The Mix & Mingle is a women’s-only networking event for ladies of all hunting experience levels, from supporting partners and photographers to award winning international huntresses. Participants enjoy free bloody Marys and mimosas, as well as coffee and other beverages while meeting other women and winning dozens of door prizes. Ballroom doors open at 10 am. Participants must have an SCI convention badge to enter.

This year Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Madison Sheehan will address the gathering. Sheehan will discuss the vital role of women in conservation and highlight the recovery of the Louisiana black bear, its removal from the US endangered species list, and the efforts to reestablish a black bear hunting season in the state.

Sheehan has donated a Black Bear Cub Den Experience to WGH’s first silent auction at the convention. This experience gives women the opportunity to participate directly in Louisiana’s black bear conservation work by accompanying state biologists when they enter a mother black bear’s den to recollar her and inspect her cubs. The woman who wins this trip will be able to cuddle black bear cubs while assisting biologists with important conservation work.

In addition to the Louisiana black bear conservation experience, the WGH program is also auctioning off a Women’s Mountain Retreat for two with Kristy Titus & Western Sky Outfitters. The winning bidder and her female guest will enjoy a four-day/three-night horseback pack-out to a remote ladies-only luxury camp in the San Juan Mountains. Ladies can also bid on a one-of-a-kind necklace set designed by jeweler Jorie Grassie, featuring red deer tusks and turquoise beads. These unique auction items will be available for bidding at the Women Go Hunting booth, number 3006, in the foyer outside the convention hall.

All women attending the SCI Convention can also participate in the free WGH Sweepstakes. This year the Legends Ranch has donated three Learn-to-Hunt Experience Packages for two women each. The winners will attend a four-day experience designed to introduce women to the art of hunting in a supportive and encouraging environment. Each winner and her guest will receive instruction and hands-on training in hunter safety, then hunt and harvest a doe whitetail deer. This field-to-table experience teaches women how to field dress, skin and process their deer, and provides demonstrations in delicious and creative venison cookery.

To enter the sweepstakes, women scan the QR code at the WGH Booth. A winner will be drawn on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Learn more about is fantastic opportunity at https://safariclub.org/women-go-hunting-sweepstakes.

For more information on the WGH Mix & Mingle, auction items and prizes, contact Barbara Crown at bcrown@SCIFirstForHunters.org or call 210-767-9745. Information is also posted at https://safariclub.org/get-involved/women-go-hunting.

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Each year at Convention, SCI confers the highest awards in hunting, advocacy, and conservation on remarkable individuals. From legislators championing our hunting freedoms, to esteemed hunters demonstrating unparalleled accomplishments, and conservationists of the utmost dedication, these awards recognize the best of the best in the hunting community. Read our full list of recipients below: 

Best Magazine: Northwest Chapter

Best Newsletter: Flint Regional Chapter

Best Website: Alaska Chapter

Chapter of the year with 200+: Flint Regional Chapter

Chapter of the year with 101-200: Music City Chapter

Chapter of the year with 25-100: Greater Dacotah Chapter

Regional Rep of the year: John Kupiec

Diamond Conservation Award: West Texas Chapter

Top Gun Award: Alaska Chapter

Professional Hunter Award: The Professional Hunter Award honors two professional hunters, one in North America and one Internationally, who are acknowledged by both their peers and clients as tops in their field. Those who receive this award are industry leaders in their involvement with the hunting community. 

• North American Professional Hunter Award: Darrel Schneider
• International Professional Hunter of the Year: Bruno Rosich

4^th Pinnacle of Achievement: The Pinnacle of Achievement Awards honor hunters with wide experience in hunting around the world, with four pinnacles total. The Fourth Pinnacle requires five Inner Circles at the Gold level and one Inner Circle at the Diamond level. 

• Michael Scott Ashbrook
  • Herb Atkinson
  • Skeet Bryant
  • Dr. W. Bruce Canoles
  • Brandon Cowell
  • Jan Dams
  • Jeff Demaske
  • Madeline Demaske
  • Dr. William Falcheck
  • John W. Ferguson
  • Keith C. Halstead
  • Bryan K. Harlan
  • Toby Johnson
  • Alexey Kim
  • John K. “Jack” Laws Jr.
  • Scott Lintner
  • Bo Morgan
  • Dusty Phillips
  • Jason Soulliere

Zenith Award: The Zenith Award, is designed for SCI hunters who may not have an opportunity to complete the Crowning Achievement Award. The Zenith Award falls  in between the 4^th Pinnacle and the Crowning Achievement. To qualify, members must complete six Milestones, two Inner Circles at the Diamond level, a minimum of two Inner Circles at the Silver level, six at the Gold level and the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement. 

