(Houston, TX- February 16, 2021) Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) proudly announces their continued relationship with Capital Farm Credit.

Through the continued support of Capital Farm Credit, HSCF will be able to continue its efforts in scholarship, youth education programs, youth shooting sports, wildlife and habitat conservation, research and more.

“Many of the members of our cooperative are active hunters and anglers,” said Jeff Moder, Director of Marketing and Communications for Capital Farm Credit. “They are the backbone of the conservation movement and we are proud to support the causes that support Texas’ long history of advocacy and outdoor heritage.”

HSCF Executive Director Joe Betar states, “Capital Farm Credit has been a long-standing partner and supporter of HSCF and the HSCF mission to promote the future of hunting and conservation. We are so very appreciative of their continued support. In a year in which fundraising has been challenging, live fundraising events have not been possible. Capital Farm Credit’s support helps us to continue our outreach efforts!”

About Capital Farm Credit
For more than 100 years, Capital Farm Credit has supported rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Capital Farm Credit is a proud member of the Farm Credit system and serves more than 21,500 members, with loans outstanding totaling more than $8 billion. Headquartered in Bryan, Texas, Capital Farm Credit has offices serving 192 of Texas’ 254 counties.

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 600 scholarships totaling $2.7 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.

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(Houston, TX- February 4, 2021) Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce their upcoming Live, Virtual Online Auction on Saturday, February 27, 2021, beginning at 7:00pm CST!  

Join HSCF for this exciting auction! Bid online from the comfort of your home! There are two different auctions to choose from! Sign up now to start bidding on hunting trips, fishing trips, firearms, jewelry, art, and more! Then, join our auctioneer live on Saturday, February 27, 2021 beginning at 7:00pm CST to be part of the live, virtual auction. The auction will feature a live stream to HSCF’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Host a safe, socially distanced watch party! Contests and prizes, including hundreds of dollars in gift cards, will be featured throughout the evening.

Sign up today to preview the auction items and to begin your pre-bidding. Funds raised from this auction will be used to support HSCF’s mission and outreach efforts in education and conservation. Full instructions, including a video tutorial, may be found here: https://hscfdn.org/auction/. Join us for this fun event and help to protect the future of hunting!

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 600 scholarships totaling $2.7 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.

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The maze of planning travel to and from foreign countries is a daunting task. To help with your planning, HSCF would like to provide a travel update on a few frequented countries. Please keep in mind that conditions change frequently, country to country. It is recommended you check for the latest updates before embarking on travel.

Australia
US citizens are not allowed entry. For more information: https://au.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/; https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia.

Botswana
US citizens may enter with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure. If you fail to provide test results or show coronavirus symptoms, you will have to quarantine for 14 days at your own expense. Another test will be given on the 10th day. For more details: https://bw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.

Kenya
Kenya is open to US travelers with a negative Covid-19 test result taken 96 hours or less upon arrival and who pass a strict health screening. No quarantine. Outgoing visitors must comply with the Trusted Travel initiative: https://africacdc.org/trusted-travel/.

Mexico
The land border between the United States and Mexico remains closed through at least February 21, US travelers can still fly to Mexico. No testing requirements are in place. You can expect temperature checks and other screenings upon arrival. https://mx.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/.

Namibia
Requires a negative Covid-19 PCR test result that’s not older than seven days. If the test is older than seven days, you will be tested and placed in quarantine at your own expense pending results. https://na.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.

New Zealand
US citizens are not allowed entry. For more information: https://nz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/; https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/travel-to-new-zealand/.

South Africa
South Africa requires a negative Covid-19 PCR and/or serology test result taken within 72 hours of departure. If you do not have a test, you will be required to quarantine at your own cost. Travelers will also be asked to install the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app. https://za.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/.

Spain
US citizens cannot enter Spain unless they meet specific requirements or have already obtained special permission from the Government of Spain.  Additionally, US citizens travelling from the United States will need to show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and complete a Health Control Form. For more information: https://es.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.

