State – Safari Club

SCI Announces 2025 Elected Officials of the Year Awardees

Brian Davidson — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 16:00:58 +0000

Safari Club International (SC) is proud to select the following individuals as the 2025 recipients of the organization’s annual Elected Officials of the Year awards, who go above and beyond in support of hunting, angling, and conservation in the U.S. and around the globe:

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Safari Club International Selects Louisiana’s Jeff Landry as 2025 Governor of the Year Awardee

Brian Davidson — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 15:58:10 +0000

Washington, D.C. — Safari Club International is proud to present Governor Jeff Landry its 2025 Governor of the Year and Courage Under Fire award for his dedication to preserving the rights and interests of sportsmen, defending Louisiana’s traditions and values, and enhancing conservation in his state. In 2024, Governor Landry signed several pivotal pieces of legislation benefiting Louisiana’s outdoorsmen and firearms owners, cementing his legacy as a leader in protecting the freedom to hunt.

Among his recent achievements, Governor Landry signed HB 684, which marked a major victory for the state’s hunters and conservationists by preventing the unnecessary relisting of the Louisiana Black Bear on the Federal Endangered Species list and establishing a black bear hunting season—the first in over 40 years. The Louisiana Black Bear stands as a prime example of how legislative, legal, and scientific efforts can come together to conserve wildlife, all due to Governor Landry’s leadership.

Governor Landry’s record as a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment has extended into his gubernatorial tenure. Last year, he signed SB 234, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act, which shields the firearm industry from financial discrimination. Additionally, SB 301, the Louisiana Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, ensures that the financial privacy of individuals purchasing firearms and ammunition is protected from intrusive merchant category codes used by credit card companies.

Perhaps most notably, Governor Landry signed Senate Bill 1 into law. This landmark bill made Louisiana the 28th state to adopt Constitutional Carry and affirmed the Second Amendment right of its citizens to carry firearms without a permit.

Governor Landry’s distinguished career in public service is underscored by his deep patriotism and dedication to the people of Louisiana. His military service in the Louisiana National Guard, his tenure as both a sheriff’s deputy and police officer, and his time as a U.S. Representative and Louisiana Attorney General reflect his unwavering commitment to public safety and the preservation of American liberties.

“SCI is happy to congratulate Governor Landry on his success as a pro-hunting, pro-Second Amendment, and pro-conservation leader in the state of Louisiana,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “His commitment to these principles and to serving his state’s 4.6 million residents makes him the ideal recipient of this year’s Courage Under Fire and Governor of the Year award. We thank Governor Landry for his vigorous support of Louisiana’s sportsmen and women.”

“Governor Landry has proven time and again that he is a true champion for sportsmen, conservation, and the fundamental freedoms we hold dear,” said SCI President John McLaurin. “His leadership in securing Constitutional Carry, protecting the firearm industry from discrimination, and advancing policies that benefit hunters and anglers sets a gold standard for governors nationwide.”

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.

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Safari Club International Selects Representative Lauren Melo as 2025 State Legislator of the Year Awardee

Brian Davidson — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 15:42:59 +0000

Washington, D.C. — Safari Club International is proud to present Representative Lauren Melo (R-FL-80) its 2025 State Legislator of the Year award for her unwavering dedication to the people of Florida and their rights that facilitate the state’s hunting heritage. As a legislator, Representative Melo has consistently championed the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to hunt and fish and the Second Amendment, while prioritizing the reduction of red tape to enhance economic growth in Florida.

Over the past two years, Representative Melo introduced HJR 1157 (also known as Amendment 2 on this year’s general election ballot) to protect Floridians’ right to hunt and fish and designate hunting and fishing as the preferred means of wildlife management in the state. Despite early challenges and discouragement from other political forces, Representative Melo’s tireless advocacy and determination resulted in overwhelming bipartisan support for HJR 1157 and its companion Senate bill, which respectively passed both chambers with only one dissenting vote. Florida voters ultimately approved Amendment 2 by a vote of 67% in favor of the measure.

“Thanks to Representative Melo’s steadfast leadership, Florida voters had the opportunity this past November to protect our cherished sporting traditions for future generations,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “Her work ensures that Florida will remain a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, even as pressures from anti-hunting movements grow nationwide.”

