Information about Safari Club International

Safari Club International
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Formation	1973
Headquarters	Tucson, Arizona
Membership	47,000
Website	[1]

Safari Club International is an international organization composed of hunters. SCI claims to have approximately 48,700 members and 176 local chapters. ^[1]

Safari Club International Foundation, the 501 (c) 3 branch of SCI funds and manages worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services. ^[2]

Leadership

SCI was founded by hunter C.J. McElroy, ^[3] who was eventually forced to resign his leadership role. ^[4] McElroy has 335 hunted animals listed in SCI record books, including African elephants, Pacific walrus, southern white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, Scimitar-horned oryx, addax, hippopotamus, pygmy hippopotamus, dama gazelle, polar bear, African lions, bengal tigers, wolves, leopards, jaguar and others. Some of these species have become endangered and can no longer be hunted in their native habitats. ^[5]

In 2007, SCI elected a new president, Dennis Anderson, of Anaheim, California. Anderson has hunted in Asia, Africa, Europe, the South Pacific and North America, completing the "North American 29" (see below) in 2003. ^[6] Anderson has reported hunting polar bear, ibex, gazelle, roe deer, wolf, Asian elk, bighorn sheep, rhinoceros, bontebok, rhebok, vaal, reedbuck, lynx, elephant, and hyena. ^[7]

The organization's headquarters is in Tucson, Arizona. An annual convention is held in Reno, Nevada.

Mission Statement

Safari Club International claims to be the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

• Providing value to members by shaping policies and legislation that protect the freedom to hunt locally, nationally and internationally.
• Keeping members informed regarding issues that impact hunting while educating and entertaining members with articles about hunting in all forms of media.
• Providing a community for hunters worldwide where information is exchanged, and where members are able to participate in a market for hunting goods and services.
• Promoting a positive image of hunters and portraying them as responsible citizens who fund wildlife conservation, education and other programs which benefit the community.

International Wildlife Museum

The International Wildlife Museum was founded in 1988 in Tucson, AZ. The museum displays over 400 kinds of mammals, birds, and insects, all of which were donated by hunters, government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or zoos. ^[8] There is a pond in the front of the museum that serves as habitat for various frogs, fishes, and insects.

Some of the museum’s permanent exhibits include: insects, sheep mountain, birds, predators and prey, and an area focusing specifically on Sonoran desert animals in the daytime and at night. ^[9]

Conservation Projects

SCIF spent 75 percent of its expenditures, over $3.7 million on education and conservation projects. ^[10] Education expenditures totaled $2.08 million, and conservation expenditures totaled $1.87 million. ^[11] SCIF conservation projects include population surveys and the creation of a long-term Argali sheep conservation plan in Kyrgyzstan, financial support for a survey and radio collaring project in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, and sponsoring the International Conference on Alpine Ibex in Europe. ^[12]

Humanitarian Services

Sportsmen Against Hunger began in 1989, ^[13] and through the network of SCI chapters, provides food banks with meat from harvested animals. In 2006, over 170,000 pounds of wild game were donated to charitable relief organizations. ^[14] The Sensory Safari program allows sight-impaired individuals to get a “visual” perspective of what animals are like by feeling mounts, skins, skulls, horns, and antlers.^[15] The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) asked SCIF to host a Sensory Safari at its annual convention. In 1997, the NFB signed a memorandum of understanding with SCI to host Sensory Safaris at all future NFB national and state conventions.^[16] Hunters who participate in the SafariCare program take bags filled by SCI chapter with medical, school, and relief supplies to clinics and schools to remote regions of the developing world.^[17] The SafariWish program is part of the SafariCare program, designed to give children with life-threatening illnesses a chance to go hunting.^[18] The Disabled Hunter program, through SCI chapters, provides sponsorship for hunting trips for disabled sportsmen.

Annual Hunters' Convention

For the last 35 years, SCI has hosted the Annual Hunters’ Convention, claimed to be the “industry’s largest convention”. In 2007 over 22,000 SCI members, and 1,000 exhibitors participated in the Convention.^[19] Hunts, knives, artwork, and other items are auctioned during the day and after the evening entertainment. Every night after the convention hall closes, there is evening entertainment followed by another auction at the host hotel. The 2006 Hunters’ Convention grossed over $11.2 million. ^[20]

Publications

The organization publishes Safari magazine, a bi-monthly publication that features hunting stories, issues affecting the hunting sportsman, reviews of books and equipment, as well as conservation reports. Much of the magazine also features ads for various corporations catering to hunters, largely big game safaris, hunting opportunities in and outside the U.S. and taxidermists specializing in big and exotic game. Safari also has a special awards issue, which honors trophy hunters each year.

It also publishes Safari Times, the news arm of the organization.

