Wish I could go!

quote:

Dear Jim,



Make no mistake – Hunting, particularly safari hunting, is under attack. Don’t believe me?



This year alone the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

1. Has banned elephant imports completely from Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

2. Has banned the sale of firearms and knives that have ivory inlays on them.

3. Restricted elephant importations to 2 per year per hunter which we believe violates the law.

4. Is taking up the polar bear issue AGAIN at CITES

5. Possible listing of the Lion on the Endangered Species Act



So I have to ask you, where will you be on May 8th? I hope you’ll be joining me in Washington, D.C.



SCI’s members will be lobbying the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Administration Officials, and their members of Congress. Our message is simple – Hunters are part of the solution for wildlife conservation and management in Africa. And any regulation that deliberately takes hunters off the landscape of Africa will only cause poaching to rise.



Will you join me? The time is NOW for our fight to protect hunting.



Registration is very simple: http://bit.ly/1l3E4gl. Or you can call 202-543-8733.



Your attendance and time are desperately needed if we are to fight for our hunting freedoms.



First For Hunters,





Craig Kauffman

President

Safari Club International



=

Honestly, I wish I could go to DC, but being working stiff, I can't do it.
Good luck out there boys and give them hell.
I gave my reps hell, literally called them on the USFWS bullshit including polar bear. Not much on my part...
Milan.

I have reservations and am planning to attend. Time to take a stand.

I would go but unfortunately my work schedule and budget does not allow.It is time to fight these pricks.If hunting rights organizations like SCI want us to be there than I think we should.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I have reservations and am planning to attend. Time to take a stand.

Thank you very much.

Give 'em hell!


.

I have contacted SCI and if I can run up and back I will. Waiting to hear.

Jeff

Jeff and I are trying to get up there as well. Will know tomorrow.

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response .

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

Bwana Cecil:

Even if you were to notify all the gun clubs, local hunting entities, allow participation from non-SCI members, etc., I very much doubt there will be any increase of a more positive outcome to what has been currently manifested.

Most US hunters are not Africa orientated and are more at home with their waterfowl and grouse or whitetails and mountain goats to give a shit about USF&W and their ivory ban as long as they don't get their nuts busted over their ducks and billy goats.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

I do not know. I think they e mailed all SCI members for which they had an e mail address .

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

I do not know. I think they e mailed all SCI members for which they had an e mail address .

I'm not certain whether this call to DC will happen during SCI's annual spring board meeting and lobbying day, but if it does as I expect it will, it means there will be 200 or so SCI board members meeting face-to-face with their representatives and senators on that day.

Combine that number with the 80 to 100 non-board members who may respond to this call, it will not be a small number of influential constituents carrying a unified message to Congress.

Add this to the widespread "anti-fed" sentiment (as evidenced by the reaction to the BLM's recent action against a Nevada rancher), a strong message will be carried to the USFWS.

How it reacts to that message is yet to be seen.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?î
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

I do not know. I think they e mailed all SCI members for which they had an e mail address .

I'm not certain whether this call to DC will happen during SCI's annual spring board meeting and lobbying day, but if it does as I expect it will, it means there will be 200 or so SCI board members meeting face-to-face with their representatives and senators on that day.

Combined with the 80 to 100 non-board members who are responding to this call, it will not be a small number of influential constituents carrying a unified message to Congress.

Bill Quimby

.

I sm registered to go. Taking a major financial hit when I can least afford it. But I can't afford not to go.

Jeff

Filled their questionaire and emailed it back

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

. . . as long as they don't get their nuts busted over their ducks and billy goats.

. . . only a matter of time.

quote:

Even if you were to notify all the gun clubs, local hunting entities, allow participation from non-SCI members, etc., I very much doubt there will be any increase of a more positive outcome to what has been currently manifested.

Not being an African hunter nor a member of SCI I'm reluctant to chime in here where it might not be really wanted.