• Michael Scott Ashbrook
  • Herb Atkinson
  • Brian Bailey
  • Jan Dams
  • Jeff Demaske
  • Madie Demaske
  • Richard East
  • Norman L. Epley
  • Dr. William Falcheck
  • Ramon E. Gonzalez III
  • Toby Johnson
  • Alexey Kim
  • John F. Landgraf
  • Scott Lintner
  • Dusty Phillips
  • Corey L. Schaefer
  • Brian L. Vanderhoof

Crowning Achievement Award: Hunters who participate fully in the SCI World Hunting Awards program are honored with the Crowning Achievement Award. To qualify, hunters must have achieved and purchased nine Milestones, the Hunting Achievement Award at the Silver Level, the Animals of Africa Inner Circle at the Silver Level or Animals of North America at the Gold Level, the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement, and 13 of the remaining 27 Inner Circles at the Copper Level or higher. 

• Michael Scott Ashbrook
  • Herb Atkinson
  • Jan Dams
  • Norman L. Epley
  • Dr. William Falcheck
  • Scott Garrett
  • Ramon E. Gonzalez III S
  • Keith C. Halstead
  • William C. Hayes
  • Toby Johnson
  • Dusty Phillips
  • Harold Rank III
  • Michael J. Spence
  • Brian L. Vanderhoof
  • Brian H. Welker

Methuselah: A Methuselah hunter recognizes the age and value of experience and prides themselves in choosing to pursue the oldest battle tested big animals over those that are younger or prettier.

• Herb Atkinson
  • Greg Murtland
  • Dennis Schemmel
  • Brian H. Welker
  • Denise E. Welker

World Hunting Award: The World Hunting Award Ring is the highest award in the World Hunting Awards program and recognizes extraordinary efforts in conservation of wildlife. A custom crafted ring presented to each participant represent the premier honor in the world of hunting. SCI members must have achieved and purchased 11 SCI Milestones, including the North American 29 and the Africa 29, 17 SCI Inner Circles at the Diamond level and the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement and the Crowning Achievement. 

• Arthur J. Gutierrez Jr.
  • Jaime Gerado Diaz Torree Llamas
  • Harold Rank
  • Denise Welker
  • Andre Zaika

World Conservation & Hunting Awards: The World Conservation and Hunting Award offers another opportunity to recognize committed SCI members for their continued hunting accomplishments beyond achieving the World Hunting Award Ring. This award recognizes the efforts of SCI members who continue traveling the six continents to hunt. To achieve the World Conservation and Hunting Award, members must achieve and purchase all 15 Milestones, the diamond level of 25 of the 27 Inner Circles, the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement, Zenith, and the Crowning Achievement. 

• Arthur J. Gutierrez Jr.
  • Gregory Cheek
  • John Colglazier
  • Andrey Zaika
  • Justin Rafazzine

International Hunting Award: The International Hunting Award was established in 1984 to honor the great hunters of the world. Those hunters who have achieved excellence in the field, have hunted extensively and are actively hunting at the time of selection are possible candidates. Selection is based solely on specific and well-defined hunting achievements, numbers and quality of trophies entered into the SCI Record Book, number of countries hunted, total number of hunts taken and levels of entries that qualify for World Hunting Awards.

• Bela Hidvegi

Legislators of the Year: The Legislator of the Year Award is presented by SCI Advocacy and recognizes our champions in outstanding work defending the freedom to hunt.

• International Legislator Award: Blaine Calkins
  • Federal Legislator Award: Richard Hudson

Morris Family Legacy Award: This award is given by SCI and Bass Pro Shops annually to an individual who exemplifies a legacy of support of hunting, conservation, and mentorship. 

• Richard Childress

GSCO and SCI Pantheon Award: The criteria for the Pantheon are easily defined, but extremely difficult to ultimately accomplish. It takes a lifetime to meet all the requirements for being inducted into the Pantheon. Concerning GSCO’s awards, one must have a Grand Slam of North American Wild Sheep; an Ovis World Slam Super 30 of the world’s mountain sheep; a Capra World Slam Super 30 of the world’s wild goats; and the Super Slam of 29 North American Big Game. Within SCI, one must have received the World Conservation and Hunting Award. 

