"In The Crosshairs"
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.”
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.”
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\