The untimely, sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has disrupted the Senate agenda for 2016, and threatens to poison the outlook for future bipartisan cooperation on any issue before that chamber. Needless to say, this is high stakes poker.

Proponents of Vermont House Bill 297 (H. 297), Sale of Ivory or Rhinoceros Horn, want to stop ivory poachers in Africa but, unfortunately, H. 297 will do nothing to stop poaching on that distant continent. It will only penalize the law-abiding citizens of the Green Mountain State.

On Thursday, February 18, the SCI DC office had the distinct privilege of hosting Montana Attorney General Tim Fox. SCI’s DC staff and Attorney General Fox engaged in a wide-ranging discussion covering SCI’s long history of involvement with Montana advocacy issues, SCI Foundation’s conservation work in Montana, Attorney General Fox’s views on this administration’s federal overreach, and much more.

The Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015 is a top legislative priority of Safari Club International. The message to hunters from Capitol Hill is clear — the House of Representatives is ready and willing to move this vital piece of legislation for American sportsmen. It is imperative you contact your Member of Congress and encourage him or her to cosponsor H.R. 2406!

Tracking the Capitols is a source of legislation currently being tracked by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation state policy team to keep you informed of the most pertinent and timely state legislation affecting hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping and other conservation issues.

On Feb. 17, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission (NHFGC) voted 5 to 4 to move forward on a proposal to establish a bobcat hunting and trapping season in New Hampshire.

On Feb. 5, 2016, Safari Club International was pleased to present its Federal Legislator of the Year Award to Congressman Billy Long (R-MO-07) for the year 2015. The award was presented to Congressman Long at the 44th Annual Hunters Convention.

Nine Members of Congress attended the SCI annual convention and further understand SCI’s mission of “First for Hunters.” Attracting nearly 25,000 hunters, conservationists, guides, and outfitters annually, the SCI convention has everything sportsmen and women can dream of, in over 1 million square feet of exhibit space.