Local, Regional, National and International News

The Trophy Competition Team has announced the winners of the 2010 Feb Trophy Competition… many thanks to the judges and all who entered.

Moratorium on Namibian Leopard & Cheetah Extended into 2010

If you are booked for a leopard or cheetah hunt in Namibia for 2010, be aware that the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) has extended its moratorium on hunting permits for these species into the 2010 season. According to the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA), all hunters with hunts booked for leopard or cheetah next season should consider their hunts to be on standby until further notice.

SCIF Receives Top Four-Star Rating By Charity Navigator For Third Consecutive Year

Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) has again received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator (CN), the independent charity evaluation service, for the third consecutive year.  Charity Navigator is a respected guide to charitable organizations in the United States. In determining its rating, CN considers growth in the organization’s ability to raise capital for its charitable purposes, and the efficiency with which its resources are spent. A high rating from CN shows that an organization is effective at attracting donations and at making sure that most of the money is spent on charitable purposes rather than overhead.

“We are proud to announce Safari Club International Foundation has earned our Four-Star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances,” said Ken Berger, President and Chief Executive Officer of CN, in a letter to SCIF. “Only 13% of the charities we rate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Safari Club International Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Safari Club International Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

Expert: Banning Hunting Is a Mistake

Gaborone — An expert on Friday warned that the banning of hunting in preference to photographic safaris could have a devastating effect on the environment and the wildlife it is expected to preserve.  (Source: AllAfrica.com Online) Read the full article HERE.

Food Plot Owners:

Round-up Ready corn and soybean seed for 2010. $10 per 40# bag.

Call Director Scott Maves 608.835.7482

News on Zimbabwe

If you are booked to hunt on a conservancy in Zimbabwe, be aware that the government there recently forced many of these operations to take on new partners who may be on the list of individuals banned from doing business with US citizens. Senior Zanu-PF officials have forced numerous profitable safari operators to give up huge shares of their business to selected black Zimbabweans under the guise of land redistribution. The properties involved in the forced partnerships include the Save Valley Conservancy, a successful wildlife reserve popular among traveling hunters.

Hunters from the US who are hunting on any Zimbabwean conservancy should contact their operator for the names of any new partners that may have been forced on them in only the last few weeks. Check those names against the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls. This is the agency that enforces economic sanctions programs for the US State Department. US citizens found to have conducted business in any way with individuals on this list could face hefty fines and possible jail time. US hunters should always check this list before booking a hunt or hotel stay, or before wiring funds to a bank in Zimbabwe.

The Reno Convention –

Get you hotel reservations made and book your flights – hotel space is already tight!

Looking ahead – Future SCI Convention Dates

2010 – January 20-23, Reno, NV

2011 – January 26-29, Reno, NV

2012 – February 8-11, Las Vegas, NV

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS IN TIME FOR DEER SEASON. KEN HEIM WRITES:

I want to let all fellow SCI Badgerland board members know that tomorrow , September 10, the DNR will be posting an internet-based class in Hunter Safety on its web site.  The Fitchburg hunter ed group is hosting the field day for this class on Saturday, November 7 at the Oregon Sportsmans Club.  Participants will need to complete approximately 5 to 6 hours of online study, including end-of segment exams.  They can then participate in the field day for an intensive 6 hour session that includes trap shooting, field tests and the final written exam.

Please tell those you know who want to complete the course in time for deer season that this course is available.  The online courses tend to fill up within a couple days of posting, so time is of the essence.

See you all on the 16th.

Ken Heim
Realty Investment Options, Inc
2916 Marketplace Dr. Suite 212
Fitchburg, WI 53719

kheim@rioptions.com
Phone   608-310-4440
FAX             608-310-4441
Mobile          608-695-0449

Special thanks to those members who helped sponsor Brandon Wikman’s ‘Wikworld Summer Camp For Kids’ Our Chapter sent ten (10) kids again. The camp ran for four weekends and had tremendous positive impact from Brandon and our Sensory Safari Trailer on hundreds of kids. For more info go to www.wiksworld.com but, keep in mind the venue is designed for today’s youth. Not old fogies like me. Best, Alan Heth

SCI Badgerland Promotes DNR Hunter Education program in Wisconsin

June 2009 the SCI Badgerland Chapter initiated… a ‘Call for Arms’ from its members and other SCI members in Wisconsin. Guns donated will be used for Wisconsin’s DNR Hunter Education Program.

The state’s DNR never has enough firearms available to offer adequate instruction time to each of the 35 to 75 students that attend each session. Instructors often bring their personal firearms to class to ensure the students receive the highest level of instruction they can provide.

SCI Badgerland has made an arrangement with the Tim Lawhern, DNR’s Hunter Education Administrator. SCI Members statewide can donate firearms to the ‘Hunter Education Program’ through Badgerland. SCI Badgerland Chapter is registered as a non-profit. Donations may qualify the donor for a tax deduction. Firearms do not need to be new or fancy.  They just need to be serviceable and in safe working order.