“SCI is thrilled to award Representative Melo with SCI’s State Legislator of the Year award to honor her exemplary accomplishments and her firm stance shoulder-to-shoulder with SCI in order to be First for Hunters,” said SCI President John McLaurin. “Florida’s Legislature is lucky to have such a pro-hunting, pro-conservation lawmaker among their ranks.”

Born and raised in Southwest Florida, Representative Melo is not only a dedicated legislator but also a successful businesswoman. After founding a trucking company in 1991, she grew it into a large fleet operation. She now owns a thriving real estate brokerage, balancing her business success with personal resilience, having overcome a year-and-a-half battle with breast cancer while continuing to serve her community. She is also the proud mother of three, including a son who recently returned from combat deployment in Afghanistan.

Background:

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SCI Submits Comments to the Nevada Department of Wildlife

Brian Davidson — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:17:55 +0000

SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin filed three comments in general support on three different regulatory proposals in the Silver State dealing with big game hunting seasons, black bear hunting season, and mountain lion hunting season.

View each of the comment letters here:

CR 25-09 NV 2025 Mountain Lion Season

CR 25-08 NV 2025 Black Bear Season

CR 25-07 NV Big Game Hunting Seasons

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Safari Club International Announces Hunters’ Policy Priorities for the Incoming Trump Administration

Brian Davidson — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:03:57 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Safari Club International (SCI) submitted a detailed report to the Trump transition team identifying the key priorities that will expand public land access for sportsmen and women, modernize wildlife management, and promote stronger and more effective state, federal, and international partnerships.

President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory marked a global win for sportsmen and women and now sets the stage for unprecedented opportunities to safeguard hunting traditions and advance sustainable-use conservation. SCI is wasting no time capitalizing on opportunities to work side-by-side with the incoming administration on behalf of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.

Among a list of critical priorities, SCI is urging the Trump administration to:

Protect public access to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal lands while ensuring guided opportunities on remote public lands remain available.
Modernize the Endangered Species Act by delisting recovered species like gray wolves and grizzly bears, allowing resources to focus on genuinely at-risk species.
Defend hunters’ rights by maintaining access to traditional ammunition and fishing tackle.
Strengthen state-federal collaboration in wildlife management by improving consultation processes and reducing unnecessary litigation.
Support global conservation efforts by engaging with international partners, particularly in regions like Southern Africa, to enhance sustainable-use programs that benefit local communities and wildlife.

“Now that election season is over, it’s time we all get to work to make the most of President-elect Trump’s landslide victory for hunters and anglers,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “SCI is ready to partner with the Trump administration to advance science-based conservation, protect hunters’ rights, and ensure America’s public lands and wildlife resources remain a thriving legacy for future generations.”

“SCI’s priorities reflect a shared vision with the Trump administration: preserving America’s outdoor heritage while promoting effective conservation practices,” said SCI President John McLaurin. “With strong leadership in the White House, the future looks bright for sportsmen and women around the world.”

Read more about SCI’s legislative and regulatory policy proposals for the incoming Trump administration here.

Background:

For over 50 years, SCI has been the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI is unique in the scope of its ability to defend and advance the 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.

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SCI Submits Comments Supporting Beehive State Proposals

Brian Davidson — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 12:21:51 +0000

SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin submitted 4 comments in support of 4 regulation proposals in the Beehive State.

View each of the comment letters in support of the regulation proposals:

https://safariclub.org/UT-2025-Predator-Control-Incentives

https://safariclub.org/UT-2025-Cougar-Rule

https://safariclub.org/UT-2025-Furbearers

https://safariclub.org/UT-2025-Black-Bear

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Recap the Year with SCI’s State Advocacy Team

Brian Davidson — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 21:03:33 +0000

Happy Holidays from SCI’s State Advocacy team! With the end of the year right around the corner, we wanted to give you a recap of the 2024 year and celebrate together our efforts on behalf of the hunting community. To learn more about State Advocacy in 2024, see below.