Awards

SCI has its own scoring and record book system which ranks the biggest tusks, horns, antlers, skulls and bodies of hunted animals. Hunters are rewarded with trophies for completing a “Grand Slam;” a “Special Awards Issue” of SCI’s magazine is dedicated to this topic and those who win awards are listed in SCI’s “Record Book of Trophy Animals.” This book ranks every species of game animal using the SCI official scoring method. “Highest scores go to the animals with the largest measurements.” ^[3]

Every animal that meets the minimum score required for a record book entry is eligible to enter the medallion program and is assured of received at least a bronze medallion.

SCI’s Grand Slams, Major Awards and the Safari Club International Award are adorned with golden statues, miniature animals, the name of the hunter and usually the species of animals killed. ^[3]

SCI’s Top Ten Awards Program

SCI has a “Top Ten Awards Program” which rewards hunters who score in the top 10 of any species with pin featuring a lion’s head. A hunter with one animal ranking in the top 10 is eligible to purchase a sterling silver pin. For two to four animals the hunter can purchase the pin in 14k gold; Five to nine can purchase a 14k gold pin with a ruby; Ten to fourteen can purchase a 14k gold pin with an emerald; Hunters who have ten or more animals ranked in the top 10 can purchase a 14k gold pin with a diamond. ^[3]

The Inner Circle

There are 25 “Inner Circles.” Each geographic region has its own category. A minimum number of animals is required to obtain a copper, bronze, silver or gold trophy in each category. For example, of the 167 eligible African species, 17 are required to obtain a copper award, 26 for a bronze, 49 for a silver, 59 for a gold and 80 for a diamond. ^[21]

Minimum in each category to receive the Diamond Award

• “Trophy Animals of Africa” requires 80 animals; only 37 if hunting with a bow
• “Spiral-horned Antelopes of Africa” requires 17 animals
• “Pygmy Antelopes of Africa” requires 15; only 6 if with a bow
• “Trophy Animals of North America” requires 32; only 28 if with a bow
• “Introduced Trophy Animals of North America” requires 18; only 11 if with a bow
• “Red Deer/Wapiti of the World” requires 8; only 6 if with a bow
• “Trophy Animals of South America” requires 12; only 6 if with a bow
• “Antlered Game of the Americas” requires 23; only 17 if with a bow
• “Trophy Animals of Europe” requires 16; only 8 if with a bow
• “Chamois of the World” requires 6; only 3 if with a bow
• “Ibex of the World” requires 6; only 5 if with a bow
• “Trophy Animals of Asia” requires 15; only 8 if with a bow
• “Trophy Animals of the South Pacific” requires 12; only 8 if with a bow
• “Wild Oxen of the World” requires 8; only 6 if with a bow
• “Gazelle of the World” requires 11; only 8 if with a bow
• “Predators of the World” requires 15
• “Wild Goats of the World” requires 15; only 6 if with a bow
• “Wild Sheep of the World” requires 10; only 6 if with a bow
• “Mountain Game of the World” requires 27 (12 sheep and 15 goats); only 15 if with a bow ( 8 sheep and 7 goats)
• “Antlered Game of the World” requires 36; only 20 if with a bow
• “Wild Pigs and Peccaries of the World” requires 7; only 6 if with a bow. ^[22]

Global Hunting Award

The “Global Hunting Award” requires the hunter to have hunted 6 continents to receive a diamond award (a minimum of 17 native in Africa, 13 native or introduced in North America, 4 native or introduced in South America, 6 native or introduced in Europe, 6 native to Asia and 4 introduced in the South Pacific, for a total of 50 animals). ^[23]

Hunting Achievement Award

The “Hunting Achievement Award” requires a minimum of 125 animals, or 60 if hunting with a bow. ^[24]

Grand Slams

There are 15 “Grand Slams.” These focus on the class of animal killed. Grand Slams include:

• “African Big Five Club” (African lion, African leopard, African elephant, African buffalo and an African rhinoceros)
• “Dangerous Game of Africa” (requires a minimum of five from the African lion, African leopard, African elephant, African rhinoceros, African buffalo, Hippopotamus and Nile Crocodile)
• “African 29” (African lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, and a small cat, eland, bongo, kudu, nyala, sitatunga, bushbuck, sable antelope, roan antelope, oryx/gemsbok, waterbuck, lechwe, kob or puku, reedbuck or rhebok, wildebeest, hartebeest, mamalisc, impala, gazelle, pygmy antelope, springbok, dik-dik, bush duiker, forest duiker, nubian ibex, aoudad, hippopotamus, and wild pig)
• “North American 29” (from grizzly bear, Alaska brown bear, coastal black bear, inland black bear, polar bear, desert mule deer, Rocky Mountain mule deer, Sitka black-tailed deer, Columbia black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, coues white-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk, Tule elk, Alaska-Yukon moose, eastern Canada moose, western Canada moose, Shiras moose, central Canada barren ground caribou, mountain caribou, Quebec-Labrador caribou, woodland caribou, Alaska-Yukon barren ground caribou, Artic Islands caribou, pronghorn, Rocky Mountain or California bighorn sheep, dall sheep, desert bighorn sheep, stone sheep, American mountain goat, muskox, American bison, gray wolf, American alligator, cougar and jaguar)
• “Cats of the World” (minimum of four of: lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, cougar, lynx, cougar or puma, serval, carcal, African golden cat or bobcat)
• “Bears of the World” (a minimum of 5)
• “North American Wild Sheep” (a minimum of 4)
• “North American Elk” (minimum of 3)
• “North American Caribou” (minimum of 5)
• “North American Deer” (minimum of 5)
• “White-tailed Deer of the World” (minimum of 5)
• “European Deer” (minimum of 9)
• “Moose of the World” (minimum of 4)
• “South American Indigenous Animals” (minimum of 6)
• "Wild Turkey" (minimum of 5).^[25]

