Author: HoustonSafari

As the world struggles with the pandemic known as COVID-19, the Kingdom Zoo Wildlife Center® is inspired to take action for kids.

“We know many kids are being impacted by the coronavirus and we want to give them some inspiration,” said co-founder and Houston Safari Club Foundation member Chester Moore.

“Our program Wild Wishes® grants wildlife encounters to children with a critical illness or loss of a parent or sibling. And if there is anything critical out there now it is this virus. Unfortunately we can’t go visit kids or have them come to us now, but we can go to them-through Facebook’s Facetime and other applications.”

Any animal-loving child up to 18 years of age who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is quarantined due to someone living in their home having it now qualifies for a special outreach.

“We will work with their families to schedule live video encounters with our animals. We will let them even interact with us and some of our animals and have a special look at the Kingdom Zoo Wildlife Center’s amazing creatures. We will send them a few cool items as part of a special care package as well,” Moore said.

To connect you can text 409-920-2063 or email [email protected].

“COVID-19 might stop us from getting to see kids face to face for now  but it can’t stop us from giving them amazing encounters and bringing love to them in a dark time.”

For more information on the Wild Wishes program go to www.wildwishes.org

 

Every day our sponsor Global Rescue will supply an update on the current Covid-19 outbreak. Checkback every day, we are doing our best to help keep you informed.

https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/Coronavirus-Travel-Updates/?rc=1&rp=HSCF

 

One of our Outfitter friends asked us to post this message:

Today sees the jubilation of anti-hunters and so called conservationists in the fact that Botswana’s elephant hunting season has been put on hold because of Covid-19, this in itself may be a small victory for the masses but a huge calamity for communities, hunting operators and all associated operations that rely on a regular income generated from the hunters dollar in Africa.

With the continued spread of the global pandemic that is effectively shutting down the entire world very little thought is given to the people that are the true custodians of the African wilderness, the hunting safari operator and professional hunter.

Does the general public or “key board warrior” truly think that the “stay home – stay safe” slogan is absorbed by the poacher in the village or the ivory trader in the town? They can both now take advantage of and hoard the benefits of the distracted authorities to their advantage and the inevitable illegal smuggling of the goods once shipping and cargo routes resume operations in full.

Cancelling a hunt in Africa is like sticking a knife into an already open wound, we as operators and Ph’s try our best to utilize every dollar paid to the betterment of a wild population of game no matter where our concessions are, from Cameroon to Mozambique, Senegal to South Africa, conservation of our heritage and our wildlife is at the forefront of any hunting operation. In cancelling a hunt, we lose those vital dollars that can still be utilized for anti-poaching operations, Covid-19 is hopefully not out in the wide-open spaces of Africa. We rely on that income and those dollars to allow us to continue our operations even though the rest of the world is closing down. We want to be there when the poacher crosses the boundary line, we want to be there to find the poachers snare or confiscate the poachers stollen rifle or home-made musket.

With you as the hunting client postponing your hunt to a later date rather than cancelling outright you are helping us to help preserve what we all love, the African wilderness, the wild animals that freely roam it and the continued effort of all of us to maintain a presence in those wilderness areas to stop poaching.

This presence however requires money and salaries must continue to be paid, with your postponement rather than cancellation we can continue to do that.
I thank you for your time and your continued support in a time of great concern for everyone.

Postpone rather than cancel and save Africa and her wildlife.

Not Your Average Girls Trip

By Meagan McElya

When most women plan a getaway with their girlfriends, the first destinations that come to mind are usually associated with tropical drinks or poker chips. But this group…this group of eight ladies from Texas could never come close to being like “most women.”

Let’s start with the fact that we hardly knew each other when this whole thing started. We were a diverse group consisting of childhood friends, professional colleagues, and in my case, a mother/daughter pair. Having never visited South Africa, I was so excited when I received an invite from Monica and eager to experience such a new and exciting destination not only with my mom, Michelle, but with some of the coolest chicks I had just met that same day over our first glasses of wine at the Houston airport.

Monica, by far the most seasoned traveler to South Africa, kindly leveraged her personal relationships to coordinate travel itinerary, lodging, professional hunting services, photo safari locations, shopping sprees, you name it. She did a wonderful job creating an enjoyable trip for both groups: The ladies who were hunting, and the ladies who were strictly wanting to enjoy some R&R while capturing photos on safari. You see, not all of us are hunters. And that wasn’t a bad thing! It actually provided a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and having an open dialogue about conservation efforts and how the hunting experience was so much more than just the harvest of an animal. I just so happened to be on the trip for both reasons and had absolutely no idea at the time how fulfilling and exciting that would be.

