Why SCI?

[FIELD ETHOS]

Why ScI? | Field Ethos

By Mr. Blonde I’m going to be honest here: I figured that when the Boomers got too old…

fieldethos.com

By Mr. Blonde

I’m going to be honest here: I figured that when the Boomers got too old to hunt Africa, Safari Club International would wither away and die. I was wrong. SCI has emerged as a real force when it comes to influencing federal and state policies surrounding hunting and conservation. SCI has gone far beyond an organization that scores trophies and maintains record books; they are one of the most influential and relevant forces defending our rights both at home and abroad.

I’ve spent my entire adult life working in the political process and I’m going to tell you a little secret: most “advocacy groups” do jack shit other than collect money from well-intended donors. The “gun rights” groups are among the worst offenders. During my three-decade career in politics, I’ve only encountered actual lobbyists from NRA, NSSF, and some state and local groups. The others love to take credit or cast blame while fundraising, but they are rarely actually in the fight.

SCI has actual pros doing the work, in courthouses, in Congress, in the state houses, and even internationally. The good news is that, thanks to ethics rules, it’s easy to quantify how much actual lobbying a given organization does.

SCI’s Impact — By the Numbers​

According to public records, SCI spent $960,000 in 2024 to retain eight in-house and contract lobbyists. Those figures only apply to their efforts in Congress. They spend real money on elections as well. SCI’s Political Action Committee (SCI-PAC) spent more than $130,000 on federal races in 2025 and over $400,000 in 2024.

By comparison, most other hunting groups don’t even come close. In 2024, NWTF spent $200,000 on federal lobbying, Boone and Crockett Spent $200,000, RMEF spent $153,000 and the Mule Deer Foundation reported $80,000. BCA spent $40,000 on one federal lobbyist in 2024 and spent $0 on lobbying from 2019-2022.

Those figures don’t account for SCI’s legal expenses, international efforts, or their work with state governments. Their leadership in promoting and defending Florida’s much-anticipated black bear hunt is a great example of their blended advocacy approach. SCI worked on that effort on the political and regulatory fronts and, when anti-hunting groups attempted to block the hunt in the courts—SCI shifted its focus there. They won.

SCI Convention — Where Adventure Awaits​

SCI’s annual convention, which moved to Nashville a few years back, is one of the best shows on the circuit. It is far more manageable and laid back than SHOT and not as pedestrian as NRA. SCI is the place to get face-to-face time with outfitters and guides as well as an opportunity to put your hands on guns and gear. Though you’ll still see some aging silicone cougars clad in animal print, the crowd seems to get younger every year. This is a great sign that the organization is on the correct path.

Organizations evolve or they wither away and die. Through its focus on defending the rights of hunters and with scientifically backed conservation at its core, SCI has become more relevant than ever. As one of the leading voices for our way of life in the halls of Congress and across the globe, we need SCI.

 

[steve white]

We're seeing a lot of change in the world--look at the direction of DSC. Glad to know SCI is staying the course.