I didn't have enough time to visit with everyone that took the time to come and share what they had to offer. I didn't have enough money to buy every thing that seemed so interesting to do nor will I for awhile. Oh I may yet squeek something together this year but the really good hunts and my time aren't jiving. However, I had a hoot overall seeing the many good people that were there. I did get some ideas on another elephant hunt, my wife came up with some things of interest for her which my credit card seemed to handle a set of dishes, of course jewelry and a cookshack cooker/smoker which I think she thought she should buy becuase my daughter and her did their munching in their booth.

Buzz and Myles were great to see with great stories they are first class I also do look forward to seeing Alan again, Richard Cooke is tempting me with what he has available as well as Brent Hein/Aaron Nielson Jeff Rann and John Barth. Another trip to Tanzania has been placed in the dreams within the next few years with chasing something with Harpreet Braar who was a very gracious host and allowed us to share a meal with some very accomplished men in the industry. To all of the above and others thanks for coming to share what you have to offer.

Bob, it was good to meet you in Reno - I really enjoyed our visit. All the best on your future plans for hunting and otherwise!

David

Bob - Great post and good to hear you had a great time. My thoughts as well. It's really too bad others can't see the positive out there huh? Their loss, their choice.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Bob - Great post and good to hear you had a great time. My thoughts as well. It's really too bad others can't see the positive out there huh? Their loss, their choice.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry,

You seem to think that all of us who complain about SCI behaviour are seeking to the death of SCI.

Nothing can be further from the truth.

As far as I am concerden the more positive exposure us hunters get the better for all of us.

I am sure I speak for a lot of those who who criticize SCI, that it really gives us no pleasure to do so.

But, we would love to see SCI stop some of their incredible behaviour sometimes.

Someone actually mentioned here somewhere that SCI has paid a million dollars towards lion conservation.

Can we have some details?

Why is something like this gets hidden?

Or is it just another smoke screen?

in Bold


For Immediate Release: January 29, 2013
Tucson, Ariz. – Safari Club International’s 41st Annual Hunters’ Convention once again solidified its place as the premier worldwide hunting convention. The second largest SCI convention held in Reno, Nevada earned near record donations from SCI members and vendors, ensuring the organization’s mission of hunter and hunting advocacy will continue around the world.
“Creating the world’s largest convention dedicated to the hunter is always a challenge, yet our convention has exceeded every expectation for Safari Club International,” said SCI President John Whipple. “Every exhibitor and every SCI member made incredible donations to our mission programs this year, which will protect hunting for the next generation of sportsmen and women.”
“Hunters across all continents understand SCI’s fight to improve hunters’ rights, and we’re the sole organization improving wildlife conservation through sustainable use,” added SCI Chief Executive Officer Phil DeLone. “We thank everyone who joined SCI in Reno, and I look forward to seeing even more international hunters in Las Vegas next year.”
Contributions made at the 2013 Hunters’ Convention include:
• $14.8 million for Hunter Advocacy and Wildlife Conservation.
• More than$1.2 million for SCI Foundation’s Scientific Lion Conservation Initiative.
• $235,600 for Safari Club International’s Political Action Committee. (SCI-PAC)
• Nearly $100,000 for the Hunter Defense Fund, the first Super-PAC representing hunters.
Notable Guests of the 2013 SCI Hunters’ Convention:
• General Chuck Yeager
• Larry and Brenda Potterfield, President, Midway USA
• Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice-President, National Rifle Association
• Olympic Gold Medalist Kim Rhode
• Olympic Medalist Corey Cogdell
• Movie Actor Ricky Schroder
• Jeff Crane, President, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
• Jim Shockey, Hunting Celebrity, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures
• Craig Boddington, Hunting Celebrity, Tracks Across Africa
• Mike Rogers Jr., Hunting Celebrity, Expedition Safari Television
Political Officials in Attendance:
• Former Vice-President Dick Cheney
• Governor Brian Sandoval, Nevada
• Former Governor Mike Huckabee, Arkansas
• Dean Heller, Senator, Nevada
• Don Young, Representative, Alaska
• Dr. Paul Broun, Representative, Georgia
• Cynthia Lummis, Representative, Wyoming
• John Kline, Representative, Minnesota
• Mike Thompson, Representative, California
• Austin Scott, Representative, Georgia
• Steve Stockman, Representative, Texas
Safari Club International’s 42nd Annual Hunters’ Convention will return to Las Vegas, Nev., February 5-8, 2014, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
Contact: Nelson Freeman - Media@safariclub.org

That just says that SCI contributed money to the SCI Foundation. It says nothing about what the Foundation did or intends to do with its funding.

I think this is where it goes, or some of it... I see DSC listed there as well, plus other pro-hunting groups.

http://www.lionconservation.org/sponsors.html

Bob!

What a pleasure seeing you your wife Debbie and "our favorite client" Alex at the show!! We look forward to sharing a campfire again soon!

Keep in touch Bob! All the best buzz

The only trouble I had with SCI this year was that I did not book any hunts but that is not anyone at SCI's fault. I have to clear up somethings on the homefront.

Buzz, thanks for taking the time to chat and give me a DVD for my youngster. He thinks the picture of you sitting on the ele that fell into the tree and stopped is the coolest scene ever. I cannot wait to be on safari with you someday!

Justin

Enjoyed as much of the show as I could. I only had one day and most likely should not have gone so soon after a bilateral laminectomy. After two hours of walking I was shot.

Next year.

quote:

Originally posted by JBoutfishn:
Enjoyed as much of the show as I could. I only had one day and most likely should not have gone so soon after a bilateral laminectomy. After two hours of walking I was shot.

Next year.

Well done!! Your dedication is impressive!!

Jim, I had the same procedure done on Dec 17th and after about 4hrs I was needing an icepack to lay on.

