SCI confirmed the attack took place April 29 at the headquarters of the Niassa Carnivore Project (NCP) and their Mariri Environmental and Skills Training Center in the southeastern section of the Niassa Special Reserve. In a press release, NCP Director Dr. Colleen Begg confirmed two NCP antipoaching scouts were killed. Another was severely injured but was evacuated to a hospital in Maputo and is now stable. Two scouts remain unaccounted for.

Residents of the nearby village Mbamba also fled into the bush for safety. Begg said the NCP team spent several days searching for staff and community members hiding in the wilderness and taking them to the district capital, Mecula.

In April, SCI reported the destruction of the Kambo Safaris camp in the Reserve by a group of armed insurgents, with later reports about the deaths of two staff members. The incident triggered a Security Alert from the US State Department warning travelers of terrorist activity. It was not until April 30, that ISIS Mozambique took credit for the attacks in a social media post by Amaq News Agency, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US State Department.

Amaq is often the first venue to publicize claims of responsibility for terrorist attacks conducted by the Islamic State. According to media outlet CAXTON Network News, a loose translation of text published with the image says, “The fighters of the Islamic State attacked and burned a tourist site belonging to the Christians and killed six soldiers from the Mozambican army in Niassa Province, Northern Mozambique.”

The Level 4 Travel Alert from the US State Department states, “Terrorists continue to conduct and plot attacks on government forces, villages, and key supply routes in the districts of Ancuabe, Chuire, Ibo, Macombia, Meluco, Metuge, Mocimboa da Praia, Mueda, Muidame, Nangade, Palma and Quissanga in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, and the bordering districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula Province.

According to Begg, the ANAC warden of Niassa Special Reserve is coordinating efforts to increase safety in Niassa and is working with conservation partners on the ground. SCI will continue following developments here and reporting to members as we confirm information.

SCI expresses its deepest sympathies for the families and coworkers of those who lost their lives in these senseless acts. SCI members with hunts booked in Mozambique and with concerns over security are again encouraged to speak with their safari operators about security in their areas and to orient themselves on the locations of their hunting camp and its distance from the affected regions in northern Mozambique before changing any plans. Hunters should also review their travel insurance policies and consider security evacuation insurance. US citizens should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Other members should check their country’s state department equivalent for travel alerts and travel programs. For more information and assistance contact SCI’s Hunter Information Service at HunterHotline@safariclub.org.

The post Terrorist Group Claims Credit for Attacks on Multiple Camps in Niassa Reserve appeared first on Safari Club.

Reports are based on, as of now, un-verified photos and information apparently leaked by a member of the military that responded to the incident. Mozambican forces have restricted access to the entire area around the CKS camp, preventing CKS owners, employees and family members of the deceased from entering the camp or verifying facts firsthand.

CKS joint-partner Jumbo Moore informed SCI about this development on Monday, April 28, dismayed that officials did not inform the victims’ families or CKS first. Additional reports include other details that have not been verified by authorities. CKS is seeking information from officials for the affected families while moving client bookings for the Kambako camp to other camps and venues. SCI extends its condolences to the families.

News of this incident also affected safari operators far from the area, with several reporting cancellations by clients. While individual risk tolerance levels vary, hunters should remember that Mozambique is a large country encompassing over 300,000 square miles (800,500 square kilometers). The Niassa Reserve itself, is located in the northernmost stretch of Mozambique, comprises over 10 million remote acres (42,000 square kilometers) and sprawls across two provinces. The distance from the Niassa Reserve in the north to Maputo in the south is almost 1,400 miles (over 2,200 kilometers). That distance is farther than driving from New York City to Miami.

Hunters with trips planned for Mozambique should consider the locations of their safaris. Others may wish to review their travel insurance coverages. They may consider security evacuation insurance and discuss security with their operators. SCI members may contact the Hunter Information Service (hunterhotline@safariclub.org) for further information and assistance.

The post Unverified Reports Continue to Swirl Around Attack on Hunting Camp in Mozambique appeared first on Safari Club.