ADDO

With swollen ankles and a hankering for a large glass of wine, we stepped off of the final flight into the Port Elizabeth airport. Walking through the arrival gate, we met up with our professional hunters, Juan, Ashley and Rudolph (Rudy), whose South African accents (and toned, tanned legs) were about the warmest welcome a group of ladies could ask for. We loaded our things into the back of each of their vehicles, and our caravan headed to the first destination: Africano Country Estate in Addo.

To break up the commute, Juan had made plans to drive through Addo Elephant National Park, the third-largest national park in South Africa. I was in awe of how beautiful and unique they were. I’d have to say that my favorite was the surprisingly photogenic male warthog who decided to stop mid-stroll for a drink just as we pulled past him, almost posing for the camera.

I’m sure Rudy will tell you how I asked him about the agriculture industry as we traveled from one area to the next. I was fascinated by how similar some of the growing environments were to those that I had experienced back in Texas. Citrus fields were present up to the driveway of the Africano Country Estate, where we arrived just before sunset to settle in for a relaxing night of enjoying dinner and the company of new friends. The suites at the estate were breathtaking, featuring a large outdoor shower and a twinkling, starlight ceiling right above the bed.

That evening we mingled and exchanged stories over a gourmet meal of various sushi dishes and, of course, a few bottles of wine. And when I say a few, I mean we kept them coming to the table until we lost count. This created the perfect environment for loads of laughter and almost instant new-found friendships. After ordering a nightcap to enjoy by the fire, we all returned to our suites for the evening, excited about the plans Juan had shared with us for the days ahead.

Click below to read the full article.

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Houston, TX – Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) named its annual award winners at its 2020 Worldwide Hunting Expo and Convention, which was held January 24-26, 2020 at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The annual event is HSCF’s largest fundraiser.

HSCF presented their 2020 Photo and Hunting Awards at its annual banquets. Of note, Pierre C. Vorster of Pierre Vorster Safaris was presented the 2020 HSCF Outstanding Professional Hunter of the Year. Gary Glesby and Jerry Rubenstein were named as HSCF’s Outstanding Hunters of the Year. Tim Richardson was presented the first annual HSCF Conservationist of the Year award. Julianne King was presented as the 2020 Frank Green Award winner and Kevin Ormston received the 2020 HSCF President’s Award for outstanding service and commitment to the organization. Tommy Kolwes and Dixon Ashorn, of Capital Farm Credit, were recognized for their long-term commitment to hunting, farming, ranching and conservation.

HSCF sincerely thanks its Convention sponsors: Capital Farm Credit, Wildlife Partners, S&B Engineers and Constructors, Enterprise Products, Shoppa’s John Deere, Conroe Taxidermy, Global Rescue, B&B Taxidermy, TWG Travel, Pro Cargo USA, NRA Hunters Leadership Forum, Texas Hunt Lodge, Alliance Graphics & Printing and Let it Fly.

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 525 scholarships totaling $2.25 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $3.7 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 – Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) has concluded its 2020 Worldwide Hunting Expo and Convention, which was held January 24-26, 2020 at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The annual event is HSCF’s largest fundraiser.

The Expo featured almost 300 exhibitors from North America and around the world, with attendance reflecting a sizeable increase over 2019. All three fundraising banquets were at capacity. Funds raised at Convention support HSCF’s scholarship, youth education and grants programs. Entertainment included high-energy performances from Don Felder, renowned as a former lead guitarist of The Eagles and comedian Tom Papa. Aurelia Skipwith, Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was the keynote speaker, providing an inspirational message of her and the agency’s commitment to hunting, habitat and wildlife.

Trey White, 2020 HSCF Convention Chairman stated, “The Houston Safari Club Foundation’s 2020 Convention and Worldwide Hunting Expo was a great success. The event was highlighted by US Fish & Wildlife Director Aurelia Skipwith’s rousing defense of sport hunting as key to conservation, at our Saturday night gala. We would like to thank our sponsors, exhibitors, attendees, and volunteers for all that they do for HSCF.”

Exhibitor registration is now open for the 2021 Convention here, which will take place January 22-24, in downtown Houston, at the George R. Brown (GRB) Convention Center.

HSCF sincerely thanks its Convention sponsors: Capital Farm Credit, Wildlife Partners, S&B Engineers and Constructors, Enterprise Products, Shoppa’s John Deere, Conroe Taxidermy, Global Rescue, B&B Taxidermy, TWG Travel, Pro Cargo USA, NRA Hunters Leadership Forum, Texas Hunt Lodge, Alliance Graphics & Printing and Let it Fly.

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 525 scholarships totaling $2.25 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $3.7 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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