We are proud to announce the founding of The Conklin Foundation, which has been designated as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt conservation organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

What The Conklin Foundation will do is put money directly in the hands of organizations for specific projects. It will also assist several guide/outfitter associations with the necessary funds to carry out their important “grass roots” initiatives. We want to put the money in the hands of those best able to spend it wisely and produce results! In its brief history, The Conklin Foundation has already been able to donate more than $475,000.00 to pro-hunting conservation, governmental, and education initiatives. These include FNAWS, Safari Club International Foundation for its AWLS Granite Ranch and Chancellor Building, Conservation Force, and The Yukon Outfitter’s Association.

The Conklin Foundation will also be the sole organization that directs The Conklin Award and its future.

For information on the Conklin Award, you can send an here.

THE CONKLIN AWARD

The Conklin Award is the “Tough Guy” award. It recognizes the world’s greatest active hunter who pursues game in the most difficult terrain and conditions, exhibits the highest degree of ethics, and is a strong participant in wildlife conservation. 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. The Conklin Award judges represent a cross section of some of the most active hunters in the world today. The Conklin Award is also unique in that past recipients of the award are automatically invited to become award judges. This was done for a reason. The different species and sub species are assigned a point value that was arrived at by the judges rating the animals on a scale of difficulty. The difficulty rating of the animals that a Conklin Award candidate has taken is a major component of the award criterion. 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.

2007 Conklin Recipient Bob Speegle

A goal of The Conklin Award and Foundation is to strengthen and foster support for ethical, fair chase hunting throughout the hunting community. Like Dr. Conklin, the judges feel it is of the utmost importance for each hunter to conduct themselves in the field with integrity and dignity.

James E. Conklin, M. D. was an ardent supporter of wildlife conservation. He was a true visionary with a real passion for getting our younger generation involved in the outdoors. The Conklin Award applicant is likewise expected to show participation in wildlife conservation projects and organizations. This participation can include any combination of significant monetary donations to established conservation causes or organizations, voluntary leadership or assistance to the same, significant volunteerism for youth outdoor education, or political volunteerism for pro hunting and conservation causes.

These three broad award components - difficulty, ethics, and conservation - constitute the basis of the Conklin Award, which is awarded annually to the most deserving hunter-conservationist.

Bert Klineburger (Left) proudly presents Pete Papac as the 2006 Conklin Award Recipient