DALLAS – An international assembly of conservationists representing 86 countries has been selected to receive highest award given by DSC.
The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), a politically independent advisory body which aims to preserve wild game and hunting, will receive the Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunting Heritage Award during DSC’s 2016 convention and sporting expo, Jan. 7-10, in Dallas.
DSC and the Dallas Ecological Foundation present the Capstick Award to recognize exemplary leadership in conservation, education, hunting, humanitarian causes, research, permanent endowments and charitable giving.
“We’re proud of our long relationship with CIC,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “This is an organization that promotes, on a global scale, sustainable use of wildlife resources and hunting as a tool for conservation. It works with governments, international environmental organizations, UN institutions and public authorities, all with the vision of helping the world better understand how sustainable hunting benefits both people and nature.”
Carter specifically recalled CIC’s quick support of DSC in 2013, after DSC advanced the concept of self-imposed harvest restrictions among lion hunters. DSC defined the ideal huntable male lion as “at least six years of age and not known to head a pride or be part of a coalition heading a pride with dependent cubs.” Research shows that overharvest of young male lions could reduce lion populations overall, a concern for conservation and management of this iconic species. However, hunting older male lions has no negative effect on populations. Restricting harvest to this surplus segment of the population will conserve lions as well as the beneficial overall support of conservation that lion hunters bring to Africa.
“More than 70 major safari operators, hunting industry leaders and top conservationists quickly pledged support for our lion policy. Then, at a meeting in Budapest (Hungary), the CIC adopted a policy similar to ours, which added an even larger international voice for lions, lion hunting and lion conservation,” said Carter.
The CIC is, of course, involved in countless other hunting and conservation issues worldwide. To learn more, visit the CIC website at www.cic-wildlife.org.
The Capstick Award is named for the well-known American author whose defense of hunting and conservation made him an outdoor legend. Past recipients include Harry Tennison of Fort Worth, Texas, Baron Bertrand des Clers of France, President Theodore Roosevelt, Dr. Ian Player of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, the Boone and Crockett Club, Hubert Thummler of Mexico City, Dan Pedrotti of Corpus Christi, Texas, Christiane Underberg of Rheinberg, Germany, John and Chrissie Jackson of Metairie, La., and Dr. Red Duke of Houston.
The DSC convention and sporting expo, Jan. 7-10, will feature seminars, auctions, banquets, entertainment and awards. The public-welcome exhibit hall annually draws some 40,000 attendees. It all serves as the primary fundraiser for the club’s mission to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands, educate youth and the general public, and promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide.
For more information, visit www.biggame.org.