• Lee Anderson
  • Justin Ragazine
  • Dr. Gerald Warnock

SCI & Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award: The SCI & Bass Pro Shop / Cabela’s Young Hunter Award, established in 1987, recognizes a young SCI member. To be eligible, the young hunter must be 15 to 25 years of age and do the following: be a current member of SCI, complete the application, compose a 500-word essay on the topic, “How I Am A Role Model for Hunting,” complete a hunter safety education certification course, obtain a letter of recommendation from an SCI chapter and obtain a letter of recommendation from a school administrator. 

• Kaylee Ann Stacy
  • Case Overweg

Diana Award: the Diana Award is named for the huntress of Roman mythology and recognizes the women of SCI who have excelled in international big game hunting. Nominees show exemplary ethics in the field, remain committed to the mission statement of SCI and personally give of their time and energies to enhance wildlife conservation and education. This award is sponsored by NRA Women’s Leadership Forum.

• Siri Campbell Fossell

CJ McElroy Award: Named for the late founder and chairman emeritus of Safari Club International, the C.J. McElroy Award honors a member of SCI who has made great contributions to the sport of hunting, achieved excellence in worldwide hunting, displayed a dedication to the conservation of wildlife and has a history of service to the global hunting community and to Safari Club International’s goals. Potential nominees must show exemplary ethics in the business of hunting and be committed to SCI’s programs and mission statement. 

• Shane Black

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The Mix & Mingle is a ladies-only event hosted by SCI’s Women Go Hunting (WGH) initiative and is designed to give women with all levels of hunting experience an opportunity to network with other women hunters. Chaired by Denise Welker, winner of the SCI World Hunting Award Ring and Diana Award, SCI’s Women Go Hunting program brings together women who enjoy the hunting lifestyle and encourages them to participate in SCI’s initiatives in advocacy, education and conservation.

“When women understand the role of hunting in conservation, when they support the hunting lifestyle and participate in hunting, the whole family hunts,” says Welker. “That makes women a key part of the future of hunting.”

This year, former director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and current Secretary of the Louisiana Department Environmental Quality Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto addressed the group at the Mix & Mingle, urging them to advocate for the hunting lifestyle at every level of government. Participants of the WGH 100 Woman Challenge also gathered at the event for a group photo along with SCI Ambassadors Melissa Bachman, Kristy Titus and Anna van Nostrand. Also there, SCI Diana Award winners, SCI Foundation Sables and a variety of hunting professionals, including female professional hunters and outfitters, mingled with lady hunters and the hunting version of “soccer moms,” to recognize the important role that women exercise in maintaining the hunting lifestyle today.

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More than 800 exhibitors set up booths in the convention hall, providing attendees with unparalleled options and opportunities to book hunting trips across the U.S. and worldwide. Some of the outdoor industry’s most recognizable companies showcased cutting-edge products, including firearms, accessories, optics, ammunition, archery, gear, and other tactical and hunting goods. Other notable vendors sold exquisite luxury goods like fur, furnishings, clothing, and jewelry.

Attendees who sought educational and informational sessions could attend presentations about hunting, fishing, shooting, and various additional outdoor activities. Seminars took place each day of the convention, including the USA Olympic Shooting Team Meet & Greet and Navigating USFWS & USDA Regulations for Importing Hunted Wildlife. Hunting celebrities like Jim Shockey and other influencer content ambassadors attended events and enjoyed the show floor. There was truly something for everyone!

Each evening, SCI held record-breaking dinners and live auctions that featured gourmet wild game meat meals, which sold out on Friday and Saturday nights, raising more than $20 million for SCI/F advocacy and conservation efforts. Convention attendees were able to listen to speakers, including Johnny Morris – Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s – and NASCAR legend Richard Childress. Following these functions, entertainers including Foreigner, Big & Rich, 38 Special, and Jason Aldean performed for enthused audiences every night. Barstool Outdoors’ host Sydnie Wells also attended for the second year in a row and stressed the importance of introducing hunting to younger generations. Each day and night, the camaraderie was unmatched as like-minded hunters gathered from every corner of the globe at the greatest celebration of hunting.