The post Hunting Camp in Mozambique Looted and Destroyed by Insurgents appeared first on Safari Club.

In January 2025, after proroguing Parliament, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a leadership campaign to replace himself as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and, ultimately, as Prime Minister. With Parliament suspended, legislative scrutiny was effectively blocked, preventing elected representatives from debating critical policies, including new firearm bans. Now, on the final business day before the Liberal leadership vote, Minister Rachel Bendayan, Associate Minister of Public Safety, has announced the prohibition of 179 additional makes and models of firearms. Furthermore, the government has committed to:

• Conducting a comprehensive study of the firearms classification system
• Implementing regulatory changes to large-capacity magazines
• Enacting red and yellow flag laws from Bill C-21

A Policy Based on Emotion, Not Public Safety

As SCI stated in December 2024, efforts to ban modern sporting rifles have been based on cosmetics and appearance, with little regard for functionality, crime reduction, or public safety. The 2020 firearm ban was introduced following Canada’s worst mass shooting, yet it would not have prevented the tragedy. The perpetrator did not hold a firearms license, and law enforcement confirmed that his firearms were illegally obtained. None of the measures enacted in 2020 addressed the criminal disregard for the law that enabled the attack.

The latest round of prohibitions, implemented through Order in Council (OIC), continues the trend of circumventing democratic oversight. By bypassing Parliamentary debate, the government has prevented stakeholders—including licensed firearm owners, conservationists, and sport shooters—from providing testimony on the impact of these bans. Instead, it has exclusively engaged with anti-firearm advocacy groups, as demonstrated by today’s press conference.

SCI Stands with Law-Abiding Firearm Owners

Safari Club International (SCI) strongly opposes the Liberal government’s ongoing attack on law-abiding firearm owners and remains committed to defending the rights of licensed hunters and sport shooters across Canada.

We call on the Government of Canada to:

1. Immediately rescind all firearm bans enacted through Order in Council
2. Refocus efforts on addressing criminal activity and illegal firearms trafficking
3. Stop unfairly targeting hunters and sport shooters

The government must prioritize evidence-based policies that enhance public safety without punishing responsible firearm owners who have been vetted, trained, and licensed under Canada’s rigorous system.

Join the Fight

SCI will continue advocating for hunters and sport shooters. We urge all Canadians who value conservation, responsible firearm ownership, and personal freedoms to stand with us.

The post Canadian Overreach and Attacks on Firearms appeared first on Safari Club.

The post Welcome Mpho Tjiane To The SCI Family appeared first on Safari Club.

Federal Legislator of the Year

Senator John Curtis (R-UT), who previously represented Utah’s 3^rd Congressional District. He was Vice Chair of the Federal Lands Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he fought to protect Utah’s public lands while ensuring they remain accessible for recreation and sustainable use.

More Information

Governor of the Year and Courage Under Fire Award

Governor Jeff Landry (R-LA), who previously served as Attorney General of Louisiana and represented the Bayou State’s 3^rd Congressional District. In 2024, Governor Landry signed several pivotal pieces of legislation benefiting Louisiana’s outdoorsmen and firearms owners, including HB 684, SB 234, and SB1.

More Information

State Legislator of the Year

Representative Lauren Melo (R-FL-80), who introduced HJR 1157, later Amendment 2, which enshrined Floridians’ right to hunt and fish in the state constitution. The measure passed by a supermajority (67%) of Florida’s voters in the 2024 general election.

 

More Information

International Legislator of the Year

Zoltán Kovács, who is currently serving as Hungary’s Secretary of State for International Communication. During Hungary’s recent presidency of the European Union, Secretary Kovács was instrumental in ensuring that hunting remained a priority in political discussions while advancing pro-hunting legislation and protecting the interests of hunters across Europe.

More Information

The post SCI Announces 2025 Elected Officials of the Year Awardees appeared first on Safari Club.