But, I do own a couple African safari style guns which I'm extremely fond of, and would hate to see their main intended purpose disappear.

At any rate, if anybody here has pull with SCI I urge you to urge them to do just exactly what was mentioned above. Which is, get word out to the broader non-SCI hunter community.

It can be done.

SCI could even fill a desperate political void in the US, being a voice for ALL hunters. A kind of NRA for hunters.

Popularization of SCI as an organ or voice for other than hunting in Africa is your answer.

Take that in the helpful spirit intended.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:

quote:

They only have about 70 people who have signed up. That is a pathetic response

Larry
How many people other than those of us on AR actually know about this?
How many people can on relatively short notice take off & go to DC?

I do not know. I think they e mailed all SCI members for which they had an e mail address .

I am not a member and received the email. I will be a member tomorrow. Time to take a stand, tired of the abuse. for years we fought the NMFS for our snapper fishing. This season we get two fish per day and a 11 day season it is absolutely pitiful.

on the ivory import ban, I sent letters to my elected Washington officials. Decent response from Vitter. Pitiful response from Katrina Mary. No response from my rep, Boustany.

It's a point though - the antis can mobilize mobs it seems at will to rally for any cause they can concoct, but we need to be able to show the same strength. If our demographics don't allow for mass mobilization physically - how less can we be heard? What tools can we leverage, in addition to SCI / DC and others, to make the power of our voice heard?

quote:

Originally posted by Orvar:
It's a point though - the antis can mobilize mobs it seems at will to rally for any cause they can concoct, but we need to be able to show the same strength. If our demographics don't allow for mass mobilization physically - how less can we be heard? What tools can we leverage, in addition to SCI / DC and others, to make the power of our voice heard?

Orvar:

Don't underestimate the power of 300 influential people from their districts meeting one-on-one with members of Congress in D.C. over a single issue. A mob of extremists carrying signs gets media attention, but face-to-face, behind-the-scenes meetings with potential campaign contributors can be extremely effective.

Bill Quimby

quote:

campaign contributors can be extremely effective.

You are right Bill.

Bribes always work!

What a bloody sad world we live in today!

I suppose if the other side "contributes" more they get what they want too!

So does calling your representatives. The more positives voices they hear, the less likely to just go along with what the fish & wildlife service tells them to believe.

I am a life member of the SCI and when the organization makes an effort to democratically influence the decisions of our government, I am all for it. Literally thousands of SCI members have contacted their congressional representatives, and we will see if this arbitrary ban by a liberal Nobama govt will be lifted in response to public outcry. That is how our free and democratic government functions. PLEASE I appeal to all AR and SCI members ( the two are not mutually exclusive) to contact their congressional representatives and senatorial reps.
We have this proven way of influencing public policy. Lets exercise it.
And while people from other, top down systems of government (kingdoms, sheikdoms, and dictatorships) may have their doubts about our system or government and its workings, we have a track record of the democratic process that has worked for centuries. Its time to put our efforts into convincing our system of government of our interests and our views, in a way that is codified in law. US law, that is.
We do not ask anyone outside our system of government to conform to our way of doing things, and we do not criticize members of other forms of govt for their implied criticisms. Each to their own.
For the record, i was not born in this country. I emigrated here by choice,because I wanted to live my life in freedom. Despite the fact that I came from a privileged family with financial resources no longer available to me (I have a lot less money) I have a lot more freedom. And I think, for me, its a fair trade.
I urge all Americans (free to exercise their will and their choice) to express their opinion to their representatives and to the USFWS.
regards
DR Imran Niazi, FACC, FHRS, FACP
also known as emron
An American by choice, and proud of it.

