Houston, TX – [February 16, 2026] – Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) proudly announces the winners of the 2026 HSCF Hunting Award Contest, recognizing exceptional hunting achievements by HSCF members across a wide range of species, methods, and geographic regions.
Each year, HSCF honors excellence in hunting that reflects ethical practices, fair chase principles, and a deep commitment to conservation and the sporting tradition. The 2026 Hunting Award winners were formally recognized at the Awards Banquet during the 2026 Houston Safari Club Foundation Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention.
2026 HSCF Hunting Award Winners
Youth Division
- Youth Silver (13 & below): Erin Stokes – Impala
- Youth Gold (13 & below): Aidan Stokes – Cape Eland
White-Tailed Deer
- Rifle – Free Range (Gold): William Alexander
- Rifle – Estate (Gold): William Alexander
- Archery – Estate (Gold): Alan Cooke
- Crossbow – Free Range (Gold): Lee Phillips
Alternative Methods (Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Handgun)
- Crossbow (Gold): Lee Phillips – White-tailed Deer
Archery
- Free Range Bronze: Gary Ellison – Water Buffalo
- Free Range Silver: Rudy Nix – Caribou
- Free Range Gold: Gary Ellison – Banteng
North America
- Estate (Gold): Tommy Kolwes – Rocky Mountain Elk
- Free Range Bronze: Terry Rathert – Black Bear
- Free Range Silver: Terry Rathert – California Bighorn Sheep
- Free Range Gold: Chelsea Lester – Mexican Desert Bighorn Sheep
- Introduced Species (Gold): Adam Montgomery – Axis Deer
International – Continents
- Europe (Gold): Rudy Nix – Iberian Red Stag
- South Pacific Bronze: Carl Cramm – Fallow Deer
- South Pacific Silver: Carl Cramm – Red Deer
- South Pacific Gold: Carl Cramm – Himalayan Tahr
- South America (Gold): Kevin Ormston – Red Stag
Africa
- Plains Game – Archery Silver: James Lofton – Common Nyala
- Plains Game – Archery Gold: James Lofton – Black Springbok
- Plains Game – Rifle Bronze: Brittany Clark – Common Nyala
- Plains Game – Rifle Silver: Carl Cramm – Eland
- Plains Game – Rifle Gold: Brittany Clark – Common Sable Antelope
- Dangerous Game Silver: Seth Stokes – Cape Buffalo
- Dangerous Game Gold: Kyle Clark – Cape Buffalo
“These awards highlight the diversity of hunting experiences pursued by our members and the high standards they uphold in the field,” said James Lofton, 2026 HSCF Hunting Awards Chairperson. “We are proud to recognize these outstanding achievements and the dedication they represent.”
HSCF encourages members to enter the Hunting Award Contest or nominate qualified candidates in future years. The contest celebrates accomplishments across youth, archery, rifle, alternative methods, North America, international destinations, and Africa.
For more information about HSCF, the Hunting Award Contest, or the annual convention, visit https://hscfdn.org/awards/.
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.
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