Washington, D.C. — Safari Club International (SCI) is honored to select Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication Zoltán Kovács as its 2025 International Legislator of the Year awardee. A devoted hunter and advocate for the global hunting community, Kovács has been a steadfast supporter of hunting rights and conservation throughout his distinguished political career.

Kovács, who has long been affiliated with Hungary’s leading political party, FIDESZ, has served in numerous high-profile roles, including Hungary’s Secretary of State for Government Communication, Secretary of State for Social Inclusion, and Hungary’s international spokesperson. His leadership during Hungary’s recent presidency of the European Union was instrumental in ensuring that hunting remained a priority in political discussions. Kovács played a pivotal role in advancing pro-hunting legislation and protecting the interests of hunters across Europe.

From 2020 to 2022, Kovács served as commissioner of FeHoVa, the largest Carpathian hunting fair. In 2021, he was the governmental commissioner for the World Hunting and Nature Expo, successfully showcasing the importance of hunting on the global stage. His work has highlighted the critical role that sustainable hunting plays in conservation, rural economies, and cultural traditions.

“Mr. Kovács is a passionate defender of hunting rights, and his achievements in the international arena have been a tremendous asset to our community,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “His expertise, leadership, and dedication to the hunting cause are an inspiration, and we look forward to his continued contributions to promoting responsible, sustainable-use hunting practices worldwide.”

“Mr. Kovács has demonstrated unwavering support for the global hunting community, and we are thrilled to recognize his efforts as our 2025 International Legislator of the Year,” said SCI President John McLaurin. “His leadership and dedication to promoting hunting as a vital part of our cultural heritage and conservation efforts make him an exemplary advocate for SCI’s global mission.”

A historian by training, Kovács holds advanced degrees from Lajos Kossuth University and Central European University. He also has a background in academia as a professor at several Hungarian universities. A committed family man, he is married with two children. His efforts to protect hunting traditions extend from his passion for the outdoors to the broader European and global political stage.

 

Background:

For over 50 years, Safari Club International (SCI) has been the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI is unique in the scope of our ability to defend and advance our freedom to hunt. SCI is the only hunting rights organization with a Washington, D.C.-based national and international advocacy team and an all-species focus. SCI also mobilizes more than 150 chapters and affiliate networks representing millions of hunters around the world.

The post Safari Club International Names Zoltán Kovács as 2025 International Legislator of the Year appeared first on Safari Club.

In August, our Advocacy team was made aware of concerns from Canadian Guide Outfitters regarding the USDA border policy for amount of meat being brought back to the US from Canada. This would drastically impact the ability for hunters to return with all of the meat from their harvests due to the limit of 50 lbs per vehicle. Through conversations, SCI successfully got the USDA to clarify and allow for hunters to return with all their meat from their harvests.

December brought about some new firearms bans, and SCI was one of the first to release a statement condemning the government for attacking the legal, licensed firearms owners in Canada instead of focusing on the criminals committing the crime. SCI worked collaboratively with some other organizations in Canada to send a letter to the government highlighting the concerns with the government’s firearms bans that only impact hunters, sport shooters, trappers and collectors.

SCI continues to sit on the Parliament Outdoor Caucus Board, and is an annual sponsor for the Parliamentary Day at the Range where legislators and staff are invited to the gun range to learn about firearm safety and see why the shooting sports are a safe activity. 2024 brought a new designated staff member in Canada, Chris Everett, who comes to us after a decade of working in politics where she focused on hunting, fishing, firearms and conservation policy. Her focus with SCI is on government relations and chapter services, and with her connections, conversations with elected officials is only going to increase more and SCI will continue to grow in Canada. With a looming federal election in 2025, Chris will be busy working on our behalf, ensuring candidates are keeping conservation and hunting in mind when drafting platforms and working on a ‘100 day plan’ for the new government that will include the top priorities for hunters and SCI members across Canada.

The post Canada 2024 Recap appeared first on Safari Club.