State Advocacy 2024 By the Numbers:

Comment Letters: 86
Field Visits: 62
Action Alerts: 22
Ballot Measure Victories: 2
Looming threat

Public Comments and Letters: 86

The team submitted public comments in 26 individual states and the topics covered a wide range of areas of hunting and conservation concern. SCI’s comments covered protecting hunting of mountain lions, bears and wolves, establishing new seasons species such as sandhill for cranes and opposing firearms restrictions that would interfere with hunting. The comment letter distribution ranged from California and Washington to New York and Florida. For example, SCI supported the opening of a bear season in Louisiana through regulatory and legislative comments, in conjunction with litigation and foundation efforts, and SCI opposes efforts to change the makeup of the wildlife Commission in Vermont as well as supporting the expansion of Sunday hunting in various states.

Field Visits: 62

The team had 62 field visits in 26 individual states and the District of Columbia to meet with state wildlife department officials, federal and state legislators, chapter leaders and members, and other cooperating partners and non-governmental organizations. Again, the efforts covered the entire nation, ranging from Texas to Michigan, Oregon to New Jersey. For example, Western State and Local Liaison Chris Tymeson participated in a panel discussion in Minnesota on wolves and wolf management with two members of Congress and Eastern State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick testified in Maryland opposing legislative attempts to ban lead ammunition.

Action Alerts: 22

Action alerts are sent to members through the Hunter Advocacy Action Center, a powerful grassroots tool operated by SCI to assist in effectuating change. SCI is judicious in it’s use, tailoring the alerts from national to state as necessary. Examples of alerts sent this year included supporting an expansion of the mountain lion season in Nebraska and supporting efforts to expand Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania.

Ballot Measures: 2

The state team spent a considerable amount of time and effort on two decisive state ballot victories this year. In Colorado, Proposition 127 was the proposed ballot initiative to ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx. Life Hunter Advocacy Society (LHAS) and Hunter Action Fund (HAF) funds were used to shore up the rural vote and HAF funds contributed to several ads dealing with safety. SCI chapters also heavily contributed funds to the effort. After the vote count was tallied, the ballot measure was defeated with 54.85% of the voters in opposition.

Furthermore, through HAF as well as LHAS, SCI directly supported efforts in the Sunshine State to enshrine the right to fish and hunt in the state’s constitution. These dollars were deployed to purchase crucial television and digital ads educating voters on Amendment 2 in key areas of the state and encouraging them to go vote. The amendment passed with roughly 67% approval and, in doing so, Florida became the 24th state to protect the right to hunt and fish in perpetuity. The language critically “preserve(s) forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”

Looming Threat:

Coming on the heels of the devastating ballot initiative loss in Colorado, the anti-hunting establishment is wasting no time with forum shopping their next hunting ban. The Center for Biological Diversity, Mountain Lion Foundation, Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, WildEarth Guardians, Lobos of the Southwest, and Wildlife for All, filed a petition with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to prohibit recreational hounding – using hunting with dogs to take mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, foxes, coyotes, coatis, ringtails, and other mammals. The petition must be acted upon within 60 days, likely placing the issue on the January Commission meeting but we expect this to continue beyond the Commission. As was done in Colorado, SCI will continue to fight for the freedom to hunt and oppose the behavior of those who seek to destroy what we cherish.

SCI is always FIRST FOR HUNTERS.

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New York’s “Big Five African Trophies Act” Fails To Advance

Chris LaCivita — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:13:14 +0000

New York’s “Big Five African Trophies Act” (SB 3302) is officially dead for this session! New York’s General Assembly has adjourned sine die and, with that, all remaining bills that have not passed both chambers are done for this session.

This is a huge win for hunters in the Empire State and for sustainable-use wildlife conservation worldwide!

New York legislators attempted to once again restrict the legal importation of harvested African species from the countries with the largest populations of these species in the world—and who rely on these species to support their well-managed conservation programs.

Senate bill 3302, the “Big Five African Trophies Act,” would have banned in the State of New York the importation, transportation, and possession of any part or product of six major African species of wildlife, the African elephant, lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, and giraffe.

As always, SCI was quick to point out two facts:

1. Adoption of this legislation will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the actual conservation of these species.
2. These types of laws are unenforceable and preempted by federal law.

Trophy import prohibitions go against decades of scientific research compiled by wildlife experts in African nations, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the U.S. Government, and Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), among others. As confirmed by that research, hunting generates incentives that protect habitat, reduce poaching, provide revenue for social services and infrastructure, and encourage local stakeholders to participate in the conservation of these species.

