be
something special, then
an engraved rifle can
be spectacular, and the
HEYM President’s Rile
is that.Traditional fine scroll adorns the action. Small wedges of engraving extend down the
barrels, and there is a silver shield in the stock that will be engraved with the lucky owner’s
initials. The most distinctive feature of the rifle, however, is HSC’s iconic charging elephant
on the bottom of the rifle’s action.
Commissioned for the task of engraving was Michael Richter. Richter, a German master
engraver, excels in the most delicate of engravings. His skills at executing the bulino style
truly rank him among the best European engravers. The elephant on the bottom of the
President’s Rifle looks more like a photograph than an image scratched in steel, and when
moved under the light, it has a bit of a holographic effect where the depth of the elephant
comes to life.Although beautiful in the photo, it simply has to be seen in person to appreciate
the quality and execution.
As beautiful as the rifle, engraving and oak and leather case are, this rifle was built to be used,
and like all HEYM double rifles, it is equipped with the mechanical features one would
expect to find on a fine double. The 26-inch barrels are hammer-forged, and the stock
has been made to a generous length of pull. The rifle has automatic ejectors, intercepting
sears and an articulated front trigger. Regulation was expertly done with Hornady’s 500gr
Dangerous Game Solids, and the rifle comes with HEYM’s 150-year old accuracy guarantee.
This rifle is ready for your next hunt!
It has been my pleasure to chronicle the building of this rifle through these articles in
Hunter’s Horn, and together we’ve seen first-hand how the rawest and simplest of materials
are forged, cut, filed, polished and adorned into functional works of art. This HEYM 470 is
the finest rifle commissioned and auctioned by HSC, and its proceeds will directly benefit
the missions of HSC. I do hope you will all be in attendance at the Saturday Night Gala for
the bidding, and I can’t wait to meet the lucky new owner! ★
IVAN CARTER
“A hippo bull had just toppled our canoe
and dumped us into the Zambezi River.
All I can think is, ‘Where is my double?’”
It took three days of diving and wading with ropes around
my waist, and my client on the riverbank standing watch
with a loaded rifl e. At dusk on the third day, my foot hooked
something familiar. That was over 15 years and hundreds of
big game kills ago. The rifl e still works fl awlessly.
Iva n
C art
er’s ‘8
8 B’ S
a fa r i
HEYMUSA.COM | 214-606-2566 |
t h e
capture
k n o w l e d g e
H
ouston Safari Club’s annual Worldwide
Hunting Expo & Convention continuously
surprises, entertains and informs attendees.
The up-and-coming 2014 event Capture the
Experience is no exception. With the idea of
growing the experience, and in partnership with the Convention
Planning Committee, a new effort on the part of HSC and the
Youth Activities Committee will launch. On Friday, January
17, HSC will have its first annual Youth Wildlife Conservation
Experience (YWCE) as part of the Convention, to introduce
120 Houston area high school students to the many possibilities
their love of the outdoors can hold, whether participating in our
honorable sport, as a career or in community service.
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Our young attendees will arrive, checking in the same as all
other Convention attendees, and receive their badges and bags. A
welcome will be offered by Congressman Steve Stockman, HSC
President Melanie Pepper, and the HSC YWCE Co-Chairs (me
and David). There are six workshops offered and each student
will register for the three that they would like to attend. Topics
include volunteerism, conservation, law enforcement, science,
gunsmithing and hunting. Excellent presenters in each of these
respective fields have graciously volunteered their time, and
will discuss how their personal love of the outdoors brought
them to their respective fields. They will educate these youth in
the safe and sportsmanlike use of firearms, hunting ethics, and
conservation of the wildlife and its habitat.
