INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
August 19, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House and Senate are in Recess this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
WHAT WE’RE READING
Florida: Florida Approves First Black Bear Hunt Since 2015
New Mexico: New Mexico Governor Fires Wildlife Commissioner After Leaked Emails Between Her and Anti-Wolfers
Washington: Ferguson Orders Investigation Into Conduct of WA Fish and Wildlife Commission Members
Louisiana: Agents Cite Four Subjects For Alligator Hunting Violations In Winn Parish
Colorado: Wildlife Poacher Sentenced For Illegal Hunting and Trafficking In Colorado
Montana: Felony warrants Issued For Michigan Men After Alleged Wildlife Violations
Opinion: Big Game Hunters Are Not Pantomime Villains
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WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Protecting Your Freedom to Hunt
1. Florida Black Bear Hunt Approved
SCI celebrates the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) science-based decision to approve the first legal, highly regulated black bear hunt in the Sunshine State in a decade. This is a major victory for hunters and conservationists. SCI Eastern State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick, and members Tom Van Note and Scott Thomas testified in support of the season. The FWC plans on authorizing 187 black bear tags to be distributed by lottery this December to hunters who apply in four scientifically identified bear management units.
Following a contentious – albeit misinformed – statewide debate, legal, regulated black bear hunting will officially return to Florida. Safari Club International thanks FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto and the other members of the Commission for not bending to the ill-informed and emotionally driven objections to the hunt; instead, looking at the undeniable bear population statistics provided by the technical experts at the FWC and the proven success of hunting in managing bear populations. The FWC has estimated that there are more than 4,000 bears within the state, and their population continues to expand. The range of black bears in Florida has tripled over the last twenty years to cover over 50% of the state.
SCI would like to acknowledge the Commission’s leadership and FWC scientists’ proven research to ensure that this year’s hunt will be conservative and conducted with precision. SCI has been a vocal advocate of the hunting season for Floridians, consistent with its leadership on conservation issues around the globe.
2. SCI’s CEO, Advocacy Team meet with Secretary Burgum
On Tuesday August 12th, SCI met with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to discuss SCI’s top priorities for the Interior Department, including:
• Modernizing the Endangered Species Act;
• Increasing and protecting hunting access;
• Improving and supporting international conservation efforts.
SCI’s team was led by CEO Laird Hamberlin, who recently presented at one of SCI’s newest chapters—the Teddy Roosevelt Chapter in North Dakota! SCI thanks Secretary Burgum for his time and for his partnership on these key issues. We look forward to continuing to work with the Secretary and his team!
3. SCI Presents at SABHSSA
Last week, SCI participated in the South African Black Hunters and Sport Shooting Association (SABHSSA)’s Best Practice Workshop, aimed at equipping professionals and the broader public in the hunting and wildlife sector with key information on compliance requirements, applicable regulations, and industry best practices. Mpho Tjiane, SCI’s Africa Liaison, delivered a presentation highlighting SCI’s advocacy work across the hunting and wildlife conservation landscape, with a focus on promoting sustainable use, supporting regulatory compliance, and advancing the interests of hunters and conservationists both in Africa and internationally.
4. Meeting with SCI Sonora Chapter
During the week of August 11th, SCI staff, SCI Sonora Chapter leaders, and several other SCI members met near Hermosillo, Sonora to discuss chapter and member growth in Mexico, and collaboration on various policy issues that impact hunters in Mexico. SCI currently has one chapter in Mexico, but there is a lot of opportunity for growth, both in general membership and number of chapters. SCI appreciates the warm hospitality provided by Sonora Chapter President, Pablo Felix, at Rancho Don Isaac and looks forward to working together to further SCI’s mission in Mexico!
5. TTHA closes out Hunters’ Extravaganzas
During the weekend of August 15th, Texas Trophy Hunters Association wrapped up its series of Hunters’ Extravaganzas with a successful show in San Antonio. As the home to SCI’s business operations office, SCI was well represented with a number of staff on site assisting TTHA and promoting SCI’s mission. Now that the 2025 Hunters’ Extravaganzas are finished, all focus is on TTHA’s Outdoors Extravaganza in Dallas, January 9 –11, 2026.
6. Happening on the Hill
On Tuesday August 12th, SCI met with Justin Shirley, Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to discuss SCI’s priorities for the Service, collaboration at the African Wildlife Consultative Forum, and SCI’s Convention. Shirley is retired from the Utah Division of Wildlife, having finished his career there as the Director of the organization, and brings a wealth of wildlife management experience to the USFWS. SCI thanks Principal Deputy Director Shirley for his continued leadership and for supporting hunting freedoms from his new position!
7. Around the States (LA, MI, TX)
Louisiana: SCI’s Deputy Director of Advocacy Chris Tymeson traveled to the Pelican state and attended the 9th Annual SCI Acadiana Chapter banquet and fundraiser during the weekend of August 16. The sold-out event was held in Lafayette and attended by over 350 individuals. While there, Tymeson engaged with members, prospective members and the leadership staff of the Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Pictured Above (L-R): Richard Kennedy III, Acadiana Chapter President, Stephen Caldwell, SCI Regional Representative for Region 18, Sean Jackson, SCI Chapter Services Specialist, Brandon Bredemeyer, SCI Director-at-Large, and Chris Tymeson, SCI Deputy Director of Advocacy.
Michigan: The Michigan Natural Resource Commission voted in favor of a resolution to work on treating coyotes and beavers as nuisance species instead of voting on reinstating year-round coyote hunting, despite what was reported in the news.
Michigan: SCI Eastern State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick traveled to the Michigan to participate and lead a session at SCI Chapter Training during the week of August 7th. Frederick taught a session on federal, legal and state advocacy and interacted with current and future leaders from chapters all over the country.
Texas: Senior Litigation Counsel Regina Lennox (pictured below) introduced SCI’s advocacy program at the SCI Fort Worth Chapter banquet on Saturday night. The sold-out event also featured a keynote by SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin, as well as presentations by the Bell Family Foundation and Special Operators Training Foundation. The Chapter made significant donations to both organizations and raised funds to support conservation, advocacy, education, and humanitarian programs.
8. Women go Huntings (PA, IL)
DeeAndra Rohr was raised around hunting, but it wasn’t until she met her husband that she discovered a deep love for the outdoors. Their first date was a scouting trip for elk. “His love for the outdoors quickly became mine,” she says. Over the next 25 years, DeeAndra hunted a number of what she calls “respectable” animals but says her husband always came home with the bigger one. When he brought home a particularly large mule deer from the famous Arizona “Strip,” she set a personal goal to harvest a bigger buck than his. Just once – for bragging rights.
To read more click here.
9. Picture 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!