What’s more, SCI leadership presented prestigious awards to distinguished international guests and legislators in Washington, D.C., who are at the forefront of fighting for hunters’ rights abroad and here in the U.S. Especially notable honorees included MP Blaine Calkins, a member of the Canadian House of Commons, who was given this year’s International Legislator of the Year award and U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC-09), who received the prestigious Federal Legislator of the Year award. Additionally, Shane Black was awarded the CJ McElroy award, and SCI and Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s honored Richard Childress with the Morris Family Legacy award.

“The entire SCI organization extends its sincere appreciation and gratitude to all who attended this year’s Convention and once again led to record-breaking success,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “Your presence and support of SCI at our hallmark event contribute enormously to year-round advocacy efforts for hunting rights and wildlife conservation at every level of government. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year for another top-notch SCI Convention, and for ten more years here at Music City Center!”

SCI is excited to announce the 2025 Convention will again be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from January 22-25, 2025. You won’t want to miss out – see you there!

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SCI’s Women Go Hunting initiative invites all women attending the 52^nd Annual SCI Convention to enter the free Women Go Hunting Sweepstakes! Winners will be drawn randomly each day starting Wednesday, January 31.

Prizes include:

• Vortex Viper HD 10×50 Binoculars valued at $549, donated by Steve Scheel of Scheels
• Gold and Turquoise Necklace from Simone Jewelry valued at $2,296, donated by Victoria Welker
• SCI Special Edition Dickinson Plantation Series, Over/Under 20 Gauge Shotgun valued at $2,500, donated by SCI Membership Department
• Remington 700LTR rifle in 308 with Swarovski Z5 5-25X52 scope with ballistic turret valued at $3,200, donated by B. J. Bailey of Bailey’s House of Guns.

Winners will be drawn at 4pm each day at the Women Go Hunting booth #3412 and must be present to win. The Remington rifle will be awarded Saturday, February 3, 2024, and presented to the winner on stage at the Saturday evening event.

Entry is free. Women can scan the QR code to enter at the Women Go Hunting booth. Participation is limited to women only. Must be 18 years or older. See complete prize descriptions and sweepstakes rules at safariclub.org/women-go-hunting/.

“We want every woman coming to convention to have the opportunity to win one of these great prizes,” says Chairwoman Denise Welker. “Come see us at our booth to enter!”

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This story originally appeared in the August 2023 edition of SCI’s Safari Times.

Does a little girl have a place in the hunting world? How can a teenage girl stand her ground in the war on hunt­ers? Can a young woman find who she is meant to be by glassing a mountain­side or chasing elk bugles at dawn?

Here are four who did.

This month, SCI’s Women Go Hunt­ing (WGH) initiative celebrates the daughters who hunt and have risen to be passionate advocates for hunt­ers and sustainable-use conservation. SCI Litigation Associate and Women Go Hunting committee member Madie Demaske rounded-up three of SCI’s past Youth Hunter Award winners, young women who found their calling in the outdoors, and whose character and determination were forged in the wild.

These are their inspirational stories. Share them with the girls in your life, and don’t wait, take your daughter, granddaughter or niece hunting today! 

-Barbara Crown, SCI Hunter Information Service

Madie Demaske – SCI Litigation Associate

I don’t remember my first hunt; I was only 18-months old and strapped in a baby carrier on my dad’s back. My mom had to work and what better thing to do with your infant child than find a mule deer doe for the freezer.

My dad still remembers my little feet kicking his back and saying, “Got ’em! Got ’em!” Who would have thought that day would kickstart my passion for hunting and eventually lead me to work for the largest hunting organiza­tion in the world?

After my first hunt, you could not get me out of camouflage. I wasn’t old enough to hunt myself, but I was old enough to fetch geese from the ground pit, to taste test all the donuts and breakfast burritos, and spot all the deer before the boys. It wasn’t until I turned 8 that I had a tag in my pocket – a turkey tag. From there I became obsessed. First it was a turkey, then a deer, then a bighorn sheep, then a Cape buffalo, then a markhor.

Not only did my first hunt kick start a passion that would take me around the world hunting, but it also lit a fire inside me to fight for hunting. It wasn’t until I was in college that I realized I wanted to become an attorney, so I could use the gifts I had been given to protect access to hunting. I wanted ev­ery little girl and boy to have the same opportunities I had, to have the ability to sip hot cocoa in a goose blind with their dad or to travel in pursuit of wild game.