World Hunting Award Rings

World Hunting Award Rings were introduced in 1995 and is the second highest award in the World Hunting Awards Program. It is a Super Bowl style, gold and gemstone ring. According to SCI, 48 hunters have received this award. A hunter who receives this award must have completed 11 SCI Grand Slams and 17 Inner Circles at the Diamond Level, including the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement and Crowning Achievement. ^[26]

Crowning Achievement Award

This award is a green marble obelisk with gold-filled crown highlights. Hunters who receive the award must have nine “Grand Slams,” the “Hunting Achievement” at the Silver Level, the “Trophy of Animals of Africa” at the Silver Level and 13 of the remaining 19 “Inner Circles” at the Copper Lever or higher, and the fourth “Pinnacle of Achievement.” ^[27]

Pinnacle of Achievement Awards

SCI has a “Pinnacles of Achievement” system where, year by year, hunters can advance to the next pinnacle. A hunter must have an entry in a specific number of Inner Circle awards at a specific level to be eligible.^[3] To enter the first, a hunter much have six of the 35 “Grand Slams”/”Inner Circles.” To enter the second: four “Inner Circles” at the Silver Level and two Grand Slams. To enter the third: four “Inner Circles” at the Gold Level and three “Grand Slams.” To enter the fourth: five “Inner Circles” at the Gold Level and one “Inner Circle” at the Diamond Level. ^[28]

SCI Hall of Fame

SCI instituted the SCI Hall of Fame in 1982 to recognize those who have “excelled in trophy hunting”.^[3]

International Hunting Award

This award is presented each year to the member with the highest achievements in hunting each year. This award is based on the total number of species of wild game killed, the quality of the trophies entered in the SCI record book, the number of countries hunted and the number of hunts taken. ^[29]

Diana Award

The Diana award is given to women who “have excelled in international big game hunting.” ^[30]

World Conservation & Hunting Award

This award is given to hunters who have hunted six continents to hunt more than 300 species. The hunter will have taken all 14 Grand Slams, the 23 Inner Circles, Pinnacle of Achievement (fourth) and the Crowning Achievement Award. ^[31]

Political lobbying

In 1979, when SCI was fairly new, it sought government approval to import 1,125 trophies from 40 different species (gorillas, cheetas, tigers, orangutans, snow leopards and others) for "scientific research and incentive for propogation and survival of the species." Because the animals were to be hunted, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied the request. ^[32]

Since that time, SCI has had more successes.

Polar Bear Imports

In 1994, SCI successfully lobbied for a loophole in the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, which was enacted in 1972 and banned the importation on marine mammals or their parts. This loophole allowed for the importation of sport-hunted polar bear trophies into the United States from Canada. ^[33]

In 2007, SCI testified at a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hearing opposing the proposed listing of polar bears as a "threatened" species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The FWS is concerned that global warming is or will place polar bears at risk of extinction. ^[34]

Criticism

Canned Hunts

SCI accepts animals killed in canned hunts for inclusion in its record books.^[32] Many hunting organizations do not, including Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett, based on their belief that canned hunting violates the concept of “fair chase.”

Endangered Species

SCI supports the hunting of endangered species, including the cheetah and the critically endangered black rhino. ^[35]

SCI went to court in support of hunting endangered antelope in canned hunts. ^[36]

In Literature

"Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals and the Call to Mercy," Matthew Scully, 2003. This book contains extensive details of SCI's annual conference.

Revenue Sources

In 2007, the New York legislature earmarked $50,000 of taxpayer dollars for SCI. ^[37]

The average SCI member owns 11 rifles, six shotguns, five handguns and a bow. Two-thirds of members spend about one month hunting each year. ^[32]

References

Footnotes

NY Times article is from April 9, not 11 and should now be linked (NY Times archives now freely available)

External links

• Safari Club International - Conservation Efforts Home
• Safari Club International - Official website