SCI Legislative Update & Other Happenings | November 11, 2025

Today, SCI proudly honors and expresses its gratitude to all the brave veterans who have served in our nation’s armed forces and their families for their continued sacrifice. Veterans’ Day reminds us all of the strength and resilience of those who have risked their lives protecting our great country and its core ideals of freedom and liberty. SCI continues to stand with all of our active-duty military, retired veterans, and their families on this day and every day of the year.

Pictured above and below are displays of that commitment to serve, from SCI and SCI Foundation staff members who donned the uniform to memories of our family members who did the same, across the times and generations.

Pictured above (from L-Lower R): SCI’s Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Tymeson, serving in the 101st Airborne Division;
SCI Foundation’s Conservation Anti-Poaching Program Manager Andries Van Coller, serving as the Vice Chairman of the “Koevoet” Veterans League;
Air Force Senior Airman Robert Wyman (middle), brother to SCI’s Controller Meagan Garcia

Pictured below (From Upper L-Lower R):
Army Lt. Colonel Ben Woods, serving as a Foreign Affairs Officer, pictured at home with his three children, husband to SCI Foundation Executive Assistant Anna Woods;
Army Lt. Colonel Ewing “Stewart” Watson, who flew 47 casualty-free B-17 missions over Europe during WWII and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, grandfather to SCI’s Office Coordinator Faith Davis;
Army Lt. Col Judson B. Grubbs, II, with 20 years of Army service and two tours in Vietnam, father to SCI Foundation’s Development Specialist Kimberly Byers;
Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Jacob Rabaja, earning his fighter pilot’s wings, born to SCI’s Sales Account Manager Dan Rabaja

Pictured (From Upper L-Lower R):
Army Lt. Colonel Ben Woods, serving as a Foreign Affairs Officer, pictured at home with his three children, husband to SCI Foundation Executive Assistant Anna Woods;
Army Lt. Colonel Ewing “Stewart” Watson, who flew 47 casualty-free B-17 missions over Europe during WWII and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, grandfather to SCI’s Office Coordinator Faith Davis;
Army Lt. Col Judson B. Grubbs, II, with 20 years of Army service and two tours in Vietnam, father to SCI Foundation’s Development Specialist Kimberly Byers;
Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Jacob Rabaja, earning his fighter pilot’s wings, born to SCI’s Sales Account Manager Dan Rabaja

2. SCI Urges Court to Protect Hunting Rights and Conservation in Maryland

SCI and the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) have filed an amici curiae brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland opposing PSEG Renewable Transmission LLC’s motion to restrict hunting on private lands during survey periods. Our brief warns that PSEG’s proposal would undermine conservation funding, wildlife management, and Maryland’s hunting heritage. Hunting generates millions for conservation through the Pittman-Robertson Act, supports rural economies, and provides essential tools for managing deer and predator populations. It is also a critical food source and cultural tradition for families and communities. SCI and PERC argue that the motion violates landowners’ constitutional property rights and threatens Maryland’s efforts to recruit and retain hunters. SCI and PERC urge the Court to deny PSEG’s motion to safeguard ecological, economic, and constitutional interests.

3. CITES CoP20 Sustainable Use Voting Guide

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates trade in protected species of wildlife including the shipment of hunting trophies. SCI and SCIF are leading non-governmental organization participants in CITES and have sent representatives to CITES meetings since 1979. In late November and early December, CITES will hold its 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. For every CoP, SCI, SCIF and FACE create a “Sustainable Use Voting Guide” with recommended positions on issues that impact hunting and other sustainable use priorities. We are pleased to share the CoP20 Sustainable Use Voting Guide, available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

4. SCI Opposes Emergency Motion to Halt Florida Black Bear Hunt

SCI filed a response opposing Bear Warriors United’s emergency motion for a temporary injunction to halt Florida’s newly authorized black bear hunt. SCI’s brief explains that Bear Warriors United fails to meet the standard for a temporary injunction because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission acted within its constitutional authority and based its decision on sound science and management practices. The hunt includes strict quotas and regulations to ensure sustainability, targeting only robust bear populations across four management units. SCI emphasizes that the hunt aligns with Florida’s constitutional right to hunt and addresses growing human-bear conflicts, which currently result in more than 300 bear fatalities from vehicle strikes annually. SCI asserts that granting the injunction would undermine public interest and responsible wildlife management.

5. SCI Attends First Africa Biodiversity Summit

The first Africa Biodiversity Summit was recently held in Gaborone, Botswana November 2 – 5. Mpho Tjiane, SCI Africa Liaison, represented SCI at the event. The Summit was convened under a mandate from the African Union Assembly, which tasked the African Union Commission with creating a continental platform to address biodiversity governance and natural resource management. This inaugural Summit brought together Ministers, senior government officials, regional economic communities, international partners, private sector representatives, civil society, and experts working in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. The Summit provided a strategic forum for dialogue, collaboration, and positioning Africa’s priorities within the global biodiversity agenda. Discussions focused on unlocking sustainable financing, strengthening policy alignment, advancing community-based conservation models, and ensuring that biodiversity contributes directly to economic growth and climate resilience across the continent. For SCI, participation offered an opportunity to reinforce the role of sustainable wildlife management and regulated hunting in supporting conservation and rural livelihoods, while engaging with key stakeholders and contributing to Africa’s collective voice in international biodiversity negotiations.
Pictured above (L-R): Patience Gandiwa, Chairperson of the African Group of Negotiators on Wildlife and Director of International Conservation Affairs, ZimParks, Cyril Talo, Deputy Director at Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana, & SCI’s Africa Liaison Mpho Tjiane.

