Washington, D.C. - (January 16, 2020) - Safari Club International, the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide, is excited to announce it has entered into an agreement to purchase Texas Trophy Hunters Association. The acquisition is expected to close at the SCI Convention in Reno, Nevada next month.

"This acquisition is part of SCI's strategic plan to enhance the organization's ability to help protect the freedom to hunt worldwide," said SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin. "Since I was hired less than a year ago, we have shored-up internal operations and procedures. Now we are reaching out to other opportunities to position SCI for expansion in the hunting world and to defeat efforts by anti-hunters to deny everyone the freedom to hunt."

Founded in 1975, TTHA will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year as the state's leading organization in promoting, protecting and preserving the Texas hunting heritage for future generations. TTHA will continue to operate independently as Texas Trophy Hunters Association with its members and corporate partners maintaining their full benefits. In the near term, SCI will expand its already legendary hunting show operations via the three Hunters Extravaganzas that TTHA has developed in the Lone Star State. SCI's annual convention has been the best hunting show in the world for nearly 50 years.

"SCI's future rests on four solid pillars. They are Membership, Convention, Advocacy and Conservation," Hamberlin noted. "This acquisition strengthens all four of those pillars, as will additional internal and external expansions in the future."

Other elements of TTHA will be integrated into the SCI structure. Both TTHA and SCI members and corporate partners can look forward to greater benefits from their association with the newly combined organization.

"With SCI's resources and status in the world, hunters in Texas and elsewhere will benefit from this transaction," said Dave Keith, President and CEO of TTHA. "Combining these two dynamic organizations will strengthen the entire hunting community, which will help save hunting for future generations and result in even more effective wildlife conservation. I am proud to be a part of this momentous agreement."

"SCI recognizes that to accomplish our mission to protect the freedom to hunt and promote the conservation of wildlife worldwide that we need to expand our size and enhance our effectiveness," said SCI President Steve Skold. "The challenges to hunting and hunters in today's world demand a combination of both bold and prudent actions. This acquisition is the first in a series of steps forward as we leverage our assets to assure a bright future for the hunting culture worldwide."

And this means exactly what???

Texas Trophy Hunters is a group that is after mega antlers.... I was a member many years ago and lost total interest due to the direction it was heading (high fence 200" - 300" whitetails). I suppose it is more than that now, but why in the world would SCI think this is a good match???

SCI thinks its a good match because--

Texas Trophy Hunters is a group that is after mega antlers

My three guesses are: (1) they are trying to expand to Bubba deer hunting crowd and doing it by buying into a bubba deer hunting group; (2) they want the revenue from the 3 Texas shows; (3) both.

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
My three guesses are: (1) they are trying to expand to Bubba deer hunting crowd and doing it by buying into a bubba deer hunting group; (2) they want the revenue from the 3 Texas shows; (3) both.

You ain’t gotta guess, it’s right there in black and white: “ SCI's future rests on four solid pillars. They are Membership, Convention, Advocacy and Conservation,...”

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
My three guesses are: (1) they are trying to expand to Bubba deer hunting crowd and doing it by buying into a bubba deer hunting group; (2) they want the revenue from the 3 Texas shows; (3) both.

You ain’t gotta guess, it’s right there in black and white: “ SCI's future rests on four solid pillars. They are Membership, Convention, Advocacy and Conservation,...”

SCIs four pillars are money, money, money and money.......

They do not want to compete with anyone claiming their dicks are bigger!

Perfect match, if you ask me!

The stupidity of SCI never ceases to amazes me!

A match made in heaven it seems.....

SCI is such a shit-wad organization. They will buy TTH, sell the hunts to make more money, charge their fees to list animals taken in the book for more money, and breed trophy animals behind high fences and guarantee record book entries.
C

I am not sure of the rationale. It seems to me the logical reason is to appeal the a group of hunters which SCI does not currently appeal to.

I'm willing to bet that the price to attend the TTHA show/convention will soon go up.

