A big part of the DSC convention each year are the awards presented at the nightly banquets. This year, while the presentations were done by video recognition, the outstanding contributions to conservation and hunting are no less significant.
Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunting Heritage Award: Rob Keck
“Rob epitomizes what an individual with vision and purposeful work can accomplish for wildlife and our hunting heritage. He has guided and educated an untold number of people in his distinguished career. We are very proud to present the Capstick Award to such a deserving person.” Congratulations to Rob Keck on winning the 2021 Capstick Award.
Artist of the year: Cory Carlson
The Artist of the Year is a title given to outstanding wildlife artists who exhibit dedication to conservation, outdoor education and hunting.
Wildlife artist Cory Carlson, from Ruston, Louisiana, has been exhibiting with DSC for nearly 13 years and has donated numerous, popular pieces for the auctions, which have in turn raised tens of thousands for conservation. Carlson vividly portrays nature’s timeless beauty and energy with his extraordinary wildlife paintings. His art reveals a unique ability to bring the intensity of life in the wild to canvas and reveal its hidden realms. In the eyes of his subjects he offers us a captivating and emotional insight into the soul of nature. It is through Carlson’s personal travels and experiences that he is able to bring such beauty and depth to his subjects.
From the wetlands of the Americas to the sprawling African jungles, Carlson carefully observes wildlife in its natural environment, capturing rare moments with his skills in photography and sketching. These precious experiences and sketches serve as the inspiration and sole source of reference for Carlson’s paintings.
“Cory has been a longtime exhibitor and donor to our auctions, and it was his turn to be featured,” said DSC President Mark Little. “A strong candidate for Artist of the Year for his loyalty and commitment to conservation, he executes his work with an inspired vision.”
Carlson says, “It is a true pleasure to work with DSC and to have this honor bestowed upon me. I am looking forward to the convention and hope I can contribute to its success.”
For more information about Cory Carlson, visit https://www.carlsonfineartstudio.com/.
Outfitter of The Year: Charlton McCallum Safaris
Charlton McCallum Safaris is a partnership between well known Professional Hunters Buzz Charlton and Myles McCallum. Their team has over 100 years combined big game hunting experience – almost all of which is dangerous game hunting. CM Safaris owns and has sole hunting rights in the whole of the Dande North and East safari areas. Their DAPU anti-poaching team protects approximately 500 ,00 acres of pristine Zambezi Valley wilderness which has some of the best Dangerous game hunting in Zimbabwe. Learn more about the CM Safaris team at http://www.cmsafaris.com/
Reflections Conservation Trailblazer Award Winner: Clay Brewer
DSC’s inaugural Conservation Trailblazer Award winner goes to a very deserving individual in Clay Brewer.
“Having the privilege of working for and with him over the years, I can personally attest that there is no one more deserving of this recognition,” DSC ED Corey Mason said. “On behalf of all of us at DSC and beyond, thank you for your immense contributions to wildlife conservation, including the many people that you have touched and trained along the way.” “I’ve spent my career doing something I have loved deeply,” Brewer responded. “To be recognized for my life’s work is truly an honor.”
For more about Clay, visit the Wild Sheep Foundation’s team page at https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/a…
Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation’s 2021 Educator of The Year: Southlake Carroll MS’s Nathan Butler
Nathan Butler of Southlake’s Carroll Middle School was named OTF’s 2021 Educator of the Year.
Over 80% of Butler’s students 120 students obtain their boater education certification and 70% of his students get their hunters education certificates. And the best stat of all? 100% of Butler’s students catch a fish, while in his class.
Butler grew up as a fisherman but it wasn’t until he became an educator in the OTF curriculum that he was inspired to become a hunter himself. Attending trips with his students and getting them to experience the vast opportunities the outdoors have to offer.
“I’m getting to constantly learn as they are,” Butler said.
Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award: Parker Lee Stepan and Shae Greidanus
Parker Lee Stepan, of San Antonio, Texas, and Shae Greidanus, of Visalia, California, are the recipients of DSC’s Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award. This award honors young hunters who have met a very strict set of criteria for hunting and academic achievement, as well as community service and leadership.
