The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and Hunting Matters welcome Tony A. Schoonen, Executive Director of the Boone and Crockett Club.
Tony was born and raised in Butte, Montana. He grew up working on the Big Hole River for his father’s guide service, first transporting vehicles and then as a river guide, taking his college studies with him. He and a couple of friends started a production company, Stoney-Wolf Productions, and produced the first moose hunting video. The company expanded rapidly, eventually producing 2,000 shows filmed on five continents. The topic ranged from hunting and angling to documentaries and youth education.
Later, Tony worked with The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, developing a corporate partner program and eventually becoming vice president of marketing and communications. In 2004, several of Tony’s friends on the Wonders of Wildlife board of directors, including John L. Morris, asked Tony to move to Springfield and help out with the museum and aquarium. Tony had a passion for Wonders of Wildlife since it was built in 2001, telling the story of conservation, providing a historic home for the American hunter and fisher, and engaging and educating youth in and about the outdoors. Tony served as the museum’s executive director until he transitioned to the Boone and Crockett Club, where he served as chief of staff and later as executive director.
The Boone and Crockett Club is the oldest conservation organization in the country. Founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell, the Boone and Crockett Club helped establish the principles of wildlife and habitat conservation, the ethic of hunters, as well as many of the institutions, expert agencies, science and financing mechanisms for conservation. His contributions 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 Pittman- Robertson and Lacey, the creation of the Federal Duck Stamp program and the development of the framework for modern gambling laws.
Tony and his wife Jennifer are the proud parents of two girls. Tony hunts and fishes as much as the weather allows and includes his family whenever possible. They all enjoy the outdoors and share the same passion for wildlife and wild places. About Hunting Matters
Tune in to “Hunting Matters” with Houston Safari Club Foundation Executive Director Joe Betar as he engages in conversations with guests, from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting law updates and more! “Hunting Matters” airs every Saturday, 6 am to 7 am CDT on KPRC AM 950: Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station and Houston’s Oldest Radio Station. “Hunting Matters” is also available via podcast on Apple/iTunes, iHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, PodBean, and Spreaker. Subscribe, listen, rate and comment. Hunting Matters has received a 2022 Gold AVA Digital Award, a 2022 NYX/Marcom Silver Award, and a 2022 MARCOM Gold Award.
About the Houston Safari Club Foundation
The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 646 scholarships totaling $2.92 million. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, vocational training, hunter education, and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided more than $4 million in grants for wildlife, habitat, and various hunter-funded conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We hunt. We give.