Higher Calling Wildlife® is proud to announce the winner of the Tony Houseman Conservation Legacy Award is Grayson Highfield, age 27, from Cody, WY.
She was presented the award by Higher Calling Wildlife founder Chester Moore at the 2024 Hunt-Fish Podcast Summit at the Warren Ranch Sat. March 23.
“Tony Houseman was a president of the Houston Safari Club Foundation and was an early mentor of mine-the earliest in fact. He saw something in me when I had no real media resume to speak of and helped fuel the early part of my career, “Moore said.
Highfield is a graduate of the 2023 Women Hunt® program of the Wild Sheep Foundation and has worked with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and done everything from fire control to interpretive work.
“She’s a real go-getter and has miles and miles of heart. She also has a unique story and a high level of writing talent which she has been using to raise awareness of wildlife conservation, fishing and hunting. If Tony were still alive he would be proud of her,” Moore said.
Moore has stayed in touch with Houseman’s wife Gisela who has supported two Higher Calling Wildlife Expeditions through her philanthropic works.
Highfield said it was a huge honor to be chosen as the 2024 recipient of the Tony Houseman Conservation Legacy Award.
“Chester has become an amazing friend and support system in the short time I’ve known him, and I’m so grateful that he sees within me a drive for the passions we share: writing, the outdoors, wildlife, and stewardship.”
“I’m looking forward to where my future takes me, and excited to discover new opportunities in which I can give back to the Women Hunt program, conservation, and the hunting and angling fields.”
Highfeild noted that Chester’s story of one of Houseman’s last hunts (a green hunt for a rhinoceros) has inspired her.
“This story has allowed me to begin re-defining what it means to be a hunter in my own mind while I simultaneously shape my personal code of hunting ethics (as a very new hunter) and I am so excited to explore new avenues that meet at the dynamic intersection of hunting and conservation,” she said.
Higher Calling Wildlife helps mentor teens facing special challenges such as critical illness, parent loss and other issues to become wildlife conservationists through conservation-centric expeditions.
The 2022 and 2023 expeditions to Colorado were funded in part by grants from the Houston Safari Club Foundation. Reports on these expeditions were published in their Hunter’s Horn magazine.
They are currently raising funds and seeking sponsors for expeditions in Colorado and in the Yellowstone region.
You can subscribe to the Higher Calling Wildlife podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartradio and subscribe to the blog at www.highercalling.net.
(Houston, TX- March 5, 2024) The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce its “Hunting Matters” radio program/podcast has been awarded a 2024 AVA Gold award in the Audio Production/Radio/Podcast category.
The AVA Digital Awards, founded in 1994, is an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design, and production of digital communication.
AVA Digital Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand production, marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, and freelance professionals.
About Hunting Matters “Hunting Matters with Joe Betar”: An acclaimed podcast celebrating the wonders of the great outdoors. Join hosts Joe Betar, Executive Director of HSCF, and Houston media personality Ramon Robles as they delve into captivating discussions with a diverse array of guests. From hunting and fishing to sport shooting, conservation, policy, and even culinary arts, this podcast covers it all. Available on all major podcast platforms—subscribe, listen, rate, and review!
About Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 668 scholarships totaling $3.05 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants worldwide. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.
(Houston, TX- February 22, 2024) This week “Hunting Matters” welcomes Heidi Rao!
Heidi Lyn Rao was hired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 1998 and has recruited, trained, and retained volunteers, as the Hunter Education Specialist for Southeast Texas. In 2010 she also assumed the role as statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Coordinator.
During her TPWD career, she developed many partnerships and organized many education & outreach events. She started “Take Me Outdoors Houston” in 2009, when the Texas Wildlife Expo ended, and brings this annual family-friendly, free, hands-on outdoor event to Discovery Green, Downtown Houston. She hosts wildlife workshops ranging from alligators to big game. She promotes hunting and outdoor safety to groups ranging from elementary school aged to flying offshore via helicopter to speak to oil and gas employees in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a platform. From teaching firearm safety to Rodeo Clowns during the Houston Rodeo, to hosting Hunter Education classes at the Sam Houston (horse) Raceway, conducting National Archery in the Schools Program and Student Air Rifle certifications, and partnering with many hunting, shooting and conservation organizations across Texas.
She has coordinated twenty-seven statewide BOW workshops across Texas, including the first-ever VIRTUAL BOW in 2020. She has reached over 7,000 Ladies who have attended BOW and continued their outdoors skills ultimately becoming hunters, anglers, and archers, especially through mentored BOW hunts. To date, ten Texas Outdoor Women Network (TOWN) groups have launched across the state because of the statewide BOW.
