2026 Winner: Wayne F. Farnsworth, Jr.
Dallas Safari Club Announces 2026 Recipient of the Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award
Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is proud to announce that Wayne F. Farnsworth, Jr. has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award (OHAA). A dedicated outdoorsman whose hunting pursuits have spanned all six huntable continents over 36 years, Farnsworth embodies the spirit of ethical, fair-chase hunting and the commitment to personal challenge that the award represents.
OHAA Chair Wilson Stout added, “The Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the lifelong pursuit of ethical hunting. Wayne’s accomplishments—spanning continents, species, and extreme conditions—speak to a hunter who embraces challenge and honors the legacy of those who came before him.”
Farnsworth expressed sincere appreciation for the award and those who contributed to his journey. “Knowing how hard the OHAA committee and associates work in making this award possible, how proud they are of it and how serious they are in scrutinizing all applicants to ensure the highest integrity – I’m more than honored to be selected as this year’s recipient of the Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award,” he said. “This is the most prestigious hunting award I’ve ever received. That makes it very special to me and my family.”
He also credited the many outfitters, guides, booking agents, friends, and family members who helped shape his global hunting career. “Winning this award has been made possible through the team effort of the outstanding outfitters, guides, and booking agents I have had the honor to book and hunt with. I’m honored and grateful to have been chosen.”
Throughout his career, Farnsworth has gravitated toward physically demanding mountain hunts, pursuing sheep and goats around the world. He also recalls his 2004 archery polar bear hunt as one of his most mentally challenging experiences—surviving a three-day blizzard on the ice with Inuit guides before ultimately taking a record book archery polar bear. “Three days in a small tent with Inuit guides, that I would not have survived without them, is definitely a mental challenge.” he said.
Farnsworth’s passion for hunting began in childhood, deeply influenced by his father, who lost his sight and left hand in a hunting accident at age nineteen. Though unable to hunt himself, his father encouraged Wayne’s early archery and rifle practice and lived the hunting life vicariously through his son’s experiences. One of Wayne’s most treasured memories came in 1999, when he guided his father—who had not hunted since his accident—to harvest a 368-inch bull elk in Idaho. “The elk I assisted my father in shooting meant the most to me, even though I did not pull the trigger.” he reflected.
Farnsworth shared that he will miss having his father present to celebrate the award. The two enjoyed many years of fishing together on Lake Erie, where Wayne served as a U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain guiding walleye charters. “He was a major part of my success,” he said. “I wish he could be there when I receive the OHAA.”
DSC congratulates Wayne F. Farnsworth, Jr. on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to honoring him at the Saturday evening banquet during the 2026 Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Purpose
Recognizing the profound contribution of the hunter in wildlife conservation, this award is given for outstanding achievements in big game hunting, which are essential to wildlife conservation.
Selection Criteria
There are several collections and criteria acceptable for this award such as the collection of the North American 29, the DSC African 32, and the collection of any twelve of the sheep of the world. Additional Accomplishments in conservation or education are not considered for this award. Click the OHAA Selection Criteria tab above for a complete list.
Eligibility
To submit an application:
- The candidate must be a Life Member of DSC (and must have been a Life Member for at least four (4) years immediately prior to submitting an application).
- At least sixty percent (60%) of all trophies required for anyone category must have been taken while a member of DSC.
- Weatherby Award winners and hunting professionals are not eligible.
- This award may be won by an individual only once. The award cannot be given posthumously.
- Applications for this award may only be submitted by the individual involved.
- Once an application and its criteria have been accepted by the committee, the candidate will remain a candidate for the award until he or she wins the award, unless the candidate is subsequently rejected by the committee for a hunting or ethics violation, resigns from DSC, or withdraws the application. Even if an animal that was not huntable at the time the application was submitted becomes huntable, the candidate will not be required to collect that animal.
Application
1.) The application must include an organized list of the animals taken, including for each animal:
- Location taken
- Date taken
- Name of guide or outfitter, if applicable
- Field photo of the hunter with the animal
- Official score sheet for each animal completed by an official measurer (green measurements are acceptable).
2.) Each application requires a signed Fair Chase and Hunting Ethics Affidavit.
Certain species (such as African Lion) may require additional forms.
Completed applications must be received by the OHAA Chair by May 15 to be eligible for the award at the following Convention.
The criteria may change, so any applicant should contact the DSC office for the latest requirements. The animals required for the Malek Award will not be an acceptable criterion.