SCI’s International Government & Public Affairs team is excited to welcome you to SCI’s Convention in Nashville, Tennessee from January 31 – February 3. The grand opening is on Wednesday, January 31, at 10:00 AM. Below find all the events from SCI Advocacy as we celebrate 52 years of defending our freedom to hunt:
Thursday: On Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 1:00 to 5:15 PM Central, SCI’s Legal Advocacy team is presenting a Continuing Legal Education program for attorneys to earn three general credit hours and one hour of Ethics credit. This year’s program tackles hot topics in wildlife and hunting law. The CLE includes presentations about some of the legal challenges facing efforts to “de-extinct” the woolly mammoth, rulemaking in the Department of the Interior, emergent Second Amendment issues that affect hunters, recent wildlife law cases (including a case in which the court ruled that a bee is legally a fish!), and Legal Ethics and social media. Registration is available at https://www.nashvillebar.org/SCI, and the course is offered live and by Zoom. The best part? Attendees registered by January 15 will receive a half-day admission to SCI’s Annual Hunters Convention for Thursday morning.
Thursday: On Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 2:30 to 4:30 PM Central, SCI’s Advocacy team is presenting a Travel with Firearms seminar to educate hunters about traveling legally and efficiently with personal firearms. Airlines, the U.S., and range countries frequently introduce new hoops for hunters to jump through. Getting it wrong puts your favorite firearm, ammo—or even your trip—at risk. A distinguished panel will discuss the importance of the SCI Database, airline terms of service, ticketing, routing considerations, the importance of the Customs Form 4457, whether to employ professional assistance or meet-and-greet service, as well as the vital importance of communications with your in-country guides and more!
Friday: On Friday, February 2, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Central, SCI’s Advocacy team welcomes representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Veterinary Services Division and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss the laws and regulations governing the import of wildlife into the United States. Whether bringing home a deer from Canada, a dove from Argentina, or a warthog, elephant, or lion from Africa, hunters face a number of overlapping regulations and essential paperwork. USDA and USFWS personnel will educate attendees on how to successfully navigate these requirements.
Friday: On Friday, February 2, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Central, a panel of State Wildlife Directors and Commissioners spanning the country will meet to discuss key wildlife management issues and hunting challenges involving Chronic Wasting Disease, and to answer questions from attendees. This is a unique opportunity to have frank discussions with your State Wildlife Director. Even more, attendees get a nationwide view of how States manage wildlife, conserve habitat, and seek to provide hunting opportunities, while balancing the many opinions of stakeholder groups and relations with Federal and Tribal governments.
Friday: On Friday, February 2, 2024, at 3:30 PM Central, SCI’s Legal Task Force will meet to discuss new business and receive updates from one of SCI’s most unique features—its inhouse legal counsel, who represent the voice of hunters in courts and before federal agencies. SCI is the only hunting club with attorneys on staff to respond to the challenges of anti-hunters and protect hunting access, and the LTF meeting offers a glimpse into SCI’s extensive efforts around the country.
Friday: Our longstanding partner, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), is hosting a happy hour reception on Friday, February 2, from 3:30-5:00 PM Central. Every year, CSF brings together legislators, dignitaries, advocates, and more at SCI Convention. Join us in the Legends Prefunction at the Omni Nashville and RSVP here!
Friday: Following the CSF Reception, head over to the SCI-PAC Reception before the dinner banquet! SCI is the leading voice in the fight to protect hunting freedoms, and our most effective tool to help hunters win on election day is SCI-PAC. Funded entirely by SCI membership, SCI-PAC is the largest sportsmen-led political action committee in America. Join us at 5:00 PM Central at the Omni Nashville to celebrate SCI-PAC’s success and recognize our allies in Congress that continue to lead the way to defend freedom!
Friday: Friday night’s banquet is not to be missed! In addition to fantastic entertainment by superstars Big & Rich, SCI celebrates “Freedom Friday” by recognizing the Federal and International Legislators of the Year! SCI is honored to recognize Congressman Richard Hudson and Member of the Canadian Parliament Blaine Calkins as champions of hunters and hunting. In addition to Rep. Hudson and MP Calkins, SCI expects a number of distinguished guests including Members of Congress, African government representatives, Ambassadors, and more. Great music and great company—this is the night to celebrate our hunting freedoms with SCI in Nashville!
Saturday: SCI’s Women Go Hunting invites all women attending Convention to a free cocktail brunch and to participate in a special sweepstakes celebrating the role of women in this year’s convention theme, The Future of Hunting. The free Mix & Mingle event takes place on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 9:30-11:30 AM Central in room 205ABCD, and the sweepstakes will be held throughout the convention with winners announced daily. The Mix & Mingle allows women of any hunting experience level to meet their hunting role models and icons, network with other women hunters, make new friends and maybe even find new hunting partners. Enjoy a mimosa or bloody Mary while mingling with other women hunters. Women can scan the QR code to enter the sweepstakes at the Women Go Hunting booth #3412. Participation is limited to women only. See complete prize descriptions and sweepstakes rules at www.safariclub.org/women-go-hunting/.
Saturday: SCI’s Hunter Action Fund (HAF) is the only SuperPAC supporting pro-hunting, pro-Second Amendment candidates for office, and we have achieved real results! SCI-endorsed candidates had a 94.5% success rate in their Congressional races in November 2022. HAF efforts directly helped elect pro-hunting candidates to Congress who are champions for SCI in defending the freedom to hunt. Now with the 2024 election cycle ramping up, it’s more important than ever for all of us to step up and Protect the Freedom to Hunt. To further support our mission and the impact of SCI’s superPAC, buy a ticket to the Hunter Action Fund (HAF) Luncheon and Auction on Saturday, February 3 at 11:30 Central at Legend’s Ballroom at the Omni Nashville.
For more information on registration, entertainment, seminars, auctions, and other events, please visit: https://safariclub.org/2024-Convention/