What better way to do that than to work for SCI? After I passed the bar exam, I began interviewing for my cur­rent position. During each interview, I mentioned my passion for hunting and desire to protect it for the future gen­eration. They must have liked what I said because I have been on staff with SCI for almost a year as their litigation associate. It’s crazy to think of all the ways hunting has impacted and contin­ues to impact my life. 

Libby Gear – 2023 SCI & Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award Winner

At age 4, I embarked on a journey that had a lasting impact on my life. It is a journey that has shaped me into the hunter I am today. 

I began hunting with my dad. My sister and I loved hunting with him because of the quality time we shared with him and the vivid memories we made. At age 6, we hunted in Africa for the first time as a family. I had listened attentively to stories about Africa and studied pictures, but nothing prepared me for the unforgettable ad­venture that lay ahead. Africa changed everything for me as it generated an even deeper love for hunting and the outdoors than my young mind could have imagined. The memories of my joyful family bouncing in the back of a safari truck over exotic lands covered with amazing animals are ingrained in my mind. Also, I loved the kind-heart­ed people I was privileged to meet, the extraordinary hunts I experienced and the diverse cultures I encountered. I witnessed the appreciation of native people who had so little, and I learned how our presence meant much needed jobs and meat for their families. 

As I grew older, I was blessed with many hunting excursions in North America and Africa. I also came to see a need for more hunting advocates. I spoke out about hunting at every op­portunity, often facing opposition. From classrooms to social media to in­dividual conversations, I spoke about the truth of hunting. 

I came to realize that hunting is not only a part of me, but it is what drove me to become the person I am. I also learned that hunting is widely misun­derstood and that most people have no idea what the true meaning of hunting is. I want people to understand that hunting is not about trophies, but rather about habitat and conservation, irreplaceable memories and a way of life unlike any other. 

Achieving the SCI & Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award had been my goal for years. However, I was never motivated by the award itself, but rather the platform to convey the importance of our Second Amendment and the future of hunting by sharing how my adventures shaped me into the hunter advocate I am. It was a way to recognize the people on this journey with me, the places we visited and the impact we left. Being recognized as the award winner provided me with more opportunities to share my unique perspective. 

With constant attacks on the Second Amendment and active anti-hunters, my generation of hunters has a difficult task of ensuring hunting will last long into the future. I am determined to have a strong voice in perpetuating the life-enhancing experiences associated with hunting.

Hannah Finley – SCI & Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award Winner

Spending many days afield with my family (even before my own legs could carry me), I became deeply rooted in the outdoors and developed a wanderlust for wild and remote places. I learned to find peace in the sound of an elk bugle echoing through a canyon, and joy in mornings spent on a rough hillside glassing for black bears. 

Despite being raised around hunting, when the opportunity arose to do it myself, I was hesitant. Not knowing very many women who hunted, I wasn’t sure that it was for me. My parents had always prioritized getting us outdoors, and I had all the values, passion and the respect for nature that makes a hunter. Yet, the stereotypes associated with what a hunter should look like still ran through my head. 

My father, a true conservationist and the most knowledgeable outdoorsman I know, gave me all the tools to be a good hunter and steward of the wild. Yet, he let it be my decision as to what I would do from there – never pushing, always encouraging. When I decided to give hunting a try, rabbit hunting seemed like a low stakes endeavor. Yet, the time with my father, the neon sunset, and the joy I felt (even after a challenging day where nothing cooperated) was more than enough. I thank God that I chose to ignore what antiquated social norms said I should be and discovered what I am – a hunter.

I was hooked and I wanted to know it all, not realizing that one of the most incredible things about hunting is that you will never know it all. If you think you do, nature will humble you soon enough.

After many years pursuing everything from impala to black bears (with a special affinity for elk), I decided to apply for the SCI & Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award – not to feel accomplished, but with the desire to erase doubts in the minds of little girls who wonder if the outdoors has a place for her in it. There is a place for you in hunting, and if you feel like there’s not, make one. One day, you will be miles into the backcountry, trailing your first bull elk as the aspens quake around you, and you’ll know. This is the thing you’ve always been searching for.

Shae Greidanus – SCI & Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award Winner

Hunting is in my DNA and adventure is woven in my genes. I’m blessed to have been born into a hunting family that taught me how to shoot, care for animals and navigate the outdoors. When I was 12 years old, my family went on a hunting safari in South Africa. During that safari, I shot my first four animals: warthog, impala, nyala and gemsbok. I was hooked. Even then, I didn’t mind hours in the blind or the work that came later; I felt joy from a well-earned reward. 