Tanzania
Open to tourists. Incoming passengers are required to fill out a health surveillance form and have a health screening. You might also have to take a Covid-19 test if the airline you are flying with requires it. https://tz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.

Turkey
Requires US citizens to have a negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours or less before their flight to enter. This will be in effect until March 1. Passengers must fill out an information form and prepare to be checked for coronavirus symptoms. https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/.

Uganda
Open to US tourists who have a negative Covid-19 test result taken no more than 120 hours before departure. https://ug.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-page/.

United Kingdom
Technically, US travelers may still travel to the United Kingdom. Travel for leisure is being discouraged because of the new coronavirus variant. Requires a negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours before departure to enter and quarantine for 10 days. Also note that rules may vary between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. https://uk.usembassy.gov/covid-19-coronavirus-information/; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mandatory-covid-19-testing-introduced-to-bolster-border-measures.

Zambia
Is allowing all international travelers to enter. Requires a negative Covid-19 test result taken at least 14 days before arrival. Also requires a mandatory 14-day quarantine. https://zm.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.

Air Travel Notice
Effective January 26, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all air passengers entering the United States (including U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents) to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three calendar days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days​. Airlines must confirm the negative test result or proof of recovery for all passengers two years of age and over prior to boarding. ​Airlines must deny boarding of passengers who do not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery.

Before scheduling travel, it is recommended you consult country-specific travel advisories and requirements.  For the latest information from the U.S. Department of State:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html
or  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

“Social-distancing” is a term most hope disappears from the lexicon soon.

While the concept of keeping a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic is wisdom, losing the connection to others is challenging for humanity.

For wild sheep, social-distancing is essential.

Domestic sheep and goats can transmit a form of pneumonia to bighorn and thinhorn sheep that is devastating to herds. It is so devastating that more than two million that existed at the time of Lewis & Clark’s expedition declined to around 25,000 by the early 1900s.

“Wildlife agencies and conservation groups have done a remarkable job of bringing them back to around the 150-175,000 range, but there is still a major problem with exposure to domestic sheep. Die-offs are occurring in pockets right now in states like Oregon and Utah,” said Chester Moore, an award-winning wildlife journalist, member of the Houston Safari Club Foundation and founder of Higher Calling Wildlife.

Higher Calling Wildlife seeks to raise awareness of mountain and forest wildlife conservation. It also mentors young people dealing with critical illness and traumatic loss to use media for conservation purposes.

One of those young people is Reannah Hollaway, who, through the program and the generosity of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, got to take

part in a desert bighorn capture and relocation in 2019.

“I have cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs, and have had to take special precautions during COVID-19. This gives me a unique understanding of the need for keeping wild sheep and domestic sheep apart. This kind of social-distancing can save bighorns,” she said.

Hollaway is a student at Texas Tech and studying to work in the field of wildlife management.

She chose this degree after a wildlife encounter through Higher Calling Wildlife’s mothership, Wild Wishes. This outreach grants wildlife encounters to young people with a critical illness or the loss of a parent or sibling.

To raise awareness of the need for sheep social distancing, Higher Calling WIldlife has begun the Sheep Scrapbook project, which seeks photos taken of wild sheep throughout North America.

Anyone who submits a wild sheep photo to [email protected] gets a Sheep Scrapbook Project collector’s coin and a Higher Calling Wildlife decal. Pictures are posted in a gallery at highercallingwildlife.com.

“It’s our way to get people of all backgrounds to think about wild sheep, and the response has been tremendous,” Moore said.

“We’re hoping that when people focus their cameras on sheep, whether in one of our national parks or a hunting or fishing expedition, they can take time to realize these animals are facing a real problem with pneumonia. It’s time all of us who love wild sheep do more to support organizations and agencies searching for ways to keep wild sheep social-distanced from their domestic cousins.”

 

(Houston, TX- January 3, 2021) Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) proudly announces FORLOH as the Official Technical Apparel of HSCF.

FORLOH and HSCF have teamed up to spread the word about FORLOH’s technology-driven, ‘Made in America’ apparel line while working together to support HSCF’s mission to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage.