In addition to the sessions, attendees will have an opportunity
to not only visit with wildlife artist Vickie McMillan, who will
demonstrate her remarkable artistic talents, but the students will
also participate in the painting of a canvas that will be auctioned
off during the live auction at the Friday Night Banquet. Laser
Shot has generously donated their time and equipment for the
first HSC Convention youth program, allowing our student
guests to also enjoy competing with one of Laser Shot’s many
outstanding shooting simulations. Our young guests will finish
off their well-rounded experience with a visit to the HSC
exhibit hall.
Watch for a soon-to-be-released e-blast
regarding spots that are available for
HSC members’ children and grandchildren!
HSC sincerely thanks our YWCE sponsors, Brenda and Larry
Potterfield and Midway U.S.A. Foundation, for their generosity
to HSC with their $210,000 education endowment to benefit
our Texas youth. We are most appreciative of their interest in
our endeavor and grateful for their support. It is through the
collaboration of the hunting and wildlife businesses, organizations
and community that will assure that this program will continue
to gain momentum and achieve success.
As HSC members, we’re sure to agree that hunting and fishing
has given us a passion for the sport that extends into wildlife and
habitat conservation, hunter education and the desire to pass on
our hunting and fishing heritage to the future.YWCE allows us
to extend our reach into our young community, have a presence
and an influence. We celebrate this opportunity and invite them
to Capture – the knowledge! ★
–Susan Kalich
Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience Co-Chair
Thank you
Brenda and Larry Potterfield
and Midway USA Foundation
for Sponsoring
Houston Safari Club's
First Annual Youth Wildlife
Conservation Experience
HOUSTON
SAFARI CLUB
gazelles
luncheon
If you haven’t bought your tickets for the
Gazelles Luncheon, Capture–The Spirit of
Texas, please do so soon! You don’t want to
miss it. We made some fun changes for this
upcoming luncheon and we hope everyone
will come and enjoy themselves.
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We have the Keen Country Band, featuring
country music singer Nathan Young, as the
entertainment during the cocktail hour
before the luncheon. They will be playing
great Texas music before the live auction
begins.They have recently released their first
single, “Texas Women,” which has moved up
to number 26 on the charts. For the first time
we will be featuring the “Wine and Fifth
Pull” where you will have an opportunity
to win a great bottle of wine or liquor. In
addition, some lucky winners will also
receive a special surprise to go along with it!
The Gazelles Committee members have been working hard to
make this luncheon the best ever. Our silent auction chairman,
Carol O’Day, has been busy accumulating an array of different
items. There will be wonderful jewelry items donated by Arlette
and Fred Lamas, Deborah Vaughn, Rex Foster Artist and Leota’s
Indian Art; awesome items for the home to accent your home
decorating; some great reading and coffee table books; great
clothing items; Post 4 Optics shooting glasses; and much, much
more. During the luncheon, we will also have the raffle drawing
for our 38 special, generously donated by Bill Carter.
Deb Cunningham has lined up some amazing live auction items
this year. Becky Simpson has agreed to make her delicious pies
for us once again and she is also donating a weekend at the
Simpson ranch for six lucky ladies. Mitzy McCorvey is once
again donating the ever-popular weekend at the McCorvey
ranch, Rancho de Sueños, for 12 to 14 ladies.
Deb has also a great collection of artwork and hunts for our live
auction.Wendy Barnhart has secured a special addition of “Texas
Bluebonnets,” donated by John Banovich. Vickie McMillian has
once again donated a wonderful piece of art. This customizable
piece features an outdoor scene, allowing the winner to choose
the animal that is painted into the landscape! We have a plains
game hunt in South Africa donated by East Cape Hunters and
Sporting International; a 159” whitetail deer hunt donated
by Gsell’s Whitetail Refuge, including the shoulder mount
taxidermy, donated by B&B Taxidermy; a hunt in Argentina
donated by Puelo Expeditions; and Southern Cross Safaris has
donated a plains game hunt in South Africa.
