JULY, 2013 "In The Crosshairs"
July 12, 2013
Member Survey:
HELP SCI Members WIN On Issues Important to the American
Sportsman
SCI is seeking members’ views on the role
of government in preserving our hunting heritage. This
information will help SCI determine SCI’s position on three
important areas and where to direct our resources. Please help us by
participating in a short survey. It should take no more than 2
minutes to complete, is completely anonymous, and would help SCI
with strategies moving forward.
The survey can be completed here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HWDD92F
Animal
“Protection” Groups Doing Little to Protect African Lions
Washington, D.C. — Safari Club
International Foundation (SCI Foundation) exposed the hypocrisy of
four animal rights groups in a new report released last week. The
report, “Keeping the Lion’s Share” counters a previous “study”
questioning the role of hunters in helping African communities, and
calling for African lions to be listed by the U.S. government as an
endangered species. The report points to figures that show the
millions of dollars contributed by hunters to African communities
dwarf the paltry expenditures by the animal rights groups in
sub-Saharan Africa.
View the report here: http://member.safariclubfoundation.org/Keeping-The-Lions-Share
Scientists Tell U.S. FWS African Lion Is Not Endangered
Washington, DC – On June 26th, Safari
Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation) participated in an
exclusive workshop hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS). SCI Foundation Conservation Chair Dr. Al Maki outlined
current conservation efforts across the lion’s range and focused on
Tanzania’s successful management of the species. Experts on
the status of the African lion explained to the FWS that the African
lion is not on the brink of extinction. Their testimony contradicts
the claims in a petition filed by several anti-hunting groups asking
the service to list the African lion as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act.
Washington, DC – Safari Club
International (SCI) hosted a breakfast briefing for the leadership
of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus to discuss priority
legislation for America’s hunters and anglers. The focus of
the briefing was on H.R. 1825, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting
Heritage and Opportunities Act, introduced by Congressman Dan
Benishek (MI). H.R. 1825 will secure permanent protection for
hunting, fishing and sport shooting on U.S. Forest Service and
Bureau of Land Management lands. SCI’s Director of Government
Affairs, Melissa Simpson addressed the legislators about SCI’s
priorities on Capitol Hill. Other speakers included
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs, Representatives Bob
Latta (OH) and Bennie Thompson (MS), and their colleagues
Representatives Rob Wittman (VA), and Tim Walz (MN). SCI was
pleased to offer a forum for these leaders to discuss their plans
for bringing H.R. 1825 to a vote in the full House.
Litigation Update
Safari Club recently submitted comments
on the following issues:
- New Jersey Draft 2013-2014 Game Code
– SCI supported the Draft Game Code in general and, in
particular supported the continued inclusion of a black bear
harvest.
- Draft Revised Supplement to the
Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan – SCI and SCIF supported the proposed
supplement to the recovery plan that should lead to a better
informed delisting decision.
- Proposed Rule to List the Lesser
Prairie-Chicken (LPC) as Threatened – SCI and SCIF continued to
oppose the proposal to list the LPC as threatened under the ESA.
Legends of Talent Entertain
at the 2014 SCI Hunters’ Convention
Las Vegas, NV - Those
attending the 2014 annual SCI Hunters’ Convention at the Mandalay
Bay Hotel and Casino will be entertained by some of the most widely
known musicians and comedians in the industry. Each evening of the
four-day show, entertainers known worldwide will highlight the
dinners. Tickets are limited to the dinners so anyone interested
needs to register to attend the convention and book tickets for the
evening events.
Registration is now open at:
www.showsci.org