In Europe:

• International Hunting Survey: SCI announced the results of a survey commissioned by SCI and several partner organizations that shows Europeans broadly accept international hunting.  The survey results are in stark contrast to inflated and false figures often alleged by animal rights and anti-hunting groups that advocate for hunting trophy import bans across Europe.
• Elections: Elections in Europe took place in June.  Parties that traditionally support anti-hunting policies lost big, turning the political landscape towards parties more favorable for hunters.  SCI congratulated the newly elected members of the European Parliament, especially those who will promote and protect biodiversity, sustainable landscape management, and the benefits of hunting for Europeans and wildlife.
• Intergroup: The “Biodiversity, Hunting and Countryside” Intergroup within the European Parliament was re-established. Two SCI partner organizations, the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) and the European Landowners Organization (ELO), will serve as secretariat of this Intergroup.
• Wolves: Most European countries agreed to change the level of protection wolves (Canis lupus) under the Bern Convention. Data show a population increase of 81% over the last 10 years across Europe. The next step for European wolves requires a downlisting in the Habitats Directive.
• Belgium’s Import Ban: The newly created SCI BENELUX Chapter has challenged Belgium’s trophy import ban in Belgium’s Constitutional Court.  This case is being handled in cooperation with the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation’s (CIC) Belgian Delegation.
• Petition to Ban Imports: In response to a petition to ban trophy imports submitted by Humane Society International,  the European Commission responded for a second time, that  “A change in the [European Union] position towards the banning of hunting trophy imports would have negative impacts on conservation and sustainable use, as it would deprive local communities in countries with sustainable hunting schemes from an important source of income and thus increase the risk of wildlife habitats being lost. Such a policy shift would also have negative political consequences for {European Union] bilateral relations with relevant countries, and for multilateral relations in the CITES context.”
• UK Trophy Import Ban: SCI and its partners lobbied Members of Parliament in the UK to oppose (another) trophy import ban bill.  The bill did not pass before time ran out on the Parliamentary session.
• FACE: Mr. Laurens Hoedemaker was elected president of FACE, SCI’s closest partner organization in Europe.  SCI will continue to work together with FACE and congratulates Mr. Hoedemaker on his election.  SCI thanks the former President Mr. Torbjörn Larsson for FACE’s tremendous successes under his presidency!

In Canada:

• New Staff: SCI hired Chris Everett as its Chapter and Advocacy Service Specialist in Canada. Chris came to SCI after a decade on Parliament Hill, where she worked on hunting, angling, and conservation issues, including in collaboration with SCI.  Chris hit the ground running and has significantly improved SCI’s advocacy efforts in Canada in just a few months.
• Annual Conference: SCI Canada hosted their annual conference in Ottawa, Ontario bringing in chapter leaders, regional reps, and Directors-at-Large from across Canada. SCI staff and leadership attended the Conservative Angling and Hunting Caucus symposium to discuss issues facing all forms of hunting, angling, trapping, firearms, and more across Canada.
• Seal River Watershed: SCI Canada submitted a letter to Parks Canada strongly opposing a proposal to create an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) and national park reserve (NPR) on the approximately 50,000 square kilometers of the Seal River Watershed in Manitoba.
• Game Birds: SCI has worked with—and continues to work with—U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on lifting restrictions for the import of hunter-harvested game birds from Canada. APHIS restricts imports of hunter-harvested wild game birds from certain zones due to concerns about bird flu.  This is an ongoing issue.

Elsewhere:

• Form 4457: SCI worked with U.S. congressional leaders and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to clarify certain information required by the Customs Form 4457, which hunters use to legally take firearms abroad when hunting.
• Firearms Licensing: SCI opposed a new rule that revised firearms license requirements and restricted the ability of U.S. hunters to travel internationally with their firearms.
• CITES: SCI and SCI Foundation staff, along with several partner organizations, attended the 33rd CITES Animals Committee meeting, continuing SCI’s long commitment of engaging on CITES issues and working to ensure international trade in hunting trophies. Preparations are underway for next year’s Conference of the Parties, which will be held in Uzbekistan.
• AWCF: SCI staff attended the African Wildlife Consultative Forum in South Africa, an annual conference co-hosted by SCI Foundation. SCI and SCI Foundation engaged with range state representatives and co-hosted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff in coordination with the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa.
• Australia: In partnership with Field and Game Australia and  Australian hunters, SCI advocated against threats to waterfowl hunting across Australia, in particular in Victoria. Thanks to these efforts, the Victoria duck season was retained. Another huge win for hunters!

