By W. Laird Hamberlin, SCI CEO
No, I am not talking about the synthetic insecticide DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane). I am talking about Deer, Ducks and Turkeys.
If this is December it means that there are still lots of hunting opportunities out there, and as hunters we need to be out hunting. After all, without hunting, there would be no SCI.
In fact, Hunting is one of the six pillars upon which the future of SCI and hunting rests. The other five pillars are Advocacy, Event Services (Convention), Membership, Chapters and Conservation.
SCI’s mission is to protect the freedom to hunt and promote wildlife conservation worldwide. Those six pillars represent a great foundation for what it takes for SCI to accomplish its mission.
As much as all of that is institutionally mandatory to promote, it can seem a bit hollow if that’s all there is. What’s missing there is fun. That’s right. We hunt because we’re hunters and we enjoy ourselves in the process.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons the anti-hunters hate us so much. They cannot stand to see anyone enjoy themselves in the wild.
Could it be that the secret to beating the antis is to put on a happy face? Works for me.
Certainly, the non-hunters can feel more of a kinship with us hunters if we are happy and positive about what we do than if we are negative and glum.
Seriously, we are at our best when we are hunting, and it is that common bond which makes SCI the biggest and best organization of hunters the world has ever known. And with the recent acquisition of Texas Trophy Hunters Association and the joint venture with Buckmasters, SCI is extending its presence and relevance to even more hunters.
Speaking of hunting, there are still deer and other big-game hunts going on this month, so I invite members to take advantage of those opportunities. And some of the great duck hunting happens during the late seasons, which is now.
Wild turkeys? Well, it’s time to think about spring turkey hunts because they’ll be here before we know it. Heck, it’s a well-known fact that we only have two mental/physical states: We’re either hunting or thinking about hunting.
Which brings us to the SCI Convention that will be held in Nashville Feb. 22-25, 2023. I thank all members who have registered and are all set for the upcoming Convention.
For those members who have not yet registered or even planned seriously to attend, I encourage you to decide right now that you will go to SCI’s big party in Nashville, then register for it and get ready for the best Convention ever!
There is a palpable level of excitement about the upcoming Convention. For those who have attended previous Conventions, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. For those who never have gone to an SCI Convention, now is your chance to experience something that is beyond imagination. Don’t miss out.
I look forward to seeing you in Nashville. Click here to register now.
