Intro

Hope you had a successful turkey season.  While some of our members were hunting late season pheasants or spring turkeys here is Arkansas, others were traveling about chasing their Turkey Slam.  Regardless, its great to get out into the fresh air and enjoying The Natural State.  We are blessed to have such an amazing place to live, work, and play!

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President's Corner

Lavon Winkler

Wow!  The year is moving fast and before long we will be talking about doves, ducks, and deer!  I must admit, I follow the seasons of the year with hunting on my mind and always looking forward to that next day afield - that next opportunity to be in the great outdoors with friends and family.  One of the many things I enjoy about hunting is every day in the woods is a different experience and each situation is an opportunity to make memories that last a lifetime.  Hunting is not just about taking the animal.  In fact, that is a very small part of the overall experience.  Everything we do; the preparation, the planning, the practicing, the scouting, the dreaming, and the reflecting, is all part of being a hunter and is an important part of the hunting experience.

Hunting is not just about filling a tag or harvesting a limit.  No, it’s about taking a break from the stresses of life and sharing the great outdoors with like-minded men and woman.  It’s about creating memories and taking time to train the next generation of hunters to assure this great pastime is enjoyed by more and more for decades to come.  So much of our personal character and self-discipline is born out of hunting.  The benefits of being a hunter are so numerous and we should never take this privilege, this great pastime for granted.  This is why joining and supporting SCI and the Arkansas Chapter is so important.

SCI is the country's leader in advocacy to protect the freedom to hunt and to promote wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's approximately 50,000 members and 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. Through our active advocacy network, SCI works with federal and state legislators and policy makers to develop, promote and communicate positions on important issues, laws, regulations and initiatives. SCI generates broad support for candidates who support hunting and the issues that are important to them.

The mission of SCI is to protect the freedom to hunt and to promote wildlife conservation worldwide. The purposes of SCI are....

Arkansas Chapter is a group of volunteers who represent SCI at the state level and locally to assure the future of hunting in the Natural State.  The chapter is committed to fulfilling the purpose and mission of SCI throughout the state.  We are hunters who not only enjoy the great outdoors, we take every opportunity to experience hunting with others who share our passion.  Hunting has been a part of this country’s heritage since its inception, and it is a vital part of the culture here in Arkansas.  By engaging the youth, those who have served our country in the military, and other hunters, we are best assured hunting will continue for many generations.  The good news?  The future looks great for Arkansas SCI as we have an exciting year ahead.  Come and be a part of this important work.  Join SCI and the Arkansas Chapter NOW!

Join Now!

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Welcome New Members!

We are so very excited to welcome the following new members to the Arkansas Chapter of SCI!

Will Cooper (Life Member)

Jeff Eisenach (1 Year)

Matthew Gladish (1 Year)

Joshua Green (1 Year)

Joseph Julian (Life Member)

Edward Ragelis (3 Year)

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We Want You

Of course, we encourage all hunters to join Safari Club International and the Arkansas Chapter.  We also are in need of bright, energetic, and passionate hunters to be a part of the Chapter’s Board of Directors.  Working with other seasoned and experienced board members, you will have the opportunity to impact and mold the future of hunting in our great state.  In addition, you will plan and organize many events during the year including our annual fundraising banquet.  If you are interested in serving and you would like to discuss this opportunity, please call our President, Lavon Winkler at 816-914-2124 (c) or email him at [email protected]

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2024 Banquet - New Venue!

Mark your calendar for Friday evening September 6, 2024 at The Venue at Westwood for our biggest event of the year - our annual banquet and hunting extravaganza!  We are busy working on the details of what will be our biggest event in years with a very well-known speaker, great dinner, opportunities to win amazing prizes and the chance to bid on world class hunts from here in the US and around the world.  We guarantee this will not be one of those boring banquets.  It will be fun for all ages - all night long… Keep watching as may details on this tremendous event will be coming to your inbox very soon!

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Members In the Field

When the Hunter Becomes the hunted

by Lavon Winkler

Over my right shoulder, I heard the urgency in Casper's voice as he said, "You must shoot now", and simultaneously out of the corner of my eye, I saw Manuel drop to one knee and position his 416 Rigby incase a backup shot was needed. After 7 hours and 5-1/2 miles of tracking on foot, she had stopped and crouched to pounce with only a 2 second gap between us. The lioness made it clear she'd had enough and was ready to face me and end the pursuit one way or another. She had decided it was time for the hunter to become the hunted.

My journey to arrive at this moment began a year earlier when I left Africa.

My safari in May 2015 was only my second. The previous year I "cut my safari teeth" with a plains game hunt to Northern Limpopo, South Africa where I took nine animals. It was on this hunt I met and hunted with PH Manuel Van Rooyen of MVR Pro Hunt (mvrprohunt.com), a true professional in all aspects. All of my hunting was with Manuel, and I quickly came to admire and respect him. He was a great teacher and always kept my best interests and hunting abilities at the forefront of his instruction. I knew when this hunt ended, I would return to South Africa to hunt with Manuel again.

