Victory in Court – Judge Allows Wolf Hunts in Idaho and Montana to Continue

Washington, DC – The participation of Safari Club International (SCI) in a federal lawsuit has helped ensure that hunters in Idaho and Montana can continue hunting wolves under state seasons. The Montana federal court denied a preliminary injunction requested by Defenders of Wildlife and other plaintiffs who sued to stop the hunting season, and to challenge the delisting of Idaho and Montana’s wolves. Read more

SCI Moves to Defend Wolf Delisting and Fight Thirteen Anti-Hunting Groups

Washington, DC – Safari Club International (SCI) today asked a U.S. District Court in Montana for permission to intervene in defense of the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf delisting. SCI’s request comes in response to a lawsuit brought by thirteen animal rights and environmental groups on June 2, 2009 to challenge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) decision that removed wolves in Montana and Idaho from the “endangered” species list.

SCI seeks to participate as a party to defend the federal agency’s decision to recognize the recovered status of the wolves and to turn management of the species over to the states where it belongs. Over the years, SCI has actively participated in multiple cases concerning the status and management of wolves, including litigation in Oregon, Vermont, the District of Columbia and Montana.

SCI President Merle Shepard said “SCI has been the hunting community’s leader in efforts to support the removal of wolves from the endangered species list. Animal rights groups have stymied wolf management and conservation by their repeated challenges to the wolf delisting. SCI is prepared for yet another battle and is looking forward to demonstrating how both scientific management and the law justify the delisting.”

While the “ink dries” on the papers filed for intervention in the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf delisting case, SCI is staying at the forefront of the wolf issue around the country, already preparing to move to intervene in another case – an impending challenge to the Western Great Lakes wolf delisting, likely to be filed this week by a separate set of animal rights plaintiffs.

Safari Club International Members Visit Capitol Hill to Discuss Key Issues

Washington, DC – Over 100 Safari Club International (SCI) members, including the Presidents of the Alaska and Kenai Chapters, met with Members of Congress on the Hill today in conjunction with SCI’s annual May Board meeting in Washington, DC. In more than 180 meetings, SCI members brought the voice of the hunting and conservation community to the Hill, advocating on issues of importance to SCI and its members.   SCI’s advocacy, firmly rooted in sound science of wildlife conservation, focused on a number of key legislative priorities including several regulatory issues, federal plans that affect management, conservation and hunting access on public lands, in particular the federal management of the polar bear.   “SCI, the leader in protecting and expanding the freedom to hunt, is engaged in advocacy on both the state and federal levels. It is important that our members’ voices be heard at the federal legislative level on issues that affect the SCI community,” said SCI President Merle Shepard.   “SCI has been a strong advocate for protecting recreational access to our public lands for families and sportsmen throughout the country. Their members understand the important balance of making land use compatible with conservation,” said Congressman Doc Hastings (R-Wash).  ”As Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to working with SCI to promote land access, wildlife conservation and the need to restore Americans’ Second Amendment rights in national parks.”   SCI’s “Lobby Day” begins with a breakfast briefing from congressional leaders. Ranking Member Hastings was joined at the SCI Congressional Breakfast Briefing by Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR) who is Vice Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for the House of Representatives and freshman Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA).   After the briefing, SCI members dispersed to meetings in all corners of the Capitol complex. They discussed the organization’s accomplishments and goals not only in government affairs, but also in conservation efforts and humanitarian activities. SCI and Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) fund, support, and manage worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services.   “SCI appreciates the opportunity to discuss our concerns regarding pending legislation and regulatory efforts with our Members of Congress. We look forward to working with Congress and the administration on key issues to the hunter conservationist community” concluded Shepard.

Contact
Nelson Freeman
Safari Club International(202) 543 – 8733, nfreeman@safariclub.org

SCI Commends Choice of Salazar for Interior Secretary

Washington, D.C. – Safari Club International (SCI) today expressed its support for President-Elect Barack Obama’s choice of Colorado Senator Ken Salazar as his Administration’s next Interior Secretary.

Senator Salazar is currently a member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and has been a consistent pro-sportsman vote since he came to Washington, D.C. in 2004. With this appointment, President-Elect Obama has made the logical choice of an Interior Secretary who understands the sportsmen’s legacy of hunting and conservation on America’s public lands. Read more

ESPN – Swan: Fairbanks Museum of the North spotlights hunting

SCI Alaska Chapter teamed up with SCI Kenai Chapter to assist the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North in producing an exhibit on Alaska’s hunting and trapping heritage. Read more

SCI Leadership at White House Conference On Wildlife Policy

Reno, NV - With the involvement of SCI leaders, the historic meeting to launch the next century of wildlife conservation concluded today with an announcement of a new program to increase access for hunters and a challenge to carry forward and implement a far-reaching recreational hunting and wildlife conservation plan. Read more

SCI Leads Effort to Save Professional Wildlife Management

As seems to be the norm lately, this fall’s hunting season was marred by the fact that hunters, America’s premier conservationists, had to once again take time and money away from their cherished traditions and put it towards helping the Alaska Department of Fish and Game retain its ability to professionally manage our wildlife resources. Read more

USA Sweeps Medals in Women’s Skeet at First Day of 2008 ISSF World Cup USA

Competition at the 2008 ISSF World Cup USA for Shotgun began Sunday with the United States sweeping the medals in the Women’s Skeet event. Haley Dunn claimed the gold, while Kim Rhode took home the silver and Connie Smotek captured the bronze.

Dunn (Eddyville, Iowa), who is coming off a bronze medal win at the “Good [...]

Research Funded By Whitetails Unlimited Sees First Publication

Fawn survival documented in southern Michigan
Wildlife research can be a long, time-consuming process, but having solid data on which to base management decisions is invaluable. Researchers from Michigan State University just published the first paper, examining fawn survival and use of space, after several years of research.
Survival and Space Use of Fawn White-tailed Deer in [...]

Ben Avery Shooting Facility to Switch to Summer Hours May 12

Ben Avery Shooting Facility I-17 & Carefree Hwy.
The Ben Avery Shooting Facility Main Range, archery ranges, and Clay Target Center will switch to summer hours of operation for the public beginning Monday, May 12. The new hours will be:

Monday – CLOSED 
Tuesday – CLOSED 
 Wednesday – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
 Thursday [...]

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