International Order of St. Hubertus
The International Order of St. Hubertus is a worldwide organization and knightly order of hunters and wildlife conservationists that promotes traditional hunting ethics and practices.[1] The Order was founded in 1695 by Count Franz Anton von Sporck, who brought together noble hunters from Austria, Bohemia, and other countries throughout the Habsburg Empire.[2] The Order was named in honor of Saint Hubertus, the patron saint of hunters and fishermen.[2] The Order's motto is Deum Diligite Animalia Diligentes, "Honoring God by Honoring His Creatures".[1] As of 2011, the male-only Order[3] has 250 members in the United States, and 600 members worldwide.[4]
In 1966, the United States chapter was launched at the Bohemian Club in San Francisco.[3]
Mission
According to the organization's American website, the purpose of the Order is to "promote sportsmanlike conduct in hunting and fishing, foster good fellowship among sportsmen from all over the world", "teach and preserve sound traditional hunting and fishing customs", "encourage wildlife conservation and to help protect endangered species from extinction", "promote the concept of hunting and fishing as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity", "endeavor to ensure that the economic benefits derived from sports hunting and fishing support the regions where these activities are carried out", and "strive to enhance respect for responsible hunters and fishermen".[1]
Notable events
In February 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia died while staying at Cibolo Creek Ranch in Presidio County in Western Texas. The owner of the ranch, John B. Poindexter, as well as C. Allen Baxter, a Washington attorney who traveled with Scalia to the ranch by private plane, are reported to hold leadership positions within the Order. At least two other private aircraft traveling to the ranch that weekend were linked to previous known leaders of the Order. Poindexter would only acknowledge that Order members have previously stayed at the ranch, but claimed to know of "no connection" between Scalia and the St. Hubertus organization.[3]
Literature
- Heinrich Oidtmann, The Hubertus Battle of Linnich in poetry, legend and history, Jülich 1904, E-book
- Arnhard Graf Klenau: Order in Germany and Austria, Volume II Publisher Graf Klenau GmbH, Offenbach, 2008, ISBN 3-937064-13-3
References
- ^ a b c "Deum Diligite Animalia Diligentes". International Order of St. Hubertus. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "History". International Order of St. Hubertus. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c Brittain, Amy; Horwitz, Sari (February 24, 2016). "Justice Scalia spent his last hours with members of this secretive society of elite hunters". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ Love, Lindsey (October 6, 2011). "Houstonians join the Order of St. Hubertus". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
External links
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