INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
January 6, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House is in Session this week
The Senate is in Session this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
Opinion: Why SCI? – Field Ethos
Florida: FWC releases results of 2025 black bear hunt
Nebraska: Gov. Pillen reappoints Zingula to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
California: Mountain lion expected to be considered a threatened species at February Fish & Game Commission
Colorado: CPW investigating suspected fatal mountain lion attack in Larimer County
Colorado: Colorado Parks and Wildlife launches potential hunting opportunity for wild bison
United States: U.S. Fish & Wildlife threatens to terminate Colorado’s authority to manage wolves
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
1. Recap 2025 with SCI’s Advocacy Team!
SCI’s Advocacy team is proud to present our 2025 End of Year Report. 2025 was a landmark year! We celebrated the opening of new hunting opportunities in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. We deepened engagement with the Department of the Interior to protect and expand hunting access. We reinforced ties with our Congressional champions, welcoming more than 200 staff and visitors to the Hunters’ Embassy for our rapidly growing Lunch-and-Learn series and 50 Members of Congress for various events. We delivered results in eight legal cases. We proudly supported the removal of bontebok from CITES. Across the country and across continents, our advocacy translated into real wins for hunters. Click here for a recap of what we accomplished together!
2. First Florida Bear Hunt in a Decade Complete
Just before the close of 2025, Florida wrapped up their first black bear hunting season since 2015. During the three-week hunt, 52 bears were harvested from the allotted 172 permits. SCI congratulates the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the successful hunters, on their commitment to science-based wildlife management through hunting and looks forward to continued active management of Florida’s thriving black bear population.
According to FWC’s press release following the close of the season, Executive Director Roger Young noted: “The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting. The limited number of permits issued in areas with the largest bear populations and other components of the hunt prioritized a conservative approach that ensures the long-term health of bear populations in Florida, while providing opportunity for hunters.”
For the full release, click here.
SCI was proud to support the FWC and the reestablishment of the black bear season through our local chapters and members, grassroots advocacy, direct testimony at FWC meetings, traditional and social media, as well as through our legal intervention in the lawsuit that sought to halt the season.
3. Happening on the Hill
With Congress back in session following Holiday recess, it must turn its attention to renewed funding for most federal operations. While the continuing resolution fully funded several FY 2026 appropriations bills (Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch), it extended temporary funding for all remaining agencies through January 30. On Monday, House and Senate appropriators released the text of funding deals on three spending bills: Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment and Energy-Water.
SCI supports passage of the Interior Appropriations package and applauds the House and Senate for protecting access to lead ammunition with this bill.
4. Around the States
The 2026 legislative sessions are now underway in numerous states. As expected, the freedom to hunt will once again be challenged in some states through bans on traditional ammunition, restrictions on science-based predator management, attempts to restructure state fish and wildlife commissions, or trophy import bans. In other states, SCI will be advocating on behalf of the constitutional right to hunt. SCI’s State and Local Advocacy Team will be in state capitols across the country on behalf of our members as we meet with legislators and testify before committees to encourage sustainable-use wildlife conservation. Subscribe to SCI’s Hunter Advocacy Action Center alerts and make your voice heard on state and federal issues by clicking here.
5. Attend TTHA’s Outdoors Extravaganza in Dallas this Weekend
Come join the SCI Advocacy Staff at the SCI/Texas Trophy Hunters Association’s 2026 Outdoors Extravaganza Show in Dallas this weekend, January 9-11, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center! Advocacy staff will be walking the floor, meeting with members, assisting and answering questions at the SCI Membership booth.
Two additional ticketed events are also available. On Friday night, join TTHA and SCI for an unforgettable cocktail party hosted by legendary Texas hunter Blake Barnett, and on Saturday, Texas country music star Randall King will be headlining at the 2nd Annual Legacy Gala at the Trinity Ballroom of the Dallas Omni Hotel!
It’s the biggest hunting and outdoors show in Texas, and you won’t want to miss this mix of music, hunting, and good company! For more information and tickets, go to OUTDOORS EXTRAVAGANZA – Texas Trophy Hunters Association.
6. Join Us at the 2026 Hunter Action Fund (HAF) Luncheon
Hunters make a difference every election cycle. Safari Club International members know this and continue to lead the way in electing members of Congress that are champions for hunting and conservation. SCI’s Hunter Action Fund (HAF) is the ONLY pro-hunting super-PAC. In 2024, HAF invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in close—and ultimately successful—congressional elections and state ballot initiatives. The HAF luncheon is the main annual fundraising event for SCI’s super-PAC, and as we gear up for the 2026 midterm elections, we need YOUR support to continue sending SCI’s pro-hunting message to Congress.
Come join fellow hunters on Friday, February 20th during the Convention for a world-class BBQ lunch, live music, and the opportunity to contribute to the fight for our hunting freedom. The Hunter Action Fund (HAF) – in tandem with SCI-PAC – helps to support pro-sportsmen elected officials in Congress who are our champions. HAF continues to play a critical role in getting hunters out to vote and electing pro-hunting legislators who fight to Protect the Freedom to Hunt!
Purchase your ticket today and Protect the Freedom to Hunt! To purchase a ticket, add it on your registration during the checkout process or, if you’ve already registered for the Convention, follow the instructions on the registration email you received to add tickets. Alternatively, you can reach out directly to SCI Senior State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick at Bfrederick@scifirstforhunters.org.
Friday, February 20th
Martin’s BBQ, 410 4th Ave. S, Nashville, TN
11:30am to 1:00pm
Tickets – $200
Tables – $2500 for Silver & $5000 for Gold
7. Calling All Attorneys: Earn CLE Credits in Nashville!
What’s better than attending SCI’s Convention? Getting CLE credits while you do! Join SCI for the 18th Annual Wildlife and Hunting Law Continuing Legal Education course on Wednesday, February 18th from 1:00 to 5:15 PM CST in Nashville, Tennessee. Dive into laws, regulations, and policies shaping wildlife management and conservation with top experts like former Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aurelia Skipwith, Alaska Deputy Solicitor General Jessie Alloway, and SCI’s Legal Advocacy team. The course features four credit hours including one hour of ethics. Register by February 13th for a free half day Convention pass. Click here for more information and registration information.
Even better, you can join SCI and the Second Amendment Foundation for a free two-hour Current Issues in Firearms Law Continuing Legal Education Course on Thursday, February 19th from 2:30 to 4:30 PM CST. Click here for more information and registration information.
Both courses will also be live streamed for attorneys who cannot attend in person. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top legal experts and earn CLE credits while also visiting the Ultimate Sportsmen’s Market. Secure your spot today!
8. Women Go Hunting
Black Bear Hunting is How to Celebrate 44 Years of Marriage
My husband, Dan, asked me to accompany him on a Vancouver Island black bear hunt. It was always his dream to get a big black bear on Vancouver Island, and he wanted to do it from a houseboat, which is for two hunters only. He thought it would be fun for us to do this together.
We have been married for 44 years, and I had never hunted before I married Dan. He encouraged me to try it, and I loved it! We have since hunted many species of animals together over the years, while raising our daughters.
We booked this five-day hunt with Frazier River Outfitters in 2023 but had to wait until 2025 for the houseboat hunt. We wanted to hunt with guide Dawson Deveny. It was hard to wait, but so worth it.
To read more of Sue’s story, click 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!
