Singer, songwriter and avid sportsman Gary Morris has founded a new organization called The Conservation Buck Society. Morris is probably best-known for his recording of "The Wind Beneath My Wings. "
Morris says the mission of CBS is to lower the age of our hunting community and actively engage kids in to learn about conservation, environmental awareness and the role the hunting community plays in wildlife management.
As a part of the kickoff Morris is conducting the "CBS Challenge." The Challenge will recognize adult hunters who harvest the top three trophy bucks in each state in several divisions.
Morris says that youth hunters will receive $100 awards for the largest doe in each county. (In Tennessee, local Tennessee Co-Ops will the the weigh-in locations for the Youth Doe Hunts). In addition, outdoor enthusiasts can compete in a photography contest.
Morris says he is personally footing most of the bill.
"If there is a legacy that I leave, this will be it," he told me. "It's far more important than any song I've ever sung."
The Challenge will follow the regulations and laws of the respective states and will include five categories:
- Bow;
- Muzzleloader;
- Rifle;
- Youth Doe Hunt
- Photography
The first annual Conservation Buck Challenge will be held in Mississippi and Tennessee during the 2005-2006 deer hunting seasons.
Morris lives in Colorado where he operates an outfitting business. I asked why he focused CBS in Tennessee and Mississippi.
"I spent 20 years in Nashville and my Mom lives in Mississippi," said Morris. "I killed my first deer in Mississippi and my last deer in Tennessee. That's where my heart is.
"Mississippi and Tennessee offer some of the best deer hunting opportunities in the nation and are noted for having high quality state wildlife conservation and management programs. We are confident we can lay the groundwork in these two states for a program that expands to several other states in future years," Morris said.
Morris sincerely believes that "the rewards of hunting are in the hunt itself. In my work as outfitter, we're all about creating an experience."
Some hunters have questioned if an organization dedicated to children, and the furtherment of such ideals should be using a so-called "trophy competition" as a marketing tool.
Morris pulls no punches when he says,
"I know that in America, being #1 -- a sense of competition is the American-way. It does not make it right, but it makes it real."
He knows other organizations offer up simlar goals and ideals, however, "I don't think anyone has the same objectives we have. Whatever has been done to date, has not worked. Otherwise we would not be losing hunters. It is a formidable challenge."
Morris, who produced and hosted the The North American Sportsman network television series, said his primary goal in starting CONSERVATION BUCK SOCIETY was to “bring hunting and conservation together as one consciousness.”
“The money that funds wildlife management comes entirely from the hunting and fishing community through licensing fees and federal funds that are apportioned to states based on the number of licenses sold. That money is a pooled resource, and without hunters, there is no pool of funds to manage wildlife,” Morris said.
The Conservation Buck Society has a four-fold mission:
- Increase much needed funding for state wildlife foundations and preservation initiatives;
- Enhance awareness of positive contributions made to conservation by the hunting community;
- Bring hunting and conservation together as one consciousness; and,
- Implement programs to attract young people to the American heritage of hunting and the outdoor sporting tradition.
“The Conservation Buck Challenge was designed to engage and mobilize the hunting community to preserve the outdoor experience for future generations. Our members will be ambassadors for ethical hunting, respect for private property rights, support for conservation funding and programs that give our children the chance to learn the valuable lessons of nature,” Morris said.
Morris stressed that this event will run for the duration of the hunting seasons. “This is not a hunt, but rather a season long challenge,” he said.
Participants must join the Conservation Buck Society, hold a valid state hunting license and agree to abide by “fair chase” rules. Awards of cash and other prizes will be presented in each category.
In addition, members will automatically be entered in a sweepstakes drawing for prizes such as a new Dodge pickup truck, a Bad Boy 4-wheeler, an Elk Hunt in Colorado at Mountain Spirit Lodge and others.
No purchase is required for the sweepstakes as consumers can receive a free entry by sending a letter and self-addressed, stamped envelop to CONSERVATION BUCK SOCIETY, P.O. Box 259, Culleoka, TN 38451.
Morris says he will conduct a six-week bus tour including appearances and concerts in Mississippi and Tennesse during September and October.