INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
October 7, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House is in Recess this week
The Senate is in Session this week
Colorado: Multiple elk poached, abandoned in Las Animas County; reward offered for information
Florida: SCI seeks to join lawsuit challenging Florida black bear hunt
Louisiana: Louisiana black bear hunting lottery draws 1,330 applications from 1,119 applicants, LDWF announces
Michigan: Michigan budget leaves door open for raising hunting, fishing license fees
Michigan: Michigan bills would open hunting seasons for doves and sandhill cranes
Montana: Crow Reservation pauses non-tribal hunting to protect wildlife
Alaska: Opinion: It’s time to deliver on the statehood promise for Alaska’s waterways
United States: White House green-lights a potentially big ESA rule change
Canada: Sask. hunter raises concern over management, strategy of open antlerless elk hunt
Greece: Wolf attack in Greece prompts calls for hunting rights
Europe: New study: Hunting and shooting contribute €180 billion annually to Europe’s economy
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WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
SCI’s Hunter Information Services – What Everyone Should Know – American Outdoor News
1. The Advocacy Team’s Successful Start to FY 2026
SCI’s Advocacy team had a busy quarter to start the 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.
Please note that due to the size of the file, we recommend a stable internet connection to access the link.
2. Service and States Join SCI’s Appeal in Gray Wolves Case
In early August, a judge in the Montana federal district court ruled against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a case seeking to relist wolves in the Western United States under the Endangered Species Act. As reported in August, SCI, Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation immediately appealed the court’s erroneous decision. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana, and Utah joined SCI and our partner organizations by also appealing the district court’s decision. Briefing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is currently scheduled to begin at the end of October, but the deadline likely will be pushed back to align with the new appeals. Stay tuned for more updates on this important litigation to keep recovered wolves off the ESA lists!
3. SCI Attends Wine, Wheels & Wildlife
SCI attended the 21st Annual Wine, Wheels & Wildlife Event, held at the Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina, during the week of October 1st. The event brings together partners in the conservation and firearms community and raises funds for continued advocacy work on behalf of sportsmen and women. SCI is a Host Sponsor of the event.
4. G&O Tour of Zambia
Prior to attending the SCI Foundation African Wildlife Consultative Forum, Everett Headley, SCI Guides & Outfitters Liaison, spent two weeks in Zambia visiting with operators, ministry officials, and the executive committee of the newly formed SCI Zambia Chapter. Among other things, Headley met with the Zambia Resident Hunters Association, to discuss partnering on development of a marksmanship class and visited the WONS orphanage with several SCI Foundation/Bell Family Foundation blue bags filled with gifts for the children. Headley also discussed issues of importance to SCI, including training more SCI Official Measurers and collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism on re-development of the state tannery.
5. SCI CEO Hamberlin in Brussels for FACE General Assembly
Last week, SCI’s CEO Laird Hamberlin was in Brussels to attend the General Assembly of the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE). Headquartered in Brussels, FACE represents and advocates on behalf of millions of hunters from throughout Europe. SCI’s attendance at the FACE General Assembly continues to build SCI’s partnership with FACE, which has been a pillar of SCI’s European efforts for years.
CEO Hamberlin also met with members of the European Parliament, Ambassadors from Mozambique and Botswana, partner organizations, and the SCI Benelux Chapter. Issues discussed throughout the week included the European Parliament’s CITES resolution, trophy import bans, transport of animals, the Habitats Directive, and lead ammunition regulations. SCI International Director Carsten Ottesen, Slovakian Chapter President Dr. Zsolt Puha, and SCI Europe Liaison Juan Magaz joined CEO Hamberlin in many of the meetings. SCI looks forward to continuing to expand its engagement in Europe!
6. SCI Iberian Chapter Gives Back in Madrid
On Saturday in Móstoles, Spain, the City Council held its annual solidarity paella, in which the SCI Iberian Chapter has participated for the last four years. The Chapter cooks and supplies the paella with game meat, such as roe deer and wild boar. Approximately 3,500 people were able to receive a portion of the paella. In return, each participant donated non-perishable food to the local food bank. Mayor Manuel Bautista awarded the President of the Iberian Chapter, as well as the presidents of other participating clubs (Peñas), with a plaque to commemorate their invaluable contribution to the city. This event continues the Iberian Chapter’s well-known humanitarian and educational efforts throughout the region.
7. Happening on the Hill
Today marks the sixth day of the federal government shutdown. Last week, the Senate again failed to invoke cloture on both S.2882, the Democrat-introduced continuing resolution (CR), and H.R.5371, the House-passed CR. The House-passed measure failed 54-44, with Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Angus King (I-ME), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) joining Republicans, and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) voting against the measure. Both the Democratic alternative and the House-passed CR have been refiled for cloture upon reconsideration, with another round of votes expected this evening. The House is expected to remain out of session this week.
SCI continues to advocate for Senate passage of the House’s “clean” CR extending current government funding levels as the quickest route to ensuring that public lands remain open and reducing impact on hunting seasons and public employees nationwide.
8. Around the States
Colorado: SCI joined a Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project coalition letter to the Parks and Wildlife Commission on several agenda items that will be discussed during their upcoming meeting on October 9, particularly an agenda item on wild bison management. Read the letter here.
Montana: SCI joined a coalition letter to the Montana State Land Board supporting the Montana Great Outdoors Working Forest Easement – Phase 2, a project that SCI previously supported. The project will keep over 50,000 acres of private timberlands in operation while guaranteeing long-term public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other recreational uses and thoughtful management of wildlife habitat on these acres. Read the letter here.
Tennessee: SCI joined a coalition letter sent to Governor Bill Lee that advocates for a dedicated and sustainable funding source for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The Agency, which works to manage all of Tennessee’s fish and wildlife for the benefits of its citizens, has seen increased operational costs in recent years that may threaten the effectiveness of the TWRA’s Agency’s work. Creating a new and dedicated revenue stream for the TWRA would allow for the state to take a sustainable and meaningful step in better managing the wildlife and fisheries in perpetuity. Read the letter here.
9. Women Go Hunting
“It Looked Like No Bear for Me…”
It was no easy task, but after six hard days of hunting, I got my big bear! It was my second bear, and I got him in Kamiah, Idaho, with Mike Popps Nature Adventures. I had several opportunities to take a bear on this hunt but turned them all down. The dogs had treed one bear, but it was too little, and we had seen two bigger ones at the baits. One day we sat at the bait for seven hours, another day seven and half hours, other days were four to five hours on a bait, and we took the dogs out every morning. We were up at 4:30 am and in bed by 9 pm. We did everything right, but no bear for me. That’s hunting!
To read more of Lisa’s story, click here.
10. 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!
