Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is proud to announce that the 2027 Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award (CCYHA) recipient is Trackan Lemon, a 13-year-old from Holden, Utah. Trackan, who grew up immersed in the outdoors, represents the spirit of adventure, character, and conservation leadership that the award was created to recognize.
For Trackan, hunting has been part of life for as long as he can remember. Some of his earliest memories are of riding in his father's backpack through the hills and mountains of Utah and Sonora, Mexico. Hunting is deeply rooted in the Lemon family, a tradition passed down from his grandfather to his father and now to Trackan.
Trackan was with his father on the way to baseball when he learned he had been selected for the award. "I kept asking him, 'Are you joking me?' and he said, 'No, bud,'" Trackan recalled. "I was in shock. I was so excited I had tears."
The CCYHA honors young DSC members who demonstrate leadership in their hunting journey, dedication to conservation, and involvement in their communities. Beyond his accomplishments in the field, Trackan participates in year-round travel baseball, tackle football, wrestling, and church activities. He also contributes to community service projects and recently completed a challenging three-day backpacking trip over Kings Peak, Utah's tallest mountain.
"Trackan embodies the values that the Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award was established to recognize," said DSC CEO Russell Stacy. "His dedication to hunting, respect for wildlife, and commitment to carrying on his family's traditions reflect the importance of inspiring the next generation of hunters and conservationists. We are proud to recognize his accomplishments and look forward to seeing his continued growth and contributions to the conservation community."
Throughout his hunting journey, Trackan has encountered experiences that have challenged his determination and shaped his appreciation for the outdoors. During a winter hunt for lynx and wolverine in northern British Columbia, where the highest temperature reached negative 34 degrees, he learned the importance of mental toughness. "A good life lesson I learned was if I put my mind to something, I can do anything," Trackan said.
Among Trackan's most rewarding hunting accomplishments is completing the World Slam of wild turkeys, a pursuit that began when he was just seven years old. During his first turkey hunt in Florida, Trackan stayed behind to continue hunting while the rest of his family headed to a Disney theme park. Although he returned home without a turkey, his determination never wavered. The following Christmas, all he asked for was another turkey tag. His persistence eventually paid off when he returned to Florida and harvested the Osceola that had originally eluded him, completing his World Slam.
With his father and grandfather serving as his greatest influences, Trackan has developed an appreciation for hunting that extends beyond the harvest.
"What I would like for young hunters to know is that hunting is more than just shooting," Trackan said. "It is to observe the animals and the environment, making memories along the way. Conservation ensures we are always able to enjoy the outdoors."
Trackan Lemon will be formally recognized with the Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award during the 2027 DSC Convention & Sporting Expo, January 7–10, 2027, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.