Houston, TX – [February 18, 2025] – The Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is proud to recognize Lance W. Lester as the recipient of the 2025 Male Outstanding Achievement in Hunting Award. This prestigious award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to big game hunting, conservation, and the promotion of ethical hunting practices.
Lance Lester has been involved with HSCF since 1993, beginning as a youth member and currently serving as Vice President. A third-generation native of the Brazos Valley, Lance was introduced to hunting by his father, Jack W. Lester, Jr., who passed away in 2021. Today, Lance continues his passion for hunting alongside his wife, Chelsea, and their two children, Sadie (13) and Trey (11), instilling in them the values, respect, and education necessary to sustain the future of conservation and hunting.
With a hunting career spanning six continents and seventeen countries, Lance has successfully taken 128 distinct species. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades from Safari Club International (SCI), including: 2 SCI Continental Awards, 5 SCI Grand Slam Awards, 2 Copper, 5 Bronze, 2 Silver, 7 Gold, and 2 Diamond Awards, First, Second, Third, and Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement Awards, SCI Zenith Award, African Big Five Award from DSC, and 9 Top Ten Species Rankings in SCI.
Notably, Lance holds the #1-ranked Philippine Sambar Deer in the SCI record book, the first recorded from the Mariana Islands since 1900He has also achieved high placements in Texas whitetail deer hunting contests, including winning the Muy Grande Husband and Wife Macho Grande division.
When asked about his most meaningful hunting experience, Lance does not cite the most challenging or high-scoring hunt. Instead, he recalls taking his family on their first hunting safari together to Africa, specifically Matetsi 3, where his father began his own African hunting adventures. There, Lance completed his African Big Five by taking a bull elephant and a Cape buffalo, while watching his daughter successfully hunt and track her first Cape buffalo in the same place his father had years before. His son also began his journey toward the Tiny Ten, marking a full-circle moment in Lance’s 32 years of hunting.
This award recognizes exceptional achievements in big game hunting by a male hunter. Recipients must demonstrate a record of at least 75 species taken across 4 continents, active HSCF membership and good standing, a strong ethical hunting standard and good character, and significant contributions to hunting, conservation, and education.
About Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. Through scholarships, youth outdoor programs, conservation grants, and advocacy, HSCF works to secure the future of wildlife and wild places. Join us in our mission! To learn more, visit wehuntwegive.org and follow us on social media. We are HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.
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