INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
August 5, 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 confirms minimum count of pups in One Ear Pack
Illinois: Illinois stops gray fox hunting season indefinitely
Pennsylvania: Sunday Hunting Days set for 2025
Florida:Florida’s bear hunt elicits strong emotions, but facts still matter | Column
Western States: New bill could end bear baiting in Wyoming and other states
Spain:The Iberian lynx is back: The rebirth of the ‘ghost’ of the forest
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
SCI Fights for Florida Bear Management – American Outdoor News Magazine
Gateway Area SCI Chapter Tom Williams on WJBM Outdoor Show
1. Brian Nesvik Confirmed
Safari Club International proudly congratulates Brian Nesvik on his confirmation as the next Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! His appointment brings a seasoned conservationist, decorated military leader, and proven wildlife manager to one of the most important conservation roles in the federal government. SCI remains committed to supporting leaders like Director Nesvik who understand that ethical hunting, sustainable-use policy, and conservation go hand in hand. His leadership is a win for wildlife, for hunters, and for all Americans who value our natural heritage.
Read SCI’s statement here.
2. Florida Black Bear
On August 13, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will give final consideration to the proposed rules for the Florida bear hunt. The FWC preliminarily approved the proposed amendments to the bear hunting rules at their May meeting which includes a quota specific to four zones, season dates, tag issuance and alternatives for various methods of take.
If approved, the limited and highly regulated black bear hunt would return to Florida for the first time in a decade and allow the FWC to start managing population growth rates for the Bear Management Units, or BMUs, with the largest bear subpopulations. Florida has well over 4,000 bears, and the proposed hunt would only allow for the issuance of 187 tags divided amongst four BMUs. This represents less than 5% of the total population of bears in Florida.
SCI and SCI Foundation strongly support the FWC and their efforts – including the proposed hunt – to scientifically manage the expansive black bear population. SCI members are encouraged to submit public comment regarding the hunt and in support of the state agency using the link here.
SCI also recognizes that apex predator management can be controversial to some and, to that end, appreciates the opinion column from the Tampa Bay Times noting that facts still matter.
3. Happening on the Hill
SCI joined an American Wildlife Conservation Partners letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Not funded by taxpayer dollars, the LWCF is a successful conservation and recreation program that has enhanced wildlife habitat and hunting and fishing access in every state across the nation for more than 60 years. Read the letter here.
4. Hunters’ Embassy™ Happenings
SCI hosted a Hunters’ Embassy™ fundraising reception for Senator Jim Banks (R-IN). Joining Senator Banks was Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune (R-SD), who spoke about the ongoing Senate confirmation process. SCI thanks Senator Banks and Leader Thune for all their work to defend hunting freedoms!
5. SCI’s Advocacy Report Q4 2025
SCI’s Advocacy team had a busy quarter at the end of our fiscal year! From legal victories and the opening of new hunting opportunities to emerging threats, the team demonstrated that SCI is First for Hunters in the U.S. and around the world. Read the complete report here.
6. Around the States (PA, MT)
Pennsylvania: SCI joined various members of the Pennsylvania Sportsmen and Women Policy Workgroup in a coalition letter in support of Senate Bill 416 which would allow non-profits to sell raffle tickets for purchase via debit cards, credit cards or e-payments. Currently, all non-profits in the state can only use cash or check. The bill unanimously passed the Senate in recent weeks and await further action in the House.
Montana: SCI submitted a comment to the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission in support of the proposal by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks department to replace the wolf hunting and trapping quotas with a statewide quota and to increase the overall quota. The proposal aims to better manage and reduce Montana’s wolf population, which is required by state law. Notably, the wolf population estimate has consistently hovered between 1,050 and 1,200 wolves since delisting from the Endangered Species Act in 2011. The 2024 estimate was almost 1,100 wolves—far higher than the recovery threshold identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. SCI’s comment supports science-based predator management and acknowledges the need to balance predator and prey populations. SCI members in Montana also submitted over 100 comments in support of the proposal through the Hunter Advocacy Act Center. Read SCI’s comment here.
7. It’s Hunters’ Extravaganza Season at TTHA!
Last weekend, Texas Trophy Hunters Association kicked off their series of Hunters’ Extravaganzas in Houston, Texas. SCI was well represented at the Extravaganza by staff and the SCI Houston Chapter. Membership Manager Alexis Cassidy, Membership Development Coordinator Dakota Kinsey, and Litigation Associate Madie Demaske spent the weekend at SCI’s booth educating folks about SCI’s advocacy efforts and education initiatives and signing up new members. Hot topics of conversation included our new suppressor litigation and opening Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. If you were not able to join us in Houston, we look forward to seeing you in Fort Worth this weekend or San Antonio the following weekend!
8. Women Go Hunting
“Oh, are you going with him?” the hunting guide asked Lori Martin when she sat down to sight-in her rifle after her husband, Charlie. The Martins were about to start their elk hunt in Idaho. Lori had shot the largest moose in camp the previous hunting season in Newfoundland without her husband. This season, Charlie wanted to be with her when she shot a big bull elk. So, while they were technically hunting together, he was going with her.
“The outfitter offered hunting from horseback and ATV’s, but I wanted to hunt on foot,” said Lori. “We covered 15 grueling miles up and down mountains on the first day and saw gorgeous elk everywhere.”
She did not settle on a bull that day and proceeded to track and stalk numerous elk over the next few days.
Read more here.
9. Post of the Week
Deputy Blandford, husband of Sr. Litigation Counsel Regina Lennox, had a different sort of wildlife experience when he pulled a bear out of a vehicle. Whether hunting or hiking — be bear wise!”
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!
