INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
September 16, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House and Senate are in Session this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
Florida: FWC to open bear harvest permit applications for 2025 season
Louisiana: LDWF agents cite 32 subjects for dove hunting violations on opening weekend
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania hunters celebrate first legal Sunday hunting
Arizona: Drought drags down Arizona quail, but commission rejects changes to hunting season
Canada:Bloodvein First Nation stands firm on non-Indigenous hunting ban as season nears
United States:Study reveals 96% of U.S. poaching goes undetected, costing $1.4 billion each year
United States:Just a year after it was implemented, the BLM plans to rescind the Public Lands Rule
United States:Trump’s Interior Department tightens public land purchase process
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Dr. Keith Tidball, New York State Conservation Council
1. SCI Met with US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik
Last week, Safari Club International President Jeff Meyerl, along with former SCI President Sven Lindquist and SCI staff Louis Cole, Chris Tymeson, Regina Lennox, Jeremy Clare, and Nick Uberti met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik and Senior Advisor to the Director Josh Coursey. After discussing SCI’s top priorities for Service, Director Nesvik provided an update on several areas of interest for SCI such, and pledged to continue to work with SCI on issues of importance for hunters. We thank Director Nesvik and Senior Advisor Coursey for their time and for their service in protecting hunting freedoms.
2. Chris Tymeson Named New VP of Government Affairs
SCI is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Tymeson as Vice President of Government Affairs, where he will lead SCI’s legislative, regulatory, and policy strategy at the federal, state, and international levels.
In this senior leadership role, Tymeson will oversee SCI’s government relations team, shape advocacy priorities, and serve as the organization’s key liaison to policymakers, agencies, and allied conservation organizations.
A U.S. Army veteran and lifelong outdoorsman, Tymeson has hunted and fished across the United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, and Europe. He was a longtime Hunter Education Instructor and has taught law enforcement officers, policymakers, and public servants on legal and regulatory matters.
He holds a J.D. from Washburn University School of Law and received his B.S. from Missouri Southern State College. He and his wife Kelley live in Overland Park, Kansas, with their four children who share his passion for the outdoors.
3. A Busy Week Advocating & Engaging in DC
Last week was a busy one in Washington, DC, with SCI leadership and staff demonstrating SCI’s commitment to anti-poaching and promoting SCI’s priorities on Capitol Hill.
SCI proudly sponsors the Boone & Crockett Club “Poach and Pay” program, and President Meyerl, Regina Lennox, and Jeremy Clare attended a press conference announcing the results of a multi-year study on the scope, conservation impact, and typologies of poaching in the United States. The study results shed light on the scope of the problem, and its recommendations will drive change and improvement in enforcement of anti-poaching laws. SCI remains committed to combatting poaching, at home and abroad, and to further collaborating with the Boone & Crockett Club on implementing the study recommendations.
Following, SCI President Jeff Meyerl, former SCI President Sven Lindquist, Litigation Counsel Regina Lennox and Jeremy Clare, and Federal Liaison Nick Uberti met with House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson (PA-15) to discuss SCI’s priorities and ways that SCI can be helpful to the Committee. Among other things, we highlighted areas of Forest Service oversight important to hunters and outfitters. Pictured above (L-R) Former SCI President Sven Lindquist, Chair G.T. Thompson (PA-15), SCI President Jeff Meyerl.
Nick Uberti and Louis Cole also attended a fundraising lunch benefiting Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO-05). Then Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Tymeson, Nick Uberti, and SCI COO Louis Cole met with Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) to discuss the Endangered Species Act and areas where the legislation can be improved.
And finally, SCI also attended the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s 36th Annual Banquet and Auction, where SCI President Jeff Meyerl proudly accepted an award for SCI’s longtime partnership with CSF.
4. SCI Provides Input at Public Hearing on CITES
Last week, SCI’s Jeremy Clare provided comments at a live U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listening session about priorities for the upcoming 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The listening session allowed Service staff to hear the opinions of various individuals and organizations regarding agenda items to be addressed at the CoP, which will occur in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in late November and early December. Through this process, the Service is finalizing its negotiating positions. Among other things, SCI’s comments requested support for several of the proposals that would remove or reduce restrictions on the international trade of certain species, including bontebok, southern giraffe, and peregrine falcon. More extensive written comments are due to the Service on Wednesday, September 17th.
5. Welcome Jake Hill to the CCLE
The SCI Center for Conservation Law and Education welcomes Jake Hill as our first Legal Intern! Jake is a wildlife biologist, forester, and soon-to-be lawyer. He is currently a third-year law student at the Texas Tech University School of Law where he intends to graduate with his Juris Doctorate in 2026. He graduated in 2022 from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.S. in Forestry and an emphasis in Forest-Wildlife Management. Jake is certified as an Associate Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society and as a Candidate Certified Forester by the Society of American Foresters.
Jake has extensive experience working in the field for private companies, nonprofits, and state wildlife agencies. He has also worked internationally in both South Africa and Zimbabwe where he was actively involved in hunting and conservation initiatives. Jake is an active hunter, fisherman, naturalist, woodsman, and general outdoorsman.
Jake will work on the Center’s newest cases, including defending the recently approved hunt of Florida black bear and defending state management of natural resources in Alaska. Welcome, Jake!
6. Hunters’ Embassy™ Happenings
Last week at the Hunters’ Embassy™, SCI hosted 2025 Legislator of the Year Senator John Curtis for a fundraising breakfast. SCI also hosted Rep. Carol Miller (WV-01) for a fundraising luncheon.
Join us on Tuesday, September 16th for a Hunters’ Embassy™ Lunch and Learn! Kurt Thiede of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies will present on state wildlife management and the intersection with federal policy. If you would like more information or to RSVP, please contact Nick Uberti at nuberti@scifirstforhunters.org.
7. Around the States
Pennsylvania: Last week Eastern State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick traveled to Harrisburg, PA to join local chapter leaders Dan Soliday (Lehigh Valley), Mike McConahy (Blue Mountain), and Matt Smith (Blue Mountain) for a National Hunting and Fishing Day event in the State Capitol Rotunda. During the event, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and various sportsmen’s organizations set up tables to educate lawmakers and their staff on the importance of hunting and fishing in the Commonwealth. While there, the SCI group met with former SCI State Legislator of the Year and Sunday hunting champion Sen. Dan Laughlin as well as Senate Game and Fisheries Chair Greg Rothman to discuss issues of importance to SCI members.
8. Women Go Hunting
I have been hunting since I was four years old, and I knew then that the outdoors would be a permanent part of my life. I love to hunt everything! But anything involving my bird dogs or turkey hunting is a favorite! Currently, I serve as the Iowa Program Coordinator for Pass It On, Outdoor Mentors, a nonprofit organization that encourages youth to participate in hunting and fishing activities. I also have my own organization, Woods and Waters Project, where I host and teach outdoor-related events for adults, primarily focused on women! I am involved with a number of conservation and outdoor groups and love to give back and empower others as much as I can! – Steph Lane
About Women Go Hunting: SCI’s Women Go Hunting program welcomes women and girls of all experience levels in the outdoor lifestyle. We celebrate women’s contributions and accomplishments, help them network, enhance their hunting knowledge, and find hunting opportunities.
Read about the hunting journeys of other women and girls here. Submit your own photo and story here. And to sign up for the Women Go Hunting Newsletter, go 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!
