SCI Legislative Update & Other Happenings | January 21, 2026

Last week, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum issued Secretarial Order 3447, which will expand hunting and fishing access on federal lands. Many of the actions outlined in the Order reflect requests by SCI in our 2025 Priorities for the Trump Administration. SCI commends Secretary Burgum for recognizing the vital role hunters and anglers play in conservation.

Secretarial Order 3447 directs agencies within the Department of the Interior to make hunting and fishing access a priority, as required by federal laws like the Dingell Act or National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. It also instructs agencies to eliminate unnecessary regulatory barriers and strengthen coordination with state, tribal, and territorial wildlife authorities. In addition, the Order prohibits restricting the use of traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle unless there is clear scientific evidence of population-level impacts to wildlife.

Most importantly, the Order states plainly the Department’s policy that “public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies.” SCI is encouraged and uplifted by this commitment.

This Order marks an important step toward advancing President Trump’s effort to “Make America Beautiful Again.” Hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters are primary contributors to wildlife conservation funding in the United States and have played a central role in acquiring millions of acres within the National Wildlife Refuge System and other public lands.

SCI extends its gratitude to the Secretary and all Department agencies for their dedication to conservation, public access, and the sporting community. We invite our members to join us in celebrating this historic Order.

2. U.S. Weighs in on U.K. Trophy Import Ban Proposal

Last week, the Trump Administration expressed its opposition to a bill pending in the U.K. Parliament that would prohibit the import of hunting trophies. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum sent a letter noting his concerns to U.K. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds. In the letter, Secretary Burgum explained that “legal well-regulated hunting—particularly trophy hunting—plays a vital role in supporting healthy wildlife populations, restoring habitat, and supporting local economies.” He warned of the “unintended consequences” of diminishing these conservation benefits with a blanket ban on all imports. SCI has long opposed efforts in the U.K. to ban trophy imports and thanks Secretary Burgum for his engagement on this issue. Read the letter here.

3. West Texas Hunting Extravaganza a Major Success

SCI’s West Texas Chapter hosted its annual hunting extravaganza last weekend in Midland, and the turnout was nothing short of impressive! More than 1,000 people came through the doors to enjoy true Texas hospitality, meet outfitters from across the globe, participate in raffles and auctions, and show support for ongoing conservation efforts. Members of SCI leadership and SCI advocacy staff were on hand to highlight the crucial role the West Texas Chapter plays in protecting and expanding hunting opportunities. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of attendees, the Chapter raised over $1,500,000 to advance vital conservation initiatives. It was a standout weekend for hunting and conservation in Texas, and SCI is proud to celebrate this milestone alongside the West Texas Chapter! Pictured above (L-R): Alan McClain, SCI Vice President; Madie Demaske, SCI Litigation Associate; Keely Hopkins, SCI Western State and Local Liaison; Jason St. Michael, SCI Director of Membership and Chapter Services; Louis Cole, SCI Chief Operating Officer; Tyler Daniels, SCI Secretary; and Matthew Taylor; SCI Foundation Major Gifts Manager.

4. Happening on the Hill

This week remains a busy one for conservation matters in Congress! On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee is holding two legislative hearings. At 10:30 AM EST, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold an oversight hearing titled “EXPLORE America250: Celebrating One Year of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act.” At 2:00 PM EST, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold an oversight hearing titled “America First: U.S. Leadership and National Security in International Conservation.” Watch both hearings here.

Last week, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight hearing titled “Hunting and Fishing Access in the Great American Outdoors.” Among other witnesses, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik testified, expressing the Administration’s focus on maintaining and opening hunting access wherever possible. SCI thanks the Subcommittee for shining a spotlight on hunting access with this hearing, and we will continue to work with the Administration and our champions on Capitol Hill to expand access nationwide.

With the government funding deadline of January 30th rapidly approaching, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees appear to have negotiated the final four appropriations bills. They released bill language for the Defense; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills. This language has been cleared on both sides of the Capitol and both sides of the aisle. If the House passes the package this week, the Senate will consider the bills upon their return from this week’s recess.

5. Hunters’ Embassy™ Lunch and Learn

Join SCI for a Hunters’ Embassy™ Lunch and Learn! On Wednesday, January 28th, Dr. Chris Comer of the SCI Foundation and Torin Miller of Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation will discuss Chronic Wasting Disease in deer, elk, and moose populations and possible federal policy solutions to this very serious issue. We hope to see you there! If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Nick Uberti at nuberti@scifirstforhunters.org.

6. Michigan State Senator Jon Bumstead Awarded SCI’s 2026 State Legislator of the Year Award

SCI is proud to announce that Michigan Senator Jon Bumstead has been recognized as SCI’s State Legislator of the Year! A life-member and past Michigan Chapter President, Sen. Bumstead has been and continues to be a tireless advocate for hunting in the Michigan capitol.