Since then, I’ve traveled all over North America, Europe and Africa, hunting with a bow, muzzleloader or rifle wherever an opportunity came. As of this year, I have hunted 36 different species. 

Whether it’s sitting for whitetails in the Midwest, chasing sheep in the mountains, or playing the mind-games of leopards in Namibia, I love to hunt. There is nothing like seeing new places, diving into new cultures and learning to connect with my surroundings. I’ve learned grit, patience, strength and humility in the process. I’ve seen spectacular views, met the most amazing people and studied animals few Americans know exist. The distractions of this world disappear as soon as I look through the scope or sight.

As a young woman in this world, I’ve learned there are unique battles that women fight. One great thing about hunting is that nature doesn’t care about the differences between one hunter and another. Out there, we must be as equally skilled, self-reliant and prepared as anyone else. If you want it, you must do it yourself. Those skills translate from hunting to daily life. 

Pursuing the SCI & Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award came from a desire to encourage those who have supported me and to be an example for other young hunters. I’m honored to be part of a list of accomplished young hunters and be introduced to others who share my passion. It’s my hope to bring more young people into the hunting industry, to leave a legacy through wildlife and to represent what the modern hunter truly is. I’m incredibly thankful for my family who have taken me around the world on these adventures, and I hope everyone reading this will take their kids hunting. 

Convention Event For Women

Inspire the girls in your life. Take them to the Women Go Hunting Mix & Mingle at the 2024 SCI Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, and meet all four of the amazing young women featured here. The Mix & Mingle takes place on Saturday, February 3, 2024. It is a free, ladies-only event where women and girls can meet their female hunting heroes and role models, including Diana Award winners, SCI influencers and ambassadors, women guides, outfitters and advocates. Registration is open! Go to showsci.org. 

Also, be sure to join the SCI Women Go Hunting Facebook page and submit stories and photographs to safariclub.org/womengohunting. Women on their hunting journey should also submit their trophies for the 100 Women Challenge to Rachel Settle in the Record Book Department. Email her at rsettle@SCIFirstForHunters.org. 

The post Girls – The Future of Hunting appeared first on Safari Club.

Recently, I wrote that it seemed odd when our esteemed editor, John Geiger, suggested I might recall my favorite SCI Convention.

Out of 40-plus, they run together in my beleaguered brain. To this point, they all were either in Las Vegas or Reno. True, they are different cities, but behind the closed doors of sterile convention centers and in the bright lights of casinos, it’s tough to differentiate them. Naturally, Geiger made that recommendation before we went to Nashville.

Now the answer comes easy. For all of us who have been to multiple conventions, it’s difficult to exceed the awe and wonder when we walk in the door for the first time; seeing the great taxidermy, amazing artwork, all the outfitters and so many hunters all in one place. Otherwise, the answer is now crystal-clear: SCI’s first Convention in Nashville, Feb. 22-25, 2023, sets a new bar that’s going to be tough to beat.

In the March edition of Safari Times, I’m sure you read all the numbers: Attendance and revenue records and unprecedented banquet sellouts. I haven’t yet seen any numbers. As of the time of this writing, the Convention ended a day ago, and I haven’t even departed Nashville. While the memory is fresh, let me tell you why I rate this as such an awesome Convention.

After 50 years in gaming towns, some of us were worried. I was not. I’ve been to Nashville and love it. I also understood the location and demographics, as did our SCI leadership: Nashville is right in the middle of 7.5 million licensed hunters, and it’s within practical driving distance of half of SCI’s total membership.

So, I figured Nashville would work. Even so, it’s scary to venture into unknown territory. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait for the final bell to know that it worked.

Only a few hours after the doors opened on the first day, I knew SCI was hitting a home run in Nashville. I was just about to start my buffalo seminar with maybe a hundred people in the room. Then I had a rare flash of brilliance. I asked, “How many of you folks are attending your first SCI Convention?”

Two-thirds of the room raised their hands! No more worries. No matter what the numbers say or don’t say, I knew we had a winner!

Throughout the Convention, standing in our booth, we asked folks where they were from, and if they drove or flew. Of course, people were from all over but, as I’d expected, it seemed that a lot of folks drove to Nashville, and not just from a small circle around Tennessee.