As with many hunts, the planning took months and each day was filled with anticipation. I would ponder the moment when I was actually hunting the lioness. My thoughts ran in so many different directions, from anxiety to excited anticipation. Finally, the day of departure arrived. Unlike my first safari, I would travel alone on this trip. As I boarded the plane in Kansas City, Missouri I thought, "Wow, I am actually going to Africa to hunt a lion."

The flight gave me much time to think, reflect, and, dream. When one dreams of that special hunt many different scenarios, situations, and endings are imagined. Like so many who travel to Africa to hunt, I most hoped for the opportunity to have a challenging and exciting experience that would test my hunting skills and provide a lifetime of memories. In the end, I received so much more.

The hunt began in the North West Province, close to Ventersdorp, hunting the wide open plains for springbuck and black wildebeest. Manuel felt strongly that the lioness hunt should not be first as it was extremely important that I make the time zone adjustment and hunt a couple of animals with my new Browning X-Bolt Medallion 375 H&H. After a successful hunt we then traveled to the lion camp near Zeerust, in the Marico valley, also in the North West Province and about 60km from Gaborone and the Botswana border.

As we arrived at Pamaenons (the combined Afrikaans words for "mom, dad, and all of us") we were warmly greeted by PH Casper vander Merwe and his wife Anika who are part owners and operators of the family-owned lion concession. I knew immediately this would be a very special experience. After settling in, we had a quaint and wonderful dinner filled with stories of lion hunts of the past.

One such story was of a lioness that charged the hunter after being tracked for several hours. The story ended with the hunter shooting the lioness at 10 meters as she charged. It was at this time I was ask if I had ever seen a lion in the wild. I promptly answered, "I have only seen lions in zoos." That being said, I assured the group I was not afraid, and I had tremendous respect for the lion as a dangerous predator. Following a moment of awkward silence, I was assured the team would work diligently to keep everyone safe. The conversation quickly moved to other topics.

After dinner the discussion moved to the boma where more stories were shared. We then retired to our sleeping quarters. As expected, my sleep was intermittent. At 3:00am, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling in the night's darkness, I heard a lion roaring in the distance. In some what disbelief I thought, "I am actually in South Africa and will hunt a lioness in few hours." The reality of what was about to occur began to emerge. Regardless, I knew with Manuel at my side he would do everything possible to keep me safe.

After breakfast, Casper gave the team an orientation that included the hunting approach we would use. We would find relatively fresh lioness spore and then stalk her on foot. We headed quickly to the bush and started by driving the roads looking for fresh spore. After about an hour, we found our first clue, relatively fresh lioness tracks. It was quickly obvious the tracking would be difficult. Due to four years of drought, there was very little grass, The density of the bush varied greatly yielding sight distances from 2 to 100 yards with many situations being closer to the former. To add to the challenge, in many areas the ground was exceedingly hard and, in some cases, rocky.

With two PH's and two trackers, the morning was filled with finding, losing, and finding the track again. It was a slow and tedious process. Because in some cases the tracks had been disturbed by other animal's, we felt certain the lioness was a considerable distance ahead. Assuming she had not detected our pursuit, we expected to close the gap as she rested in the mid-day heat. Around noon we took a quick break for lunch. The good news was we were certain we were following a fresh track. The not so good news was it appeared the lioness was headed into the extremely thick bush and possibly over the mountain. This could result in losing the track and possibly starting from the beginning.

After lunch, as we continued to track the lioness, we began to suspect she was now aware of our pursuit. As we feared, she had headed into the thick, rocky bush on the side of the mountain. Early afternoon we found ourselves cautiously working our way through the tall thick bush with 5–6-foot visibility. This made everyone very nervous as we were now certain she knew we were closing the gap. Our main concern now was she could easily wait to ambush, and we would have no warning. It was in this part of the hunt I wondered if the hunted would become the hunter, and we the prey. We called fora vehicle and drove a short distance to the mountain top so we would have a better and safer view of the bush. In a short time, the trackers caught a glimpse of the cat. She had crossed the mountain and gone down the back side.

Not wanting to lose her, Casper radioed two other trackers and sent them to where the lioness had been spotted to stay with the track and we would quickly follow. When we caught up with the second pair of trackers, they pointed to where the lioness had entered the heavy bush. It was at that moment I caught my first glimpse of the big cat. At 50 yards I saw her hindquarters and tail for just an instant as it disappeared into the thick bush. We were no longer just following footprints in the soil. The significance of what was quickly unfolding became very intense in my mind. This was a real lioness hunt, and we were closing the gap on our prey.

 Knowing we were closing the gap, the pace of the track quickened. After 200 yards of brisk tracking, we heard her disapproval. Two quick roars echoed through the bush, and Manuel turned to me with a piece of firm counsel, "No matter what happens from this point on, do not run." I nervously smiled which resulted in this teaching moment being firmly repeated. It was at this point I could feel my pulse accelerate. Regardless, we did not break stride as we worked to close the separation between the hunter and the hunted. I imagined when we would see her again and what might be the circumstances.