–Mitzy McCorvey and Anna Morrison
HSC Gazelles Luncheon Co-Chairmen
gazelles sponsors
d
Platinum Level Sponsors
Ann and Marc Laird
Gold Level Sponsors
B&B Taxidermy
Wendy and Irvin Barnhart
Andi and Scott Scheinin/Julianne and Mark King
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Silver Level Sponsors
Diane Delagrange
Suzanne Hixson and Steve Smith
Mitzy and Tony McCorvey
Pug and Ron Mostyn
MG Arms
Ormston Transportation, LLC
Gay and Bob Rod
Bronze Level Sponsors
Jenny and Kevin Comiskey
Carole and Jerry Henderson
Cheryl and Darrell Kainer
Anna and Tommy Morrison
Susie and Matt Pyle
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Algar Safaris
5-day/6-night Argentina big game hunt for 1 hunter and 1
observer. Includes trophy fee for 1 Patagonian Ram.
Value: $5,250
www.algar-safaris.com
Canadian Guide Outfitters, Ltd.
7-day mountain lion hunt on Vancouver
Island, for 1 hunter.
$7,500
www.canadianguideoutfitters.com
3-day dove hunt in the hills of
north Cordoba, Argentina,
for 2 hunters.
Value: $4,200
Canada North Outfitting
4-day Greenland Muskox hunt for 1 hunter on Victoria Island.
Includes trophy fee for 1 Greenland Muskox.
Value: $8,250
www.canadanorthoutfitting.com
Cape to Cairo Safari
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3-day mixed bird bag hunt for
ducks, perdiz and doves near
Buenos Aires, Argentina,
for 2 hunters.
Value: $5,400
Australian Outfitters
6-day Australian safari for 1 hunter. Includes trophy
fee for 1 Sambar Stag.
Value: $8,900
www.australianoutfitters.net
Banovich Art
“Early Moon,” oil on Belgian linen, 24” x 18”.
By: John Banovich
Value: $26,000
www.johnbanovich.com
Baranof Jewelers
Tanzanite Pendant
9 carat tanzanite oval
surrounded by 2 carats of
diamonds set in 14 carat
white gold.
Value: $25,900
www.baranofjewelry.com
$8,450 towards a 7-day, fully
catered plains game safari for
4 hunters in Namibia with
professional filming of the hunt.
Includes $800 trophy fee credit
per hunter.
Value: $8,450
www.huntinafrica.com
Cavner & Julian, Inc.
6-day fishing trip for northern pike, grayling, trout and salmon
for 2 anglers at Stonewood Lodge on Lake Clark in Alaska.
Value: $10,500
www.adventureinalaska.com
Caza Pampa
7-day Argentina big game hunt for 2 free range Red Stags, 2
management Red Stags, 2 water buffalo up to 75 SCI and 2
hybrid sheep for 2 hunters.
Value: $21,800
www.cazapampa.com
Cazatur – Spain and Europe
4-day hunt for 1 hunter that
includes trophy fees for either a
Spanish Red Deer, fallow deer
or Iberian Mouflon Sheep.
Value: $4,550
www.cazatur.com
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Collectors Firearms
Land Warfare Research Corp: Mod-MG-G .223 caliber, gas
piston action with Trijicon ACOG Mod-Marine Corps ACOG.
Value: $4,200
Connecticut Shotgun
Manufacturing Company
A-10 Platinum, 12 gauge with
30” barrels. Tubes, beautifully
engraved with highly detailed
pheasant scenes.
Value: $19,750
www.connecticutshotgun.com
p r e v i e w
Echo Lake Hunts
3-day hunt for 1 hunter in
Saskatchewan, Canada. Includes
1 elk up to 350 inches.
Value: $4,000
www.echolakehunts.com
Eduardo Araoz, Cazatur – Spain
3-day driven Red-legged Partridge hunt at Ventosilla Castle
and 1 day of sightseeing in the imperial city of Toledo, Spain.
Value: $5,850
www.cazatur.com/eu
Ekland Safaris
Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail
3-day whitetail hunt up to 170 B&C for 1 hunter
in Corsicana, Texas.