This ongoing Badgerland project has just started and has already received seven 22 rifles and three shotguns. Three rifles donated were brand new and still in the boxes. SCI members Dave Strassman and Jim Shurts donated their first guns… a Winchester Model 12 and a Model 94.

This project is very important for the Hunting Education Instructors to effectively teach our youth and future hunters about gun safety and hunting. SCI has focused on ‘First for Hunters’ and ‘Youth Hunting’. This program is very important for our hunting future.

A Call for Arms

The Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Program is a significant factor in the efforts to promote and preserve the hunting heritage in the State of Wisconsin.  Classes offered in various communities fill up quickly, and dedicated volunteer instructors donate their enthusiasm, expertise and time to ensure that the next generation of hunters will be safe and informed.  It is priceless to observe a student, be they a youngster or adult, transform from timid to confident as they demonstrate the safe and proper ways to handle, load and unload a long gun.  There is an ongoing need for more than volunteers…

Much of the time spent in the fifteen to eighteen hours of Hunter Education classes is spent instructing the students on the proper methods of handling firearms.  Currently, the DNR provides to the instructors as many firearms as it has available for each of the many classes held annually. The DNR never has enough firearms available to offer adequate instruction time to each of the 35 to 75 students that attend each session. Instructors often bring their personal firearms to class to ensure the students receive the highest level of instruction they can provide.  This arrangement is neither convenient nor adequate.  Instructors may not have the types of firearms needed, or they may not be comfortable sharing their favorite, and often expensive, firearms with the students.

This ‘Call for Arms’ is directed to the Wisconsin members of SCI. SCI Badgerland has made an arrangement with the DNR, Tim Lawhern, Hunter Education Administrator, so that SCI Members statewide can donate firearms to the ‘Hunter Education Program’. Badgerland Chapter is registered as a non-profit. Donations may qualify the donor for a tax deduction. Firearms do not need to be new or fancy.  They just need to be serviceable and in safe working order.

Shotguns and rifles in any of the five types of actions ‘bolt, break, pump, lever and semi-auto’ are required at each session.  20 ga. Shotguns and 22 long rifle caliber firearms are the most sought after types for use in live fire training since they work best for younger students. However, any gauge shotgun or any caliber rifle in safe, serviceable condition will be gratefully accepted. Please look through your cabinets and safes for firearms in any of the five action types which you might be able to bear parting with.

You can make a positive difference in the future of Youth Hunting in the great State of Wisconsin through your generosity. This program deals directly to SCI’s focus on Youth Hunter.

All State SCI members can conduit the gun donation through their own Chapter or as a taxable deduction through SC I Badgerland. To arrange a donation, you may contact Ken at the phone number or email listed below. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Ken Heim, Badgerland Director & DNR Hunter Safety Instructor.  608-310-4440   khre@tds.net

SCI Badgerland’s Call for Arms Donor List 2009

Donations are to the Badgerland Chapter a 501 c3 charitable entity.

Chapter contact: Ken heim – Badgerland director and DNR Hunter Safety Instructor  608.310.4440 khre@tds.net

Donor Name		Make		Model	Action	caliber
Alan Heth		Harrington Richardson		88	break	410ga
Alan Heth		Mossberg	Plinkster	702	semi auto	22 long
Alan Heth		Mossberg	Plinkster	702	semi auto	22 long
Alan Heth		New England Firearms		Pardner SB1	break	20ga
Dennis Smithback		Savage Mark 1  Accutrigger			bolt	22 long
Alan Heth		Springfield		940 E	break	20ga
Dave Strassman		Winchester Model 12
Dave Strassman		Winchester Model 94
Jim Shurts		Winchester Model 190				22 long
Jim Shurts		Marlin Glenfield Model 10				22 long

HUNTERS APPLAUD GOVERNOR FOR SIGNING YOUTH MENTORED HUNTING BILL

August 13, 2009 – Madison – Today Wisconsin Hunters and young people got a big win as Governor Doyle signed the “Youth Mentored Hunting” Bill. This new law creates a new mentored hunting program for apprentices as young as 10 years old. The bill was authored by Senator Jim Holperin and Representatives Ann Hraychuck and Scott Gunderson, together with dozens of co-sponsors.

Pictured: Governor Doyle, Legislative Leaders, Hunting Leaders and Youth Hunters.

“The Hunters Rights Coalition was formed around this issue. We know that if hunters stick together we can accomplish a lot for the future of our sport. We are thrilled to see this important proposal advance,” said Carl Schoettel, Vice President of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association.

“Wisconsin has become the 28th state to pass a law reducing barriers to hunting since 2004,” said Rob Sexton, Vice-President of US Sportsmen’s Alliance. “It’s great to see Wisconsin providing more hunting opportunities.”

