Dr. Gibson (left) and Brian Hemphill with the pending SCI #2 axis

Some good friends of ours just harvested what could soon prove to be the 2nd biggest typical axis ever harvested with a bow outside of a high fence!

Dr. Pat Gibson of San Angelo, Texas, hunting as a guest of Brian Hemphill on his private ranch, was able this brute of a deer.  The buck doesn’t sport overwhelming main beam length (29-31 inch beam measurements), but what he lacks in that department he easily makes up for everywhere else!  The deer’s caudals, brows, width and exceptional mass, lend to a ‘green’ score of 164 & 4/8″!  Qualifying trophies can be submitted to the Online Record Book immediately, but SCI requires that Top 10 entries go through a 60-day ‘drying period’.  After that time, if that score holds up, Dr. Gibson’s axis is poised to assume the #2 spot in the SCI all-time record book for free-range axis with a bow, behind only Rob Sylvia’s 173 & 1/8″ axis taken back in 2007 in Victoria County, Texas.  At this moment, the #2 spot is held by Doug Lambert’s 160 & 4/8″ Kimble Co. buck, so the gap between spots 1 and 2 is pretty significant window to allow for Dr. Gibson’s buck to slide in and take the lofty spot, even after the 60-day drying period wait.

Regardless of where this deer winds up in the record book, a big ‘congrats’ from the AAE Crew to Dr. Gibson on a truly world class axis buck!!

Event: 2011 Central Texas Safari Club Hunter’s Legacy Gala
“Hunt Texas – Live Big”

Date: Tuesday – October 25, 2011

Location: The Historic Austin Club 110 E. 9th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Vendors available:  2:30 – 6 PM
Cocktail Hour: 5 – 7 PM
Banquet doors open: 6 PM

For more information, contact leanncollins29@gmail.com

WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on Thursday, July 7, 2011, a proposed rule to regulate the take of three endangered exotic antelope species – the scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle, and addax.  The FWS was required to issue this proposed rule as a result of a 2009 order from the federal court.

The proposed rule states that the FWS will issue permits for the take of the three antelope species, in a manner similar to the way in which permits are issued for other exotic captive bred wildlife in the United States.  The FWS has given the public 30 days to comment on the proposed rule.  The current, permitless system will continue to apply until a final rule is issued.

In response to the rule, Safari Club International (SCI) President Kevin Anderson released the following statement:

“Permits need not be the undoing of the exceptional conservation strides achieved by the private ranching and hunting communities in recovering these three species on captive herds in the U.S.  SCI will be playing a leadership role in developing and recommending a process that will cause the least interference to the industry that has brought these three species back from the brink of extinction. 

In addition, SCI maintains its long-standing position that the U.S. captive herds of these three species should never have been included in the endangered listing for these species in the wild.  SCI has provided the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with notice of our intent to sue the Service to challenge the listing of these U.S. captive populations.  SCI will continue to fight on multiple fronts to prevent the Endangered Species Act, along with its inflexible restrictions and prohibitions, from sabotaging the conservation of these three antelope species.

Although the proposed rule seeks to generate a permit system for the take of the three antelope species, the details of this proposed system are still in the development stage.  SCI and the hunting and ranching communities now have an invaluable opportunity to submit recommendations for a process that will continue to make it economically feasible for ranchers to raise, trade, breed and allow hunts for members of these species.

SCI encourages all individuals affiliated with the conservation of the scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle, and addax to provide substantive comments to the FWS.  SCI will work with our partners in conservation to provide leadership for the entire hunting community.”

NOT the ram in question...or was that even a question?

There is news out of SW Texas that a potential new world record aoudad ram may have been harvested near Rocksprings, Tx very recently.  The ram is rumored to have horn lengths of 44 inches!   Eighty-eight inches of horn coupled w/ even average mass measurements would give the current world records a run for their money, to say the least!

The current SCI scoring record is currently held by LeNan Hancock and scores 166 & 6/8″ SCI, while Larry Casey’s 130 & 7/8″ ram tops the charts in the ROE record book (Hancock’s ram is #2 in ROE).   If these initial reports are true and this new ram does sport close to 44″ horns, it will most likely shattered both records.  Casey’s record ram had 39 & 40 inch horns, while Hancock’s trophy could boast only 39 & 37 inch measurements!  This gives some idea just how big this ram could be…44″ is mind blowing!

We will keep you posted on any pictures or news about this giant ram as it becomes available.

Washington, DC – Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) today announced that it had distributed over $217,000 in the final quarter of its last fiscal year to fund five critical conservation projects in North America, Asia and Africa. Specifically, SCIF has dedicated the funding to managing sustainable wildlife conservation programs that expand research into the complex interplay between predator and prey species.

“These funds will go a long way to help expand SCIF’s efforts as we continue to fund, support, and manage worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services around the world,” said SCIF President Larry Rudolph. “A better understanding of predator-prey dynamic will facilitate best management practices around the world for continued sustainable wildlife conservation and management.

In North America:
SCIF continued its support of the Newfoundland Caribou Strategy, a study designed to understand the recent decline in woodland caribou in Newfoundland, Canada. Caribou calf survival is low in Newfoundland, and predation is the primary cause of calf mortality. SCIF granted $50,000 to estimate the density of predators in three study areas by analyzing DNA recovered from predator hair and scat samples. This information will assist future predator management recommendations.

SCIF is also working with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to assess the current status of moose, moose calf production, and the influence of bears and climate on the Wyoming moose population. SCIF also granted $50,000 to support the research project.

