INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
September 30, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House is in Recess this week
The Senate is in Session this week
Arkansas: Arkansas hunters check 162 alligators in first weekend of season, 42 tags remain
Wisconsin: Wisconsin wolf population up to 1,200 under revised estimates, improved tracking
Michigan: Michigan warns waterfowl hunters of bird flu presence in wildlife
Florida: 163K people just applied for 172 Florida bear tags. a bunch of applicants were anti-hunters
Montana: Robo-bear: Montana has robotic bear that teaches residents to be ‘bear aware’
United States: House and Senate move to tackle wildfire risk through forest conservation
United States: The Interior Department is taking steps to implement layoffs
Canada: Nova Scotia lowers age for big game hunting to 12, extends deer season
Pakistan: Pakistan’s northwest province reports record $1.9 million from trophy hunting permits
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Heritage of the Hunt Podcast | Episode 6 – Boone & Crockett Club
SCI After Dark – The Entertainment Experience of the Year – American Outdoor News
1. SCI Celebrates National Hunting & Fishing Day
On Saturday September 27th, SCI celebrated the 53rd annual National Hunting & Fishing Day! Founded in 1972, National Hunting & Fishing Day has grown into a powerful grassroots movement, with events held in communities across all 50 states. From youth fishing derbies and hunter education workshops to shooting sports demonstrations and conservation service projects, these gatherings are designed to introduce new audiences to the outdoors while celebrating the vital contributions hunters and anglers make to conservation. Highlighting the importance of these contributions, Governors from over 40 states issued proclamations recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day in their respective states.
Hunters and anglers are the leading contributors to wildlife conservation in the United States, thanks to licensing fees, the Pittman-Robertson Act, and the Dingell-Johnson Act, which direct excise taxes on hunting, shooting, and fishing equipment toward wildlife management, habitat restoration, and outdoor recreation access. Together, they have generated more than $57 billion for conservation.
Here at SCI, we are proud sponsors of National Hunting and Fishing Day and this past weekend our staff, as well as our members, took to the great outdoors and public lands to enjoy all that our great nation has to offer. SCI proudly celebrates conservation, tradition, and the great outdoors today, and EVERY DAY; and as always, is FIRST FOR HUNTERS.
2. SCI Foundation Hosts 23rd African Wildlife Consultative Forum
Last week, the 23rd African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) was held in Livingstone, Zambia. As a key initiative of SCI Foundation, AWCF brings together essential stakeholders—government wildlife management authorities, hunting associations, community members, and researchers—to tackle pressing issues in sustainable use conservation across Africa. This year, AWCF kicked off with a powerful keynote address by Hon. Minister Rodney Sikumba, calling for collaboration among Southern African range states and promotion of community-led conservation of natural resources. Working groups addressed elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard management; community engagement in decision-making; hunting as a component of a broader wildlife economy; and social acceptance of hunting.
With the 20th CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) less than two months away, much of the AWCF agenda focused on CoP preparations. Government representatives met to discuss various issues that will be addressed at the CoP. Joint positions are being developed for finalization by government ministries across Southern Africa.
SCI staff was well-represented at the AWCF, working in coordination with SCI Foundation colleagues. SCI greatly appreciates the Foundation’s commitment to hosting the AWCF each year and looks forward to continued success for this flagship program!
3. SCI Emphasizes Hunting & Sustainable Use at AFWA Meeting
Wildlife directors and professionals from all across North America gathered in Tucson, Arizona during the week of September 21st for the 115th annual Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Meeting, hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Safari Club International (SCI) was in attendance to represent its membership and engage on conservation and hunting issues. SCI State and Local Liaisons Bee Frederick and Keely Hopkins and SCI Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Tymeson attended, meeting with elected officials, wildlife regulators and other non-governmental organizations on topics of importance to SCI and its chapters and members. The meeting included SCI presentations at the Legal and Sustainable Use Committees as well as participation in many other committees including concerning lead ammunition and the various networking and social meetings and opportunities. SCI continues to lead from the front and is always First for Hunters. Pictured L-R: Bee Frederick, Eastern State and Local Liaison, Keely Hopkins, Western State and Local Liaison, and Chris Tymeson, Vice President of Government Affairs.
4. SCI Intervenes to Defend Florida Black Bear Hunt
Just yesterday, SCI moved to intervene in a case in which Bear Warriors United, a Florida-based anti-hunting group, filed a legal challenge to Florida’s recently approved black bear hunt. Bear Warriors lawsuit, a civil complaint filed in Tallahassee/Leon County, alleges that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) decision was based on old population data and that the FWC’s vote violated the state’s constitution. SCI has a strong interest in defending continued responsible management of black bears in Florida through regulated hunting. SCI brings a unique perspective not covered by the Defendant FWC, because we represent people who wish to hunt bears, as well as hunting guides, landowners, and those who are forced to live with a growing bear population. This is the first step in the litigation, and now the real work of defending the FWC’s science-based determination to open a highly regulated black bear hunt begins. Our involvement is critical: if Bear Warriors succeed, black bear hunting in Florida will be closed, again. Legal, highly regulated hunting will be shut down, and black bear populations will continue to increase and expand their range unchecked; and human-bear conflict will continue to go unmanaged.
5. Happening on the Hill
FY 2025 government funding expires on September 30. To prevent a lapse, Congress must pass either all 12 of the annual appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR). SCI will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for the passage of the FY25 Interior Appropriations bill, which contains several provisions favorable to hunters including access to lead ammunition, public land access, and ESA reform.
6. Hunters’ Embassy™ Happenings
This week in the Hunters’ Embassy™, SCI met with Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang in the Hunters’ Embassy. Joining Commissioner Vincent-Lang was Joe Felkl, the Department’s Legislative Liaison, and Chris Krenz, Wildlife Science Coordinator. We look forward to working with the Department to keep Alaska open for hunting!
7. Around the States
Oregon: SCI joined an Oregon Sportsmen’s Conservation Partnership coalition letter to the Governor’s staff regarding the current vacancy on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and characteristics desired for successful applicants. Read the letter here.
Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is accepting applications from hunters, anglers and trappers to join the Sportsperson’s Roundtable. Volunteering for the Sportsperson’s Roundtable is an opportunity to share insights with CPW on critical wildlife management and recreation issues. Click here to learn more or apply.
Michigan: Late last week, Senate Bill 276 and Senate Bill 277 – the bipartisan licensing restructure package from SCI members Senator John Bumstead and Senator John Cherry – was reported favorably out of Committee. SCI submitted a card in support of the bill. The standalone licensing package overhauls the fees associated for hunters, trappers, and anglers, and creates new revenue for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR); it is a priority bill for SCI and the sporting conservation community at large in Michigan, especially as the state’s budgeting process plays out in the legislature.
8. Women Go Hunting
Charlotte Catlin hunted this amazing red stag on New Zealand’s South Island earlier this year. She is just one of the many participants in the Women Go Hunting Awards Challenge, where women can win a $100 gift certificate from Próis Hunting when submitting their hunting photos. It’s all part of SCI’s Women Go Hunting initiative, recognizing the accomplishments of women who hunt and inviting them to share their hunting photos and stories. All entrants will be featured on SCI’s website, publications, and Women Go Hunting photo wall at SCI’s Convention next February in Nashville. Join us today by submitting your photo and story here! And be sure to sign up for the Women Go Hunting newsletter.
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!