To add to the above homily, I do not, in any way criticize Saeed for his views. He has been kind enough to host this forum free of commercial bias, a rare thing in todays world, and I respect his decision and wish I had the resources to provide a similar service. I do not, but i do respect his contribution to the sport of hunting and conservation. My major difference with his comments is, I think we have the ability to influence our governments decisions because we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I continue to believe in that fact, and I continue to hope that public opinion by a significant number of american citizens DOES matter, and can change our governments policy, if we try hard enough

quote:

Originally posted by emron:
To add to the above homily, I do not, in any way criticize Saeed for his views. He has been kind enough to host this forum free of commercial bias, a rare thing in todays world, and I respect his decision and wish I had the resources to provide a similar service. I do not, but i do respect his contribution to the sport of hunting and conservation. My major difference with his comments is, I think we have the ability to influence our governments decisions because we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I continue to believe in that fact, and I continue to hope that public opinion by a significant number of american citizens DOES matter, and can change our governments policy, if we try hard enough

With all due respect, from what is currently goes on in your government, it is far from a "democratic" process.

It seems the politicians and their employees do whatever suits them, no matter what the population think.

And USFW have been going their own way for a number of years.

Saeed

With all due respect--is there anything about your government that is democratic? At least here we can try to vote the bad guys out-the people in your country don't even have that option.

Please give those of us who recognize how bad things are here credit for trying-and give the USA credit for at least having options-unlike many countries including your own.

Well boys it's time to give'em hell. Will be driving up on the 6th. Money well spent fighting these SOB's.

I think it's extremely important for any protest to understand the optics. Remember who will be covering this, if it were to get any coverage at all.

The Tea Party, a movement of patriotic, constitutional American's are portrayed as a bunch of "right wing radicals", how do you think a bunch of "camouflage wearing" rich international hunters will be positioned by the media.

Look how douchy the "militia" in the whole Nevada rancher thing looks to rank and file America. They just look like a bunch of radicals that want a confrontation, regardless the facts.

All these old rich guys want to do is "kill endangered species" for some trophy.

This entire thing is about optics. We as sportsman, lose the PR fight every time.

quote:

Originally posted by Orvar:
It's a point though - the antis can mobilize mobs it seems at will to rally for any cause they can concoct, but we need to be able to show the same strength. If our demographics don't allow for mass mobilization physically - how less can we be heard? What tools can we leverage, in addition to SCI / DC and others, to make the power of our voice heard?

Groups that rally at a moments notice do not have jobs. The politicians are corrupt, not stupid, they understand that the people paying the bills aren't rallying because they are working. No matter their political stripe they need taxpayers.

Phone calls from voters from their district may not be news, but can carry more weight.

quote:

Originally posted by emron:
To add to the above homily, I do not, in any way criticize Saeed for his views. He has been kind enough to host this forum free of commercial bias, a rare thing in todays world, and I respect his decision and wish I had the resources to provide a similar service. I do not, but i do respect his contribution to the sport of hunting and conservation. My major difference with his comments is, I think we have the ability to influence our governments decisions because we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I continue to believe in that fact, and I continue to hope that public opinion by a significant number of american citizens DOES matter, and can change our governments policy, if we try hard enough

One of the problems is that policies can be driven by the mind set of the career bureaucrats instead of elected officials. Changing that is like steering the Titanic with the rudder from a sailboat. It takes sustained long term effort.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
I think it's extremely important for any protest to understand the optics. Remember who will be covering this, if it were to get any coverage at all.

The Tea Party, a movement of patriotic, constitutional American's are portrayed as a bunch of "right wing radicals", how do you think a bunch of "camouflage wearing" rich international hunters will be positioned by the media.

Look how douchy the "militia" in the whole Nevada rancher thing looks to rank and file America. They just look like a bunch of radicals that want a confrontation, regardless the facts.

All these old rich guys want to do is "kill endangered species" for some trophy.

This entire thing is about optics. We as sportsman, lose the PR fight every time.

I will try to remember to wear shoes and put my teeth in.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
I think it's extremely important for any protest to understand the optics. Remember who will be covering this, if it were to get any coverage at all.