“We are proud to join the Houston Safari Club family. This respected organization shares our vision for preserving the future of hunting through conservation and through fostering a love of the sport for future generations,” said Andy Techmanski, Founder and CEO at FORLOH. “We’re also proud to partner with this organization for their appreciation and support of our vision for manufacturing the only American-made hunting apparel on the market.”

“We are extremely pleased to announce FORLOH as the official technical apparel of HSCF. FORLOH’s view of hunting as a way of life, and the commitment to protect the future of hunting as a responsibility, aligns with our mission. FORLOH makes it possible to pursue this way of life, in advanced, technology-driven, made in America apparel,” states Joe Betar, Executive Director, Houston Safari Club Foundation.

About FORLOH

The only brand that makes 100-percent American-made hunting apparel, FORLOH is a technology company that focuses on the hunting and outdoor markets. Based in Whitefish, Mont., FORLOH uses a range of cutting-edge and proprietary technologies to improve performance in areas like breathability, waterproofing, insulation, heating and cooling. Through FORLOH’s connections with U.S. manufacturers, it has adopted and applied technologies from other industries, such as NASA or the automotive industry, to create unique performance characteristics that other manufacturers are not offering. It is focused on how its products work together to create an apparel system that performs better. At its core, FORLOH is dedicated to enabling customers to forge deeper connections with the outdoors through use of better technology. Join the future today at FORLOH.com and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

 

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 600 scholarships totaling $2.7 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.

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As this year’s pandemic has halted and altered our daily routines, some industry sectors were greatly affected on how they would continue doing business as mandatory restrictions were set in place. One of the industries that were greatly affected was the Travel Industry. Bans and prohibited travel had our industry issuing refunds and managing credits at a magnitude that we had not seen in over two decades.

International routes into the United States are becoming more available but are still limited due to the lack of demand on these routes. It is best to secure flights with a carrier that is actively flying to and from your home country, to increase your flexibility of travel for any future cancellations or schedule changes.

For US hunters and travelers, travel is permitted to those countries which are open for international visitors such as, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Turkey, Tajikistan are all open for travel. Most of the countries require a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate which must be issued within a certain period prior to departure or arrival. These vary from within 48 hours prior to departure for Zimbabwe to within 14 days of arrival for Zambia. Please refer to the Interactive Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Regulations Map link below for the latest information.

For non-residents traveling to the US, make sure you fully understand the requirements to enter the USA. Check requirements for a visa to enter the USA here. For those countries which are visa exempt make sure you apply for the required ESTA travel authorization. Click here for more details.

Admission and Transit Restrictions to the USA for non-resident visitors (at time of publication):
– Passengers arriving or transiting Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or United Kingdom are not allowed to enter and transit the USA.

At the time of this publication, there are no current restrictions in the state of Texas for COVID testing or Quarantine. Travel restrictions are being placed or lifted daily, we are constantly having to monitor these changes and communicate this information to our clients. Some of the websites that we utilize daily are listed below to get up to date information.

FAQ’s

Where can I find the latest updates on travel restrictions?
Please refer to Iata’s Interactive Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Regulations Map

Is there a policy that airlines must follow regarding flight rebooking or refund for trips canceled due to COVID-19?
Each airline will have its own policies regarding refunds and flight re-bookings, subject to local rules and regulations. Please check with your airline or speak with your travel agent.

What can passengers do to protect themselves from an infection?
The range of simple measures advised by WHO are effective even for passengers on a flight: careful hand-washing on a regular basis, or at least hand sanitize, avoiding touching other people, covering coughs and sneezes (and then hand-washing), avoiding traveling if becoming unwell, and avoiding contact with anyone who appears to be unwell.

How high is the risk of contracting a virus on a plane?
Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on airplanes. Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, travelers should try to avoid contact with sick passengers and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contain 60%–95% alcohol.

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US Department of State-
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

Interactive Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Regulations Map
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm

Texas Department of State health Services
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/travelers.aspx