Dallas Safari Club President and Life Member Participate in Angola’s First Sanctioned Safari Hunt Following Nearly Two Decades Without a Formal Hunting Program
Dallas Safari Club (DSC) President Rick Warren and fellow DSC Life Member J.D. Yates recently participated in Angola's first sanctioned safari hunt following an 18-year absence of legal, regulated hunting in the country.
The historic hunt marked an important milestone in Angola's efforts to rebuild its wildlife management system and establish a foundation for sustainable use following decades of war and nearly two decades without a formal hunting program.
The journey began nearly a year earlier at the inaugural DSC Summer Expo & Foundation Gala, where representatives from Angola joined DSC and Conservation Force to announce that the country was taking the important step of reopening to legal, regulated hunting.
As part of the announcement, the Angola Hunters Association donated a 14-day plains game safari to be auctioned by DSC. Warren placed the winning bid, with funds raised through the hunt directed back to the Angola Hunters Association to support its work rebuilding a sustainable hunting program.
Before Warren and Yates ever stepped foot in the field, the hunt was already contributing to the future of hunting and wildlife management in Angola.
Nearly a year later, Warren and Yates traveled to Angola to see that work firsthand.
As one of the first hunts following an 18-year absence, the trip came with challenges. The group encountered delays with firearms paperwork, a charter flight that never arrived and long drives across Angola, including traveling roughly 400 kilometers in a single day before reaching camp near dark.
Despite those challenges, Warren and Yates experienced hardworking hosts who were eager to help, learn and continue improving Angola's emerging hunting program.
The hunting itself was equally challenging. Warren ultimately took a common waterbuck, while Yates found success with a Damara dik-dik. Over the course of their time in Angola, the hunt also included another common waterbuck, springbok, Angolan bush duiker and Southern impala.
For Warren, however, the significance of the hunt extended far beyond the animals taken.
"We were seeing the beginning of something that has the potential to provide lasting value to Angola's wildlife and its people," Warren said. "When properly managed, legal, regulated hunting creates an economic reason to maintain wildlife habitat, generates resources for management and anti-poaching efforts, supports local communities and gives wildlife tangible value on the landscape."
The return of legal, regulated hunting to Angola represents the beginning of what those involved hope will become a successful and sustainable program. While challenges and lessons remain, Warren and Yates experienced firsthand the commitment of their Angolan hosts to continue building and improving the program.
"As President of Dallas Safari Club, I am especially proud that DSC members played a role in turning an announcement made on a stage in Texas into action on the ground in Africa," Warren said. "What began with partnerships, conversations and an auction at our Summer Expo ultimately helped put resources directly into the hands of the Angola Hunters Association—and less than a year later, we were there watching a new chapter begin."
Warren also expressed his gratitude to those who helped make the historic hunt possible, including the people of Angola who welcomed the group, Conservation Force for its work helping Angola reach this point, and the DSC community for its continued support of legal, regulated hunting and sustainable use around the world.
"It was an honor for J.D. and me to be among the first hunters back," Warren said. "But hopefully, we will be far from the last."
About Dallas Safari Club: A member of IUCN, DSC is a mission-focused conservation organization, funded by hunters from around the world. With a small administrative staff and a volunteer army of 500+, DSC hosts its annual Convention at the start of each new year, along with the recently added Summer Expo, that together raise funds for grants in conservation, education, and advocacy. Over the years, DSC and DSC Foundation have raised millions in support of qualified projects, organizations and programs aligned with the DSC mission. For more information, call 972-980-9800 or visit biggame.org.
