In the early to mid-1970s a small group of mountain hunters got together. These were not your common, ordinary hunters. These were a small, energetic group of people who had hunted wild sheep hiked the mountains, which these incredible animals inhabit. They had been infected with what we call “sheep fever.” With the help of Bob Householder of the Grand Slam Club, Jim Froelich of Wisconsin got the names of the Midwestern hunters who had taken some or all of the four North American species of wild sheep. Jim’s efforts resulted in about a dozen of these infected sheep hunters getting together in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, to trade stories about their adventures. After his gathering and ones to follow, this group worked to ensure that future generations of hunters would have the opportunity to climb the mountains in pursuit of wild sheep.
They wanted to organize a group that could make this happen—in essence, to give back for what they had been privileged to do. Iowans were a big part in these early years of organization, with Lloyd Zeman of Des Moines; Dr. Roy Schultz, Avoca; Dr. Jerry Waite, Fenton; and others making things happen. The results were the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) was incorporated as a nonprofit wildlife organization in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1977. Numerous other Iowans are noted in the first 100 members of FNAWS. Lloyd Zeman was the first president and was followed by Dr. Roy Schultz. Other Iowans who followed as presidents of National FNAWS were Jerry Christians, Story City; Dr. Jerry Waite, Fenton; Tom Hinders, Ames; and Ted Schutte, Sibley. For 20- plus years the official magazine “Wild Sheep” was printed at Sigler Printing in Ames Iowa.
In 1979 the first chapter status was granted to Iowa followed closely by MN-WI Chapter FNAWS. The chapter gatherings were more social events in those earlier years with fundraising becoming more prominent after 1990. Iowa Chapter hunters would bring their mounts and swap stories about their success or the one that got away. These summer events continued, with winter fundraisers starting in the early 1990s. The first one near Spirit Lake, Iowa, grossed about $3,000, and the success of the chapter’s fundraisers has continued in Lake Okoboji and more recently in Des Moines with millions of dollars generated to fund projects that promote proper wildlife management for increased hunt-able populations, increase youth involvement in hunting and fishing, protect hunters’ rights, and support hunters and outfitters in our great outdoors. In 2008 National FNAWS changed their name to Wild Sheep Foundation because many of their members were international hunters who wanted to help promote populations of all the world wild sheep species. With the history of FNAWS so rooted in Iowa and the chapter’s main focus being North America, they have retained the name Iowa FNAWS. The success of the Iowa group is because of its dedicated membership and it’s unpaid, dedicated board of directors and officers. This efficiently directs more funds to projects that benefit wild sheep and other wildlife and safeguards hunting opportunities for us and our youth, and that, my friends, is what our membership wants.
Ted Schutte Past President Iowa Chapter, National FNAWS
