Our world is facing many unforeseen challenges associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Understanding the risks and taking appropriate precautions is the first and wisest form of defense.
No segment of society will completely escape the impact of the coronavirus, and that includes people planning international travel, including the traveling hunter. International hunting operators have already begun to feel the impact of the pandemic, even in countries where the virus is currently undetected. Those operators have adapted and adjusted to prior crises and will so again. Travel bans to many international destinations from the US, coupled with self-imposed suspensions on incoming flights in some African countries, have caused many hunts to be postponed.
For the short-term, some travel decisions have in fact, been made for, not by, the international adventurer. But we all believe that the travel restrictions and quarantines will be lifted and that a return to normalcy will occur.
Given this, it would seem unreasonable to cancel your dream hunt that is three to four months away. It is important to understand that your hunting operator, the airlines, and your government all share your safety concerns.
Use common sense. Continually check with the US State Department for travel advisories. Check relevant websites like the CDC and the Johns Hopkins Corona virus global update site. Stay in constant communication with both your travel agent and hunting operator, and strongly consider buying travel insurance.
DSC, to lessen the impact of our exposure, and to join our nation in exhibiting social responsibility, has closed the DSC office until further notice. Our staff will be working remotely but will be available via email to assist our members and partners, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm CST. If you need our assistance, the best way to reach us is by emailing us direct or to our info@biggame.org email. A list of our staff and their email addresses are provided below.
DSC Staff
Administrative:
- Corey Mason Executive Director corey@biggame.org
- Terri Lewis Operations Manager terri@biggame.org
- Barri McConnell Murphy Exec. Assistant/Grants Coord. barri@biggame.org
- Jennifer Italiano Receptionist jennifer@biggame.org
Advocacy:
- Matt Boguslawski Manager of Advocacy matt@biggame.org
Auctions:
- Lori Stanford Auctions Manager lori@biggame.org
- Christie Selle Auctions Assistant christie@biggame.org
Chapter Development:
- Carson Keys Chapter Development carson@biggame.org
Corporate Sponsors:
- Kamille Martin Corporate Sponsors/Conv. Events kamille@biggame.org
Events:
- Crystal Allison Events Manager crystal@biggame.org
Exhibits:
- Tatiane Upton Exhibits Manager tatiane@biggame.org
- Holly Mapel Exhibits Assistant holly@biggame.org
Membership:
- Nate Watson Member & Volunteer Services nate@biggame.org
Publications:
- Jay Ann Cox, PhD Director of Publications & Media editor@biggame.org
- Karrie Meadows Managing Editor karrie@biggame.org
The length of this crisis is unknown currently. DSC is remaining optimistic that the quarantines and other restrictions that are being put into place will help stop the continued spread of COVID-19 and the recovery can begin.
Please review the links below daily for more up-to-date information and status.
Centers for Disease Control: Cdc.gov/coronavirus/
Johns Hopkins: Jhu.edu/novel-coronavirus-information/
Department of State, USA: Travel.state.gov/content/travel
Now is the time to band together and to do everything in our power to reduce our risk to exposure to COVID-19. It is not the time to panic. If you have hunts or trips planned for further into the year, please keep your plans in line at this time.
Mission and Vision Statement:
DSC’s mission is to ensure the conservation of wildlife through public engagement, education and advocacy for well-regulated hunting and sustainable use. The vision of DSC is a society that values wildlife, engages in its conservation and understands and supports the role of well-regulated hunting in the sustainable use of wild resources.
For more information, visit www.biggame.org.
Visit DSC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasSafariClub/
Visit DSC Foundation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedscfoundation/
About DSC
A member of IUCN and FACE, DSC is a mission-focused conservation organization, funded by hunters from around the world. With an administrative staff of less than 15 and a volunteer army of 500, DSC hosts the Greatest Hunters Convention on the Planet™ that raises funds for grants in conservation, outdoor education and hunter advocacy. In the past five years, more than $5 million has been channeled to qualified projects, organizations and programs in support of that mission. Get involved with DSC at www.biggame.org.
About DSCF
DSC Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. DSC Foundation serves the mission of DSC to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands, to educate youth and the general public and to promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Learn more about DSC Foundation at www.dscf.org.
