On the average of almost twice a season, Carolyn and William Newlin hunt big game throughout the world.

The local couple have one house, plus an adjoining smaller one, loaded with mounts that they have knocked down over 53 hunting trips on six continents.

Their favorite spot is the country, Central Africa Republic, which they began hunting in 1989.

Recently Carolyn was honored as the 2017 Houston Safari Club’s Outstanding Huntress of the Year, becoming the second woman from Louisiana to win the award.

Besides being a member of the club, one of the requirements for the award is that the recipient must have hunted at least 50 species on at least four continents.

This she has done in a period of a little more than 33 years.

She said in 1984 she convinced husband William that he should consider hunting big game in Africa over the bird hunting he was doing in Southwest Louisiana and bordering states.

“I had always dreamed of Africa,” she said, adding that the thought came early on growing up when she watched Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weissmuller with a favorite aunt.

Never, she said, did she ever think the dream would become a reality.

After talking William into looking into a big-game hunt, the two joined Safari Club International, Game Coin, Dallas Safari Club and Houston Safari Club and made plans.

The first hunt was to Alaska for a brown bear. Later she would bring down several black bear, two Canadian moose, bison, several elk, one white elk and several deer in North America. 

Her first African animal was a hippopotamus.

In 1987 on the Zambia-Lawanga range she bagged the hippo on what she called one of her most memorable trips.

“C.A.R. is truly one of life’s gifts,” she said. “The circle of life seemed to be around every corner … the abundance of game, monkeys screaming to alert other animals, the amazing bird life teemed around. In contrast, we came upon several kills reminding us that beauty comes with a price,” she said.

“We were told that we would have to walk a minimum of five hours a day and some days we walked seven or eight hours,” she said. “At night a tree canopy was our bedroom. Hyraxes (small, furry, rotund animals 28 inches long and 10 pounds) were everywhere, screaming to stay in touch with their group. Their cries are blood-curdling, but I was comfortable above some of the most remote jungle in the world. We had to sleep in our rain gear because the condensation would leave us soaked. I slept like a baby.”

Since 1998 her favorite gun has been a Blaser bolt-action with three interchangeable barrels.

She noted that the rifle was another reason why she became more interested in big-game hunting compared to bird hunting. “I’m just not good with a shotgun.”

Among some 81 animals she has bagged have been red stags from Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland, two lions from Tanzania and Zambia, cape buffalo, leopard, various antelope and a water buffalo in Australia.

The lion in Zambia she hit in 2003, looking at 13 before shooting one.

“I wanted a black mane and passed on two before this one. I asked the PH (professional hunter and guide) where to hit it, and he said top of the shoulder.

“I have been on 53 hunting trips on six continents and yet I still cannot believe my incredible fortune. My husband and I have been blessed to have such an exciting life and we are not done yet.

“To hunt with my husband and daughter (Julye) has meant the world to me.”

A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, she said, “I have so many memories of traveling all over the world. I can look at the trophies and relive them. I can also remember most of the shot patterns and where I placed the bullet. There have been so many golden days and starry nights.

“Hunting is a connection with the land. Hunting is real action. It’s a far cry from the iPod, television and movies. Hunting is real.

“Without organizations like the Houston Safari Club and the NRA there would not be a bounty of hunting available. These groups place distinct value on the animals of the world,” she said.