Wildlife conservation, education, and ethical hunting will benefit from a strong new partnership between Dallas Safari Club, the premier international hunting organization, and the Conklin Foundation, a 501(c)3, whose goal and mission is to strengthen and foster support for ethical and fair chase hunting throughout the hunting community. The Conklin Foundation will present the 2010 Conklin Award on January 7, 2010 at the Thursday evening gala banquet of the 2010 Dallas Safari Club annual convention, First Light.

The Conklin Award is the "Tough Guy" award. It recognizes the world's greatest active hunter who pursues game in the most difficult terrain, condition, exhibits the highest degree of ethics, and is a strong participant in wildlife conservation. Previous winners are Donald Cox, Gary Ingersoll, Jesus Yuren, Pete Papac, Bob Speegle, Bill Poole and Craig Boddington.

James E. Conklin, M.D. was a true sportsman. If it demanded vertical steps, a lot of sweat, danger, and miserable conditions, Dr. Jim hunted it. That was the way he was, and that is the essence of this award. Dr. Jim exhibited the highest degree of ethics in his extensive hunting career. He was a true sportsman who hunted strictly within the rules of fair chase.

"Dallas Safari Club is a leading force in wildlife conservation, youth education and the promotion of ethical hunting worldwide," said DSC Executive Director, Ben Carter. "This partnership will help us to take those efforts to the next level and will take our convention, already known worldwide as one of the finest hunting and sporting celebrations of its kind, to new heights," Carter added.

Bob Speegle said, "The Conklin Foundation is excited to be coming to Dallas. Everywhere The Conklin Award has been presented has been superb, and the Dallas Safari Club crowd seems like a great fit for our presentation. We look forward to working with the folks at DSC as partners in conservation."

Dallas Safari Club has become an international industry leader and innovator. An active and progressive organization for the uncompromising hunter, the Club's mission is to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands; to educate youth and the general public and to promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. Since forming in 1972, the Club has contributed millions of dollars to programs benefiting wildlife, habitat, people and the sporting community. For more information about Dallas Safari Club, visit www.biggame.org.