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Safari Club International (SCI) Celebrates 50 Years of Hunting Advocacy

Safari club international just hosted its 2022 international hunters' convention in las vegas, celebrating 50 years of protecting the freedom to hunt the event, which featured more than 1,000 exhibitors and guest speakers such as tucker carlson and donald trump jr., proved hugely popular, with a record number of paid attendees present..

The 2022 International Hunters’ Convention hosted by SCI was held at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Drew Pellman photo)

Meetings of state wildlife agencies aren’t the only places to express your thoughts and hear perspectives from other hunters regarding game management and hunting regulations. If you’re interested in furthering the connection between hunting and wildlife conservation on both a national and global scale, make plans to attend the International Hunters’ Convention hosted by Safari Club International (SCI). 

SCI hosted its annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, this past January (January 19-22, 2022), celebrating 50 years of protecting the freedom to hunt. The record-breaking event was held at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas and was nothing short of tremendous success, with more paid attendees than the past two shows combined!

More than 700 vendors from around the world gathered in the convention hall to provide attendees with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to book hunts in exotic locations, as well as areas close to home. The best companies from the outdoor industry brought their newest products, ranging from firearms and accessories to optics, ammunition, archery, gear, and other equipment. The convention-goers that were perhaps more interested in fur, jewelry, furnishings, and fine clothing enjoyed equally outstanding options to choose from.

Those drawn to educational, informative seminars were able to attend presentations that covered the full gauntlet of hunting, fishing, shooting, and outdoor adventure. Seminars on everything from "How to Catch Giant Amazon Peacock Bass" to "Mentoring Youth in the Outdoors" took place each day of the convention.

The day spent on the convention floor was followed by an evening banquet with live auctions, which raised over $15 million for SCI/F advocacy and conservation efforts! Attendees heard from top pro-hunting voices Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump Jr., and Edward Byers, and were entertained by Larry the Cable Guy, J. Alain Smith, and Craig Morgan—some of the hunting industry’s greatest champions. Attendees also witnessed the presentation of a variety of prestigious awards and heard from distinguished international guests such as the Honorable Tadeous Chifamba, Zimbabwean Ambassador to the EU, who received the International Legislator of the Year Award on behalf of Zimbabwe Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu.

A special congratulations to all of our award recipients, especially our 2020 and 2021 Federal Legislators of the Year, Senator Roger Marshall and Representative Bruce Westerman, and our Courage Under Fire Award recipient, Governor Kristi Noem.

“On behalf of everyone at SCI, I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the world’s Ultimate Sportsman Market and our 50th Anniversary Convention,” said SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin.

If you were unable to attend this year’s celebration in Las Vegas, you can make plans to attend the next one. The next convention will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, from February 22-25, 2023. For more information and to register for the convention, visit: showsci.org

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Top manufacturers from the outdoor industry are here, showing off their newest releases, from firearms and accessories to optics, ammunition, archery, gear and the equipment you need out there, wherever “there” takes you! Fine art, outdoor-themed home furnishings, jewelry and fantastic taxidermy all add to making SCI Convention the event of the year!

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SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION – LAS VEGAS, NV

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 5:00 pm Saturday, January 22, 2022 5:00 pm LAS VEGAS, NV

Safari Club International is celebrating 50 years of defending the freedom to hunt! The International Hunters’ Convention is coming back to Las Vegas with an incredible roster of entertainment. Save the dates of January 19-22, 2022 to come support conservation efforts and celebrate the freedom to hunt with thousands of your fellow hunters at the world’s largest hunting convention. This year’s lineup of guest speakers, entertainers and hosts is something you won’t want to miss. Attendees can expect to see and hear from top pro-hunting political voices Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump Jr.! Entertainers include Larry the Cable Guy, Craig Morgan, Edward Byers and Jim Shockey—some of the hunting industry’s greatest champions.

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Safari Club International Convention Underway in Las Vegas

The 45th Annual Safari Club International (SCI) Convention is underway now at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The big event opened February 1st, and concludes Saturday the 4th. Over 20,000 hunters and sportsmen are expected to attend this year.