Value: $7,000
www.cottonmesawhitetail.com
Crusader Safaris
7-day South Africa plains game safari
for 1 hunter. Includes trophy fees for 1
kudu, 1 bushbuck, 1 Vaal Rhebuck and
1 mountain reedbuck.
Value: $7,500
www.crusadersafaris.com
Deborah Vaughn Jewelry Designs
Vintage multi-colored enamel belt buckle converted to a
hand-tied 2 strand carved lapis and gold leaf bead
necklace with a matching pair of earrings.
Value: $725
www.deborahvaughndesigns.com
EAI Outdoors
9-day South Africa plains game safari for 1 hunter. Includes
trophy fees for 1 kudu, 1 impala, 1 blesbok,
1 springbuck and 1 warthog.
Value: $3,500
www.eaioutdoors.com
7-day South African safari for 1
hunter and 1 observer in 5-star
deluxe accommodations. Includes
trophy fees for 1 kudu, 1 red
hartebeest, 1 wildebeest, 1 duiker, 1
warthog and 1 impala.
Value: $17,900
www.eklandsafaris.com
Flying A Ranch
3-day hunt for a Gold Medal
Red Deer bull scoring 300
to 340 inches for 1 hunter
in Texas.
Value: $5,750
www.flyingaranch.net
Fouchè Studios
“Malachite Kingfisher,” framed original pastel.
By: Leon Fouchè
Value: $1,750
Fouchè Studios
Framed original pastel drawing of
a leopard.
By: Leon Fouchè
Value: $7,500
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Four Seasons Safaris
New Zealand
4-day New Zealand safari for 2
hunters. Includes $1,000 trophy fee
credit for each hunter to put towards
either a Tahr, Chamois or a
trophy Red Stag.
Value: $5,000
www.fourseasons.co.nz
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Frontera Wingshooting
3-day Argentina dove hunt
for 4 hunters.
Value: $7,140
www.fronterawingshooting.com
Gsell’s Whitetail Refuge and B&B Taxidermy
3-day hunt for 2 whitetail bucks scoring 150 to 159 B&C for 2
hunters in Pennsylvania. Includes a shoulder mount
from B&B Taxidermy.
Value: $7,570
www.gsellswhitetailrefuge.com
www.bbtaxidermy.com
4-day Spain hunt for 1 hunter. Includes trophy fee for 1 Beceite
Ibex scoring up to 180 points.
Value: $8,060
5-day hunt for a minimum of 2 trophies in
Spain. Includes $1,500 towards trophy fees to
harvest a minimum of 2 trophies.
Value: $5,450
p r e v i e w
HEYM
HEYM’s model 88B “Safari” chambered in 470
NE features 26” barrels, Turkish walnut and bulino
engraving by M. Richter. The oak and leather case is custom
made for this rifle and covered in hippo hide. The hippo hide
was donated by Tri-State Taxidermy. Includes a 3-night/2-day
SAAM/FTW Dangerous Game course where instructors will
focus on improving shooting and hunting skills.
Value: $37,750
www.heymusa.com
www.ftwoutfitters.com
High Desert Ranch
3-day hunt for 2 hunters in New Mexico. Includes
trophy fee for 2 mule deer up to 150 inches.
Value: $8,000
www.highdesertranch.com
High Mountain Ranch
7-day Mid-Asian Ibex hunt for 1
hunter in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Value: $8,000
www.highmountainhunts.com
The Hunting Grounds
4-day hunt in Missouri for 1 hunter and 1 observer. Includes
trophy fees for 1 Russian boar, 1 Corsican sheep and 1 trophy
whitetail scoring 108” to 109”.
Value: $10,750
www.thehuntinggrounds.com
Intrepid Safaris Africa
5-day Limpopo, South Africa plains game safari for 2 hunters.
Includes $500 credit per hunter towards trophy fee.
