Time To Stand Up And Fight

By W. Laird Hamberlin, SCI, SCIF CEO

Originally published in the June 2025 edition of Safari Times.

The hunting community is under increasing attacks by the anti-hunting forces that are growing louder and more aggressive. The future of hunting hinges on what we do now. We must stand up and fight like never before.

We took the fight last month to our Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. It was the most successful Lobby Day ever, with record participation by members and Chapters from around the country. We were welcomed by many elected officials who recognize now, more than ever, that SCI is the true leader in the hunting world. This recognition is enhanced by the many activities for elected officials and their staff at SCI’s world headquarters on Capitol Hill.

Regardless how successful Lobby Day and other advocacy efforts may be at any given time, we can’t rest on such laurels because despite our successes, the threats remain both real and active — the anti-hunters literally are out to get us and to eliminate all hunting everywhere forever.

It’s not just the rabid anti-hunters who are standing in the way. In an example of corporate virtue signaling over scientific conservation, Delta Airlines has chosen to ban the transportation of legal, permitted hunting trophies. That policy flies in the face of science-based conservation policies and indiscriminately punishes the rural communities that rely on hunters to drive the local economies. These policies undermine conservation of wildlife and punish responsible hunters.

The truth is that unknowingly misguided individuals and corporations represent a persistent challenge to hunting because they can, and often are, easily fooled by the anti-hunters’ emotional lies. We use science-based facts to bring clarity to the social discourse and ultimately the truth will win.

But we must not underestimate the power of the anti-hunters’ cleverly deceitful offensives. We face a fundamental choice: passive hope versus active offense and defense. We can only defend the freedom hunt if we go on offense, engaging both anti-hunters and nonhunters anywhere and everywhere around the world whenever hunting and wildlife conservation are subjects of consideration.

Saving hunting rests on both institutional and personal persistence. Individually and collectively, we must contact lawmakers at all levels, share our truths and refuse to the silent. Hunters outnumber anti-hunters and unengaged nonhunters outnumber the rest of us combined. Nonhunters cannot know the truth and react appropriately if we don’t tell them what our truth is. By contrast, our silence merely amplifies the effects of the lies spewed out by the anti-hunters. I call on each SCI member to invite a hunting friend to join SCI in the fight.

SCI is actively fighting in the courts, legislatures, corporate boardrooms and media. Our tagline “SCI First For Hunters” is not simply a slogan. It’s the embodiment of our mission. This moment in history requires action. Every member has a role to play. It’s time to suit up, show up and fight back. Failure is not an option.