(Houston, TX- June 2, 2022) Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Chris Horton, Senior Director – Fisheries Policy, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, to discuss the Hunt / Fish 30×30 coalition / America the Beautiful Initiative.

Chris Horton joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) in 2010 as the Midwestern States Director. In this role he oversaw and interacted with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus throughout the region. As the Senior Director, Fisheries Policy, he serves as CSF’s primary point of contact on federal recreational fishing issues, as well as assists the States Program Team staff with challenges for anglers at both the state and regional levels.

Chris currently serves on the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and has served on the Marine Protected Area Federal Advisory Committee, the board of the National Fish Habitat Partnership, and the Future Fisherman Foundation board of directors.

Prior to joining CSF, Chris served as the Conservation Director for the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). His primary responsibility was to work with and represent the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and B.A.S.S. members on local, state and national conservation issues that impact sport fishing. During his tenure at B.A.S.S., he was part of a U.S. delegation to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization in the development of a Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries.

Chris received a master’s degree in fisheries from the University of Arizona. Prior to working with B.A.S.S., Chris served as the reservoir research biologist, as well as the black bass biologist, for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

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 provide a review and rating. Hunting Matters is a 2022 Gold AVA Digital Awards winner!

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.

Migration Corridors and Seasonal Habitats on USFS Lands

A letter was sent to Randy Moore, Chief, U.S. Forest Service to encourage the U.S. Forest Service to prioritize the conservation of migration corridors and seasonal habitats for big game and other species. Specific recommendations included working closely with NRCS and DOI bureaus to coordinate and align wildlife corridor conservation and enhancement, on public and private lands, through voluntary, non-regulatory measures that respect the rights and privacy sensitivities of private landowners; incorporating and acknowledging the benefit to wildlife corridors, seasonal habitats and habitat connectivity from investments made through implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the nearly $3 billion for the 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy; directing USFS regions to work closely with states and tribes to consider and incorporate the conservation of wildlife corridors and seasonal ranges into land use planning; and to consider conservation benefits that can be created through implementation level decisions, such as vegetation management projects and transportation planning and contributing at least $2 million in FY23 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big Game and Migration Corridors Program.

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Support for Continuation of Funding via The 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act

Correspondence was sent to Chairman Ron Wyden, Senate Committee on Finance, Chairman Richard Neal, Ways and Means Committee., Ranking Member Mike Crapo, Senate Committee on Finance and Ranking Member Kevin Brady, House Ways and Means Committee to express support for the American System of Conservation Funding as it is currently configured under The 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act. The Act directs an excise tax on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment and is a primary funding source for state fish and wildlife agencies who utilize the funds to undertake wildlife conservation, provide for hunter and recreational shooter recruitment, public shooting range construction and other activities. Last year alone, these excise taxes generated more than $1 billion in funding to assist state wildlife agencies in fulfilling their missions and has generated $15 billion over the lifetime of the program. There has been some discussion around generating all Pittman-Robertson funding from alternative sources. The letter states these actions would negatively impact the outdoor community’s relationship with state fish and wildlife agencies. The summary request was that legislators take these points into consideration before introducing or supporting legislation that would alter the American System of Conservation funding.

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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, TX- May 30, 2022) Houston Safari Club Foundation has been honored with a 2022 Communicator Award of Excellence in the category of Design Features-Overall Design, for its quarterly hunting publication, Hunter’s Horn^® magazine.

The 28th annual Communicator Awards winners were recently announced by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA). The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative excellence for marketing and communications professionals. Founded by passionate communications professionals over two decades ago, The Communicator Awards is an annual competition honoring the best digital, mobile, audio, video, and social content the industry has to offer.

The Communicator Awards is widely recognized as one of the largest awards of its kind in the world. The Communicator Awards are judged and curated by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA). The AIVA is an assembly of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media. Current AIVA membership represents a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms including: GE Digital, Spotify, Condè Nast, Disney, Republica, Majestyk, Fast Company, Upstatement, and many others.

“We are very honored to be recognized by the AIVA. Congratulations to Carla Nielsen, HSCF’s Marketing & Publications Manager, the team at Madavor Media, HSCF’s publishing partner, and the team at Alliance Graphics & Printing for continually producing one of the best magazines in the world,” stated Joe Betar, HSCF Executive Director.