Value: $4,950
www.intrepidsafaris.com
Johan Hermann Safaris
7- to 10-day South Africa hunt for 1 hunter.
Includes $10,000 credit towards trophy fees and daily rates.
Value: $10,000
www.johanhermannsafaris.com
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John Seerey-Lester
"TR in Search of Elk," oil on panel, 12” x 16”.
By: John Seerey-Lester
Value: $8,900
www.seerey-lester.com
Julian & Sons
Solid Curly Maple wood pyramid shaped pedestal base
for either taxidermy or artwork.
Value: $3,500
www.julianandsons.com
KD Sporting Consultants
3-day hunt for 1 hunter and 1 observer in England. Includes
trophy fee for either 1 roe deer, Muntjac or water deer.
Value: $4,500
Kingham Safaris Australia
3-day Australia hunt for 1 hunter.
Includes trophy fee for 1 Javan Rusa
stag scoring up to 145 SCI.
Value: $3,800
www.kinghamsafaris.com
Kobus Möller Studios, LLC
“Royal Family,” oil on canvas, 22” x 10.5”.
By: Kobus Möller
Value: $5,960
www.kobusmoller.com
Lategan Safaris
10-day South Africa plains game safari at Bushman River
Lodge for 2 hunters and 2 observers. Includes $1,000 trophy
fee credit for each hunter.
Value: $16,000
www.lategansafaris.co.za
Laurentian Wildlife Estate
3-day hunt for 1 hunter in Canada.
Includes trophy fee for 1 Red Stag scoring
300 to 350 SCI.
Value: $6,900
www.laurentianwildlife.com
p r e v i e w
Leopard Lodge
5-day Namibia plains game safari for 1 hunter and
1 observer. Includes trophy fees for 1 oryx, 1 red hartebeest,
1 steenbuck, 1 warthog and 1 caracal.
Value: $4,300
www.leopardlodge.com
Lone Star Outfitters
5-day bull elk hunt for 1 hunter on a private
ranch in Colorado.
Value: $5,500
www.lonestaroutfitters.com
Lost Horizons Outfitters and
Bristol Bay Retreat
5-day King Salmon fishing trip for 2
anglers in Alaska.
Value: $6,000
www.akfishinglodge.org
www.LHOHunts.com
GBH Safaris
4-day mixed bag hunt for blackbuck,
boar, dove and pigeon for 3
hunters in Santa Rosa, Argentina.
Value: $6,900
www.LHOHunts.com
Warhawg Tactical Hog Hunts
1-day Texas wild pig and varmint
hunt for 3 hunters.
Value: $1,800
www.LHOHunts.com
Masterpiece Investments
“Passage to Gold,” bronze sculpture by Lorenzo Ghiglieri.
Limited edition, piece 24 of 1897.
Value: $18,500
www.mpicharitable.com
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Matlabas Game Hunters
10-day South African hunt for 1
hunter and 1 observer. Includes 3
species and daily rates for 5 days.
Value: $4,700
www.matlabas.co.za/hunting
McMillan Fine Art Gallery & Studio
Collaborative acrylic painting on canvas.
Value: $10,000
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“Back Away,” giclee painting, 60” x 40”.
By:Vickie McMillan
Value: $3,000
“Texas Ranch,” acrylic on canvas, 16” x 20”.
By:Vickie McMillan
Value: $2,500
MG Arms, Inc.
MG Arms ultra-light rifle
in .300 win-mag caliber.
Value: $3,795
www.mgarmsinc.com
Northern Giants Trophy Ranch
5-day whitetail hunt scoring 170 to 220
SCI for 1 hunter in Canada.
Value: $7,000
www.northerngiantsranch.com
Northern
Zululand Safaris
10-day bow or rifle hunt in KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa for 1 hunter. Includes trophy
fees for 1 Impala, 1 nyala, 1 blue wildebeest,
1 kudu, 1 zebra and 1 warthog.
