AZSCI Scholarship Fund

Arizona Chapter of Safari Club International Gabriel G. Paz Conservation Scholarship Fund

Congratulations to our scholarship recipients! Winners of the 2023 scholarships were announced at our banquet in June.

Arizona Chapter of Safari Club International Gabriel G. Paz Conservation Scholarship Fund Application

The 2024 application process is now open. Please use the button below for an application and instructions.

About Gabriel Paz

Gabriel G. Paz was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Manuel and Carmen Paz.

Gabriel’s father took him hunting, fishing and camping at an early age that is where his love of the outdoors started.  Gabriel would participate in fishing derbies at Randolph Park when a fishing license was only 25 cents!

While Gabriel and his father were deer hunting in the Mule Mountains near Bisbee, a Wildlife Manager, Joe Hall, was out on patrol and stopped to talk to them. He made a big impression on Gabriel and this is why he pursued a career as a Wildlife Manager.

Gabriel attended the University of Arizona and graduated with his Bachelors of Science degree in Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science & Management. As a student he would volunteer at Arizona Game and Fish Department check stations and camps. Once, while out on patrol with a Wildlife Manager, Gabriel helped carry out an injured hunter.

He had many mentors along the way who steered him in the right direction.
Upon graduation he tried to get a job with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, but unfortunately there were no open positions. Undeterred he was able to find work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at a fish hatchery near Burnet, Texas.

Eventually Gabriel moved back to Tucson and was hired as a Wildlife Manager out of Region 5. His first assignment was in Game Management Unit 30A where he lived in Douglas. He later became the Wildlife Manager in GMU 36A. He was promoted to a Law Enforcement Program Manager until his retirement, spending over 20 years with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

During his career with the department he mentored many young people pursuing careers in wildlife management, law enforcement and taught Hunter Education to the next generation of hunters. In 2003 he founded the Junior Deer Camp in GMU 36A with just a couple youth hunters. It now hosts over 170 attendees!  He coordinated and helped build many water catchments during his career. Gabriel was recognized by many hunting and conservation organizations during his career and was given the Directors Meritorious Citation. 

Gabriel continues his devotion to wildlife conservation and mentorship as a Director on the board of The Arizona Chapter of SCI where his experience and wisdom are immeasurable.