INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
January 27, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Congress
The House is in Recess this week
The Senate is in Session this week
WHAT WE’RE READING
Delaware: Bipartisan bill seeks to enshrine hunters’ rights in state constitution
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Game Commission rejects proposal to shift deer hunting season back a week
Colorado: Colorado has no plans to reintroduce more gray wolves this winter, state wildlife officials announce
United States:Ex-special agent urges more resources against illegal wildlife trade
United States:U.S. House committee advances bill delisting Mexican gray wolf
United Kingdom:Five African nations launch scathing attack on Labour’s ban on trophy hunting
Canada: Ottawa suggests opening sandhill crane hunting in northern Ontario
Botswana:Elephant hunting in Botswana is not in crisis — the data denies it
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
The Outdoor Wire Radio – Wisconsin Legislature to Consider Sandhill Crane Hunt
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
1. SCI Denounces Canada’s Firearms Confiscation Program
The Canadian government is moving forward with its gun buyback program, requiring the surrender of firearms previously prohibited from future use, sale or transfer. These sweeping actions were not enacted through full legislative debate. The result is a clear and troubling example of government overreach, where law-abiding citizens are compelled to give up their legally acquired property by executive decree rather than through transparent, democratic process.
This mandatory buyback does not address criminal activity. There is no credible evidence that confiscating firearms from responsible citizens improves public safety. Instead, it indiscriminately burdens hunters, sport shooters, and collectors who purchased and acquired these firearms in full compliance with the law. It undermines property rights, public trust, and long-standing hunting and sporting traditions.
SCI categorically opposes executive overreach, blanket bans, mandatory buyback schemes, and ammunition restrictions that indiscriminately burden lawful hunters and conservation tools while failing to deliver measurable public-safety or conservation benefits. SCI remains actively engaged through advocacy, litigation, and education in defending hunters’ rights, private property, and the North American Model of Conservation
2. SCI Selects Hon. Minister Rodney Sikumba as 2026 International Legislator of the Year
SCI proudly announces Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, the Honorable Rodney Sikumba, as its 2026 International Legislator of the Year Award recipient for his outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation, sustainable hunting, and international tourism leadership.
Minister Sikumba is a Member of Parliament for Zambia’s Livingstone Central Constituency and was elected in June 2025 as Chairperson of the United Nations Tourism Regional Commission for Africa. As Minister of Tourism, he oversees Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, which includes matters related to hunting policies, CITES engagement, and other critical conservation priorities.
Minister Sikumba has consistently championed policies that strengthen hunting in Zambia and across southern Africa, protecting sportsmen’s traditions and promoting responsible wildlife management. He is a longtime supporter of SCI, member of SCI’s Zambia Chapter, and has attended the SCI Convention several times. At SCI’s 2025 Convention, he received both the President’s Award and an Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his leadership and support for SCI’s missions.
3. SCI Leads Coalition Letters Thanking Interior, Supporting Grizzly Bear Delisting
Last week, SCI led two coalition letters in support of federal priorities. The first letter thanks Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum for issuing Secretarial Order 3447, which expands hunting and fishing access on federal lands. That Order promotes access, science-based decision-making, and alignment with states, tribes, and local governments. SCI and 37 partner organizations (over two-thirds of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners membership) thanked the Secretary for this action and recognition of sportsmen’s and women’s contributions to conservation.
The second letter requests the House of Representatives leadership call a vote on the Grizzly Bear State Management Act, a bill to reinstate the Fish and Wildlife Service’s rule removing grizzly bears in the Yellowstone area from the Endangered Species Act list of threatened species. That science-based decision was reversed, twice, by lawsuits. The bill would reinstate the rule and protect it from further judicial intervention. The bill is well-supported, as the grizzly bear population has almost doubled its recovery threshold, and is considered biologically recovered by all credible scientists. In the meantime, human-bear conflicts have increased exponentially. The coalition letter requests a vote on the House floor as soon as feasible.
4. Happening on the Hill
Last week the House Natural Resources Committee held two hearings important to SCI:
The Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing titled “EXPLORE America250: Celebrating One Year of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act.” SCI was strongly supporting the EXPLORE Act’s passage and applauds the committee for their diligence in ensuring its implementation.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing titled “America First: U.S. Leadership & National Security in International Conservation.” As we continue to work with the Committee and with Congress to maintain the sovereignty of effective foreign conservation programs, we appreciate this spotlight on legal, regulated hunting’s role in successful wildlife conservation.
