SCI actively works in the international arena protecting the freedom to hunt worldwide. SCI also works to increase hunting access and reduce burdens for international hunters.

For more information on hunting, please visit SCI's International Hunting - Focus on Africa page

Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES): CITES regulates trade in protected species of wildlife including the shipment of hunting trophies. SCI is a leading non-governmental organization participant in CITES and has sent representatives to CITES meetings since 1979. SCI participates in the Conferences of the Parties (CoP), Animals Committee Meetings and Standing Committee Meetings, working with delegates from countries and other organizations around the world.

Before every CoP, SCI produces a Sustainable Use Voting Guide that informs the CITES Parties how they should vote on the Conference’s proposals. CoP18 Voting Guide.

The European Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation (FACE): FACE is comprised of European national hunters’ associations and other associate members, including SCI and the SCI Foundation. FACE represents the interests of Europe’s seven million hunters and works on all hunting-related issues in Europe.
World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA): SCI's participation in WFSA helps magnify SCI's voice in the international community. The Forum is an educational and scientific association, founded in 1997 by more than two dozen existing associations and organizations. WFSA is a proactive advocacy organization representing a substantial portion of the sport shooting community, working in concert with international bodies, national governments and regulatory authorities, for the worldwide promotion and preservation of sport shooting activities.
United Nations (UN): The UN has no fewer than five programs dedicated to limiting the ability to import or transport firearms. SCI is a registered non-governmental organization with the United Nations, working to oppose any attempt to limit the lawful transportation of firearms for hunting purposes.
Airline Transport: Some of the biggest problems for international hunters are the unnecessary burdens and regulations that impede the transport of firearms and trophies internationally. SCI works with both airlines and governments to reduce the burdens faced by the traveling hunter.
Importation of Wildlife: Even though CITES regulates wildlife trade, many countries and the European Union often impose additional regulations that prohibit or limit trophy importation. SCI works around the world to reduce the burden on hunters who try to bring back legally hunted trophies from abroad.  SCI has participated with other international organizations to advocate for hunting and community-based management of wildlife in range countries and to prevent unnecessary restrictions that impede range country conservation success.
Firearms Ownership and Transport:  Firearms ownership and transportation among European countries is regulated by the European Union Firearms Directive, which is designed to deter terrorism and criminal activity.  SCI works with FACE to prevent amendments to this document that would unnecessarily penalize legal owners and users of firearms (hunters).
Ammunition: Currently one of the biggest threats to hunters and sport shooters around the world is the push to ban or restrict the use of traditional ammunition. SCI is working on multiple fronts to prevent the imposition of requirements that would make it infeasible, if not impossible, for efficient and accessible hunting to continue.
Border Governors and Latin American-U.S. Leadership Forum:  These meetings, scheduled to coincide with SCI’s annual Convention, bring together decision-makers from Mexican states and South American countries to discuss issues of hunting, wildlife management, law enforcement and CITES decision-making.

International Talking Points

IUCN: Informing Decisions on Trophy Hunting

Click here for IUCN Decisions on Trophy Hunting.

On The Issues

Ivory Trade Restrictions

With few exceptions, it is illegal to sell ivory in the United States. For decades, the United States has generally banned the commercial importation of African elephant ivory, other than antique items more than 100 years old; it has also banned the commercial export of all raw ivory and strictly regulated the export of worked ivory. However, until recently, legally imported ivory was allowed to be sold within the U.S., because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) long presumed that most ivory in the U.S. was legally imported and that its sale in the U.S. would not increase poaching. That is no longer the case.

On June 2, 2016, the FWS completed a rule-making process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to institute a near-total ban on the domestic commercial trade of elephant ivory. The rule, which fulfills restrictions outlined under President Obama’s 2013 Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking, substantially limits imports, exports and sales of elephant ivory across state lines (interstate). The rule specifically prohibits the sale of sport-hunted trophies across state lines. Sales within a state (intrastate) are very limited.

In some states, lawmakers have also enacted bans on the sale of legally-owned ivory products, claiming that such bans are necessary to protect African elephants from the threat of poaching. SCI is aware of at least ten states that currently have laws prohibiting the trade of ivory within the state: New Jersey, New York, California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Nevada, New Hampshire, Illinois, and Minnesota. SCI recommends that any hunter who wishes to sell or otherwise dispose of ivory—whether an elephant trophy or an item that contains ivory—contact the FWS Office of Law Enforcement or an attorney to learn more about your options.

The prohibitions imposed by individual states on the sale of ivory are unnecessary. Existing international treaties and federal laws already provide greater and more appropriate protections to conserve the species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), ESA, Lacey Act and African Elephant Conservation Act are treaties and federal laws that restrict the importation, possession and trade of endangered and threatened species, including ivory. In addition, current state laws already protect local wildlife and prohibit the possession of any animal product from another country where the wildlife is known to have been killed illegally.

SCI supports efforts to eliminate poaching and curb the trade of illegally and unethically acquired animal parts, including elephant ivory. But, further prohibitions imposed by states would place an undue burden on law-abiding citizens who have legally acquired ivory products over the course of time. And state restrictions do nothing to assist in conservation efforts. The solution to poaching will never be found in proposals that penalize law-abiding citizens. Accordingly, to protect the interests of our members and hunters generally who possess lawfully acquired ivory, SCI has opposed legislative attempts by state legislatures to impose unnecessary and sometimes harmful anti-ivory proposals.

Recent International Affairs Articles

Botswana Reopens Borders for International Tourism

By Barbara Crown | November 10, 2020

President of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi has announced a phased plan for the reopening of Botswana’s borders for international tourism. As of November 9, 2020, air travel has resumed at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Kasane International Airport and Maun International Airport. The next phase is the opening

SCIF Shifts to Virtual Agenda for 18th Annual African Wildlife Consultative Forum

By Brett Stayton | October 19, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions, the Safari Club International Foundation will now host the 18th African Wildlife Consultative Forum entirely virtual from Nov. 10-12, 2020. SCIF’s premier activity in Africa, the AWCF, brings together government officials, professional hunting associations, wildlife biologists, community-based organizations and other stakeholders

Tahr Wars: Episode II

By Brett Stayton | October 16, 2020

The politicization of tahr management in New Zealand (NZ) did not start and will not end with Eugenie Sage, the current Minister of Conservation. In fact, the very origin and entire history of the species in NZ is a story with deep political roots. It’s a story that raises many

Zimbabwe Opens for International Tourism by Air Travel

By Barbara Crown | October 1, 2020

Zimbabwe has reopened for international tourism, allowing commercial passenger flights to land at its airports as of today October 1st. According to Zimbabwe Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Mangaliso Ndlovu, the country’s tourism industry has resumed full operations. Hotel and lodges are open, as well as restaurants and

Tourists from US and 60 Other Countries Barred from Entering South Africa

By Barbara Crown | September 30, 2020

Hunters from the US and much of Western Europe will not be among the travelers allowed to enter South Africa when that country reopens its borders on October 1st, 2020. At a press conference on Wednesday, September 30, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor announced how South Africa

SCI Welcomes New Ambassador from Botswana to Washington D.C.

By Brett Stayton | September 24, 2020

Yesterday, SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin welcomed the new Ambassador of Botswana to Washington DC – the Honorable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila. The Safari Club International Foundation was also represented by SCIF’s Conservation Director Dr. Chris Comer and Conservation Manager Joe Goergen. Safari Club has enjoyed a productive relationship with Botswana and