$10 Million in Auction Items This Year The SCI show is famed for its fund-raising auctions. At this year’s Convention, over $10 million worth of exotic firearms, once-in-a-lifetime hunts, and fine collectibles will be auctioned. Net proceeds from the auctions are used by SCI to promote conservation and game management efforts worldwide. Here’s a past auction item, a Krieghoff Double Rifle valued at $84,000. This ‘Legends of the Hunt’ double rifle, chambered in .470 Nitro Express, is custom engraved by master engravers Michael Oke and Andreas Scholz. The stock is exhibition-grade Turkish walnut with ebony pistol grip and fore-end tip. There are gold barrel bands and gold accents on the express sight blades and double triggers.

Over 1000 Exhibitors from 33 Countries This is a huge event, with over 1000 exhibitors from 33 countries and six continents. Notably, hundreds of top guides and outfitter services are showcased in the Outfitters Hall. The SCI convention also features many firearms manufacturers and custom gun builders. In the Gun Maker’s village prestigious European gun makers and engravers display their work.

The SCI convention boasts “the largest display of wildlife art at one venue anywhere in the world” according to Ammoland.com . The work of 55 artists and 110 taxidermists will be on display.

Hunt of a Lifetime — What Would You Hunt and Where?

A couple seasons back, Sierra Bullets asked its staffers about their dream hunting destinations. The Sierra techs, all avid hunters, were polled about their favorite hunting venues. Here are their answers to the question: “If you could hunt anything, anywhere in the world , where would you go and what would you hunt?”

Africa topped the list of “dream hunting locations” by a landslide. Canada and Alaska were both picked twice, with other destinations each favored by one staffer:

Africa 6 votes (Kudu, Eland, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, Plains Game) Canada 2 votes (Moose, Black Bear) Alaska 2 votes (Dall Sheep) Wyoming 1 vote (Antelope) US Rocky Mountains 1 vote (Elk) Argentina 1 votes (Doves) Australia 1 vote (Non-specific)

Carroll Pilant (Ballistics Technician): “Back to Africa for kudu and eland.”

Rich Machholz (Ballistic Technician): “African Cape Buffalo with my longtime friend Lloyd in Zimbabwee.”

Tommy Todd (Chief Ballistician): “Free Range African plains game”

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Safari Club International and Las Vegas

Member, Board of Directors, Humane Society

From February 3 through 6, Safari Club International (SCI) will hold its Ultimate Hunters' Market ™ at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. SCI is an organization that continues to offer its membership the opportunity to compete with other trophy hunters to earn awards for killing the largest or most types of animals. American trophy hunters cover the globe to track down and slaughter the world's most magnificent animals, from lions to elephants to rhinos to bears -- the rarer, the better. What SCI won't be telling its membership is that most American's would rather celebrate these animals alive than dead. A recent nationwide poll by HBO Real Sports and Marist Poll showed that 86% of Americans disapprove of big game hunting and 62% favor banning the practice. Progress is being made to protect critically imperiled species from the ills of trophy hunting.

For example, a new federal rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) now mandates that anyone wanting to import lion parts has to first get a permit from the FWS, which will only grant one if it finds that the killing enhances the survival of wild lions. This rule was a long time in coming: According to Humane Society International, in the past decade alone, American trophy hunters have killed 5,647 African lions. In 2014 alone, the trophies of roughly 85% of captive lions from South Africa's notorious canned hunting facilities were imported to the United States. The ruling followed this summer's global outrage after a Minnesota dentist killed a beloved lion called Cecil in Zimbabwe. Cecil's death resulted in a backlash against trophy hunters, who often stalk and kill their prey in a canned hunt. These canned hunts trap an animal in a small area making it easier for a trophy hunter to hunt down and kill it. According to the Humane Society of the United States, American hunters have killed 5,552 African lions and imported their parts as trophies between 2005 and 2014. In 2014 alone, trophies of 367 captive lions were imported to the United States.

At the SCI's Las Vegas conference, hundreds of trophy hunts will be auctioned off. But before bidding on a hunt, attendees should know that in addition to the ban on bringing lion parts back to the United States, 45 major airlines have banned the transport of some or all types of hunting trophies. We need to take this a step further and urge the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to publicly oppose Las Vegas hosting this and future SCI conventions.

