Author: HoustonSafari

Houston, TX (October 24, 2023) – Winners of the 19th Annual Davey Awards have been announced by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.

Houston Safari Club Foundation’s Hunting Matters podcast received three Silver Awards in the categories of Branded Series, Best Co-Hosts and Podcast Series-Educational. The Davey Awards honor work from the best boutique creative agencies, in-house brand teams, small production companies, and independent creators across Branded Content, Video, Design & Print, Advertising & Marketing, Mobile, Podcasts, Social, and Websites.

“The talent displayed by the Entrants into our 19th season has proven to be massive”, said AIVA managing director Lauren Angeloni. “I’ve come to expect ingenuity and innovation from our small shops and independent creators, but this year is particularly stunning. I want to congratulate all of the honorees for their well-deserved wins. I also would like to extend sincere thanks to our jurors, who gave so much time and care in their evaluation of each entry.”

About the Davey Awards
The Davey Awards is an international award focused exclusively on honoring outstanding creative work from the best small teams from across the world. The 19th Annual Davey Awards
received over 2,000 entries from ad agencies, digital agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms and public relations firms. The Davey Awards are sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from acclaimed brands and media, interactive, advertising, and marketing firms.

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 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 (October 16, 2023) – Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce its quarterly publication, Hunter’s Horn™ has been awarded a Platinum MarCom Award.

Hunter’s Horn™ was named a Platinum award winner in the Publications/Magazine/Nonprofit category. This is the fourth year in a row the publication has been recognized by MarCom.

MarCom Awards honors excellence in marketing and communication while recognizing the creativity, hard work, and generosity of industry professionals. Since its inception in 2004, MarCom has evolved into one of the largest, most-respected creative competitions in the world. Each year about 6,500 print and digital entries are submitted from dozens of countries.

MarCom is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization, founded in 1995, consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, digital, and web professionals. AMCP administers recognition programs, provides judges, and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the community.

 

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 638 scholarships totaling $2.77 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- October 9, 2023) The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce that its “Hunting Matters” radio program/podcast has been awarded two 2023 W3 Awards.

Hunting Matters received a Gold award in the Podcast-General Series-Associations category and a Silver award in the Podcast-Best Co-Hosts category.

Established in 2005, the w3 Awards celebrate digital excellence by honoring outstanding work across Websites, Marketing, Video, Mobile Sites & Apps, Social, Podcasts, and Emerging Tech. At The w3 Awards, we aim to honor the unsung heroes of digital creativity who create imaginative and boundary-blazing work day after day. From rising independent creators to the most established global agencies, the w3 Awards elevate and illuminate the projects that help shape the future of our increasingly digital lives.

The w3 Awards is sanctioned by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA), an invitation-only body consisting of leading digital marketing and creative experts and all-around luminaries. AIVA members come from organizations such as Publicis Sapient, Walt Disney Studios, Meta, Netflix, LG, IBM, Amazon, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Wired Magazine, R/GA and many others.

About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from various backgrounds, who have a passion for hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting legislation updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs each Saturday, 6am-7am CDT on KPRC AM 950 – Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s longest running radio station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen 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 638 scholarships totaling $2.77 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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Texas Raffle Laws & Non-Profit Organizations

Status update: The governor has decided to not sign the bill at this time. There may be an opportunity for consideration during the October 2023 special session. Houston Safari Club has sent additional correspondence to the governor’s office in support of a change in the Texas raffle laws and requested that the topic be addressed during the October special session. Background: Non-profit organizations in Texas are currently not allowed to sell raffle tickets online. HSC has been involved in the effort to allow Texas-based non-profit organizations to market and sell raffle tickets online, for the past three Texas legislative sessions. A House bill was approved earlier this year. HSC provided testimony in favor of the bill before the Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee in March. A Senate bill, mirroring the House bill language, is in process. If passed, these changes would allow for fundraising related to raffles on a greater scale. Reach out to your local Representative and let them know you support HB 2138 and your Senator, in support of SB 1582.

Hunter Safety, Archery Education & Wilderness Education Programs In Schools

Houston Safari Club joined thirty-nine other hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation organizations to express its displeasure that the U.S. Department of Education will no longer permit Elementary and Secondary Education Act grants to be used for hunter safety, archery education or wilderness education programs. The full body of the letter sent to the Secretary of Education is below:

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.

