Page 20 - Safari Trails December 2017

steered their boat across a state reservoir, stopped at their illegal net site and hauled in a load of striped bass and other open-
water fish they could sell for $1 a pound on the commercial market.
In each of these examples, you were the loser. You lost hunting and fishing opportunities or the chance to view wildlife in their
natural surroundings. At the same time, law-abiding sportsmen received a bad reputation from those who fail to distinguish
between legal and illegal hunting. OGT is something everyone can do to help wildlife and help us apprehend the poachers.

OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE EXPO – Our Chapter supports the ODWC - Wildlife Expo with significant funding and with workers. This is
the biggest and the most successful comprehensive hands-on outdoor education experience and recreation event in State
history. Approximately 45,000 attend annually. In 2008, OSC began “Predators of Oklahoma” with a game for thousands of
youth to identify the animals and win a prize for successfully doing so (all eventually won). This program continues each year.

WILDLIFE HERITAGE CENTER MUSEUM, ANTLERS, OK. – Our Chapter contributed to the building of the museum/learning center
in SE Oklahoma. The operation is a joint agreement of the Okla. Dept of Commerce, Okla. Tourism and Recreation Dept and the
Okla. Dept of Wildlife. The facility will be utilized as a regional tourism attraction while at the same time serving as a wildlife and
natural resource conservation public education center.

SAFARI IN A BOX - Safari in a Box is a K-12 education kit designed to provide exciting, hands-on learning. It gives teachers and
others who work with young people resources and ideas to introduce youth to important concepts of habitat, wildlife
management and impacts resulting from human and wildlife interactions. Initial SIB placement was in memory of OSC member
David Rocker.

"SCI SAVES CSI” - 2009 support of OSU's "Insect Adventure", a project which teaches basic conservation principles to
over 300,000 individuals in Oklahoma each year (and also contributes to the conservation of the endangered American burying
beetle, a species valuable in Crime Scene Analysis).

Humanitarian Services

SAFARI-CARE – On numerous occasions, OSC members have traveled internationally and carried medical, educational and relief
supplies to villages in need of support.

SPORTSMEN AGAINST HUNGER – OSC originally funded 100% of operating expenses for the program in excess of $200,000
annual budget. OSC also managed the program State-wide for over 10 years. OSC continues to financially support this program
annually, with a $ 2,000 contribution to ODWC.

SENSORY SAFARI DAY - A hands-on adventure for sightless and sight-impaired children and adults. Members loan their animal
mounts for these people to see for the first time, through their fingertips, animals from around the world. The event is co-
sponsored by the Okla. Dept. Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma Station Chapter - SCI and the H&H Gun Range.

VETERANS’ HUNTS – OSC organized Mid-East-Conflict veterans’ hunts in conjunction with Jay Barczak of Wild Game Outfitters-
Duchess Creek Ranch, Porum, OK, and in conjunction with other supporters.
- Three veterans were drawn from public nominations for guided elk and deer hunts complete with all accommodations.
- OSC and Mankazana Safaris presented a Purple-Heart veteran the hunt of a lifetime. OSC supports our troops who protect our
freedoms!
- OSC hosted a disabled Marine Sniper Scout on a PERECT July Sheep hunt with Windsong Adventures in Eastern Oklahoma.
- OSC donates annually to Bowman Lodge Shootout which in turn creates hunting opportunities exclusively for disabled
veterans.

Page 20