INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
July 22, 2025
Washington, D.C.
The House and Senate are in session this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
WHAT WE’RE READING
Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides wolf update to Parks and Wildlife Commission
Louisiana: Louisiana black bear hunting lottery to open July 28, LDWF announces
New Mexico: Mexican Wolf Located North of Interstate 40 in Northwest New Mexico
Wisconsin: DNR publishes fall 2025 hunting and trapping forecasts
South Africa: Hunting industry’s hidden value: R45-billion boost for South Africa’s economy and conservation efforts
Other News: Tackling a tall story — a myopic focus on trophy hunting harms real giraffe conservation
Other News: Former NFL star bashed by anti-hunters and news outlets who can’t keep their antelopes straight
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Down the Barrel Podcast | Tony Roettger from MNSCI
1. SCI and Partners Challenge New Jersey’s Unconstitutional Ban on Possession of Suppressors
Last week, SCI and partners sued the State of New Jersey over its unconstitutional ban on possession of firearms suppressors. This case was filed with the American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation, Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, and the New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate. Suppressors regulate the noise of a gunshot to safe levels for avoiding hearing loss. The National Hearing Conservation Association, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership among others all recommend the use of suppressors as a tool to mitigate preventable hearing damage for hunters and shooters. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of New Jersey’s ban on suppressors, which are considered “arms” under the Second Amendment. The government cannot categorically ban them without first proving a historical tradition of such bans—a burden it cannot meet.
2. Happening on the Hill
Safari Club International (SCI) has long supported science-based wildlife management and have repeatedly litigated against anti-hunting groups that ignore the science in favor of emotional ploys that drive their fundraising.
During our Lobby Day in May, SCI supported modernization of the Endangered Species Act and protecting access to traditional ammunition and fishing tackle for sportsmen and women. On Tuesday, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to advance bills removing the Yellowstone grizzly bear population from the ESA and preventing unsupported restrictions on the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands. SCI is proud to stand in support of H.R. 281 and H.R. 556 that call for science and fact-based conservation that impacts hunters across the U.S.
3. Hunters’ Embassy™ Happenings
On Wednesday, July 16, SCI hosted Representative Vince Fong (R-CA-20) for a Hunters’ Embassy™ fundraising reception. SCI thanks Rep. Fong for his work to protect hunting freedoms in D.C.!
On Tuesday, July 22, SCI will host a Hunters’ Embassy™ Lunch and Learn with guest speaker Michael Williams of the American Suppressor Association. Michael will be leading a course on the current state and the future of suppressor regulation. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Nick Uberti at nuberti@scifirstforhunters.org
4. SCI Europe Chapters Gearing Up for Busy Fall
Kids in Nature: SCI’s Kingdom of Denmark Chapter is leading the charge to educate youth in Denmark and throughout Europe by co-hosting the Kids in Nature conference. The conference will be held at the Brahetrolleborg Castle in Faaborg, Denmark, August 22-24, 2025. SCI Foundation has contributed funds towards executing the conference, and Laurine Wolf, SCIF’s Deputy Director of Education and Humanitarian Services, will be a presenter.
Kids will have the opportunity to learn through real experiences in nature and wildlife, learning to hunt, harvest, and cook. The conference also aims to inspire others to get kids in nature, share professional knowledge and education materials, and create a pan-European network of professionals committed to getting kids in nature and participating in sustainable harvesting of nature’s surplus.
The conference is intended for anyone interested in the subject, regardless of whether they approve of hunting. Participants will include delegates from NGOs, politicians and opinion makers, media, and hunting organizations from across Europe.
Helvetia Chapter: The SCI Helvetia Chapter will host its annual Grand Weekend in Gstaad, Switzerland which includes a shooting competition and a gala dinner. The Grand Weekend is scheduled for August 22-24, 2025.
