The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF), in partnership with DEA Ranch, hosted its inaugural Summer Wildlife and Ranch Management Camp, giving Texas high school students an immersive, hands-on look at conservation, wildlife management, agriculture, and ranch operations.
Held at DEA Ranch in Mathis, Texas, the three-day camp moved conservation education beyond the classroom and into the field. Students learned firsthand how responsible land management, wildlife stewardship and agricultural production work together to create healthy, sustainable ranching operations.
The camp opened with a discussion led by DEA Ranch Manager Leo Martinez about the meaning of conservation. Students then put the concept into practice through a variety of hands-on activities, including identifying native brush species, learning about habitat management, and scoring whitetail antlers while exploring the roles of genetics, nutrition and herd management.
The students also participated in cattle management activities, weighing steers, reviewing previous weight records and calculating Average Daily Gain (ADG). They were introduced to modern ranching technology, including GPS-enabled grazing collars that create virtual fencing and can improve grazing management while reducing labor.
One of the camp's most engaging activities was a Ranch Management Planning exercise, in which students developed their own management plans for a hypothetical ranch. The exercise challenged them to balance wildlife, livestock, habitat, finances, acreage and long-term goals, demonstrating the complexity of managing a successful working ranch.
Students also toured DEA Ranch's deer and exotic wildlife operations and learned about breeding programs, herd health, population management and habitat. Career discussions with professionals in ranch management, conservation and agriculture highlighted the many opportunities available to young people interested in these fields.
The camp concluded with an unforgettable opportunity to hand-feed Bonnie, one of DEA Ranch's giraffes, followed by a group presentation reflecting on the students' experiences and lessons learned.
"The goal of this camp was to give young people the opportunity to see conservation in action," said Taylor Shell, HSCF Membership & Youth Education Programs Manager. "These students didn't simply hear about conservation, they experienced the decisions, challenges and responsibilities involved in managing land, wildlife and livestock. Just as importantly, they had the opportunity to see the many career paths available in conservation, agriculture and wildlife management."
The camp emphasized that conservation is a collaborative effort involving landowners, ranch managers, biologists, veterinarians, hunters, agricultural producers and the next generation of conservationists.
HSCF thanks DEA Ranch, Leo Martinez, Madison Martinez, Carlos Hassette and all those who helped make the inaugural camp possible. HSCF remains committed to providing young people with meaningful field experiences that connect them to wildlife, conservation and the outdoors.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF): HSCF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our outdoor heritage. Each year, HSCF hosts the Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention, uniting hunters, industry leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts in support of meaningful conservation and educational efforts.