INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
December 2, 2025
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House is in Session this week
The Senate is in Session this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
Pennsylvania: Sunday hunting begins in Pennsylvania for deer rifle season
Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife releases new wolf activity map
United States: Wildlife refuge managers reveal staffing struggles
Canada: Second grizzly bear captured in Bella Coola after attack, B.C. conservation officers say
Spain: Authorities ask for Spanish military to help with hunting to control African swine fever
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1. Court Considers Hunting Restrictions in Maryland
Last Tuesday, a Maryland federal district court heard oral arguments on an energy company’s request to restrict hunting on private lands during survey periods. SCI and the Property and Environment Research Center filed a brief opposing the injunction, emphasizing hunting’s critical role in conservation funding, wildlife management, rural economies, food security, and cultural heritage. The Court took the matter under advisement. The Court then issued a ruling concluding that hunting could be restricted while surveys are actively taking place, but the energy company could not prohibit hunting by simply “noticing” a survey. The Court directed the parties to confer on a procedure by which the energy company and landowners could coordinate the specific days when surveys would take place, to minimize the impact on hunting. While the order still allows some restrictions, SCI appreciates that the Court acknowledged that the energy company could not simply prohibit hunting across-the-board, and hopes the energy company will work with the landowners in good faith to reduce the disruption on their hunting seasons.
2. Zimbabwe Professional Guide Association Hosts Annual General Meeting in Harare
The ZPGA annual meeting saw the unanimous reelection of its president John Laing, a magnificent gala, and very successful benefit auction. John’s leadership has helped navigate some of the difficulties in having both professional hunting and photo safari guides under the same umbrella. A Life Membership donated by SCI raised $2900. Forefront on many minds is the current visa issue for Zimbabwe passport holders entering the United States. More than a dozen at the AGM responded when asked if they are uncertain if they will be able to attend SCI’s Annual Convention in Nashville. SCI continues to monitor these issues and work with ZPGA on responses.
3. Update from Samarkand, CITES CoP20
The CITES 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) is now more than halfway through its agenda. Thus far, decisions have gone largely as SCI and SCI Foundation expected, with some supporting sustainable use and others imposing unwarranted restrictions on trade. SCI will provide a more comprehensive report after CoP20 concludes.
Fortunately, the meeting delegates are given time to have a little fun between two long weeks of meetings. For the fourth year in a row, SCI, SCIF, and a number of partner organizations hosted a “sustainable use reception.” With more than 170 participants from 52 countries, the evening provided a valuable opportunity to meet informally, relax, and exchange perspectives. SCI thanks all of the co-sponsors, and we are especially grateful to USFWS Director Brian Nesvik, Head of the United States Delegation, who provided remarks at the reception.
Also related to CITES, SCI congratulates Zambia on the adoption of a new statutory instrument that further implements CITES requirements into Zambian national law!
Pictured below: Members of the SCI and SCIF CITES delegation with Lusizi Mwale, Zambia’s Principle Warden for Conservation
4. Happening on the Hill
With only 13 legislative days scheduled until the end of the year, Congress faces an aggressive agenda. To prevent a lapse in government funding on February 1, 2026, Congress must pass the nine remaining appropriations bills or enact another Continuing Resolution. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has signaled interest in packaging several outstanding bills, including Defense, Labor-HHS, Transportation-HUD, and Commerce-Justice-Science, into a single funding measure. The Interior bill is also under discussion for inclusion. Majority Leader Thune plans to use the Senate’s failed October vote on the Defense appropriations bill as the legislative vehicle. Advancing such a package will require 60 votes as well as unanimous consent to combine the bills, and it will likely be complicated by the fact that these Senate bills have not been conferenced with the House-passed versions. SCI has worked closely with lawmakers to see several favorable measures included in the Interior Appropriations bill and strongly encourages its inclusion in any funding packages.
Additionally, SCI joined a coalition letter from major conservation groups in opposition to proposed American Legislative Exchange Council model legislation that would limit conservation easements to twenty years. The proposal has potential tax implications for future participants and is a major infringement of private property rights. To read the letter, click here.
5. Hunters’ Embassy™ Happenings
Join SCI for a Hunters’ Embassy™ Reception! On Tuesday, December 2nd, at 4:30pm, SCI will host a reception at our D.C. office to celebrate a year of great work from our champions on the Hill and in the Administration, defending and advancing hunting rights for all Americans. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with Nick Uberti at nuberti@scifirstforhunters.org.
6. Around the States
New Jersey: SCI has called upon members in New Jersey to reach out to their lawmakers to reject anti-hunting legislation, Assembly Bill 6055. If passed, this bill would significantly alter the make-up of the New Jersey Fish and Game Council. This proposed bill would empower animal extremists to block decisions crucial for responsible wildlife management, reduce public safety through increased human bear contact, and simultaneously reduce opportunity for hunters in New Jersey.
Assembly Bill 6055 proposes to significantly change the 11-member New Jersey Fish and Game Council, replacing 3 of the 6 recommendations from New Jersey sportsmen’s clubs with individuals recommended by animal welfare organizations. Organizations of this type traditionally oppose legalized and regulated hunting. If you are a New Jersey resident, please join our Hunter Advocacy Action Center alert by clicking here.
Washington: SCI signed onto a Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Partnership letter to Governor Ferguson and legislative leaders encouraging support for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2027 funding request for enforcement activities. The coalition also met with agency leaders last week to hear updates on the requested budget and the upcoming interim committee hearings taking place in Olympia on December 4th. To read the letter, click here.
Wisconsin: SCI is pleased to support science-based wolf management and Senate Bill 665 / Assembly Bill 687 which would require the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to set a specific, statewide population goal in its wolf management plan. The bills, filed by pro-hunting champions Sen. Rob Stafsholt and Rep. Chanz Green, do not alter any existing statutes governing Wisconsin’s wolf harvest season or alter the current management framework.
7. Women Go Hunting
When Libby Gear received the Young Hunter of the Year Award in 2023, she had no idea that a whole community of women in hunting existed. She was her father’s hunting buddy. Neither her sister nor mother were interested in hunting, but she accompanied her father on every trip outdoors. Each year she went to deer camp surrounded by men and boys. And every year, someone would ask her father (right in front of her!), “Don’t you wish you had a son?” His answer each time? “She can do anything a boy can do.” So, she kept showing up, kept hunting, kept developing her skills in the outdoors. She earned the nomination for Young Hunter of the Year Award and got it. And now she is devoted to helping other young women, and youth in general, along their hunting paths.
Gear originally attended the Annual SCI Convention to accept an award, but the most valuable thing she got was a sense of belonging. She says she found her “place.” As a young woman surrounded by males in the sport she loved, Gear says she struggled to reconcile two personas, that of a hunter and dedicated outdoor lover with that of the feminine young woman.
“When I went to the Convention and the WGH Mix & Mingle, I realized there is an entire community of women who are very feminine and love hunting at the same time,” she says. “I can be both, and there are lots of other women just like me. It was so eye opening and inspiring!”
To read more about Libby’s story and Women Go Hunting events, click here.
8. Post of the Week
Victory for Florida’s Hunters and Wildlife Management!
See full post here.
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!