Great opportunity to get into a market they have had a tough time penetrating in the past. They get access to a large contingent of Lone Star state hunters and now can get their message out to that crowd. DSC has been too formidable to allow them to hold their convention here. (remember when the SCI crowd was contemplating holding the convention in Dallas). Access, I think it's all about access... big antlers, not so much.

Three conventions a year in Houston, Fort Worth and SanAntonio? Bingo!

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
SCI is such a shit-wad organization. They will buy TTH, sell the hunts to make more money, charge their fees to list animals taken in the book for more money, and breed trophy animals behind high fences and guarantee record book entries.
C

The two were made for each other......two peas in a pod, as they're both pathetic organizations.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Great opportunity to get into a market they have had a tough time penetrating in the past. They get access to a large contingent of Lone Star state hunters and now can get their message out to that crowd. DSC has been too formidable to allow them to hold their convention here. (remember when the SCI crowd was contemplating holding the convention in Dallas). Access, I think it's all about access... big antlers, not so much.

Three conventions a year in Houston, Fort Worth and SanAntonio? Bingo!

The three "conventions", or Hunter's Extravaganza's as they're known, are a far cry from a "convention". They are a high fence breeder/deer feeder/deer blind/cater to the lardazzzed lawyer types who happen to hunt type of show. It's gone way downhill over the years and isn't worth the effort to attend anymore already.

No big deal for me. I don't support either.

I have been a member of the TTH for years. I find the magazine valuable as a source of equipment for my place. Things that I would not find locally.

At one point I was a member of both organizations. I think it’s a perfect match.

Why does TTH want to be acquired by SCI? They are doing quite well on their own. Next thing you know SCI will be acquiring the NRA.

I wonder how much SCI paid for this accusation With all the PR and Conservation initiatives that need funding right now.

That’s money that could have been used proving SCI really is first for hunters.....another ego acquisition.

A thought:

Did TTH have any connections with SCI prior to the sale?

Did SCI buy TTH from one of its own members or officers? To enrich the owner, if he was a member on the board of SCI, would be a conflict.

Would not be the first time something like this has happened in the business world. Just wonderin'.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
A thought:

Did TTH have any connections with SCI prior to the sale?

Did SCI buy TTH from one of its own members or officers? To enrich the owner, if he was a member on the boars of SCI, would be a conflict.

Would not be the first time something like this has happened in the business world. Just wonderin'.
Cal

Valid question but I think the answer is no.

This reminds me of when K-Mart bought Sears.

The best analogy was "Tie two drunks together to see if they can now walk in a straight line".

quote:

The three "conventions", or Hunter's Extravaganza's as they're known, are a far cry from a "convention". They are a high fence breeder/deer feeder/deer blind/cater to the lardazzzed lawyer types who happen to hunt type of show. It's gone way downhill over the years and isn't worth the effort to attend anymore already.

Call them what you want but each time I have gone to one of the San Antonio or Houston shows, conventions, whatever you want to call them, the aisles are shoulder to shoulder. Lots of people there and many are spending money. High fence ranches ARE there but so are low fence operations, African outfitters and equipment manufacturers. I am not a member of either group but don't really understand the distaste for any group that stands up for hunter's rights.

From an acquisition standpoint, if you look at the economics to acquire customers, it's a very expensive endeavor to advertise enough to bring a new member into the fold. A shotgun approach to marketing to be sure. If you can acquire 20 or 50 thousand members by buying another association it might not be a bad spend. Highest and best use of cash? Maybe not, but time will tell. The shows and organization made enough money for Jerry Johnston to buy a very nice ranch in south Texas and make a good living since 1975... so it will probably be accretive to SCI in the future.

As far as rumors concerning buying from friends or insider deals, we should hold ourselves to the mantra of speak only the truth or what we know to be fact. Rumor mongering is for old lady's quilting circles.

quote:

Originally posted by Colorado Bob:
No big deal for me. I don't support either.

Same here, nor will I ever belong to these.