She received IHEA’s Professional of the Year; IHEA’s Executive Director’s Award; TPWD’s Terry Erwin Hunter Education LEGACY award, Houston Safari Club Educator of the Year and she is also in the Texas Hunter Education Halls of Fame.
About Hunting Matters “Hunting Matters” co-hosts HSCF Executive Director Joe Betar and Ramon Robles engage in conversations with guests from the worlds of hunting, fishing, shooting, conservation and the great outdoors. “Hunting Matters” airs Saturday, 6am-7am CDT on iHeart Media affiliate KPRC AM 950 and is available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean and Spreaker. Hunting Matters is an award-winning podcast and has been recognized by AVA Digital, NYX/Marcom, MarCom, Davey, and the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts. Subscribe, listen, rate and review.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 668 scholarships totaling $3.05 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants worldwide. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.
(Houston, TX- February 6, 2024) – Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is proud to announce HSCF Life member and Board member Derek Ham as the recipient of the 2024 HSCF President’s Award.
The HSCF President’s Award is given each year to acknowledge the outstanding HSCF member whose contributions exceed the expectations of an HSCF member, in support of HSCF’s mission. Individuals receive this award for their leadership, outstanding service contribution, superior performance, team collaboration, and serve as an inspiration to others.
“I am remarkably humbled to have been chosen for this award and what it symbolizes. There are many other equally dedicated HSCF members, and I am proud to be working alongside them to further the message and cause of HSCF. We Hunt. We Give. With sincere gratitude, I want to thank HSCF President Monica Williamson and HSCF,” stated Derek.
“It has been a genuine pleasure working with Derek on the HSCF Board this year. Derek brings innovative ideas to our planning discussions, has served HSCF in many capacities over the years, and is a true believer in what HSCF does to support the future of hunting,” stated HSCF President Monica Williamson.
Derek Ham is an accomplished businessman with a passion for the outdoors, hunting and conservation. He is especially passionate about getting kids and others involved in hunting and guiding them to understand the link and truth between hunting and conservation. He began his first career in Los Angeles working in the music industry. He later moved back to Texas in support of his family and pursued a career in Commercial Construction. Ultimately, his passion for the outdoors led him to Farm and Ranch Real Estate where he currently represents Ruple Ranch & Land.
Derek’s passion for the outdoors was fostered as a young boy by his father who grew up on the famed LX Cattle Ranch in the Texas panhandle. His father set the groundwork for his love of hunting and fishing. Derek has been an avid hunter and conservationist for the majority of his life traveling around the world hunting both unique and more traditional game alike. His most notable hunting accomplishment was being dropped by float plane in Alaska for a week for a self-guided hunt where he harvested the Number 11 all-time Pope & Young Moose with his recurve bow. Among other countries, he has also been a successful hunter in New Zealand, Spain, Greenland and Newfoundland. But, of course, he has and does most prominently hunt in our great state of Texas.
Derek is a Lifetime member Houston Safari Club Foundation where he has chaired the Annual Sporting Clays Event for the last two years raising money for Youth Programs. Prior to his time at HSCF, he chaired the Adventures program for Sky High for Kids where he organized and executed hunts for pediatric cancer patients for over five years.
Derek shares his passion for hunting with his wife Jeni and daughter Sydney. Both of whom have traveled with him on his hunting adventures. He takes care to demonstrate his concern for a healthy wildlife population and ensure that the hunt is more than the harvesting of game but, more importantly, it is about the experience.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 625 scholarships totaling $2.8 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.
(Houston, TX- February 1, 2024) – The application period for Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) Dan L Duncan scholarships is now open through April 15, 2024. Houston Safari Club Foundation is committed to furthering the education of students pursuing conservation-related career paths, supporting the future of tomorrow’s conservation leaders and protecting the future of hunting.
HSCF’s Dan L Duncan Scholarship Program annually awards scholarships to students involved in the study of Wildlife Management, Range Management, Biology and Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Students must be enrolled in an accredited Texas university.
HSCF proudly recognizes and encourages students who have exhibited academic excellence and exemplary character, through its prestigious scholarship program. HSCF understands the future of conservation depends on the education of bright and gifted scholars who will work to protect hunter’s rights and wildlife conservation for decades to come. Many past HSCF scholarship recipients have become some of the top thought leaders, decision makers, educators, and research scientists in the conservation world. To learn more: https://hscfdn.org/giving-back/scholarships/.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 671 scholarships totaling $3.07 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.
HSC Signs On To Letter Supporting Habitat Enhancement Now Act (H.R. 6854 – HEN Act)
The HEN Act will authorize $1.5 million in competitive grant funding each year for 5 years. This relatively small investment would result in the construction, installation, and maintenance of nearly 20,000 hen houses resulting in the production of tens of thousands of additional mallards throughout the country. Breeding duck populations in California face ever-increasing pressure from wetland habitat loss. The HEN Act will authorize an additional $1.5 million annually for 5 years to incentivize willing landowners to establish nesting cover and create essential brood habitat on their property in California.
