“The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation is extremely proud today to be publicly recognized on North American soil for its global work to promote wildlife conservation and sustain the diverse global hunting heritage” –  CIC President, Bernard Lozé addressing over 1500 guests at the Dallas Safari Club Gala Dinner on Saturday, January 9^th, 2016.

The Dallas Safari Club (DSC), an important member of the CIC, held its annual Convention and Sporting Expo, “Conservation” in Dallas last week. The DSC Convention annually unites policy makers, international organizations, sporting enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives. Dubbed the “Greatest Hunting Show on the Planet”, the four day event included a packed exhibition hall and exhilarating auctions. Conservationists and hunters from all over the world met for a wide range of dialogues on hunting advocacy initiatives and diverse workshops on wildlife conservation and sustainable hunting.

The DSC Convention was an ideal setting for a cocktail reception of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation represented by CIC President Bernard Lozé, CIC President of Honor Dieter Schramm, CIC Vice-President Dr. Kaush Arha, President of the CIC Applied Science Division Gerhard Damm, and his wife Conny.

In front of an illustrious audience of leaders from major US hunting associations, the CIC speakers highlighted the four global initiatives of the CIC and showcased CIC achievements. Intensive individual discussions concentrated on landscape preservation and wildlife conservation. Gerhard Damm highlighted the need for new alliances and a persuasive hunting message. A measure of the success of this CIC event is the request of many participants that the CIC be present at the DSC Convention and the North American Conference on Wildlife & Natural Resources every year!

During the exclusive Saturday night Dallas Safari Club Gala Dinner, the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation was awarded the prestigious 2015 Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunting Heritage Award. The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose achievements demonstrate a sustained and active contribution to the conservation of wildlife and its habitat. Mrs. Fiona Claire Capstick narrated the key objectives and accomplishments of the CIC in a video show. To the rising sounds of trompes de chasse playing the CIC hymn, DSC legend Tommy Carruthers, Capstick Award Committee Chairman Richard Cheatham, and Fiona Capstick called CIC President Bernard Lozé to receive the Capstick bronze statue amidst the thundering applause of the audience.

In his acceptance speech, CIC President Bernard Lozé focused on improving digital communication and formulating convincing messages: “We can create influential information and networking platforms to spread the word about the amazing connection between hunting and landscape conservation. We need to mobilize our ranks, change our approach and meet people on the digital turf”. Lozé underlined the importance of developing innovative approaches that inspire and engage the non-hunting community.  

Concluding, Bernard Lozé cited the 26^th US President Teddy Roosevelt, who had said “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” and called on hunters to reach out and prove to the world that “Hunters do care for biodiversity, wild landscapes and nature!”