"In The Crosshairs"

In The Crosshairs Newsletter

 

August 2, 2013

 

  SCI Encourages Senate Action On The Sportsmen’s Act Of 2013

Washington, DC – In July, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced S. 1335, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2013, the first comprehensive bill to benefit America’s sportsmen and women in the 113th Congress.  SCI encourages members to reach out to their senators and ask them to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill and urge them to support its important provisions.  The package combines several individual bills protecting the interests of sportsmen and women nationwide. Learn more about the legislation at the following link.  http://firstforhunters.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/safari-club-international-encourages-senate-action-on-the-sportsmens-act-of-2013/

 

The Sportsmen’s Act of 2013 is co-sponsored by Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) who is the Ranking Member on the Environment and Public Works Committee which is a primary committee of jurisdiction for the legislation. The other committee of jurisdiction is the Energy and Natural Resources, of which Senator Murkowski is the Ranking Member. In addition, Senators John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) who are the Co-Chair and Co-Vice Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have also officially co-sponsored S. 1335, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2013. America’s hunters and anglers should also call Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), John Boozeman (R-Arskansas), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

 

  Scimitar Horned Oryx, Dama Gazelle, Addax - Legislative Update

SCI members have been extremely concerned with the conservation status of captive populations of Scimitar Horned Oryx, Dama Gazelle, and Addax in the U.S. ever since new U.S. Fish and Wildlife regulations were put into effect. SCI has worked with Congressman John Carter of Texas and his staff to draft legislation that would reinstate less intrusive government regulations. On Wednesday July 31, 2013, Congressman Carter offered his amendment to the Department of the Interior 2014 Appropriations bill and it was adopted by a voice vote. Though it was successfully added to the Appropriations bill, the legislation was mysteriously pulled from consideration late that evening. SCI will continue to birddog this needed legislative fix once the Interior Budget is reconsidered in September and SCI will ensure that private conservation efforts continue for these three African antelope species.

 

  SCI Foundation Announces Promotion Of Matt Eckert As Deputy Director of Conservation

Washington, DC – Safari Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation) is proud to promote Matt Eckert to the position of Deputy Director of Science-Based Conservation and Research. In his capacity, Matt will oversee SCI Foundation’s expansion of wildlife conservation research in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa.  He will serve as the organization’s lead representative for international conservation treaties and conventions, and facilitate development of partnerships between governments, agencies and organizations. http://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/sci-foundation-announces-promotion-of-matt-eckert-as-deputy-director-of-conservation/

 

  Krieghoff International Teams With Hunters, Boy Scouts In Fundraiser Shoot

Washington, DC –SCI Foundation and the Boy Scouts of America Foundation (BSAF) will host their second annual sporting clays shoot on February 4, 2014 at 9:00 am.  This event precedes the kickoff of the 2014 Safari Club International Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., and all proceeds from the shoot will benefit the programs of both SCI Foundation and BSAF. Learn more about the fundraiser at this link: http://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/krieghoff-international-teams-with-hunters-boy-scouts-in-fundraiser-shoot/

 

  House Natural Resources Committee Passes Legislation To Protect Hunting, Conservation

Washington, DC – Safari Club International (SCI) thanks the 28 members of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources for their bipartisan votes to pass two pieces of legislation:  H.R. 1818, the Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2013 and H.R. 2463 the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act, on July 31st.  Further, SCI respectfully requests that these important pieces of legislation be brought to the House of Representatives for a floor vote soon. Read more at http://firstforhunters.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/house-natural-resources-committee-passes-legislation-to-protect-hunting-and-conservation/

 

  Sunday Hunting Bans Survey Results

In the last edition of Crosshairs, SCI’s Litigation team included a survey that asked readers for their opinions regarding Sunday hunting bans.  Although the survey was initially circulated to SCI members, it reached a broader audience when the Outdoor Wire published it and several organizations posted in on their Facebook pages.  After one week, we received over 2,300 responses, far more than we were expecting.  Of the responses from SCI members, 86% opposed all Sunday hunting bans.  If you would still like to participate in the survey and have not already done so, please go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6MK9J85

 

  SCI Takes Battle Over Polar Bear Imports To The U.S. Supreme Court

On Monday, July 29, SCI filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to overturn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2008 listing of the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.  The listing led to a ban on the import of polar bear trophies from Canada by U.S. hunters.  Before the ban went into effect, U.S. hunters had been allowed to import polar bears harvested from six approved populations in Canada.  These imports generated almost $1,000,000 in fees that was used for polar bear research and conservation in the U.S. and Russia.  U.S. hunters also contributed millions of dollars annually to local communities and companies, further encouraging sound management of the species.  The listing of the polar bear has eliminated these sources of conservation dollars, to the detriment of the species.  SCI is joined in filing the petition by Conservation Force and the Congress of Racial Equality.  The Supreme Court likely will decide whether to review the polar bear case sometime in the fall. http://firstforhunters.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/sci-takes-battle-over-polar-bear-imports-to-the-u-s-supreme-court/

 

  Trijicon Continues Support Of Hunting With SCI Corporate Sponsorship

Tucson, AZ: Safari Club International (SCI) is proud to announce Trijicon’s renewal of its long standing corporate sponsorship of SCI. “Safari Club International is very pleased to have Trijicon renew their sponsorship for 2013,” said SCI President Craig Kauffman.  “With Trijicon as a corporate sponsor, SCI can be more effective in defending our hunting heritage for generations to come.”

http://firstforhunters.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/trijicon-continues-support-of-hunting-with-sci-corporate-sponsorship/

 

  Boyt Harness Renews Partnership with SCI

Tucson, AZ: Safari Club International (SCI) is proud to announce Boyt Harness Company’s renewal of their long-standing corporate sponsorship of SCI.  “We’re pleased to have Boyt renew its corporate sponsorship of Safari Club International,” said SCI President, Craig Kauffman. “Boyt is also a licensed provider of SCI logo wear, worn around the world with pride by dedicated international big game hunters.”

http://firstforhunters.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/trijicon-continues-support-of-hunting-with-sci-corporate-sponsorship/

 

  SCI Mourns The Loss Of A Great Member and Outfitter

SCI is saddened by the loss of longtime SCI supporter, outfitter and exhibitor Fred Webb.  Fred ran a very successful hunting and fishing outfitting business with his son Martin from 1967 to 1987 in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Northern Quebec; and after 1987 in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.  Fred was the FIRST North American outfitter to receive the "SCI Outstanding Professional Hunter's Award.”  He was the author of three popular books - Home from the Hill, Campfire Lies of a Canadian Hunting Guide and Nunavut-Journey to Adventure, as well as many articles in various sporting magazines. He was also a former president of the New Brunswick Outfitters and consultant for the New Brunswick Tourism Advisory Council.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Irene and his entire family.

http://www.inmemoriam.ca/view-announcement-377360-frederick-allan-webb.html\