International Chapters:

• A number of chapters outside of the United States were added to SCI’s roster in 2024, and several more are currently in the works.  The Europe Committee expanded with the new BENELUX Chapter and reshuffling of the United Kingdom Chapter. SCI also added the Middle East Chapter and the Pakistan Chapter.  Welcome to the new chapters and members!

The post Recap The New Year With SCI’s International Advocacy Team appeared first on Safari Club.

Licensed firearms owners in Canada are in the bull’s-eye again.

On Dec. 16, in an economic statement, the Canadian Liberal Government promised $597.9 million over three years for a proposed gun confiscation.

In Canada, through successive changes, we have a licensing regime for firearms. Individuals must take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course to start the process. They must pass both a written test and a hands-on demonstration test with 80% to be considered a pass of the course.

The next step is to apply to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a firearms license, share the course results, fill out any criminal or mental health history, sign off on a criminal records background check and have references and their spouse sign off on the application.

Once the background check is complete and the RCMP feels the individual can have a license, the license will be printed and sent to the individual.

Every day after that, the individual will undergo the continuous eligibility process where their name is compared to the criminal charges database.

If they’re charged with a criminal code offense, their license and firearms will be taken by police until the outcome of their court proceedings is concluded.

Then, five years later, they must apply for a license renewal and repeat the background check, mental health check, etc.

This is for hunting rifles and shotguns. If an individual wanted to own a handgun (which can only be used legally at a licensed gun range), they had to take an additional course for “Restricted Firearms” and apply for a license upgrade to include the “Restricted” class.

In 2020, in response to the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history, the Liberal government ordered the confiscation of 1,500 popular rifles and shotguns, including the AR-15.

They included the term “variant,” so firearms that the RCMP deemed to be variants of those 1,500 firearms would subsequently be banned as well.

In 2022, the Liberals tried to add all of the banned rifles and shotguns into the Criminal Code of Canada. They also added a definition of “assault-style firearms.”

While they backed down on adding the list of firearms to the Criminal Code, they moved forward on the “assault-style firearms” definition: centrefire, semi-automatic, that is designed to receive a magazine that can hold more than five cartridges and that was designed after the bill became law.

The Liberals also moved forward and passed a ban on handguns, only allowing those who already owned them to keep on possessing them, but they are not allowed to be sold, transferred or exported.

On Dec. 5, 2024, again in response to the 35^th anniversary of a different mass shooting in Canada, the Liberals added a further 324 firearms and their variants to the list of banned firearms, bringing the total number of firearms banned to 2,420 makes and models of firearms.

These are all firearms that the Liberals deem to be “assault-style firearms” or weapons of war, but those who know firearms know that what they are targeting are modern sporting firearms that are not used in war, focusing on cosmetics and appearance rather than based on function.

Now, with the recent Fall Economic Statement, the Liberals are adding to the $100 million already spent on this scheme. Canadians know that spending almost $700 million to take firearms from licensed firearms owners will have zero impact on the gun violence that is plaguing our streets, and the money would be better spent on tangible efforts to target criminals and the illegal flow of firearms into our country.

If you are looking to travel to Canada on a hunt and are worried about what firearm you are able to bring, Armalytics has a great online tool to help you find out if your firearm is on the banned list. Visit armalytics.ca or search Armalytics in a search engine.

For more information about traveling with firearms, email SCI’s Barbara Crown at bcrown@scifirstforhunters.org.

The post Canada Doubles Down On Gun Grab appeared first on Safari Club.