Members of the Boone and Crockett Club from across the country went to Washington, DC last week to meet with nearly two dozen federal decision makers on pressing issues in wildlife conservation. This was the largest contingent of Club members to gather in the nation’s capital in decades to discuss policy challenges ranging from funding chronic wasting disease research and management to the status of wolves and bears. grizzly under the Endangered Species Act and promoting active forest management on our federal public lands. Wednesday night, during the 33rd Annual Congressional Sports Foundation (CSF) Banquet and Auction, Robert “Bob” Model, former president and honorary life member of the Boone and Crockett Club, was honored with the Dingell Award -Inaugural Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award, the highest honor bestowed by CSF.
“Meeting with members of Congress and federal agency officials is critical to engaging with them on important conservation policy issues. Last week, members of the Boone and Crockett Club took part in the largest flight we’ve had in decades, and we’re proud to connect with decision-makers to bring the perspective of conservation athletes on these issues,” said Tony A. Schoonen , the general manager of the Club. “In addition, we are proud to see one of our own, Bob Model, receive the inaugural Dingell-Young Sportsmen’s Legacy Award from CSF in recognition of his years of commitment to game conservation policy.”
As the owner and operator of Mooncrest Ranch, Model is among the foremost wildlife conservation advocates of our time. Working through the Boone and Crockett Club and the CSF, Model is central to the wildlife policy community we have today. Under his leadership in the early 2000s, the Club hired its first contract lobbyists in decades and convened American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) as a small coalition of then-unavailable hunting, trapping and shooting sports organizations. coordinated. Beyond his work with Boone and Crockett and CSF, Model has also provided policy advice to multiple presidential administrations and served on numerous committees and boards, including the Sporting Conservation Council, the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council, and the National Conservation Leadership Institute. Named for conservation policy icons Representatives John Dingell Sr. and Jr., Representative Debbie Dingell and Representative Don Young, the Dingell-Young Award is given to individuals who best exemplify extraordinary individual and collaborative leadership of the Dingell family and representative. Young man.
“This award is given in recognition and with our gratitude for the lifetime of work that Bob has dedicated to the sport conservation community,” said CSF President and CEO, and B&C Professional Member, Jeff Crane. “His legacy of his is worthy of the conservation legends for which the award is named, and I cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this honor.”
About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes the stewardship and visionary management of large game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair pursuit sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member achievements include the expansion and protection of Yellowstone and the establishment of Glacier and Denali National Parks, the founding of the US Forest Service, the National Park Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System, the promotion of the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey laws, the creation of the Federal Duck Stamp program, and the development of the cornerstones of the modern laws of the game. The Boone and Crockett Club is based in Missoula, Montana. For more details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.