It is well documented that the largest populations of lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses, giraffes, and many other species live in countries where highly regulated hunting exists. The IUCN reports that import restrictions on species like the African elephant, black rhino, white rhino, and lion “could likely cause serious declines of populations.”

Through SCI’s Hunter Advocacy Action Center (HAAC), New York Advocates were able to contact their state legislators and oppose Senate Bill 3302. A big thank you to our advocates who opposed this misguided and federally preempted bill!

A version of this bill has been introduced in New York every session since 2016, and SCI fully expects for misguided New York legislators to continue this trend early in 2025. Rest assured that SCI, our members, and partner organizations stand ready and will continue to oppose emotionally based trophy importation bans.

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SCI Hunter Advocacy, Around the States: Pennsylvania, Montana, Louisiana, Texas, Michigan

Chris LaCivita — Tue, 28 May 2024 15:05:39 +0000

Pennsylvania: Last week, legislation that would allow for the expansion of Sunday Hunting in the Keystone State was voted out of the House Game and Fisheries Committee. This  critical step now moves House Bill 2106 one step closer to becoming law which would increase the current number of Sundays available to hunt from 3 to all those included within the season frameworks set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. SCI previously submitted a letter of support for this bill and continues to encourage advocates to contact their House members using the HAAC.

Montana: SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin submitted comments in general support of the 2024 Montana mountain lion quotas and mountain lion hunting. Read the letter here.

SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin submitted comments in opposition to a proposed access reduction on the use of rifles at a fishing access site where hunting is also allowed and in support of No-Net Loss. Read the letter here.

SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin submitted comments in support of the Tri-State Grizzly Bear Memorandum of Agreement and in support of hunting grizzly bears in the future. Read the letter here.

Louisiana: House Bill 684, relative to bear hunting in the Pelican State, passed through the Senate during the week of May 22^nd with little opposition. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries initially requested the bill in conjunction with the Notice of Intent recently adopted that would create a conservative and scientifically supported black bear hunting season. SCI, SCIF and its Chapters have been strongly supportive of delisting the Louisiana black bear and enacting a limited hunting season and had previously commented in support of the bill.  Read the letter here.

Texas: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a regulatory proposal that bans canned mountain lion hunting and implements a 36-hour trap check restriction for mountain lions. SCI had previously commented on the trap check provisions in opposition to a petition at the Commission. Watch the Commission discussion, beginning at 7:20, here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsb_BYqRap8

Michigan: SCI sent a letter of support for increased state investment in Wetland Restoration to Senator Anthony and Representative Witwer.

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Around the States: Delaware, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington

SCI Advocacy — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:49:04 +0000

Washington:  SCI joined a coalition letter supporting modernizing the charitable fundraising statutes in Washington.  Read the letter.

Oklahoma:  SCI joined a coalition letter supporting the modernization and consolidation of the Oklahoma hunting licensing statutes and options.  Read the letter.

Nevada:  SCI Western State and Local Liaison Chris Tymeson travelled to Las Vegas during the week of January 23^rd to attend the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show and engage with partners on issues pertinent to the business of SCI. While there, Tymeson attended a press conference on the proposed Colorado ballot measures that would ban hunting and trapping of mountain lions and bobcats as well as the Governor’s Forum and the Attorney General’s Forum, among other meetings. (Pictured L-R: SCI Western State and Local Liaison Chris Tymeson and Congressman August Pfluger (R), TX-11)

Delaware: The First State took a monumental step forward last week as the House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 271 which would allow Sunday hunting for game birds. SCI previously submitted a letter of support for this bill and continues to support the effort that now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

New York: Last week, SCI Eastern States and Local Liaison Bee Frederick and Regional Representative Larry Steiner visited Albany to attend the New York Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus annual breakfast and as well as meet with many of the Empire State’s strong legislative champions. During the time at the capitol, Frederick and Steiner were able to discuss important issues – including lead ammunition, firearm taxes, trophy import bans, and others – with the various legislators, their staff, and partner organizations.

Tennessee: Legislation was introduced in both chambers, House Bill 1867 and Senate Bill 1876, that would effectively do away with the successful sandhill crane season in Tennessee. While all indications are that these bills have little to zero chance of moving, SCI strongly opposes these measures and is working with TWRA and various in-state and national partners in opposing these bills that are purely driven by emotion.

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