Middle East Chapter: The SCI Middle East Chapter will host a first gala dinner, a two-day event, in Doha, Qatar on September 12-13, 2025. This promises to be an exceptional chapter gala, with many well-known hunters in attendance, including five Weatherby Award winners. Registration is open HERE
5. NMCOG’s First Annual In-Person Meeting since 2020
New Mexico’s Council of Outfitters and Guides hosted their first annual meeting since the Covid pandemic in 2020. Over two dozen outfitters and guides from around the state showed robust support for their industry. Of note was the release of their 2024 Economic Impact Study of Guided Hunting & Fishing. Over 42,000 nonresident guided hunters and anglers spent $233 million in 2023, supporting 8,700 jobs. This translates directly into the foundations of small businesses, rural economies, and local families. Elk hunters alone brought in 75% of total hunter dollars. Everett Headley, Outfitters and Guide Liaison, and Chris Tymeson, Deputy Director for Advocacy, attended to show continued support of NMCOG and recount SCI’s hunting advocacy efforts. NMCOG Executive Director, Kerrie Cox Romero, commented, “It felt great to get back into our old routine and to have the continued support of SCI. Our relationship is as strong, or stronger, than it’s ever been.”
6. Around the States (AZ, AL, CO, PA)
Arizona: Deputy Director for Advocacy Chris Tymeson traveled to the Copper State during the weekend July 20th for the 2nd annual banquet and fundraiser of the Phoenix SCI Chapter. While there, Tymeson addressed the over 300 attendees on the local, state, federal, international and legal advocacy efforts of SCI.
Alabama: On Monday night SCI Eastern States and Local Liaison Bee Frederick attended a legislative reception hosted during the Southern Legislative Conference in Birmingham, AL. During the event, of which SCI was a proud sponsor, Frederick visited with state elected officials from across the region on SCI priority issues and also interacted with trusted conservation partners.
Colorado: SCI submitted comments in the Centennial State on the Staunton State Park 10-year Draft Management Plan, requesting development of a limited draw archery hunting program. Read the letter HERE
Pennsylvania: Last week, the Lehigh Valley Chapter of SCI hosted their annual SCI-PAC fundraiser where members gathered in support of SCI’s political action committee and our campaigning efforts. This event was graciously hosted by current NRA president Bill Bachenberg and raised over important funds that will go directly towards ensuring pro-hunting Members of Congress remain in office.
7. Victory for Hunters – Court Protects Hunters’ Personal Information
As reported last week, SCI recently filed an amicus brief in a Texas state court case arguing against disclosure of hunters’ personal information as an unwarranted invasion of their rights to privacy and adverse to state policy. Fortunately, the court agreed with SCI and held that hunters’ names and personal identifying information do not need to be disclosed. SCI staunchly opposes hunter harassment and will continue to advocate against unnecessary disclosures of hunters’ personal information.
8. SCI Meets with OIRA to Discuss Alaska Regulations
The team met with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to discuss implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order on Alaska, “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Potential,” and more specifically language rescinding the 2024 Hunting and Trapping on National Preserves in Alaska rule. Earlier this summer, SCI sent the National Park Service a letter requesting a status update and consideration of adopting recommendations previously offered by the State of Alaska that would align administration of National Parks and Preserves in Alaska with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. We met with OIRA to boost the message in that letter. Attending the meeting was staff from OIRA, the Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service, as well as Ben Mulligan from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
9. Women Go Hunting
I did not come from a hunting family. In fact, there was not even a gun in our house when I was growing up. It was not that I was raised to be against either of the two, it was just not something that anyone in my family knew anything about. I laugh now when I think about where my life has gone. How food used to come from the store, and how my dad’s idea of home defense was a baseball bat.
My first real exposure to hunting came when I went on a first date with the man that is now my husband. When I asked Bo what all he liked to do, hunting instantly came up. I was shocked when the conversation started with deer, ducks, and turkeys, but what quickly followed were stories of Africa, New Zealand, Alaska and other faraway places. Hearing him talk about his house being full of taxidermy was also more than a little terrifying. I kept thinking, “Who is this mountain man sitting across from me” and “Who has nine deer heads hanging in their dining room?” In the end my defenses wore down, or maybe it was his charm that won me over. But little did I know that my lifestyle, hobbies, and dreams were all about to change.
10. Post of the Week
Hunting Heals is a humanitarian project offered by Four Corners SCI. We’re dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by offering them transformative hunting experiences. CLICK TO LEARN MORE!