As the current Senate Co-Chair of the bipartisan Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, which he founded in 2011, Sen. Bumstead recently introduced legislation that would increase hunting and fishing license fees to support funding the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Sen. Bumstead previously worked to pass legislation to create the Michigan Wildlife Council, whose mission is to educate the public on how important hunters and anglers are to conservation efforts. Most recently, Sen. Bumstead championed legislation to allow schools in Michigan to teach Hunter Education, which will bring more children into hunting.

7. Around the States

Georgia: Last week, SCI was well represented during the annual “Keeping Georgia Wild” day at the capitol in Atlanta. Chief Operating Officer Louis Cole, Georgia Chapter President Lester Richardson, and Sr. State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick attended the event to promote SCI and visit with elected officials and partners on hunting-related issues. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon all addressed the assembled crowd highlighting Georgia’s immense natural resources and the beneficial impact hunting and fishing have within the state. Pictured above (L-R): SCI Life Member Chris Albrecht, SCI Georgia Chapter President Lester Richardson, DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon, DNR Deputy Commissioner Trevor Santos, SCI Chief Operating Officer Louis Cole, and SCI Sr. State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick

Michigan: Coyote season returns to year-round! The Michigan Natural Resources Commission voted to reopen the coyote season to 365 days a year through the creation of a new management season. The regular season will run from October 15 to March 1 with the management season running from March 2 to October 14. For a full breakdown of the new regulations, click here. SCI opposed the partial-year closure, which ran counter to science and Michigan Proposition G, and supported a legal challenge against it. SCI applauds the Commission for restoring the season and celebrates this victory for science-based management and hunting access.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin residents, ask your legislators to support responsible sandhill crane management! Legislation to allow for the regulated hunting of sandhill cranes, Assembly Bill 117, passed out of committee last week and now awaits further action in the full Assembly. The Senate companion bill, Senate Bill 112, previously passed out of committee, so both bills are ready for a full vote within their respective chambers. Prior to passage, SCI supported both bills through a written legal letter and in-person testimony from SCI’s Sr. State and Local Liaison Bee Frederick and SE Wisconsin Bowhunters Chapter President Dan Trawicki.

Maryland: As expected, legislative attempts to restrict the use of traditional ammunition for ALL hunting within Maryland has returned in 2026. Senate Bill 181 would phase out hunting with lead ammunition for all game species by July 2029. SCI was heavily engaged in the successful effort to thwart this unnecessary restriction last year, and is prepared to continue those efforts this legislative session.

8. CLE + Convention = The Ultimate Attorney Experience in Nashville

Headed to SCI’s Convention? Make the most of your time in Music City by earning CLE credits while you’re there!

Join us 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. This engaging half-day program explores the laws, regulations, and policies driving wildlife management and conservation today.

This year’s lineup features:

• Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto, former Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, offering a rare insight into decision-making on today’s most pressing wildlife law issues.

• Jessie Alloway, Alaska’s Deputy Solicitor General, providing an Alaskan perspective on the debate over state versus federal wildlife management authority.

• SCI’s Legal Advocacy Team and members of the Legal Task Force, sharing practical analysis from the front lines of litigation and policy.

The course offers four credit hours, including one hour of ethics. Register by February 13 to receive a free half day Convention pass. Click here for more information and registration information. This course will also be live-streamed for those who cannot join us in person.

Even better, you can also attend the Current Issues in Firearms Law Continuing Legal Education Course, a free two-hour course co-hosted by SCI and the Second Amendment Foundation on Thursday, February 19 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM CST, available live and by Zoom. Click here for more information and registration information.

Don’t miss your chance to learn from top legal experts, earn CLE credits, and experience the Ultimate Sportsmen’s Market—all in one trip to Nashville. Secure your spot today!

9. Women Go Hunting

The Buck of a Lifetime

I don’t consider myself a trophy deer hunter. I’ve only shot one other whitetail in my short hunting career, a beautiful spike buck in Idaho on my first deer hunt in 2023. In November 2025 I joined my husband, Scott, and friends in Idaho to hunt whitetail deer in the Clearwater National Forest. Our friend and outfitter, Mike Popp of Mike Popp’s Nature Adventures, greeted us upon arrival and discussed a plan for our group of seven hunters. Mike showed me a photo from a trail camera. A very large whitetail buck was captured on the camera after dark on October 12th. Mike set up some more cameras on a few old logging trails that had deer scrapes, but he never caught the buck on camera again before our arrival. A hunter from California had seen the buck a few days before and told us he had such a case of buck fever when he unexpectedly saw the buck that he couldn’t shoot. Mike suggested that I watch the tree line of an old clear cut where the buck was captured on camera and seen by the hunter the week before.

To read more of Lisa’s story, click here.

10. Picture of the Week

After emerging as the high bidder at the Grand Slam Club/Ovis annual auction during SCI’s Convention, Madie Demaske, SCI’s Litigation Associate, set off for Uzbekistan to hunt the Severtzov Argali. Battling difficult weather throughout the trip, she ultimately harvested a remarkable, time worn ram whose horns bear the story of its age.

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!