AUG 05, 2011 "In The Crosshairs"
Aug 05, 2011
Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) announced that it has
contributed over $330,000 in the final quarter of their fiscal year
to fund worldwide wildlife conservation projects. SCIF strategically
focuses funding towards research and management of large predators
and their prey, including game species, principally throughout North
America, Asia and Southern Africa. (Source: SCI Press Release)
http://bit.ly/p5yXDe
Equestrian Village At EPIC
Outdoor Game Fair Filled With Cross-Discipline Exhibitions
The Equestrian Village at the EPIC Outdoor Game Fair will feature
three full days of exhibitions of equestrian talent and technique as
well as clinics from some of the industry’s top names. From eventing
to polo to jousting to cowboy mounted shooting and precision drill
teams, the village will showcase the breadth of equestrian
disciplines. Designed to encourage families, youths, and individuals
to actively engage in outdoor sporting activities through education,
participation, instruction, and competition, the EPIC Outdoor Game
Fair will run from September 23 to 25, 2011. The event will be held
at Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club in Atlanta, Georgia. (Source:
EPIC Outdoor Game Fair Press Release) Learn more at
http://bit.ly/ny5ckj.
SCI Helps In Successful Defense Of Nevada Bear Hunt
On Aug. 3, 2011, a Nevada state court denied a challenge to the
state’s upcoming black bear hunt. SCI joined as a defendant-intervenor
with the State of Nevada in defense of Nevada's first bear hunt in
history. The hunt is scheduled to begin on Aug. 20.
Botswana Hunting Season
Remains Open
After multiple articles were published in the past weeks
regarding hunting in Botswana, SCI learned that the nation’s hunting
season is still in fact open. Botswana government officials issued
the following letter to refute
the misleading articles. SCI continues to monitor and work with the
Botswana government to expose the truth on this issue. Read the
letter here: http://bit.ly/o4ytT1.
SCIF Testifies In Support Of
International Wildlife Conservation Funding
Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) testified before the
U.S. House of Representatives Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and
Insular Affairs Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources
Committee in support of H.R. 50, the Multinational Species
Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2011. This bill
would extend funding for important conservation projects until the
year 2016. (Source: SCI Press Release)
http://bit.ly/qcCDBA
SCI Champions Access For
Hunting Before Congress
On behalf of millions of American sportsmen and women, Safari
Club International’s Director of Hunter Advocacy, Melissa Simpson,
testified before the House Committee on Natural Resource’s
subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. Simpson
provided testimony on H.R. 1581, the “Wilderness and Roadless Area
Release Act of 2011” on behalf of a sportsmen’s coalition that
included the National Rifle Association and the U.S. Sportsmen’s
Alliance. (Source: SCI Press Release)
http://bit.ly/n2Z67y
SCI Seeks To Participate In Case That Threatens The
Status Of All Species Currently On The Candidate Species List
SCI has moved to intervene in an Endangered Species Act case
filed by WildEarth Guardians and Center for Biological Diversity.
The case challenges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s failure to
comply with statutory listing deadlines for several species.
SCI seeks to participate in the case in order to oppose settlements
between the Service and the two animal rights groups that will
impact hundreds of species, including the following game animals:
greater sage grouse, lesser prairie-chicken, and New England
cottontail. Under the proposed settlements, the FWS has
promised to decide, within the next six years, whether or not to
list every species currently on the candidate species list.
The settlement deprives the Service of the authority to retain
candidate species status for any of the 251 species currently on the
candidate species list. The benefit of species being on the
candidate list is that they are managed under state law, and are not
subject to the inflexible standards of the ESA.
SCI Joins Case To Defend Triple B Complex Horse Gather
SCI is seeking to participate in its third case concerning wild
horse gathers in the West. SCI moved to participate as amicus
in a case involving the Triple B Complex Herd Management Area in
Nevada. While considering SCI's motion, the Nevada federal
district Court denied the Plaintiffs' request for a preliminary
injunction to stop the gather. The Plaintiffs appealed to the
Ninth Circuit. The appellate court also denied the Plaintiffs'
attempt to stop the gather. The gather has begun and is
expected to last several more weeks. Plaintiffs are moving
forward with their challenges in both the Nevada District Court and
the Ninth Circuit. SCI will be participating to defend the
gather in both courts.
SCI Supports The Reclassification Of Straight Horned
Markhor From Endangered To Threatened Status
SCI filed comments in response the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's 90-day finding to downlist the straight-horned markhor of
Pakistan from endangered to threatened status. SCI's comments
highlighted the role that sport hunting has played in the species'
recovery.
Wild Sheep Foundation Joins
SCI As Affiliate Member
Safari Club International (SCI) is proud to recognize the Wild
Sheep Foundation (WSF) as an affiliate member. Together, SCI and WSF
will continue advancing (1) federal policy to promote hunting on
public lands and (2) international sheep conservation. (Source: SCI
Press Release) http://bit.ly/pAmPOm
Idaho Sets Wolf Hunting
Seasons
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a 10-month-long wolf
hunting season in the upper Clearwater River Basin of the state.
Hunters will be allowed to kill two wolves per year. “Department
Director Virgil Moore has said the state will manage the hunt to
ensure the wolf population stays well above 150 -- the number that
could trigger relisting the animals under the Endangered Species
Act. There are believed to be about 1,000 wolves in Idaho.”
(Source: The Standard-Examiner)
http://bit.ly/nKGHsy
Comments on Proposed Regulations For The Take Of U.S.
Captive Herds Of Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Dama Gazelle, Addax Due on
August 8th – FWS Denies Request For Extension
The FWS has denied SCI’s request for a 45 day extension for the
submission of comments on a proposed rule that will require permits
for the use and take of members of U.S. captive herds of three
endangered exotic antelope species – the scimitar-horned oryx, dama
gazelle and addax. The comments on the proposed rule are due
on August 8th. Safari Club International encourages
members and owners of herds of one or more of the three species to
send the FWS a letter describing their herd sizes and conditions,
history of ownership, experiences with ESA permitting, and likely
plans for their herds if permits are imposed. SCI suggests
that comments include suggestions for permit systems that the FWS
can adopt that will not interfere with owners’ financial abilities
to continue to raise, trade, breed and allow for hunting of these
animals. For more information on submitting comments, click
here.
SCI &
SCIF Seeking Candidates For Chief Financial Officer
SCI and SCI Foundation are looking for qualified candidates for
the position of Chief Financial Officer. The CFO is responsible for
all financial matters of SCI & SCIF and its affiliate organizations
and s/he will partner with the senior leadership and the board of
directors to develop and implement strategies. S/he must be able to
adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in an
autonomous and deadline-oriented workplace. A full job description
is available and interested candidates should apply
here.
Contact: work@safariclub.org