For years among the criticisms laid at SCI's feet were that the organization was not inclusive enough, that their moniker was pretentious to many hunters and that by an apparent focus on African hunting and international big game hunting they came across as elitist to the average deer or duck hunter. So they make a move seemingly in the direction of expanding the fold and being more inclusive of the broader hunting community and the general reaction is negative. Talk about damned if you do, damned if you don't.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
For years among the criticisms laid at SCI's feet were that the organization was not inclusive enough, that their moniker was pretentious to many hunters and that by an apparent focus on African hunting and international big game hunting they came across as elitist to the average deer or duck hunter. So they make a move seemingly in the direction of expanding the fold and being more inclusive of the broader hunting community and the general reaction is negative. Talk about damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Bingo

Interesting that 50% of the comments on the TTH website make references to SCI being for the rich.

Would not Buckmasters have a larger base if you wanted to make inroads to Bubba Deer Hunter?

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
Would not Buckmasters have a larger base if you wanted to make inroads to Bubba Deer Hunter?

Who knows? Maybe Buckmasters isn’t for sale.

This seems like a positive move to me. I am perplexed by the response.

Larry,

It's popular here on AR to bash all things SCI.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Larry,

It's popular here on AR to bash all things SCI.

Mark

. . . cleaned it up for you Mark.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Interesting that 50% of the comments on the TTH website make references to SCI being for the rich.

What's interesting to me is the one's who can't see SCI for what it is. BTW, at any of the TTHA Hunter's Extravaganza shows a guy can take his high fenced "trophies" (low fenced fair chase too for that matter) in to have them scored and entered in a contest, and take another hero shot at the same venue. Like I say, lardazzzzzed lawyer type hunter's dream.

There are a number of things about the acquisition that make sense if the vitriol is put aside for a moment. Outdoor show season is in winter in the U.S., and Reno has both accessibility and weather issues. Las Vegas lacks both those problems, but a lot of vendors did not like the prices and the union setup requirement. Making matters worse is the law now in place in Nevada that prohibits a lot of trade in African animal parts, which definitely affects many vendors, and is a near-impossible nightmare for anyone trying to sort out what is legal and what is not. There were complaints lodged by the antis at a previous convention, but fortunately the Nevada AG stated the opinion that the law was not passed for that purpose, and could not possibly be understood or complied with by the time of the convention. That said, Nevada is no longer a viable place for an international hunting convention. By acquiring TTH, SCI is out of Nevada, and gets three established conventions in Texas, which has been a difficult market for them to get into, given the long-time presence of DSC, and HSC. It also gives them access to a class of hunters that they would not normally get. Time will tell if the move is a good one, and if any of the potential chicanery mentioned by others here is true. Personally, I plan to take a wait and see attitude.

abit surprised HSC is not involved in some manner-
thought their big chief was deeply involved with TTH

Does anyone know if the TTHA members had any say in the matter? I know it was started and owned by a Jerry Johnston at some point who made a lot of money off of it. I don’t know if they have bylaws or anything like DSC. I was a TTHA for a few years, but only because my father wanted the magazine, and that was all I got other than spam emails and other vendor catalogs.

I know DSC always send bylaw amendments and ballots to members every year, but not every club works like DSC.

I suppose I was an SCI member for a bit, because of involvement in the local chapter. In that time, I only received “Safari” and the local chapter newsletter.

SCI and Texas deer farmers? No similarity there at all.

Are you saying SCI will move quickly to absorb the turkey hunters next?

quote:

Originally posted by Navaluk:
SCI and Texas deer farmers? No similarity there at all.

Are you saying SCI will move quickly to absorb the turkey hunters next?

Yes.

And we are going to have INNER CIRCLES of TURKEYS too!

Bloody hell, this is absolutely hilarious!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Navaluk:
SCI and Texas deer farmers? No similarity there at all.

Are you saying SCI will move quickly to absorb the turkey hunters next?

Yes.

And we are going to have INNER CIRCLES of TURKEYS too!

Bloody hell, this is absolutely hilarious!

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