INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
September 3, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House and Senate are in Session this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
WHAT WE’RE READING
United States: Interior expands hunting and fishing access at refuges and hatcheries
Alaska:Hunting guide sued by state for defrauding over $660K from clients
Delaware:Delaware considers extending coyote hunting season to year-round
Pennsylvania: State officials release phased approach to permitting Sunday hunting in state parks and forests
New York: Gov. Hochul hits bullseye with hunters, signs crossbow bill into law
West Virginia:West Virginia DNR: Youth hunters no longer face minimum age restriction
New Jersey: Bear hunting in N.J. survives legal attack over who is really pulling the strings in Trenton
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Campfire Conversations 85: Bears and Burgum – SCI Roundtable – Lone Star Outdoor Show
1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Publishes Annual Rule Opening Additional Hunting and Fishing
Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published the final 2025-2026 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations (commonly referred to as the Hunt Fish Rule). In June, SCI submitted comments expressing support for the opening of hunting opportunities on nine National Wildlife Refuges and the expansion of hunting opportunities on seven National Wildlife Refuges, across more than 87,000 acres. SCI applauds the Service’s final rule opening those acres to hunting, including the inaugural hunting opportunities at Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge and the formal opening of hunting opportunities at Grasslands Wildlife Management Area. However, these new opportunities are only available to hunters and anglers not using lead ammunition or tackle. SCI is disappointed the Service has not reconsidered unsupported restrictions on the use of lead ammunition or tackle that negatively impact hunting opportunities and unnecessarily limit the opening of new opportunities on Refuges. SCI has fought against these unnecessary bans in court and in Congress, and we will continue to fight for expanded hunting access to our public lands!
2. Happening on the Hill
Welcome Back, Congress! Looking Ahead as Congress Returns to Session!
As Congress returns to Washington this week, there are only 14 legislative days left before FY25 government funding expires on September 30, 2025, at midnight. To avoid a possible government shutdown, lawmakers need to pass all of the annual funding bills or a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded in the interim.
As we approach the end of 2025, SCI will be continuing to fight for the issues most important to hunters, including Endangered Species Act modernization, protecting access to public lands and affordable, traditional ammunition, and removing red tape from international trophy imports. We will be working closely with our champions on the Hill to advance major pieces of legislation, such as Gray Wolf and GYE Grizzly delisting bills as well as Chairman Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR-04) comprehensive ESA reform bill, the ESA Amendments Act.
3. Hunters’ Embassy™ Happenings
On Tuesday, September 16, SCI will hold a Hunters’ Embassy™ Lunch and Learn with Kurt Thiede of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Kurt will lead a course on state wildlife management and the impact of federal policy decisions. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Nick Uberti at nuberti@scifirstforhunters.org. We hope to see you there!
4. Guide and Outfitter Program Accepting Applications
SCI’s Guide and Outfitter Grant Program has helped fund conservation, advocacy, and education spearheaded by hunting outfitters for nearly 20 years across the globe. Previous proposals have focused on educational and training programs, conservation initiatives, community engagement and outreach. At its core this industry is about small business meeting local needs. Their efforts can be leveraged with SCI grant support. Beginning this year the program has been brought entirely online and applications can be submitted at www.SafariClub.org/GOGrants.
Guides and outfitters are the backbone of the hunting industry providing subject matter expertise to fellow hunters and returning exponential economic benefit in rural and underserved areas. SCI supports efforts to increase the profile of hunting’s positive impact on conservation and support of communities. Guide and Outfitter Liaison Everett Headley emphasizes this idea: “Hunting as an economic driver is indisputable and often the only source of funding families in remote places can depend on. When hunters travel to these areas, the impact they have lasts for generations.”
5. SCI Comment Raises Concern Over Wind Project in Newfoundland
SCI, on behalf of itself and SCI Canada, submitted a comment on a proposed wind farm and related facilities (including hydrogen and ammonia processing) in Newfoundland, Canada. The comment expresses concern that the project threatens the habitat and conservation of vulnerable caribou and moose populations and other wildlife—especially because Newfoundland’s largely undisturbed habitat currently maintains the healthiest caribou population in Canada. SCI’s comment requests further environmental review and that measures be taken to reduce the impact of turbines, pipelines, and transmission facilities to wildlife populations, and to appropriately compensate hunting outfitters who will likely lose access to valuable habitat and whose small businesses are likely to suffer. Read the comment here.
6. Success at the BENELUX Chapter
Last weekend, SCI BENELUX Chapter President Janneke (Jan) Dams hosted an event for SCI members and other hunters in Belgium. The informal social gathering was a good opportunity to mix and mingle before the hunting season starts in Europe and to share plans for future hunts. Dr. Miguel Estade, Chair of the SCI Europe Committee, spoke to attendees about SCI’s conservation projects and advocacy in Europe. He also highlighted the BENELUX Chapter’s quick growth since becoming a chapter just last year, and congratulated Mr. Dams on his and his team’s tremendous work. Prior to the gathering, the Chapter also organized an SCI measuring class, led by Nils-Ole Stubberud, SCI Regional Representative. In addition to SCI, representatives of other Belgium hunting organizations attended, including the Royal Saint Hubert Club (Valonia), Hubertus Association (Flanders) and the Big Game Hunting Federation of Belgium.
7. Around the States
Colorado: SCI joined a coalition letter commenting on the Draft Colorado Parks and Wildlife Beaver Management plan.
Delaware: SCI filed comments in the First State in support of a year-round coyote season as well as expanded youth hunting opportunities. Read the full letter here.
8. Women go Hunting
I am not a traveler. I am not a hunter. I am, in fact, a city girl who had never even fired a gun. So, imagine my surprise when, for our 10-year wedding anniversary, my husband announced he was taking me on a hunting safari in South Africa.
Holy cow. Go big or go home, right?
At first, I thought I’d just tag along for the ride. But as I started reading up on the animals of South Africa, something caught my eye: the Springbok Grand Slam—taking four unique color phases of this graceful antelope. I joked to my husband, “Well, if I’m going to do this, I might as well go all the way and get the slam!” What started as a laugh quickly took on a life of its own. Before I knew it, I was actually committed. I mean, who decides to chase a Grand Slam having never even shot a gun? Apparently… me.
To read more of Jenna Smith’s story, 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!