Value: $17,185
www.northernzululand.com
p r e v i e w
OC Outfitters
4-day bird hunt for 3 hunters in Argentina.
Value: $6,500
www.ocoutfitters.net
Peter Blackwell Wildlife Art
“Pool of Opportunity,”
oil on canvas, 15” x 22”.
By: Peter Blackwell
Value: $3,800
www.peterblackwellwildlifeartist.com
Quagga Safaris
7-day safari in South Africa
for 2 hunters and 2 observers.
Includes trophy fees for 1
kudu, 1 wildebeest,
1 zebra, 1 impala, 1 blesbok
and 2 warthogs.
Value: $17,500
www.quagga.co.za
Rancho de Sueños
Weekend retreat for 14 women or 6 couples at
Rancho de Sueños.
Value: Priceless
RecordBuck Ranch
4-day whitetail hunt up to 170
inches for 1 hunter and
1 observer in Utopia, Texas.
Value: $10,200
www.recordbuck.com
Ricca Boot Shop
1 pair of custom boots, full quill ostrich or leather of equal or
lesser value. Hand sewn or inlaid tops with design,
toe style and heel style of choice.
Value: $3,000
www.riccabootshop.com
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Sadaka Safaris
5-day South Africa safari for 2
hunters. Includes trophy fees for
1 springbuck, 1 blesbok and 1
duiker or steenbuck per hunter.
Value: $7,850
www.sadakasafaris.com
Spiral Horn Safaris
5-day South African plains game
safari for 2 hunters. Includes
trophy fees for 1 gemsbok,
1 impala and 1 warthog.
Value: $5,450
www.spiralhorn.co.za
Scandinavian Prohunters
4-day Sweden hunt for 1 hunter. Includes trophy
fees for 2 Roebucks.
Value: $8,000
www.scandinavianprohunters.com
Sporting International and East Cape Hunters
7-day South Africa plains game safari for 1 hunter and 1
observer. Includes trophy fees for 1 kudu, 1 mountain reedbuck,
1 springbok and 1 impala.
Value: $6,630
www.eastcapehunters.com
Simpson Ranch
A weekend of fun and relaxation
at the Simpson Ranch in Bedias,
Texas for 6 ladies or 3 couples,
hosted by Becky Simpson and Carol
O’Day. There will be a shooting
competition with a trophy award, a
wine and cheese tasting by Carla with Cork This and a painting
party with wildlife artist Vickie McMillan.
Value: Priceless
Southern Cross Safaris
10-day South African safari for 2
hunters. Includes trophy fees for 1
black or blue wildebeest, 1 mountain
reedbuck or fallow deer,
1 impala and 1 springbuck.
Value: $13,394
www.southern-cross-safaris.co.za
Spey Creek Trophy Hunting
5-day New Zealand hunt for 2
hunters. Includes trophy fees for 2
Red Stags scoring up to 380 SCI.
Value: $24,000
www.sctrophyhunting.com
Sporting International and Kanana Safaris
4-day Botswana plains game safari for 1 rifle or bow hunter.
Includes trophy fees for 1 kudu, 1 gemsbok, 1 zebra
and 1 blue wildebeest.
Value: $4,195
www.sportinginternational.com
Sporting International and Matupula Hunters
14-day leopard safari for 1 hunter in Zimbabwe.
Value: $27,000
Sporting International, Warwick Evans of Mapassa Big
Game Hounds and Pete Stewart of Good Manners Dog
Obedience School
Jack Russell Terrier puppy from Mapassa Big Game
Hounds of South Africa.
Value: Priceless
Suzie Seerey-Lester
“Morning Flight,” oil on panel, 12” x 16”.
By: Suzie Seerey-Lester
Value: $4,200
www.seerey-lester.com
Tam Safaris
7-day South Africa safari for 1 hunter. Includes
trophy fee for 1 Sable.