In Asia:
SCIF has initiated an argali sheep survey in Tajikistan that will take place this summer and fall. Approximately $52,000 was transferred to our strategic conservation partners last month to complete the research, and Joe Hosmer, Conservation Committee Chairman and Dr. Bill Moritz, Director of Conservation Programs will be travelling to Tajikistan in August to oversee the operation. Partners include the government of Tajikistan, Dr. Raul Valdez of New Mexico State University, and Dr. Andrey Subbotin of the Russian Research Institute for Nature Conservation.

In Africa:
SCIF has committed $20,000 to support a national lion population survey in Malawi. Combined with a 2009 survey in Mozambique and a 2010 survey in Tanzania, this survey will show the number and distribution of lions in large contiguous area of prominent lion range. SCIF has again partnered with Philippe Chardonnet of the International Foundation for the Conservation of Wildlife, who will use the same methods previously used for lion surveys in Tanzania and Mozambique. Consistency in the research methods will allow biologists to compare and combine the results into one assessment of lion population in this region of Africa.

SCIF also initiated and funded a leopard research project in Namibia. Leopards are extremely difficult to census and science-based information on this game species is essential to validate its conservation management strategy. An understanding of leopard population trends is important to ensure harvest quotas are sustainable. SCIF granted $45,000 to our partner, the government of Namibia, to conduct a leopard population survey.

The SCI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that funds and manages worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services, including such programs as Sportsmen Against Hunger, Sensory Safari, Safari Care, Disabled Hunter, the American Wilderness Leadership School, Becoming an Outdoors Woman & More and Youth Education Seminars (YES) Outdoors. Call 877-877-3265 or visit www.sci-foundation.org for more information.

Join the Central Texas Safari Club at their 21st annual banquet and gala to be held at the renowned and historic Austin Club

“The Hunt Goes On”

Event: Central Texas Safari Club – Wildlife Legacy Gala

Date: Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 @ 5 pm

Location: The Austin Club – 110 East 9th st., Austin, Tx

Live Music — Valet Parking –  African Dancers — Free Margaritas, Beer & Wine

Incredible Auction Items that include: a leopard hunt, cape buffalo hunt, large wall art, lion claw jewelry, Argentina dove hunt, fishing trips & much more! (There will also be some surprise items)

- Museum quality collectibles on raffle tables

- The door prize is a 4 kt Tanzanite !!

- Tickets — $75 for members / $85 for non-members

- Cocktail hour from 5 – 6; Banquet begins @ 6

- RSVP today!!

For more information or to reserve a table contact LeAnn Collins at leanncollins29@gmail.com

Follow the Central Texas Safari Club on Facebook – get the latest news and updates on this event.

Duncan’s contributions to medical research, orphans and the poor amounted to $259 million from 2004 to 2008, landing him in the 38th spot on BusinessWeek’s Top 50 American Givers list.   His charitable endeavors included the 5,000-acre Double “D” Ranch in Texas, which introduces children to fishing and hunting.  Duncan was an avid hunter and a member of the Houston Safari Club and known as one the modern world’s most prolific big game hunters, taking 360 species on six continents and having 550 entries in the Safari Club International record book.

Duncan is survived by his wife, Jan, four children and four grandchildren.

Event: SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention 2010 – “Share the Legacy”

Date: January 20-23

Location: Reno, Nevada

2010 Show Hours:
Wednesday, 1/20: Grand Opening @ 9:45am, Doors Open from 10am – 6pm
Thursday, 1/21 & Friday, 1/22:  9am – 6pm
Saturday, 1/23:  8am – 5pm

Entertainers (to name a few): Frank Caliendo, Three Dog Night, The Bellamy Brothers, Dennis Miller, Papa Doo Run Run & more

Seminars by: Craig Boddington, Jim Shockey, Wayne Van Zwoll, Randy Oitker…and dozens more

Special Keynote Speaker: George W. Bush – 43rd President of the United States (Saturday night)

There will be live and silent auctions throughout the convention that will give you the chance to bid on hunting trips, rare guns, art & decor, and much, much more!

To register to attend and see prices as well as full lists of entertainers, boothes, and auction items be sure to visit         www.showsci.com

If you are an exhibitor and interested in reserving a booth for future shows, check out SCI’s Exhibitor page.

Event: “Call of the Wild” - 2010 Hunting Expo & Convention

Date: January 15-17, 2010

Location: The Woodlands, Texas

“Proceeds from Houston Safari Club’s Annual Convention go towards fulfilling the club’s mission of supporting Wildlife Conservation, Youth Education Initiatives and Preserving of the Hunting Heritage.”

Friday’s festivities include Hunting Awards Ceremony, recognition for scholarship recipients, live entertainment and auctions.  One of the highlights of the convention is the Saturday evening black tie gala and live auction.

For more information or to view the entire exhibitor list visit www.houstonsafariclub.org

Mark your calendars and plan to attend! This will be another great event! This is a fun, social event that’s all about YOU, our members. Our special guest speaker will be Larry Weishuhn, “Mr. Whitetail” himself. We hope to see all of you at this great event.

Wed, Oct 14th 6:30pm
Location: Dave & Busters
9333 Research Blvd
Austin, Texas 78759
Tel: 512.346.8015
Driving Directions

Admission**- $30 per person
$15 Teens 13-18 years
Free 12 years and under
**inludes dinner and non-alcohlic beverages.  there will be a cash bar

For more information, to RSVP or to join Austin SCI visit www.austinsci.org