Boone and Crockett Club Annual Reports

Message from the President for Fiscal Year 2024

As members of the Boone and Crockett Club, we all joined because we want to do more for conservation and hunting with like-minded people. We do that by working hard, smart, and in partnership with other organizations with similar interests.

As the oldest conservation organization in North America and the second oldest in the world, we have over 135 years of thoughtful and measured commitment to conserving wild places and wild things. And we do so in a manner that balances human and wildlife needs. No other organization has this resume. We are not just about a certain species—we are about an overarching system of conservation with hunting and science as its backbone. And, so far, that has stood the test of time.

This great organization only functions well when we all—our leadership, members, volunteers, donors, partners, and staff—function well. As we complete another year of hard work, I would like to recognize all the officers, executive vice presidents, vice presidents, committee chairs, vice chairs, and everyone else who is giving their precious time and resources for such a worthy cause to move the Club and its mission forward. I am grateful for your unwavering commitment. We hope when you review this annual report you will be proud of the Club’s accomplishments over this past year. I certainly am. It would not have been possible without the members and supporters who went above and beyond with extremely significant financial contributions to help make these accomplishments possible. I also want to thank the president of our Foundation, Terrell McCombs, and the many members who have remembered the Boone and Crockett Club in their financial planning. Without funding, the Club’s engine does not run. It also takes talented people and those giving their valuable time to help us advance our mission. With that, special thanks go to Mary Webster, Tony Caligiuri, and Tony Schoonen. I also want to thank my wife, Martha, for helping me through extremely busy times and tolerating a travel schedule that is almost non-stop.

It is important, from time to time, for organizations to reaffirm the priorities of their membership. You have stated your priorities are conservation policy, records, hunting ethics, and university programs. Priorities of organizations are reflected in their budgets and their Strategic Plan. The new effort will focus more on keeping administrative and overhead expenses at a minimum, increasing and diversifying revenue streams, and putting more funds toward the priorities of the Club’s membership. The result—more of a return on your dollar for investing in the Club and a better system of conservation and hunting for us and future generations.

For the future, I want to continue better utilizing the relationships and connections of our members to advance our policy work—that paid huge dividends as a result of our policy fly-in this year. Thanks to those of you who have gotten involved. I also want to better utilize relationships and connections to increase the Club’s revenue with other individuals and foundations. I am also very interested in making sure the history and accomplishments of the Club are “etched in stone” for the next generation, with a book on our incredible history.

I urge everyone to think about how the challenges within our country that are affecting our Club, hunting, and conservation can work in our favor. I’ve always believed that tough times present the greatest opportunities for those who are willing to work the hardest. As a nation, we witnessed that after the Great Depression and World War II with our Greatest Generation, and I believe our Club and its partners have the grit to turn these challenges into opportunities. We lost two great past presidents this year—Morrie Stevens and Tim Brady—they did exactly that with their own businesses.

My term as president of this great Club is about over. It has truly been humbling to be the president of the Boone and Crockett family. You—as members, supporters, and partners—should know you have great officers, a great board of directors, great committee leaders and members, and a great staff. It has been an honor to work with such fine people that care so deeply about hunting and conservation. Thank you for your trust and confidence in me to serve in this position.

Sincerely,

James L. Cummins
President
Boone and Crockett Club