The only way we are going to make the world safe for lions like Cecil is if we exert economic pressure on anyone supporting, either directly or indirectly, animal suffering and abuse. Money talks and the hope is that Las Vegas (and Nevada) will listen, especially if groups hosting large conventions in Vegas express their concerns and relocate to other cities. Please join me in letting all entities, whether public or private, know that you oppose trophy hunting and they should not be supporting events that encourage this practice!

Change will not happen overnight. But we can drive SCI out of Las Vegas if each of us contacts the state tourism office expressing that our dollars can be happily spent elsewhere unless they cancel SCI next year.

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A SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION IN VEGAS, NOW ON TO RENO!

Safari Club International hosted the star-studded 46th Annual Hunter’s Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 31st – February 3rd, 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This is the last convention in Vegas for the next few years as our new convention home will be Reno. We look forward to our return to Reno after 5 years of Vegas-based conventions!

SCI Foundation had another phenomenal fundraising week by auctioning conservation hunting tags, top-notch firearms, art, jewelry, and other world class hunts at the Beretta Gala and at the daily auction. Hosted by J. Alain Smith of Rugged Expeditions, the Beretta Gala was a huge hit and served to not only raise support for SCIF, it also reminded us how valuable hunting is as a tool for conservation. SCIF awarded the prestigious Conservation Leadership Award to Ralph and Deb Cunningham for their lifetimes of commitment to wildlife conservation and education through generous philanthropy and volunteer service. As the 46th SCI Convention continued, SCIF fostered positive working relationships between local and international stakeholders as well.

An official delegation from Kazakhstan was invited to the Convention to meet with SCI Foundation and Wild Sheep Foundation leadership and explore an exciting partnership. After productive meetings, a memorandum of understanding was signed between SCI Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation and the national company Kazakh Tourism. The agreement will continue to develop a conservation program for Argali sheep species with the goal of opening community-based sustainable use hunting opportunities in Kazakhstan.

African governments from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa also attended the Convention, participating in numerous meetings regarding the wildlife in their range states.

Many of the representatives from Africa were also present at SCI Foundation’s 2017 African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) and sought to continue the dialogue between government officials and stakeholders worldwide. One point that was repeatedly made clear was the need to keep all discussions open while officials, both foreign and domestic, make decisions regarding wildlife. Conservation successes are happening all over the continent of Africa and will continue if science-based management takes place over emotion-based choices. SCI Foundation is proud to foster working relationships with those who make decisions about African wildlife and those who live in the range states of these animals.

The take-home for us, at least from SCI Foundation’s perspective, is that the SCI Convention is far more than just the largest hunter convention of its kind. It serves as a place where all who seek to improve hunting opportunities that lead to real, tangible wildlife conservation can meet and be successful. Each year we meet more people in the hunting community who want to be involved in conservation and care about the world’s natural resources. We are looking forward to the next convention and hope to see you there, too!

For more information on SCI Foundation go to our First For Wildlife blog , like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter and Instagram , or visit our website at www.safariclubfoundation.org .

Safari Club International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds and directs worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation and outdoor education. Any contribution may be tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code section 170(c) as a charitable contribution to the extent permitted by law. Tax deductible amount of gift is reduced by the Fair market Value of any goods, services, or advantages that a sponsor receives for the donation. EIN #86-0292099.

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Safari Club convention specializes in unique adventures

At the Safari Club International Hunter’s Convention on Saturday, I came across one of the best tag lines I have seen for a company specializing in services for the outdoor adventurer: “Specializing in wet, cold and miserable.”

Walking the aisles at the Safari Club International Hunter’s Convention on Saturday, I came across one of the best tag lines I have seen for a company specializing in services for the outdoor adventurer.

Beneath the company’s name it read, “specializing in wet, cold and miserable.”

Though the purpose of this phrase was to draw one’s attention to a company that helps sportsmen arrange hunts in Alaska, it probably could apply to just about anywhere. Whether one hunts, fishes or takes horse packing trips into the wilderness, conditions in the outdoors are rarely what the average person considers pleasant.

Even so, the convention was packed with people walking the showroom floor in search of the right opportunity to enjoy being wet, cold and miserable. Vying for our attention were outfitters representing countries from around the world. And although the countries of Africa were probably the most numerous, outfitters from Asia, Canada, Europe, Mexico and multiple U.S. states also were scattered throughout the show.

Some outfitters had openings remaining for upcoming 2018 hunting or fishing seasons, but many were already booking for 2019 and beyond.

