SCI Celebrates World's Greatest Hunters' Convention and Wildlife Conservation

Tucson, Ariz. - Safari Club International's 41st Annual Hunters' Convention once again solidified its place as the premier worldwide hunting convention. The second largest SCI convention held in Reno, Nevada earned near record donations from SCI members and vendors, ensuring the organization's mission of hunter and hunting advocacy will continue around the world.

"Creating the world's largest convention dedicated to the hunter is always a challenge, yet our convention has exceeded every expectation for Safari Club International," said SCI President John Whipple. "Every exhibitor and every SCI member made incredible donations to our mission programs this year, which will protect hunting for the next generation of sportsmen and women."

"Hunters across all continents understand SCI's fight to improve hunters' rights, and we're the sole organization improving wildlife conservation through sustainable use," added SCI Chief Executive Officer Phil DeLone. "We thank everyone who joined SCI in Reno, and I look forward to seeing even more international hunters in Las Vegas next year."



Contributions made at the 2013 Hunters' Convention include:
- $14.8 million for Hunter Advocacy and Wildlife Conservation.
- More than $1.2 million for SCI Foundation's Scientific Lion Conservation Initiative.
- $235,600 for Safari Club International's Political Action Committee. (SCI-PAC)
- Nearly $100,000 for the Hunter Defense Fund, the first Super-PAC representing hunters.

Notable Guests of the 2013 SCI Hunters' Convention:
- General Chuck Yeager
- Larry and Brenda Potterfield, President, Midway USA
- Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice-President, National Rifle Association
- Olympic Gold Medalist Kim Rhode
- Olympic Medalist Corey Cogdell
- Movie Actor Ricky Schroder
- Jeff Crane, President, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
- Jim Shockey, Hunting Celebrity, Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures
- Craig Boddington, Hunting Celebrity, Tracks Across Africa
- Mike Rogers Jr., Hunting Celebrity, Expedition Safari Television

Political Officials in Attendance:
- Former Vice-President Dick Cheney
- Governor Brian Sandoval, Nevada
- Former Governor Mike Huckabee, Arkansas
- Dean Heller, Senator, Nevada
- Don Young, Representative, Alaska
- Dr. Paul Broun, Representative, Georgia
- Cynthia Lummis, Representative, Wyoming
- John Kline, Representative, Minnesota
- Mike Thompson, Representative, California
- Austin Scott, Representative, Georgia
- Steve Stockman, Representative, Texas

Safari Club International's 42nd Annual Hunters' Convention will return to Las Vegas, Nev., February 5-8, 2014, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Contact: Nelson Freeman - Media@safariclub.org

Becoming an SCI Member:
Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services. JOIN NOW: www.safariclub.org/Join.

Safari Club International - First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106other countries. SCI's proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home pagewww.safariclub.org or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.



Source: SCI NewsWire