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 550 scholarships totaling $2.5 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- May 23, 2022) The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is pleased to announce its “Hunting Matters” radio program/podcast was named a Silver Winner by the 2022 NYX Marcom Awards in the Audio & Podcasts-Nonprofit category.

NYX Awards is the leading international awards program that recognizes, celebrates, honors excellence in marketing, communication, and creativity across all facets of industries and mediums, to advocate valuable and significant projects. Since its establishment in 2018, NYX Awards has thrived tremendously, receiving thousands of exquisite entries, from more than 60 countries, each year.

“HSCF and the Hunting Matters team are proud to be recognized by NYX Marcom. Special thanks to our producer and co-host, Ramon Robles and HSCF Marketing & Publications Manager, Carla Nielsen. We truly appreciate the support of our guests, sponsors, iHeartMedia, and our listeners,” stated Joe Betar, Hunting Matters host and Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director.

NYX Awards is an International Awards Associate (IAA) competition. The IAA is a group of industry innovators, creators, designers and communications professionals whose commitment is to move the industry forward through discovery and recognition of new and existing talent. This award recognizes the projects, talents, and works of professionals at the forefront of the industry, in a variety of specialized fields, ranging from: marketing to communication, print to digital as well as creative industries.

The NYX Awards is an internationally acclaimed and prestigious awards program that discovers, celebrate, honor, and recognize the media works in the form of marketing to communication, print to digital as well as creative industries conceived by the most creative minds ranging from large, big-budget firms to independent solo creators. With a diverse selection of numerous category programs such as Marketing & Communication, Design & Print, Digital Media, Video Productions, Broadcast, Non-Broadcast, and many more, IAA wishes to push the boundaries and raise the bar in creativity and innovation in all forms of media.

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.

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 (May 18, 2022) – Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is proud to announce its quarterly publication, Hunter’s Horn^TM, was named a Silver Winner by the 2022 NYX Marcom Awards in the Design-Magazine magazine category. This is the third year in a row the publication has been recognized by Marcom.

 

NYX Awards is the leading international awards program that recognizes, celebrates, honors excellence in marketing, communication, and creativity across all facets of industries and mediums, to advocate valuable and significant projects. Since its establishment in 2018, NYX Awards has thrived tremendously, receiving thousands of exquisite entries, from more than 60 countries, each year.

 

“We are honored to be recognized by NYX/Marcom. Congratulations to Carla Nielsen, HSCF’s Marketing & Publications Manager, the team at Madavor Media, HSCF’s publishing partner, and the team at Alliance Graphics & Printing for continually producing an incredible publication,” stated Joe Betar, HSCF Executive Director.

 

NYX Awards is an International Awards Associate (IAA) competition. The IAA is a group of industry innovators, creators, designers and communications professionals whose commitment is to move the industry forward through discovery and recognition of new and existing talent. This award recognizes the projects, talents, and works of professionals at the forefront of the industry, in a variety of specialized fields, ranging from: marketing to communication, print to digital as well as creative industries.

 

 The NYX Awards is an internationally acclaimed and prestigious awards program that discovers, celebrate, honor, and recognize the media works in the form of marketing to communication, print to digital as well as creative industries conceived by the most creative minds ranging from large, big-budget firms to independent solo creators. With a diverse selection of numerous category programs such as Marketing & Communication, Design & Print, Digital Media, Video Productions, Broadcast, Non-Broadcast, and many more, IAA wishes to push the boundaries and raise the bar in creativity and innovation in all forms of media.

 

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- May 12, 2022) Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes Heidi Lyn Rao, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Hunter Education Specialist for Southeast Texas.

Heidi Lyn Rao was hired by 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 this will be the 14th year. 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 25 statewide BOW workshops across Texas, including the first-ever VIRTUAL BOW in 2020. She has reached over 6,000 Ladies who have attended BOW and continued their outdoors skills ultimately becoming hunters, anglers, and archers, especially through mentored BOW hunts. To date, 10 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; Houston Safari Club Educator of the Year and she is also in the Texas Hunter Education Halls of Fame.

She and her (now retired) TPWD Game Warden husband of 23 yrs., John, have 4 boys: Dominic is 20 and works for Laser Shot Simulations in Houston; Matthew is 18 and is a graduating Senior; JohnJohn is 16 and will be a Sophomore; and Luke is 13 and will be in 7th grade. The Rao’s are avid hunters and enjoy trapping and the shooting sports together.  

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 provide a review and rating. Hunting Matters is a 2022 Gold AVA Digital Awards winner!

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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