As I wandered, I couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to sit around a crackling campfire in a Russian brown bear camp, experience the beauty of a Mongolian sunrise, hear a lion’s roar in the jungle, or watch the tops of moose antlers swaying through a patch of alders. Then I compared the price tags for those experiences with my bank balance and realized I may be wondering for a while.

Day auction deals

During my visit to the 2017 edition of this convention, someone told me the best deals on hunting or fishing trips could be found during the “day auctions,” a sharp contrast with the fundraising auctions that generally take place in the evening hours during events such as this.

Upon seeing the “Day Auction” sign, I decided to take a closer look.

The number of empty seats was a surprise, especially with the emcee already introducing the auctioneer. Then just as I was settling into a chair, my friend, Daniel Brisendine, invited me to join him at a table closer to the front. As we sat down, Daniel leaned over and said, “This is the place to buy a hunt. You can get a good hunt for much less than you will pay on the show floor.”

“Sounds like familiar advice,” I thought.

First up was a 7-day Russian brown bear hunt for a single hunter, though additional hunters and non-hunters were welcome. They just increase the cost. With an estimated value of $10,000, the one-on-one guided adventure includes cabin or tent accommodations, meals, the trophy fee and field preparation of the downed animal. Getting to and from Moscow is up to you.

The auctioneer went to work with the fast-talking pitch typical of that profession, and soon found the right tempo for encouraging bids. After several minutes of working the crowd, the auctioneer closed the bidding with the exclamation, “Sold, for $3,000!”

A good deal to be sure, and not the only one. During the next hour, I watched as hunt after hunt sold for much less than the donor’s valuation. Those deals included a $19,000 hunt for sable and roan in South Africa that sold for $9,000 and a five-day hunt for New Zealand Rusa deer that went for $3,500. The estimated value was $20,600.

Of course, there were some hunts that demanded a lot of attention and drew bids a little closer to the donor’s estimated value. One was a 10-day British Columbia moose hunt that went for $11,000. Another was a 10-day hunt for Cape Buffalo in Mozambique. It sold for $13,000 and did so in quick order. The bidding went fast enough that one didn’t dare scratch his ear for fear of accidentally getting in on the bidding.

If you have the chance to attend the SCI convention in the future, don’t overlook the Day Auction. Perhaps you might pick up the wet, cold and miserable outdoor adventure of a lifetime at a price you can afford.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His “In the Outdoors” column, published Thursday, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. Find him on Facebook at @dougwritesoutdoors. He can be reached at [email protected]

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Does the possibility of taking home a $5,000 payday enough to cause you to break out your trout rod, some cold weather gear and a comfortable camp chair?

The purpose of these advisories is to help people make informed decisions about where to fish or harvest shellfish, says the Environmenal Protection Agency.

Ice is coming to central and northern Nevada. Popular fishing destinations will soon turn into hard-water fisheries.

A total of six limited-entry permit tags are up for grabs. Two each for elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. The deadline to apply is Friday.

Couple more than 20 years of drought with two of the driest years on record and you have habitat conditions that have significantly limited bird production.

Safari Club International annual convention returns to Reno this week

Reno’s biggest trade show is back this week as the Safari Club International Annual Convention kicks off on Wednesday in the Biggest Little City.

The Safari Club’s 47th annual convention will run from Jan. 9 to 12 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The last time the show was held in Northern Nevada was 2013. Reno was supposed to host the event in 2015 but Safari Club pulled out, citing insufficient air service for its attendees.

The organization, however, announced in 2016 that it will return to Reno for a three-year stint from 2019 to 2021. The group plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas for 2022, with the site of the next convention still to be determined. Reno is actively trying to land the 2023 show, with results likely depending on certain key factors, said Reno-Sparks Visitor and Convention Authority President and CEO Phil DeLone.

More: Public funding required for Reno convention center expansion

“SCI’s return to our destination hinges on successful financial results for these conventions in 2019 and beyond as well as the community’s commitment to building an expansion to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, which is necessary to meet Safari Club International’s trade show growth and requirements,” DeLone said.

Safari Club, meanwhile, described the return to Reno as “going home,” adding that Reno has hosted more conventions for the organization than any other city. This year’s convention will be the 21st time that Reno has been the site of the event. Las Vegas has played host to the convention 16 times.