Texas Raffle Laws & Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations in Texas are currently not allowed to sell raffle tickets online. HSC has been involved in the effort to allow Texas-based non-profit organizations to market and sell raffle tickets online, for the past three Texas legislative sessions. A House bill was approved earlier this year. HSC provided testimony in favor of the bill before the Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee in March. A Senate bill, mirroring the House bill language, is in process. If passed, these changes would allow for fundraising related to raffles on a greater scale. Reach out to your local Representative and let them know you support HB 2138 and your Senator, in support of SB 1582. Status update: The governor has decided to not sign the bill at this time. There may be an opportunity for consideration during the summer 2023 special session.

Lead Ammunition & Tackle Ban on the National Wildlife Refuge System

USFWS Director Martha Williams has decided to reject the Center for Biological Diversity’s petition and not undertake a national rulemaking concerning lead ammunition and tackle on the National Wildlife Refuge System. HSC is in support of H.R. 615 and S. 1185, the 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.

UK Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill

The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, currently before the Lords, is intended to ban the import of hunting trophies from a list of around 6000 species (as listed in a European Council Regulation now referred to in the Bill as the Principal Wildlife Trade Regulation). The bill has received approval in the House of Commons and is currently under consideration by the House of Lords.

Research & Management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

HSC joined other organizations expressing support of $30 million in federal funding for the research and management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) as part of the FY24 appropriations process. Passage of the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act in the 117th Congress authorized additional annual funding to be divided equally between CWD research and state and tribal CWD management efforts. Though this bill authorized up to $70 million for research and management programming annually, the group is seeking $30 million in FY24 based on demonstrated need in FY23.

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.

Texas Raffle Laws & Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations in Texas are currently not allowed to sell raffle tickets online. HSC has been involved in the effort to allow Texas-based non-profit organizations to market and sell raffle tickets online, for the past three Texas legislative sessions. A House bill was approved earlier this year. HSC provided testimony in favor of the bill before the Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee in March. A Senate bill, mirroring the House bill language, is in process. If passed, these changes would allow for fundraising related to raffles on a greater scale. Reach out to your local Representative and let them know you support HB 2138 and your Senator, in support of SB 1582.

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. This bill has been passed by the Senate and must pass the Assembly before being sent to the Governor for approval.

Cottonwood Fix

Houston Safari Club joined several conservation organizations to petition the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources to request the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources favorably report the Bipartisan Manchin/Daines, Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to S. 2561, the “Cottonwood Fix”. Since the Ninth Circuit Court issued the 2015 Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. United States Forest Service (Cottonwood) decision, the Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have been required to reinitiate consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Land Management and Forest Management Plans at the programmatic level when new Endangered Species Act (ESA) information came to light. This continues to block and slow many essential USFS forest management, wildlife habitat enhancement and wildfire fuel reduction projects.

Forest Conservation Easement Program

Houston Safari Club was part of a consortium of conservation organizations expressing support for the creation of a Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) in the Farm Bill. The purpose of FCEP is to keep forests as forests through the use of conservation easements that purchase development rights from willing private landowners to prevent conversion to non-forest uses. Private forests in a conservation easement can remain privately owned and working. FCEP accomplishes this via two program components: Forest Land Easements (modeled after Agricultural Land Easements under NRCS’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program) and Forest Reserve Easements (as the successor to NRCS’s Healthy Forests Reserve Program). Private forests comprise 58% of all forested land in the U.S. While the total area of forestland in the U.S. has been largely stable historically, private forests now face significant threats, mainly from conversion to housing and urban development. A stand-alone Forest Conservation Easement Program would be the successor to and expansion of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program that ensures private forestland remains intact and in production, continuing to provide numerous benefits to rural and urban communities. FCEP expands upon HFRP by providing an opportunity for eligible entities, like land trusts, to hold forest conservation easements.

Fiscal Year 2024 Operations and Maintenance Funding for the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System

Houston Safari Club expressed its support for the continued funding of the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System. The budget increased in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to $541 million for the U.S National Wildlife Refuge System (the System) and the President has proposed a 2024 budget of $624 million for the System. A recommendation was made for the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, to provide the System with even more robust funding to correct both historic underfunding and meet the growing needs of the System. Hunting and fishing are fundamentally linked to the System, and trace back to earliest days of the refuge System. With the passage of the Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997, Congress recognized wildlife-dependent recreational uses, which includes hunting and fishing, as priority uses in refuge planning and management.

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.