I find this list below, released by SCI, to be somewhat troubling. Only one non-American is included on this list, no African-born people were on it, and only one woman, Brenda Potterfield). I don't know what contributions the former pro wrestler has made to the industry. There are other "notables" who I ran into, who were snubbed, Ivan Carter for one, as well as members of the Tanzanian government who came to see for themselves what they could do to improve relations with the safari community. Here is the list. (It should have been alphabetized as well. It makes Craig look like a last second throw-in.)
-----------------------------------------------

Notable Guests of the 2012 SCI Hunters’ Convention

Larry and Brenda Potterfield, President, Midway USA
Richard Childress, Richard Childress Racing, NASCAR
Shawn Michaels, Retired Pro Wrestler
Tom Selleck, Actor
David Keene, President, National Rifle Association
Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice-President, National Rifle Association
Jeff Crane, President, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Jim Shockey, Hunting Celebrity, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures
Recipient of SCI’s International Hunter of the Year Award
Mike Rogers Jr., Hunting Celebrity, Expedition Safari Television
Craig Boddington, Hunting Celebrity, Tracks Across Africa

Hay, they left me out! My grandkids think I'm a big shot!

Sorry Craig, but if you see this, please take my advice. You gotta get rid of the title "Hunting Celebrity."

What's next, publication of stories about you in the National Nimrod Enquirer?

Also, FWIW, you need to stay off of those "Hunting Celebrity" reality TV shows - "Dancing with the Shooting Stars" is not going to do you any good with your core audience.

I think labdad hit it right. Everyone who attended was a noteable to someone. But that would make a very long list to publish. Had to cut it off somewhere?

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by labdad:
Hay, they left me out! My grandkids think I'm a big shot!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
- "Dancing with the Shooting Stars" is not going to do you any good with your core audience.

HEY MARC,

My SCI email included a "Political Attendee" roster that had some african officials as well as U.S. congressmen and senators. It immediately followed your list.

Did you miss this list?

I missed you at the show, but missed many friends this year and departed early. Hope all is well in SoCal.

Were those the people driving like crazy in the little red carts?

I was well please by members of our Wyoming Congress.

Sorry, but I'm afraid that there is at least 1 on the list that is not American.
Bill

Mike: Good catch. I should have scrolled down further. I did see the two Namibia government officials.

Still I find it troubling, with record attendance and such a ballyhooed turnout, a more diverse list of "notables" wasn't released.

There were some accomplished huntresses there, which left a much more notable impression on many, than did some of the fellows on the SCI list.

What source??

Why not publish the whole thing??

OK Matt: Here is the rest of the correspondence from SCI. Tack this on to the original dossier and you have the entire thing I got from SCI.
-----------------------------------------------

Attending Political Officials

Lt. Governor Brian K. Krolicki, Nevada
Martin Andjaba, Namibian Ambassador to the United States
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Namibia
Recipient of SCI’s International Legislator of the Year Award
John Barrasso, Senator, Wyoming
Recipient of SCI’s Federal Legislator of the Year Award
Don Young, Representative, Alaska
Lisa Murkowski, Senator, Alaska
Jeff Miller, Representative, Florida
Dr. Paul Broun, Representative, Georgia
Joe Heck, Representative, Nevada
Denny Rehberg, Representative, Montana
Cynthia Lummis, Representative, Wyoming
Billy Long, Representative Missouri
Mark Amodei, Representative, Nevada

WHO CARES?

You dont think it is important that your elected officials and wildlife workers are being exposed to the 'good' side of conservation? Take or leave the 'celebrities deal... that is just fluff.... but helping to provide the common link between sport hunters, hunting organisations and govt departments and legislators is the most important stuff that SCI does - particularly through the annual convention.

Thanks for the rest of the info Moja... I just found the same, deep in my inbox!!

Having elected officials there in attendance and them talking to us and seeing what is going on, as well as them witnessing the vast numbers of hunters, shooters and other shooting enthusiasts at a hunting convention likes this, makes it much more likely that these officials will continue to plead our cause with gusto and conviction. I for one, CARE.

No telling what wonderful changes are on the way because these important people attended a convention. Come on

quote:

Originally posted by kld:
No telling what wonderful changes are on the way because these important people attended a convention. Come on

So, are you saying that having elected officials in attendance at events like the Annual SCI Convention are of no value to us as hunters and gun enthusiasts? Remember, these are the folks who craft and vote on legislation that has the potential to restrict or preserve our hunting and shooting rights. You can rest assured, our adversaries such as PETA, HSUS, The Brady Campaign, etc., and others like them, take every opportunity to lobby activist legislators in hopes of eliminating our rights.

For whatever shortcomings large organizations such as SCI, DSC, or others may have, I for one appreciate these elected officials efforts in attending our convention so that they can learn of the positive influences hunting has on conservation. Hopefully, they will take those positive influences into account the next time a piece of restrictive, ill conceived, or deceptive anti-gun / anti-hunting legislation comes up for a vote. Maybe their attendance will influence them to vote in our favor and maybe not but I'm glad they have at least been exposed to the positive side of the issue.

Come on, indeed!

BM,
As Bill pointed out, one of your list is NOT American! Look it up and correct your statement.
Dave

Yes Bill and Dal. Jim Shockey is Canadian. I have edited my initial post. Thank you for the correction.

Now, your point is well taken, BM.
Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by kld:
No telling what wonderful changes are on the way because these important people attended a convention. Come on

So, are you saying that having elected officials in attendance at events like the Annual SCI Convention are of no value to us as hunters and gun enthusiasts? Remember, these are the folks who craft and vote on legislation that has the potential to restrict or preserve our hunting and shooting rights. You can rest assured, our adversaries such as PETA, HSUS, The Brady Campaign, etc., and others like them, take every opportunity to lobby activist legislators in hopes of eliminating our rights.

For whatever shortcomings large organizations such as SCI, DSC, or others may have, I for one appreciate these elected officials efforts in attending our convention so that they can learn of the positive influences hunting has on conservation. Hopefully, they will take those positive influences into account the next time a piece of restrictive, ill conceived, or deceptive anti-gun / anti-hunting legislation comes up for a vote. Maybe their attendance will influence them to vote in our favor and maybe not but I'm glad they have at least been exposed to the positive side of the issue.

Come on, indeed!

Good post Todd. An a new Wyoming resident, I am very happy to see some of our politicians listed among the attendees.