Boone and Crockett Members Attend the 72nd General Assembly of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
The Boone and Crockett Club recently participated in the 72nd General Assembly of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in Vienna, Austria. This incredible event was attended by global leaders in the hunting community from 42 countries around the world.
Ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, policymakers, scientists and conservation leaders gathered under the theme “Wildlife Economy”, placing Austria at the heart of discussions on biodiversity, land use and rural development.
The North American Wildlife Panel, moderated by Shane Mahoney (CEO, Conservation Visions Inc. and Boone and Crockett Professional Member) and featuring Gray Thornton (President and CEO, Wild Sheep Foundation and Boone and Crockett Professional Member) Tony Schoonen (CEO and Professional Member of Boone and Crockett Club), Ron Regan (Executive Director, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Boone and Crockett Professional Member) and Matt Besko (Director of Wildlife, Government of Alberta), highlighted how structured governance and funding models underpin long-term conservation success.
While we have challenges to wildlife and habitat health as well as our hunting heritage in North America, our fellow hunter conservationists from other countries have similar issues and concerns. However, there is also opportunity, and one of those opportunities is to come together as a global hunting community, share knowledge and face common challenges and threats together. We all want to ensure a future for wildlife, wild places and our hunting heritage.