Pictured: South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden with SCI Senior State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick.

6. Shooting Complex Grand Opening in South Dakota

This past Friday, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department hosted a ribbon cutting for the newly unveiled Pete Lien and Sons Sports Shooting Complex. The well-attended event featured VIP range tours and shooting instruction from Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson and more for the couple hundred of attendees representing elected officials, national and local sportsmen’s organizations, and local supporters. The Greater Dacotah Chapter of SCI was well represented during the event and also presented a check for nearly $90,000 to the Game, Fish and Parks Department in support of the new complex. SCI’s Senior State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick also attended the event. The day wrapped up with remarks from SDGFP Secretary Kevin Robling, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and various primary sponsors recognizing the significance of the years-long project, economic impact to the local area, and importance of the complex for the continuation of sport shooting, hunting, and conservation funding.
Pictured above: South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden with SCI Senior State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick.
Pictured below: SCI Senior State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick with Greater Dacotah SCI Chapter President Gary English and other chapter leaders with their nearly $90,000 check presented to the South Dakota GFP in support of the Pete Lien and Sons Sports Shooting Complex.

Pictured: SCI Senior State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick with Greater Dacotah SCI Chapter President Gary English and other chapter leaders with their nearly $90,000 check presented to the South Dakota GFP in support of the Pete Lien and Sons Sports Shooting Complex.

7. Happening on the Hill

On Sunday, the Senate passed a procedural vote to advance a bipartisan funding package which would fund the government through January 30th, 2026. This package will still need to pass the Senate, House, and be signed by President Trump, but this marks a step towards the end of the record-long government shutdown.

SCI joined a letter with other members of America’s Wildlife Conservation Partners to support the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and for S.675, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Museum Artifacts Act. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota will be more than a museum. It will be a living institution, right next to the Badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, dedicated to inspiring the next generation to emulate Roosevelt’s multifaceted leadership, his deep belief in the responsibilities of citizenship, and unwavering commitment to conservation. For all of us, the Library will serve as a premier destination for educating current and future generations of Americans about the essential role of sportsmen and sportswomen in the conservation of our wildlife, wild places, and outdoor heritage. This institution will ensure that the story of our nation’s greatest conservationist, and the uniquely American conservation ethic he pioneered, is told with the prominence it deserves. To read the letter, click here.

8. Around the States

Wyoming: Last week, SCI Western State and Local Liaison Keely Hopkins attended the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission meeting held on November 5th and 6th in Laramie. During the meeting, the Commission heard updates from Director Angi Bruce, including upcoming bills to be heard by the legislature during the 2026 session. The Commission also voted to approve the Statewide Habitat Plan and several Game and Fish Commission Policy revisions. Pictured above (L-R): Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Director Angi Bruce, SCI Western State and Local Liaison Keely Hopkins

Colorado: SCI signed on to a Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project letter to Governor Polis and agency directors to support investing existing oil and gas production fees in proven habitat conservation and mitigation programs. To read the letter, click here.

South Dakota: The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission met last week in Rapid City, SD and SCI’s Senior State & Local Liaison Bee Frederick attended the meeting to represent SCI and the interests of our members. Most notably, the Commission voted in favor of expanding bison hunting in Custer State Park. The number of trophy bison licenses increased from 10 to 12 and non-trophy licenses increased from 20 to 25 starting in 2026. Residents will receive at least 60% of those licenses. Commission members also received updates on the current pheasant hunting season and strong population numbers, CWD and EHD in the state, and other technical updates. A full agenda of the meeting can be found here.

9. Women Go Hunting

Joy Campbell learned to hunt so she could help feed her family of 10. She grew up on a sheep farm in Southland, New Zealand and hunted with her father and brothers every opportunity she got. Later she moved to Australia, where she chased wild pigs and deer species across the outback. Now as manager of New Zealand Trophy Hunting, she oversees the hunting operations in Central Otago and Canterbury, New Zealand. It’s not just her lifestyle; it’s her profession.

“Hunting is my passion,” she says, “and I love helping women make it their passion too.”

That’s why she connected with the Women Go Hunting community and invites women of all skill levels to come experience. To read more of Joy’s story, click here.

10. Picture of the Week

*Daniel Welker and Madeline Demaske, SCI’s Litigation Associate, just returned home from a successful trip to Mexico. Daniel successfully harvested his first wild sheep with a bow!*

SCI’S HUNTING HEALS PROGRAM

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!