The origins of Game Conservancy USA in 1985 arose from conversations between members of the Game Conservancy Trust (GCT, UK) and B.Z. Lee, founding president of the organization initially called “American Friends of the Game Conservancy” (AFGC). Mr. Lee met with then GCT Vice-Chairman The Earl Peel, Director Richard Van Oss, and member Michael Bowman-Vaughn in the UK and in Dallas Texas to discuss the creation of a U.S. based charitable organization to increase and promote donations to GCT by providing American supporters the benefit of making their donations tax deductible in the United States.
In 1998, AFGC moved to Vero Beach, Florida, and the Board elected to change the organization’s name to Game Conservancy USA (GCUSA), to reflect a broader commitment to conservation both in the US and in the UK. While financial support continued to be directed primarily to the research efforts of the GCT, there was growing interest in the application of that research to US projects, specifically the maintenance of the Great Plains Pheasant, Southeast Quail, and Alaska Spruce Grouse.
In 1999 GCUSA moved it headquarters to Connecticut, where it remains. GCUSA continues to direct its financial support to The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT, formerly GCT), with membership and fundraising efforts focused on generating awareness amongst the numerous shooting clubs in the New York and New England metropolitan regions. However It is important to note that GCUSA membership extends across the U.S. and is open to all people sympathetic to the mission of prudent game, wildlife and habitat management, and who appreciate the relevance of the GWCT's important contributions to game and wildlife conditions worldwide.
Each year, in November, GCUSA hosts a major sporting auction in New York, with exciting lots from around the world that including some of the most exclusive driven grouse and partridge shooting available in the UK, along with the opportunity to stay in some very prestigious and private homes. Additionally, GCUSA hosts sporting events in the New York metropolitan region, augmented by social occasions and informational events sponsored by the Board of Trustees.