Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award

DSC is thrilled to announce Safari Pike as the 2025 Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award recipient.

Safari, DSC’s youngest-ever Chapter board member, began hunting as a young girl.

“I began my hunting journey when I was six years old,” she said. “My first big game hunt taking place not long after in South Africa when I was seven. Growing up hunting was the foundation of my personality and life. I would spend time reading magazines and books about other sportsmen and women, fawning over their personal adventures and stories.”

In the following years, Safari was able to go on one or two hunts a year.

“My love and passion for the sport grew exponentially over the course of the next few years,” she said. “Hunting was something I loved and cherished, being able to spend time with my family doing something I loved was unmatched by anything else. My hunts ranged from Fallow deer in Spain to Blue Wildebeest in South Africa, with each hunt my eagerness to conserve the sport grew.”

Safari was excited to receive the call she was this year’s award winner.

“When I was contacted with the news that I was this year’s Colin Caruthers Young Hunter, I was ecstatic,” she said. “Being a part of this organization has been a such a rewarding process, that’s why when I heard about CCYHA, I knew I wanted to submit an application. I’m so beyond thankful to be able to receive an award from an organization that has been a part of my life for so long. I look forward to continuing my passion for hunting and love for the outdoors.”

Safari’s greatest hunting achievement in her mind is her kudu hunt.

“The hunt that meant the most to me was my kudu in South Africa. Since I was little, I knew that I wanted to harvest a kudu. Their size and beauty struck me immensely and I fell in love with them. Though the hunt spanned over a few days the kill was quick and clean. Approaching the animal for the first time was one of the most amazing feelings I’ve ever experienced. I was smiling ear to ear; his coarse fur and sun-bleached horns are something I will never forget. I’m so grateful to have had the experience to harvest such an incredible creature.”