Watch the full hearings here.
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. Around the States
Nevada: The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners met on January 27th and 28th in Reno, Nevada. SCI Western State and Local Liaison Keely Hopkins attended the Commission meeting and testified in support of proposed regulations for the 2026 black bear and mountain lion seasons. To view the regulations, along with regulations for Big Game, Spring Turkey, and Dream and Heritage Tags, click here.
South Carolina: SCI joined a coalition letter in the Palmetto State in support of House Bill 3872 which would establish a minimum acreage of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owned lands open to hunting and are enrolled in the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program. To read the letter, click here.
Georgia: SCI joined a coalition letter in Georgia in support of House Bill 451 which would allow for hunting safety instruction in grades six through twelve by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) certified instructors beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. To read the letter, click here.
Wisconsin: SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin submitted a formal letter of support for Senate Bill 665 which would establish a statewide wolf population goal in Wisconsin. SCI strongly believes that the Wisconsin DNR should establish a science-based statewide population goal within the wolf management plan and then manage for that objective. SCI has long been involved in advocating in the legislative and legal arenas for science-based, state-led management of wolves and will continue to do so on both the state and federal levels. To read the letter, click here.
Michigan: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is considering changes to the elk regulations and elk license quotas for 2026-27, and SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin submitted comments last week in support of these changes. Specifically, SCI is supporting the increased, and continuous, number of days that would provide clear regulations and sustained access for hunters to pursue elk in Michigan at more opportune times. To read the letter, click here.
7. SCI Advocacy Team Mark the 2026 WSF Sheep Show in Reno
Well attended and brimming with excitement, this year’s event showed continuing growth and success for WSF. Governmental agencies around North America were present and eager to engage on conservation issues with SCI staff, as were SCI members met on the show floor. Sheep Show is an opportunity for staff to meet exhibitors, officials, and personalities without the added duties normally required at SCI Convention. Madie’s father, Jeff Demaske, was awarded the prestigious Conklin Award given to the “world’s greatest active hunter who pursues game in the most difficult terrain and conditions, while abiding by the highest standards of ethics and fair chase, and is a strong participant in wildlife conservation.”
Pictured above (L-R): SCI’s Litigation Associate Madie Demaske, Western State & Local Liaison Keely Hopkins, Guide & Outfitters Liaison Everett Headley, SCIF’s Major Gifts Manager Marty Fox, and Major Gifts Manager Nick Bernardo on the show floor at Sheep Show.
8. SCI Representing Hunters at SHOT Show
The 2026 SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) took place in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 21st through 23rd. Hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the annual trade show features over 2,700 vendors from the shooting sports and hunting industries. The event also included a Governor’s Forum where Governors from across the country met onstage to discuss the importance of the industry to their state along with the current legislative landscape. SCI Western State and Local Liaison Keely Hopkins attended the show, and also joined the American Suppressor Association and the National Rifle Association for an evening reception with special guests United States Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and White House Counsel David Warrington.
Pictured above (L-R): NRA-ILA State and Local Managing Director Dan Reid, SCI Western State and Local Liaison Keely Hopkins, and American Suppressor Association President and Executive Director Knox Williams.
9. Women Go Hunting
When Things Don’t Work Out
Gina Batie was one of three women who won a four-day hunting trip to the Legends Ranch through the Women Go Hunting Sweepstakes held at the Safari Club International Convention in January 2025. Legends had donated three Learn-to-Hunt packages for two women each, providing basic hunter and safety education, conservation education and the opportunity to hunt whitetail deer on the ranch preserve. Gina and her friend, Amanda, were among the six women who traveled to Bitely, Michigan, this past December to experience the program.
“I grew up hunting, fishing and camping because my dad loved it,” says Gina. “So, he taught me and my siblings all about it, and we all have a love for those things to this day. Hunting grounds you to nature and creation. It builds confidence in you when you know you are able to provide food for yourself and others. We also learned how hunting is needed for conservation and for all animals to survive and flourish.”
Several women on the trip succeeded in taking a whitetail doe the first day of their hunt, followed by others the next day. The last day of the hunt, Gina was the only one who had not connected with a deer. She was disappointed. To read more of Gina’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!