Multiple members we talked to drove from Florida and Texas; and from the Midwest and Northeast: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. The list went on and on.

The crowd was also different with more young folks and more families. When it was in Nevada, fewer people could easily drive, so it was difficult to bring kids to the Silver State.

In Nashville, as an exhibitor, I liked having everyone in just one big rectangular hall. It seemed fair and equal. There was no “bad booth placement” in the entire room. There will always be errors, but the printed directory was simple and clear. The SCI Convention smartphone app was also effective and easy to use.

I had been warned that the aisles were narrower this year to get as many exhibitors as possible into one space. Yes, the aisles got crowded now and again. That is unavoidable with so many attendees. It wasn’t a problem though.

The Convention was easy to navigate and well-signed for finding what you were looking for. I would guess the Convention was also a shorter walk from most hotels than in Las Vegas. As a bonus, there was good country music on Broadway, only a short walk away.

I get claustrophobic in convention centers (doesn’t everyone?). Nashville’s Music City Center was unique: From any place in our hall, I could look up, see the sky and check the weather through a big, high window. If that wasn’t enough daylight, the entire lobby and main bar faced windows to the street.

As always, I saw a lot of old friends I haven’t seen for a long time. Not just since last year; in some cases, not for decades. At every Convention, some comrades from the Marines come by to look me up. Now retired nearly 20 years, they go back a long way. Since this Convention was blessed with so many new attendees, I’m certain most of us made new friends.

Whether old or new, we are all there for a variety of reasons. A successful convention is the organization’s lifeblood, the primary fundraiser that allows SCI to be “first for hunters.”

The system relies on the generosity of exhibitors in donating auction items and the generosity of attendees in bidding and buying. As is now traditional, generosity started early with the SCIF and Beretta Conservation Leadership Award Gala, which raised a record $1.1 million for SCI Foundation.

Some of us are there for entertainment at the banquets and clubs. Others were there to shop for hunts, whether at auction or on the floor. Most of us had multiple reasons and purposes. Make no mistake, outfitters are there to sell hunts, and all exhibitors are there to sell — or showcase their products and services.

One thing that is essential to the success of SCI, the Convention and the industry — exhibitors need to be happy. Other than seminars, I stay pretty well chained to my booth these days, so I don’t get around the Convention as much as I once could. However, this year an odd thing happened.

When the floor closed on Friday afternoon, I was completely out of books. This is unprecedented. In the now-decades I’ve had a booth at our Convention, we’ve never before run out. Okay, so maybe I planned poorly and should have had a larger supply, but this exhibitor is very happy.

Since the cupboard was bare, on Saturday I walked around the show and visited with outfitters and friends. At this Convention, every exhibitor I spoke to was happy. Everyone was in agreement: Nashville is a great place for SCI, bringing a new and more enthusiastic crowd than we’ve seen at Convention in many years.

I can’t let everyone off too easy. We can always improve. One of the most daunting things for exhibitors is moving into an unfamiliar convention center. Marshaling for setup was messy, slow and frustrating. Moving out at the end was, if anything, even worse.

After the show closes, we need about two hours to pack up our booth, which goes into K&K Outfitters’ trailer, along with their booth materials. Kendall Kelso sat in his vehicle for an agonizing nine hours before, at midnight, we were finally allowed to load out our booths.

Fortunately, such things are not an issue to our attendees. More fortunately, both SCI and Nashville have a year to evaluate problems and figure out how to do even better next year. Because there will be a next year in Nashville.

If you missed this Convention, I’m sorry for you — it was that good, and that much fun. But don’t fret too much. Instead, plan to join us next year, for SCI’s 52nd Convention in Nashville, Jan. 31 through Feb. 3, 2024. It won’t be just as good. It will be even better. I’m already looking forward to seeing you there!

Col. Craig Boddington is an author, hunter and longtime SCI member. He is Past President of the Los Angeles Chapter, a decorated Marine and C.J. McElroy Award winner.

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From Tennessee, we were joined by Governor Bill Lee for our opening ceremonies and ribbon cutting as well as Lt. Governor Randy McNally and Speaker of the State House Cameron Sexton. We were also thrilled to welcome Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, as well as Representatives Mark Green, John Rose, and Scott Desjarlais. Finally, we were also joined by several Tennessee State elected officials, including Senator Paul Rose and Representatives Chris Todd, Pat Marsh, Ryan Williams, Jesse Chism, Bob Freeman, and Rusty Grills. 

