Apr, 2013 "In The Crosshairs"
April 5, 2013
31 Major Hunting, Wildlife Organizations Oppose Universal Background
Checks
The National Rifle Association and SCI,
with 29 other prominent hunting and wildlife preservation
organizations that represent tens of millions of Americans, sent a
letter to the leadership in the United States Senate, opposing
universal background checks. This letter lays out a 5-point plan to
make our communities safer. These 31 sportsmen’s organizations
informed the Senate of their strong opposition to unnecessary
firearms restrictions that would neither reduce crime nor prevent
tragedy. SCI is proud to support a robust 2nd Amendment
and stand shoulder to shoulder with the NRA against anti-gun forces.
(Credit: OutdoorWire.com) Read the full letter here:
http://cms.nraila.org/media/11158643/awcp_gun_control_debate_letter_final.pdf
If you are a member of a national hunting
or conservation organization that has not joined in the fight, ask
them why they are not working to protect your hunting heritage.
Advocate, Lobby for Hunting and the Second
Amendment on May 9
The fight for the future of hunting is
upon us in the U.S. Congress. Liberal members of the U.S. Senate are
advancing legislation that would impact everyday hunters like you,
your family and friends in unprecedented ways. Common hunting
activities like teaching a son’s friend to shoot or allowing your
hunting buddies to use a rifle or shotgun while afield could soon
become impossible if the U.S. Senate has their way. Have you called
your U.S. senator to oppose this legislation? Now is your
time to make your voice heard. SCI needs you to travel to
Washington, DC in May to be an advocate for the future of hunting.
On May 9th SCI will be visiting hundreds of members of
Congress and fighting for hunters everywhere. Please use the
attached form and register for the largest hunters-only lobbying
event of 2013!
By registering before close of business
today, April 5th, you will be eligible for a drawing to WIN
a Kimber Pistol CDP II, .45 ACP. Return the attached form as soon as
you can to join Safari Club International on May 9th when we will go
to Capitol Hill to lobby on behalf of SCI and the 13 million
Americans who hunt.
U.N. Approves Arms Trade Treaty
High Alert
– On Friday March 29th the United Nations (U.N.) had
final discussions on the passage of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
While this treaty was widely expected to pass via consensus, it was
blocked by three countries that had concerns about its effect on
their sovereignty. Sadly, after the treaty was rejected, the United
States reversed its longstanding position that the treaty should
only pass with the consensus of all nations, and a vote on the
treaty was held at the general assembly where it passed 154-3 with
23 abstentions. Safari Club International is extremely
disappointed by this abrupt reversal of the U.S. position. We are
very concerned that this treaty could greatly affect travelling
hunters should it be domestically adopted by enough countries.
Even though the treaty was passed, in order to be ratified and take
effect, the treaty must be signed by at least 50 countries. The
treaty will be open for signature on June 3rd.
Unfortunately the question is not if enough
countries will sign this treaty for it to go into effect, but
when. SCI will continue to fight as the UN
negotiates implementing the burdensome requirements and attempt to
protect hunters as much as possible. We expect the Administration to
review the treaty over the next 6-12 months to determine whether the
U.S. should sign it. SCI members have been extremely active in
contacting Congress to oppose this treaty and it is vital that we
not stop now. Help SCI fight this international encroachment on your
freedoms by joining us in Washington, DC on May 9th to
lobby the U.S. Members of Congress. Don’t wait until the Obama
Administration undermines all hunters worldwide. For more
information about the details about what is in the ATT please see
the link to an article from our friends at the Heritage Foundation
http://blog.heritage.org/2013/03/28/the-arms-trade-treaty-reactions-to-the-final-draft/
Democratic Front Group
Hyped As Hunters By Media In Gun Control Fight
“The liberal media will do anything to
pressure lawmakers to support President Obama’s gun-control agenda.
Politico
published a story Wednesday with this headline: ‘Hunting Group
Wants Background Checks.’ The story gave the false impression that
the millions of hunters in the U.S. support Mr. Obama’s push for
‘universal background checks.’ That is way off target. In fact, 31
well-known hunting and conservation groups sent a letter to Capitol
Hill Thursday expressing opposition to intrusion by the
federal
government into private firearm transfers.” (Credit:
WashingtonTimes.com) Read more:
http://bit.ly/ZjI6ve
SCI members can now submit all hunt
reports electronically, using the Online Record Book. No
subscription is necessary to submit a report and there is no fee to
submit a hunt report. Fill out a report to recognize your Outfitter
or Guide for their service and tell other members about your
experience. All Hunt Reports submitted using the new electronic
system will be included in the Online Record Book for all
subscribers to view with the SCI Records, Species Distribution Maps,
and detailed taxonomic information. This is a valuable resource for
every international hunter. Subscribe today and check out the new
update today at www.scirecordbook.com.
SCI Argentina Chapters Dismiss Rumor About Possible
Restriction to Red Stags
Federico Testa, Secretary of the SCI
Buenos Aires - Argentina Chapter, contacted the Secretary of
Environment and Sustainable Use of Argentina regarding a persistent
rumor that suggests the possible restriction to the exportation of
red stags from Argentina. According to Eduardo Fernandez, from the
Control & Supervision Department, "no legislation has been issued
neither is being discussed at this time." Emilio Paris,
President of the SCI Argentina Chapter stated "red stag is an
introduced species to Argentina and it would have been very
detrimental to the industry if such a measure is being proposed. SCI
members can continue enjoying hunting red stags and other available
species in Argentina." A special thanks to SCI Regional
Representative Thomas Saldias for his help in getting this rumor
debunked.
The New North America &
North America Introduced Record Books
Get the new North America & North America
Introduced Hardcover Record Books, Edition XIII vol. 1 & 2 for
$179.95 plus shipping, includes a free Field Scoring Kit while
supplies last. Order your book today at the
SCI Shop or call the SCI
Headquarters at (520) 620-1220.
SCI Helps Minnesota Defend Its Wolf Harvest
On Wednesday, April 3rd, SCI
attorneys appeared in the Minnesota Court of Appeals to assist state
attorneys in their defense of Minnesota’s wolf harvest. Animal
rights groups brought the case to state court to challenge the
process by which the Department of Natural Resources established the
hunt, claiming that the on-line survey used by the Minnesota DNR
failed to allow the public a meaningful opportunity to comment on
the hunt. The three judge panel heard arguments from each of
the attorneys and devoted the majority of their questions to the
issue of whether the animal rights groups had suffered any harm from
the sustainable harvest of wolves or the process by which the hunt
was adopted. SCI’s in-house litigation attorneys were
accompanied by Ryan Burt, President-elect of the Minnesota Twin
Cities Chapter, who served as SCI’s local counsel. Stay tuned
for a ruling, expected in the next few weeks.
SCI Helps Secure Victory in Nevada Wild Horse Gather Case
For the fourth time, SCI has helped
defeat a lawsuit seeking to undermine the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management’s management of feral populations of horses, this time in
the Triple B horse management area in Nevada. On March 26,
2013, the U.S. District Court for Nevada upheld the BLM’s decision
to gather the excess wild horse. Although the gather already
occurred, the horse advocates want the Court to order the BLM to
return the horses to the range. Before the gather, the horse
population was many times higher than scientifically established
appropriate management levels. The excess horses were damaging
the ecosystem and harming resident wildlife, including game mammals
and birds. As it has done in other wild horse cases, SCI
intervened to defend the gather and subsequent relocation of the
excess horses to long-term pastures. SCI expects the horse
advocates to appeal this decision to the Ninth Circuit, which is
currently reviewing an earlier decision upholding a different
gather.
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