The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) announces a compelling new episode of its official podcast, Hunting Matters, featuring Ross Melinchuk—Executive Director of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) and Vice President of the HSCF Board of Directors.
With more than four decades of leadership in natural resource management, Melinchuk brings unmatched depth to the discussion, offering perspective shaped by experience across international borders and multi-state jurisdictions. His career spans roles as a wildlife biologist in Saskatchewan and senior leadership positions with Ducks Unlimited, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
In this episode, Melinchuk discusses the intersection of biological science and public policy, explaining how those disciplines must work in concert to sustain wildlife populations and public trust resources. He addresses the most pressing conservation challenges facing 2026, including regional issues across the Southeastern United States and the long-term sustainability of funding models built primarily on hunting license sales and excise taxes.
A portion of the conversation focuses on Hunter Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) initiatives. Melinchuk outlines the measurable strategies that are effectively engaging the next generation of hunters and emphasizes why maintaining participation is essential to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
The discussion also turns personal. An avid hunter who has pursued game from Alaska to Namibia, Melinchuk reflects on his own hunting heritage—including time spent on his deer lease—and how those experiences inform his leadership philosophy. He offers a forward-looking assessment of what success must look like over the next 20 years to ensure abundant wildlife, strong conservation funding, and an engaged hunting community.
This episode of Hunting Matters underscores HSCF's ongoing commitment to education, conservation, and advocacy by elevating thought leaders who are shaping the future of wildlife management.
About Hunting Matters:Hunting Matters is the official, award-winning podcast of the Houston Safari Club Foundation. Featuring hunters, conservationists, outdoor professionals, and thought leaders, each episode dives deep into the stories that shape the future of wildlife and hunting heritage. Hunting Matters is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms, as well as at https://hscfdn.org/hunting-matters-podcast/.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation:HSCF is a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. Learn more at wehuntwegive.org.