HSC Signs On To Letter Supporting Funding for Migration Corridors
A letter was sent to the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the White House Office of Management and Budget requesting support of fiscal year 2025 funding for the efforts of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to maintain, conserve, and enhance wildlife migration corridors and seasonal ranges, particularly for big game species. Funding priorities include DOI coordination and support, USGS science and mapping support, USFWS science applications program, dedicated wildlife corridors funding for NFWF and the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
New York Big 5 Act
The state of New York is once again attempting to ban the import of legally and ethically hunted game animals. The “Big Five African Trophies Act” to ban the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products has been reintroduced for the 2023-2024 session. The animals included are the African Elephant, African Leopard, African Lion, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros and African Giraffe. The bill also requires the owner of any part or taxidermy of the listed animals to obtain a certificate of possession from the secretary of state, even if they are in possession of such if this law should be passed. Status (1/3/24): Died in Assembly, Returned to Senate, Returned to Environmental Conservation Committee.
H.R. 615 & S. 1185: Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023
To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes. Status: H.R. 615: Committee on Agriculture discharged 09/20/23; S.1185: Introduced in Senate 04/18/23.
S.873 – America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023
To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access to, federal public land, and for other purposes.
Improved recreation infrastructure: target shooting ranges, biking, climbing, internet connectivity, expand recreation seasons, expand federal land access, parking, mapping, modernization of federally owned campgrounds, forest service pay for performance projects, ID of new recreation opportunities, Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation. Status: 07/26/2023: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with amendments. With written report No. 118-79.
Feds seek input on grizzly bear reintroduction in North Cascades (WA)
The next step for the National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to reintroduce grizzlies to the North Cascades Ecosystem encompassing the park and surrounding public land. A second component of the project involves the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service plans to release a proposed rule under section 10(j) of the act on Friday. Status: commentary period ended Nov. 13; Update pending. Information is available now in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/09/29/2023-21418/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-establishment-of-a-nonessential-experimental.
Pebble Mine: Alaska
January 2024: The U.S. Supreme Court denied Alaska’s bid to revive the copper and gold Pebble Mine proposal blocked by EPA. In 2023 the EPA stopped the mine proposal, citing concerns with potential impacts on a rich aquatic ecosystem that supports the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery.
Report: European Acceptance of Trophy Hunting
This report shows that a majority of EU citizens accept hunting. Only 23% disagree with keeping animal parts, a practice often referred to as “trophy” hunting, whilst 77% either approve or are neutral. This starkly contrasts the claim that 85% of Europeans oppose “trophy” hunting made by the Humane Society International. This misdirection has resulted in several national parliaments initiating efforts to ban “trophy” imports. Conducted Nov. 2023 by YouGov1 and commissioned by the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) and partner organizations. See: https://www.cic-wildlife.org/europeans-are-accepting-of-hunting-trophies-according-to-yougov/.
Grizzly bear reintroduction to the Bitterroot Mountains: MT
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has until late 2026 to issue a new environmental impact statement for the recovery of grizzly bears in the Bitterroot ecosystem of southwestern Montana and eastern Idaho. Located on the western border between Montana and Idaho, the area was historically home to thousands of bears. Public comment is being accepted until March 18. See: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-R6-ES-2023-0203-0001.
Louisiana Federal Court Upholds 2016 Delisting of the State’s Black Bear
1/29/24: the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana dismissed a plaintiffs’ challenge to the removal of Louisiana black bear from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list of threatened species. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is in the final stages of considering whether to open a limited black bear hunting season to begin in December 2024. The Commission would issue a maximum of ten permits to hunt the Tensas River subpopulation of black bears.
Houston Safari Club (HSC) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to legislative and policy initiatives that may affect the future of hunting. HSC supports initiatives that protect the tradition of hunting and hunters’ rights. We take an active role in efforts to effect policy, protocols, and legislation. Our mission is to protect the rights of hunters and the hunting heritage through advocacy, policy, and legislation. Houston Safari Club (HSC) is a non-profit organization, exempt from federal income tax, under section 501(c)(4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Payments to HSC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Please contact your tax advisor concerning deductibility of any payments as business deductions. HSC EIN: 76-0082197. HSC is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization.
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a non-profit organization, exempt from federal income tax, under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. The charitable deduction for contributions to HSCF is the cash amount of the contribution, less the value of goods and services received, to the extent permitted by law. HSCF EIN 74-2177975. Please contact your tax advisor concerning deductibility of any payments as business deductions. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization.