Value: $12,000
www.tamsafaris.com
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Tam Safaris
7-day South Africa safari for 1 hunter. Includes
trophy fee for 1 male lion.
Value: $30,000
www.tamsafaris.com
Thandeka Safaris
7-day Cape buffalo hunt in South Africa for
1 hunter and 1 observer.
Value: $18,000
www.thandekasafaris.co.za
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Trophy Hunting Spain
4-day Beceite Ibex hunt for 2 hunters and
2 observers in Spain.
Value: $8,960
www.trophyhuntingspain.com
Tropic Star Lodge
3-day Panama fishing trip for 2
anglers for black marlin, blue marlin,
Sailfish and roosterfish.
Value: $9,140
www.tropicstar.com
p r e v i e w
Wanganui Safaris
5-day Red Stag hunt scoring up to 380
SCI for 1 hunter and 1 observer
in New Zealand.
Value: $11,000
www.wsafaris.com
Wilderness Quest New Zealand
5-day New Zealand hunt for 2 hunters. Includes trophy fees for
1 Red Stag scoring up to 330 SCI and 1 fallow buck.
Value: $11,950
www.wildernessquestnz.com
Wildman Lake Lodge
7-day wingshooting and sport fishing adventure for Arctic char,
rainbow trout and Pacific salmon for 1 angler in Alaska.
Value: $6,950
www.wildmanlodge.com
Wollaston Lake Lodge
4-day trophy fishing for northern pike, walleye and lake trout
in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for 1 angler.
Value: $5,000
www.wollastonlakelodge.com
WOW Africa
8-day Zimbabwe safari for 1 hunter. Includes trophy
fee for 1 Cape buffalo.
Value: $12,000
www.wowafrica.com
Specializing in african SafariS
for over 46 YearS
Quality Safaris Producing Outstanding Results
With Impeccable Integrity And Excellent Service At Reasonable Prices!
Truly the Best
ELEPHANT HUNTING
for Price and Quality of Trophy!!!
Virtually 100% Success On
Quality Elephant!
15 Day 1 X 1 Elephant and Plains Game Safari
(plus trophy fees-per day)....................$1,750
18 Day 1 X 1 Elephant, Leopard and Plains
Game Safari
(plus trophy fees-per day)....................$1,950
QUALITY SAFARIS - OUTSTANDING RESULTS
8 Day 1x1 Botswana Safari Package: includes trophy fees for Gemsbok, Eland, Kudu, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Zebra, Impala & Warthog - bow or rifle ......................$7,495
15 Day 1x1 Nile Buffalo and Plains Game - Uganda ..................................... $1,500
12 Day 1x1 Lord Derby Eland - Cameroon .............................................. €23,100
12 Day 1x1 Bongo - Cameroon ............................................................... €26,400
10 Day 1x1 Buffalo, Plains Game: includes daily rate, trophy,
& gov't fee for buffalo - Mozambique.......................................................$13,350
14 Day 1x1 Leopard, Plains Game - Zimbabwe..........................................$1,500
15 Day 1x1 Elephant, Plains Game - Zimbabwe .........................................$1,750
10 Day 1x1 Hippo, Croc: includes daily rate, trophy & gov't fees
for Hippo & Croc - Mozambique ..............................................................$14,425
per day unless stated otherwise
LEOPARD WITH HOUNDS!
Consistently Taking the Largest Leopard in Africa
Hunt with Hounds for Exciting, Non-Stop Action!
14 Day 1 X 1 Leopard and Plains Game Safari ............................$27,000
Includes daily rate, hounds, 2 PH’s with vehicles, accommodations, etc.
15608 South Brentwood • Channelview, TX 77530-4018 • : (281) 452-6223 • Fax: (281) 457-5412
E-Mail: [email protected] • www.sportinginternational.com

T heofficial P ublica T ionofhous T onsafariclub • conven T ion 2 0 1 4

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