“Over 280,000 new hunters have been added across the country by initiatives like this,” said Greg Kazmierski, Chairman of the Dairyland Committee for Wisconsin’s Safari Club International. “This proposal creates a safe way for youth or adults to experience hunting with a mentor before going through the necessary training to be able to hunt on their own.”

The bill does NOT lower the hunting age for hunting without adult supervision, nor does it change the requirement for hunter safety education. The bill also makes legal the common practice of children under 12 being able to target practice with their parents.

Dean Hamilton, President of the State Chapter of NWTF said, “We have made passage of a mentored hunting bill our top priority because we know that our future as hunters is dependent on getting these kids out into the woods before they get hooked on video games or TV.”

The Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition was originally formed in 2005 to bring together sporting groups that were committed to preserving our hunting heritage.

For more information contact our representative: Bob Welch

September 2009

Welcome to the September Safari Club International Quarterly Update for the Wisconsin Chapters. This update is a continuing email publication provided by The Welch Group. If you would like to subscribe to the email list please visit http://www.thewelchgroup.com/lists/ and sign up for the SCI: Wisconsin Chapters option.

This fall is shaping up to be a VERY busy time for Wisconsin Hunting Legislation, just like it’s busy for Wisconsin Hunters.

• Youth Mentored Hunting – Yes! We have passed the Youth Mentoring Hunting Bill through both houses and it was signed by the Governor in August. The bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming vote of 27-6 and then sailed through the Assembly on a voice vote. Thanks to all of you who contacted your legislator in support of this bill, which will help to secure a solid future for hunting.
• Deer Seasons – As you are aware, SCI and the Hunters Rights Coalition (HRC) are leading the charge to change our deer season structure after the collapse of deer numbers this fall. The DNR’s Earn-A-Buck committee featured the leadership of SCI Dairyland Chairman Greg Kazmierski, who did a tremendous amount of work to pull together disparate hunting interests to come up with a plan that both fits hunter’s expectations and will be effective to manage the herd.

Unfortunately, not every hunting group was as well represented, and the committee got a couple of things wrong. That didn’t stop the HRC though. We worked hard with DNR leadership to make the subsequent rule package something that was almost what we wanted.

Almost.

The major flaw with the rule package is that it calls for a new 16 day season that starts a week ahead of the traditional opener. We know that is unacceptable to the Wisconsin hunter. As this is being written we are still working to change that decision and to implement the rest of the recommendations.

We will be asking you to attend a DNR hearing in your area to express your support for most of the package, but in opposition to the early opening day.

All that this proposal does is change the season structure and add some incentives such as extra tags on private lands. However, it leaves unaddressed the issues of how we count deer and what the ideal overwinter goals should be. SCI and the HRC will continue to work toward fixes on those issues as well.

• Stewardship Access – The new rules to implement the new stewardship hunting access law are set to go to hearings soon. We have been involved all along is their development, but they are far from perfect. We face a lot of meetings and battles on our way to making sure that our tax dollars are not used to buy land and then keep us out.

Again, we will be asking you attend a hearing near you to ask for stronger protections for hunting access on lands that are supposed to be truly “public”.

• Puppy Mills – We have been negotiating with the authors of the so-called puppy mill bill to make sure that it doesn’t affect the hobby dog breeders we often do business with. This has involved many hours of work, as in most states the anti’s have gotten through some very strong language that makes it very difficult for any working dog owners.

So far the outlook is promising and the most recent draft of the bill looks like something we can live with. We will be watching the progress of the bill very closely to make sure that HSUS does not get a win for animal rights.

• Wolves – Based on discussions with SCI’s attorney, we are keeping our powder dry on any talk of a wolf season until all of the rule making and lawsuits are settled. We have had several meetings with other hunting organizations to alert them to the dangers of prematurely advocating for a wolf season.
• Bear Bill – SCI is supporting a move by the Wisconsin Bear Hunters to update several bear hunting regulations. Among other things, the bill will eliminate back tags for Class B license holders, allow a “back up shooter” in the case of a missed shot by the primary hunter, allow Class B license holders to continue to train their dogs after their Class A license is filled, and provide for a “try before you buy” free dog training weekend in August. The bill received almost no opposition at the Assembly Hearing held in August.
• Last Word – We are currently monitoring over 33 new bills as well as numerous DNR regulations that all affect hunting. There are bills dealing with crossbows, group deer hunting, turkey seasons, gun case enforcement, ATV access, “thrill kill” bills to address that snowmobiles-running-down-ducks incident, gun control bills, and all kinds of environmental legislation that may or may not affect the hunt.

The Welch Group maintains an office right across the street from the Capitol and is continuously monitoring all legislative and regulatory actions

To learn more, contact Bob Welch of The Welch Group at 608-819-0150.