We continued to briskly track; checking the spore and looking ahead. It was at that moment we rounded some dense bushes, looked up from the track, and there she stood on a natural mound some 40 yards away. At first sighting she was quartering away, however, she immediately turned toward us and lowered her body and chin to the ground, as if to prepare to pounce on her prey. As she assumed this position, Casper set up the sticks, and I immediately positioned my rifle for the shot. This next moment I will never forget. As I lowered my head to the stock and peered through the scope, her amber eyes were fixed on me with amazing intensity. She then roared loudly with unmistakable disapproval and then hissed. Clearly, she'd had enough and was ready to settle this now.

Being certain a charge was imminent, Manuel lowered to one knee and set his 416 Rigby dead on the cat in case a backup shot was needed. Casper instructed me to shoot, but there was a problem. With her chin on the ground and up on the mound, she was at my eye level and there was no frontal shot. Although there was very little of her body showing, Casper instructed me to shoot just left of her right cheek. The intent was for the bullet to enter on her right front and carry through to her left hind quarter. I steadied the rifle, found the target spot, and pulled the trigger. The 375 H&H hit the precise point it was intended and the cat rolled, tossed, growled, and rolled again off the back of the mound and out of sight. The lioness went silent.

While there was some celebration of a well-placed shot and confidence that the lion was ours, Casper indicated an insurance shot would be necessary. Rather than walk straight to the mound and peek around the corner, we circled around so we could observe from a safe distance of 45 yards. When we spotted her, to my disbelief, she was again in a prone position hiding under a bush. She was ready to pounce. The only angle that provided adequate visibility resulted in the same difficult shot, only into the opposite front quarter. I went down on the sticks and placed the second Hornady Dangerous Game DGX 300 grain bullet right past her cheek and into her neck. After 7 hours and over 5miles of tracking on foot, the battle was over.

With a sigh of relief and me spending a some time alone giving thanks for the life of this great cat, we rolled her over to inspect the result of the first shot. To our surprise, the bullet entered at the intended point but hit a bone and exited on the same side without hitting the vitals. While it was less than an ideal shooting situation, the threat of a likely charge had forced me to adapt. It seems in hunting we rarely have the perfect situation, and most of the time the hunter must adapt and adjust to a multitude of variables. This hunt was no different.

When planning this safari and making the decision to hunt the lioness, my wife, Lora, ask why I would want to hunt such a dangerous animal. I told her after fifty years of hunting, I wanted to hunt an animal that could hunt me back. That wish came true as I will never forget when I looked through the scope into the lioness' angry eyes and realized at that moment, the hunter had become the hunted.

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We Need Your Stories

We hope you enjoyed Lavon’s exciting lioness hunt in South Africa.  While he has a ton of stories to tell, so you all of our other members.  In fact, within our membership there are a multitude of stories that need to be told.  Stories of adventure, danger, humor, success, challenge, close calls, and the list goes on and on.  If you would like to share one of your hunting stories, either here in the newsletter or at one of our membership meetings, please contact Lavon Winkler and he will help you with the best way to share your experiences.

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Coming This Year! Mark Your Calendars!

June 13 - Chapter Meeting and Board Elections

September 1 - Dove Season Begins

September 6 - Annual Banquet and Auction

October - Fall European Pheasant Shoot

November - Chapter Meeting

December - Holiday Dinner

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Recipe Spotlight

Pheasant Pie - Nilo Farms

Ingredients:

Directions:

Salt and pepper to taste simmer pheasant until tender with onion, 2 stalks celery, salt and pepper. Remove from broth and dice meat into large pieces. Strain broth and retain 3 cups. Chop remaining onion and celery. Sauté in 1 tablespoon butter until tender but not brown. Melt ½ stick of butter in saucepan and add flour. Stir until well blended without browning. While hot, add to strained pheasant broth brought to a boil. Stir well until thick and smooth. Remove thickened broth from heat and add Worcestershire sauce, sautéed onion and celery. Place meat in a pan or casserole dish. Pour in thickened broth and cover with pie crust. Bake at 450 degrees F. until crust is brown and done.

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Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

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Your Officers and Board Members

President
Lavon Winkler, 816-914-2124
[email protected]

Vice President & Membership Coordinator
Jayke Throgmartin, 501-622-7988
[email protected]

Secretary
Position Open

Treasurer
Bryan Fitzgerald, 501-868-5073
[email protected]

Board Member
Darrell Daniels, 501-837-8649
[email protected]

Board Member & Technology
Robert Williams, 501-247-2148
[email protected]

Board Member
Michael Walker, 956-802-7825
[email protected]

Past President & Fundraiser Coordinator
Gary Acord, 501-944-3333
[email protected]

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