DSC’s Campfires with Larry Weishuhn is a unique blend of hunting, fishing, wildlife conservation and the outdoor lifestyle presented in a manner only a veteran outdoorsman/wildlife biologist can do. Weekly, join Larry and his special guests as they discuss current and past adventures, while also keeping the listener up to date with the goings on in the world of hunting and wildlife conservation.
DSC’s CAMPFIRES with Larry Weishuhn is a unique blend of hunting, fishing, conservation and the outdoor lifestyle. Learn from first hand stories told in an entertaining and informational fashion as only veteran outdoorsman Larry Weishuhn and his guests can do!
Boone and Crockett Club: History & Mission
Tony Schoonen shares the rich history of the Boone and Crockett Club, which was founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell.
The organization was formed by sportsmen after Roosevelt witnessed the severe decimation of wildlife and natural resources in the West, particularly in the Yellowstone region.
In its first two decades, the club was instrumental in passing the Yellowstone Preservation Act (1892) and the Lacey Act (1900), and helped establish the National Forest Reserves, the National Park Service, and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The founders effectively shifted wildlife management away from unregulated market hunting to the sustainable, state-managed model we rely on today.
Tony and Larry discuss the vital distinction between conservation (the active, wise use and management of natural resources) and preservation (a “no-touch” approach that can negatively impact ecosystems).
The club’s iconic records program was established in the 1930s. It was not created as a hunting contest, but as a scientific tool to measure the success of conservation efforts over the previous 30 years.
The records program uses the presence of mature male specimens (measured by antler and horn size) as an indicator of a healthy, thriving ecosystem. Today, wildlife managers across North America actively use this database to monitor habitat health.
Fair Chase ethics remain a cornerstone of the organization; only free-ranging animals legally harvested under fair chase conditions are eligible for the record books.
Tony highlights a major new initiative aimed at combating poaching, a crime that historically suffers from low detection (under 4%) and low prosecution rates.
Following a five-year research project funded by the Leopold Foundation, the club realized the massive financial loss the public trust bears due to wildlife theft.
The club developed a formula to calculate the true replacement cost of illegally harvested animals and is actively working to implement this into state legislation.
The Poach & Pay legislation has already passed in 8 pilot states. The initiative also aims to elevate severe poaching crimes from misdemeanors to felonies.
To further empower citizens, the club is developing a smartphone app that will allow individuals to instantly drop a pin and report suspected poaching directly to law enforcement.
The core of the Boone and Crockett Club consists of 100 Regular Members (problem-solving business leaders mirroring the original founders) and approximately 167 Professional Members (wildlife scientists, academics, and agency heads).
The club also offers an Associate Membership base, which is open to the public and currently boasts around 4,000 grassroots members, an impressive 25% of whom are Lifetime Associates.
Hunters and conservationists interested in supporting the club’s ongoing legislative, ethical, and habitat-management efforts can join by visiting their website at boone-crockett.org.
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