The Tea Party, a movement of patriotic, constitutional American's are portrayed as a bunch of "right wing radicals", how do you think a bunch of "camouflage wearing" rich international hunters will be positioned by the media.

Look how douchy the "militia" in the whole Nevada rancher thing looks to rank and file America. They just look like a bunch of radicals that want a confrontation, regardless the facts.

All these old rich guys want to do is "kill endangered species" for some trophy.

This entire thing is about optics. We as sportsman, lose the PR fight every time.

Having been there and done this before over the anti-horse slaughter bill...Steve is 110% correct.

And...negative publicity is worse than no publicity at all.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
I think it's extremely important for any protest to understand the optics. Remember who will be covering this, if it were to get any coverage at all.

The Tea Party, a movement of patriotic, constitutional American's are portrayed as a bunch of "right wing radicals", how do you think a bunch of "camouflage wearing" rich international hunters will be positioned by the media.

Look how douchy the "militia" in the whole Nevada rancher thing looks to rank and file America. They just look like a bunch of radicals that want a confrontation, regardless the facts.

All these old rich guys want to do is "kill endangered species" for some trophy.

This entire thing is about optics. We as sportsman, lose the PR fight every time.

I will try to remember to wear shoes and put my teeth in.

You proceed in any manner you think prudent Mike. All I can say is this; go to a crossroads of the west gun show here in Arizona. Hell, I don't want half those characters to buy guns with no background checks either.

If the you think the "appearance" doesn't matter, sell your African rifles now. That is ALL that matters. Rank and file America don't understand our passion.

I also have to assume you wear a suit in court when appearing in front of a judge, why?...optics.

Speak up for your right to hunt and own a firearm or it will go away-very simple.If we speak up they will take a blow.

Just received this………..


SCI Moves Feds Forward on Elephant Imports From Zimbabwe: USFWS Revises Decision and WILL Allow Retroactive 2014 Imports

Safari Club International (SCI) is encouraged by the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) decision today to revise the April 4, 2014, finding that suspended imports of elephants from Zimbabwe and Tanzania for 2014. Under the revision elephant trophies legally taken from Zimbabwe from January 1, 2014 until April 4, 2014 will be allowed to be imported. The hunter will just need to be able to demonstrate to USFWS Office of Law Enforcement that the hunt occurred before that date in order to import the trophy.

SCI is hopeful that this revision is just the first step in a process of rescinding of the suspension of elephant trophy imports from Zimbabwe and Tanzania. This haphazard decision to suspend imports based on “anecdotal evidence” will have a profound negative impact on elephant conservation. The Director of CAMPFIRE Association of Zimbabwe and noted conservationist, Charles Jonga, has stated that this suspension “poses an unprecedented threat to all future conservation efforts of the African Elephant in rural areas of Zimbabwe”.

SCI continues to request that USFWS completely lift the suspension before the millions of dollars hunters invest in conservation in Africa completely dry up, and as a result exponentially increases poaching in the process due to loss of critical enforcement in the field.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by emron:
To add to the above homily, I do not, in any way criticize Saeed for his views. He has been kind enough to host this forum free of commercial bias, a rare thing in todays world, and I respect his decision and wish I had the resources to provide a similar service. I do not, but i do respect his contribution to the sport of hunting and conservation. My major difference with his comments is, I think we have the ability to influence our governments decisions because we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I continue to believe in that fact, and I continue to hope that public opinion by a significant number of american citizens DOES matter, and can change our governments policy, if we try hard enough

With all due respect, from what is currently goes on in your government, it is far from a "democratic" process.

It seems the politicians and their employees do whatever suits them, no matter what the population think.

And USFW have been going their own way for a number of years.

Saeed you are quite likely right. I dont like the political contributions to congress either. But its the best system so far, better than anything I have seen. So I will continue to hope and struggle for our elected reps to understand our views and act on them.
May not happen, but we can try
Please see my next post on how SCI has managed to reverse PART of the USFWS decision.