Based out of Salt Lake City, the chapter was organized and founded by lifelong hunter and conservationist, Jared Habel.
“We in Utah are so lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth with such a diverse landscape, so we need to do our part to conserve and protect wildlife and their habitat,” Habel said.
Habel noted the chapter idea was born after speaking with local outfitters who were impressed with DSC’s role in conservation.
“I just asked them what could we do to help?” Habel said.
Chapters play an influential role in delivering DSC’s vision of a society that values wildlife, engages in its conservation and understands and supports the role of well-regulated hunting in the sustainable use of wild resources.
The DSC Utah Chapter plans to focus predominantly on youth education and wildlife conservation throughout the state.
Habel is inspired to support hunting opportunities for youth both in Utah and internationally thanks to his experience learning from his father and passing along traditions to his own son.
“My biggest goal is to open up opportunities for kids in Utah to hunt,” he said. “Kids (have a tough time) hunting in Utah. The draws are tough. My son can’t get drawn on a deer hunt. That’s not how I grew up. I wanted to see what I could do to change that.”
A family trip to Africa last year opened Habel’s eyes to the impact it could have on his children.
“My son came back a completely different person,” he added. “He was more confident. My wife asked me what happened to our son?”
The DSC Utah Chapter is one of a growing number of DSC chapters in the western US, and DSC has plans for further expansion.
“Adding Chapters in Western states has long been a goal of DSC, and this is just a continuation of that goal,” said Corey Mason, DSC and DSC Foundation CEO. “In the near future, you can expect more chapters to pop up across the country.”