Our other champions in Congress in attendance included Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), SCI Federal Legislator of the Year and Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ). At the state level, we welcomed Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), who received our Governor’s Award and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, an SCI life member, who led the invocation at Friday night dinner as well as several state wildlife directors from across the country. 

Internationally, we were honored to host Deputado Eduardo Bolsonaro of Brazil, our International Legislator of the Year, and his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. We welcomed many honorable dignitaries from southern Africa, including the Honorable Minister of Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism and Her Excellency Elsie Sia Kanza, the Tanzanian Ambassador to the United States. 

Once again, we thank all of our champions across the country and world for attending and supporting the mission of SCI. Our fight in defending the freedom to hunt would not be possible without YOU, our volunteers, members, and advocates. As we conclude our 51^st celebration and look forward to the next few years, there could be no better place to celebrate than the Volunteer State!  

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As we get older, we sometimes reflect on what has influenced our lives. One of the greatest influences of my life has been my involvement in SCI. Back in the late 70’s, early 80’s we had a small local limited-edition print/ original art publishing business and decided to exhibit at the SCI Convention in Las Vegas. There we met an Alaskan artist who signed with our company and became our most popular artist. For several years in the early 80’s we exhibited original artwork at the SCI Convention. We published the 1983 Game Conservation Print that benefited the “soon to be built” International Wildlife Museum in Tucson. Our association with that Alaskan artist led to many trips to Alaska and we even owned property there for a while. If we had not met her at SCI, we would not have had the opportunity to spend as much time in Alaska and grow our business into a national company. Because of that meeting we traveled all over the USA promoting our business and meeting many great friends along the way.

My husband Bill was one of the founding members of the now defunct Middle Tennessee SCI Chapter. On one of the dove shoots they had, I brought our new Golden Retriever and introduced her to the hunt. I found that I enjoyed working the dog more than the hunting aspect and decided to train her for hunting. That led to my later career as a retriever trainer. I had the opportunity to own, breed, and train some of the best hunting Golden Retrievers in the country. I was able to spend all day outdoors doing what I loved thanks to that hunt. For many years we competed in AKC Field Trial and Hunting Tests and hunt over some awesome dogs.  We have been able to share our lives with many great dogs. 

Fast forward several years. The Middle Tennessee chapter had dissolved, and we had closed our art business. Our involvement in SCI was on the back burner. Then my husband Bill became one of the founding members of the Chattanooga Chapter of SCI (now Tennessee Valley). He began going to the SCI Convention again – as an attendee not as an exhibitor. For the first few years I accompanied him and just walked around the show floor. It seemed like he knew everyone and often stopped to talk to other attendees. I got tired of standing around and was frankly a little bored. Bill was on the SCI membership committee, and he got one of the Sables ladies to ask me to help sign up new Sables members at the Sables booth. 

I had a lot of fun and met a lot of great volunteers. But for the next few years I still just volunteered at Convention and attended the occasional in person meeting. Then a good friend who was a Sables Director announced that she was running for Sables Treasurer and urged me to run for Director. I said yes and that started my journey with Sables. Then when she ran for Vice president I ran for Treasurer and won. I made so many new friends and met so many other attendees that my husband often waited on me while I talked with other Sables members. 

During this period, my husband and I became members of Humanitarian Services and Veterans committees. We also became co-chairs of the newly formed Attendee Welcome Team for the Convention Committee.  I took a couple of years off from Sables to concentrate on Humanitarian Services Goals and getting the Attendees Team in place  

 I realized that I missed the companionship and dedication of Sables. I missed working with other like-minded women for a common goal (education). I decided to run for Director again to support my good friend Spencie Neschert in her Presidency. Then the next year I became Vice -President and now President. I still work in our eBay business but most of my other hours are dedicated to Sables and SCI business. I am excited to be able to help return the influences SCI and Sables has had on my life by having a part in influencing the future of SCI and SCIF Sables.

These are exciting times for SCI and SCIF. Under the leadership of our CEO Laird Hamberlin Sables are growing and spreading our education message to an even wider segment of the population. Sables is in the forefront of getting that message out. 

I have made lifelong friends thanks to SCI and its influence in my life. I have had an opportunity to help make a difference in our crazy world today. I have had the opportunity to experience nature, other cultures and places and worlds that most people can only dream about.

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