The return of the convention, which attracted more than 18,000 attendees in 2018, has been a boon to area hotels. As of last week, advanced reservations stood at 17,950 room nights, according to DeLone. More than 20,000 attendees from about 103 countries also are expected, bringing an estimated economic impact approaching $20 million.

“From the interest we have seen from the membership and exhibitors, as well as the high advanced number of room nights pre-confirmed at the area resorts, all indications suggest a very well attended and robust convention and trade show,” DeLone said.

Prior to his return to Reno to lead the RSCVA, Delone served as Safari Club CEO from 2012 to 2016. It also was DeLone who announced the annual convention’s return to Reno back in July 2016, several months before taking the RSCVA post.

The convention’s return to Reno serves as a big boost for the city, particularly after the cancellation of the 2019 Interbike trade show . Interbike was supposed to be held at Reno-Tahoe through 2022 . The fate of the annual bicycle convention, which attracted 23,000 attendees as recently as 2015, is in doubt after seeing a decline in attendance in the last few years combined with tariff impacts on the industry.

The loss of Interbike also makes the Safari Club convention even more important for Reno. Although the number of available flights at Reno-Tahoe International Airport has seen significant improvement in recent years as the economy rebounded, Las Vegas continues to have the edge on Reno for air travel options.

Safari Club also raised concerns about Reno’s smaller convention space last year. Back in July, Skip Donau, a member of the Safari Club’s board of directors, told the RSCVA board that the organization is losing between 166 to 180 exhibitors by moving the show from Las Vegas to Reno.

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“We’re leaving $1 million (per year) to be here,” Donau said. “Our group really loves Reno but we can’t continue to leave $1 million this year and another $1 million next year and the year after that for a long period of time.”

The RSCVA is in the midst of a feasibility study to look at options for expanding the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Expanding the facility to meet the needs of large conventions such as Safari Club is expected to require around $135 million in public funding, likely through another room tax increase.

Safari Club, meanwhile, says it is looking forward to its return to the Biggest Little City.

“(Reno) is a great place to get together with old buddies and to stop back at old haunts,” the Safari Club stated on its official site for the convention.

The Safari Club International convention will be held from 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9 to Saturday afternoon on Jan. 12. The event is open to SCI members, with registration available for new joining members onsite at the event. The convention will feature various exhibits including the latest guns and hunting equipment. Attendees also can book hunts, listen to speakers and enjoy various types of entertainment at the event. For more details, visit: https://www.safariclub.org/sci-annual-convention .

Jason Hidalgo covers business , technology and gaming for the Reno Gazette-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @jasonhidalgo . Support local journalism: RGJ digital subscription .

Registration for Safari Club International’s 2023 Annual Convention is Now Open!

Washington, D.C. (June 1, 2022)  – Safari Club International is excited to announce that registration is now open for its 2023 Annual Convention. The 51st annual SCI Convention will be held February 22-25, 2023, at Music City Center in Nashville, TN. 

SCI’s preferred hotels for the 2023 Convention include Grand Hyatt Downtown, Hilton Nashville Downtown, Hyatt Place Downtown, JW Marriott Nashville, The Westin Nashville, Renaissance Nashville and Omni Nashville. Please mention “SCI2023” or “Safari Club room block” when booking hotels over the phone to receive discounted pricing. 

The Convention will showcase unique hunting opportunities on six continents, world-class taxidermy and art, and give manufacturers their first opportunity to demonstrate new products directly to consumers. Considered the “Ultimate Sportsmen’s Market,” the Convention also plays host to dozens of topical seminars presented by subject matter experts. Several hundred hunts, fishing trips, firearms, works of art, jewelry, and other items and services are offered at live and silent auctions, helping SCI raise hunter advocacy and conservation funds. Finally, you won’t want to miss out on the nightly banquets and world-class entertainment starring country music celebrities, hunting superstars, and much more! 

Whether attendees are looking to book their dream hunt, scope out the latest firearms and gear, or find taxidermy inspiration, the SCI Annual Convention will impress with many exhibits and something for everyone! 

To register for the 2023 SCI Annual Convention, click below or contact a registration agent, please dial 520-620-1220 or call toll-free at 888-746-9724.

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