From 20 to 22 June, CIC Belgium successfully hosted the prestigious Decennial Red Deer Trophy Exhibition and the annual CIC Trophy Evaluation Board (TEB) meeting at Château de Freux in the Belgian Ardennes.
Official Opening Ceremony
The exhibition opened officially on Friday, 20 June, in the presence of CIC President Philipp Harmer, Belgian Head of Delegation Philippe Claeys, Benoit Petit (President of the Royal St-Hubertus Club of Belgium), and Alain Ranson (President of the Belgian CIC Trophy Evaluation Commission, CBCICET). Attended by invited guests, including presidents and secretaries of regional Hunting Councils, local mayors, and contributing hunters, the ceremony featured opening speeches highlighting Belgium’s exceptional achievements in sustainable red deer management, followed by a cocktail reception.
Public Exhibition
The exhibition opened its doors to the public on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June, attracting over 1,000 visitors. The event showcased impressive red deer trophies from the past decade, reflecting Belgium’s significant improvements in both the quantity and quality of trophies. Thanks to strict wildlife management practices—especially allowing promising stags to reach at least ten years of age—more gold and silver medals have been awarded in Belgium over the last ten years than in the previous hundred years.
Exclusive CIC Members Event
On Saturday, 21 June, an exclusive event was organised for CIC members. A total of 44 attendees from Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and the Netherlands participated, including CIC President Philipp Harmer and Axel de Woot, President of the Federation of Big Game Hunters of Belgium (FCGGB). Members enjoyed a guided tour of the exhibition followed by a convivial luncheon hosted by the Coppée family at the picturesque Château de Roumont. In his speech, CIC President Philipp Harmer emphasised the crucial role of hunting as a conservation tool and celebrated the strong bonds between CIC delegations.
Scientific and Community Significance
The CBCICET annually evaluates trophies from all regional Hunting Councils across Belgium, meticulously recording data including age and location. The resulting database, which spans over 40 years, provides a unique scientific resource for wildlife management studies, potentially unparalleled in Western Europe. This systematic approach to sustainable management has successfully enhanced social cohesion and reinforced the commitment of local communities to conservation.
CIC Trophy Evaluation Board (TEB) Annual Meeting
Simultaneously, the annual meeting of the CIC Trophy Evaluation Board (TEB) took place at Château de Freux, expertly organised by Alain Ranson. Under the leadership of TEB Co-Chairmen Tony Dalby-Welsh (UK) and Andres Lillemäe (Estonia), and with the support of CIC Deputy Director General Arno Wimpffen, 20 Senior Trophy Judges from nine countries gathered to discuss strategic developments, including:
-
Implementation of the EU certification mark for the CIC Trophy Evaluation System (TES)
-
Updates and enhancements to the global trophy evaluation database, which now holds over 60,000 trophy records
-
Fine-tuning of the CIC scoring system for specific species, such as the Muntjac in the UK, and refining measurement techniques
The TEB expressed gratitude to Philippe Claeys and CIC Belgium for their generous financial support and active participation, highlighting the significance of strong national delegations in advancing the CIC’s mission.
Strong Partnerships and Future Opportunities
The exhibition was generously sponsored by regional hunting associations, including the Royal St-Hubertus Club of Belgium and the FCGGB, demonstrating a shared commitment to sustainable wildlife management. By hosting this decennial exhibition and TEB meeting, CIC Belgium aims to increase the visibility of sustainable hunting, reinforce strategic partnerships, and create opportunities for new membership.
The next TEB annual meeting will be held in mid-June 2026, either in Austria or Hungary, continuing CIC’s dedication to wildlife conservation through responsible hunting and meticulous trophy evaluation.
Media Contact:
Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: tristan.breijer@cic-wildlife.org
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