When it comes to hunting and fishing maybe worse with hunting sometimes I find myself feeling as I did along time ago when I was a little feller that had just a few pennies in my hand maybe enough for a piece of peppermint but not enough for the candy bar. Oh well, it keeps me working and the dream of going someday again is as important as the going but------ only if I can't go.

Don't feel sorry for me as I'll make my way and be very thrilled when I get to go again.

In closing I hope the shows will be better next year for all.

Dad, yes the dream keeps one working, but you must always remember, you will go again, we will hunt together.

We sure had fun didn't we!! I was watching some of the dvd again this afternoon that darn Buzz talked us in to having done. I'm so glad he recommended the filming of our hunt as I will cheerish it for the rest of my life but I think he knew deep inside that by us watching it we would be haunted with the dream of going again. Just HAUNTED. Knowing full well that the only solution was for us to find ourselves planning another hunt and going.

To me SCI is like the old communist governments.

They talk about how much they've spent supporting the people (or lions or conservation), which they do. But they are constantly asking for more sacrifices from "the people" to do more good work for the less fortunate (insert lions, conservation here), while the select few who run the organization live like kings off the spoils of rule.

Frank,

You make SCI sound like the DNC.

I spent two days at SCI and thoroughly enjoyed all the displays, the taxidermist, the booths and exhibits and meeting old friends and making new contacts. Doing shopping as well, wife bought some jewelry, me a couple of knives for the collection. I always enjoy the firearms displays and seeing what's new and drooling over the awesome wood.

I just renewed my membership in SCI for three years and added a new membership to DSC as well.

I'm sure glad that someone else had some fun at SCI as we did and appreciate what was presented by all.

Hey Bob - lots of people enjoy it, as did I. Lots of AR members dont mention SCI though because they are sick to death of the SCI bashing and dont want to be involved.

take care
Matt

My wife & I attended SCI for the first time and found it interesting. We booked a hunt in Moz/Zim w/Mokore. Great guys. I asked several African exhibitors whom I met from prev. hunts/shows and, to a person, they felt the DSC crowd was "friendlier" and overall more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to my first DSC show in the future, been there for Rocky Mtn. Elk Nat'l. once & loved it.

We won't be attending any Vegas shows, we just dislike the atmosphere and plasticity of that town. No big deal.

As for SCI in general, I am disenchanted. Fully. Our local chapter sold some pricey hunts that were misrepresented blatantly and the buyers were angry & felt "screwed". NO RESPONSE from national. Now I learned why as I read many discontented stories. My $ donations from now on will go directly to research/conservation efforts "on the ground".I've already donated to an Oxford Univ.- based doctoral candidate who is researching lions in the Bubye. I won't dilute my hard earned donations through such an obviously flawed system as SCI.

quote:

Originally posted by joester:

As for SCI in general, I am disenchanted. Fully. Our local chapter sold some pricey hunts that were misrepresented blatantly and the buyers were angry & felt "screwed". NO RESPONSE from national. Now I learned why as I read many discontented stories. My $ donations from now on will go directly to research/conservation efforts "on the ground".I've already donated to an Oxford Univ.- based doctoral candidate who is researching lions in the Bubye. I won't dilute my hard earned donations through such an obviously flawed system as SCI.

What exactly does 'National' have to do with donations that a local chapter accepted??

quote:

Originally posted by joester:
As for SCI in general, I am disenchanted. Fully. Our local chapter sold some pricey hunts that were misrepresented blatantly and the buyers were angry & felt "screwed". NO RESPONSE from national.

Those who were screwed should have complained to the leaders of that chapter. A chapter's auctions are autonomously held and not directed by the international organization whose world headquarters are in Tucson. There is no "national."

Bill Quimby

Thanks for that info, It seems odd that a National Organization would remain that autonomous from local/regional chapters bearing the same name... Its like the Joint Chiefs of Staff not knowing where any of their military bases are located...Strange indeed, and helps, in part, to explain the prevalence of dissatisfied SCI members...There is certainly a Lack Of Accountability (or "Contact"-ability) from the folks in Tuscon. Its reiterated on every SCI-related thread

quote:

Originally posted by joester:
Thanks for that info, It seems odd that a National Organization would remain that autonomous from local/regional chapters bearing the same name... Its like the Joint Chiefs of Staff not knowing where any of their military bases are located...Strange indeed, and helps, in part, to explain the prevalence of dissatisfied SCI members...There is certainly a Lack Of Accountability (or "Contact"-ability) from the folks in Tuscon. Its reiterated on every SCI-related thread

Disinformation is reiterated on every SCI thread.

Why would the international body not be autonomous in most respects from branches anyway... remember SCI Chapters reach FAR beyond North American borders. Do you really think the main body would want to be totally responsible for what chapters do in other countries?

Can someone tell me how to get rid of this thread that I started. My intentions were only to state that we had a good time saw so many neat things, people and things to do. So what icon do I click on so my thread will go away then you that have a real or percieved complaint with SCI can start your own thread. Despite the negative I will remember that I had a good time.

Bob
Don't you know that no good deed goes unpunished on AR?

Nope!

quote:

Thanks for that info, It seems odd that a National Organization would remain that autonomous from local/regional chapters bearing the same name... Its like the Joint Chiefs of Staff not knowing where any of their military bases are located...Strange indeed, and helps, in part, to explain the prevalence of dissatisfied SCI members...There is certainly a Lack Of Accountability (or "Contact"-ability) from the folks in Tuscon. Its reiterated on every SCI-related thread

As a former U.S. president once said, "there you go again." SCi is not a "national" organization. Each chapter, including all those in countries outside the USA, holds a seat on the SCI Board of Directors.

This means it is the chapters that set policies for the international organization and not the other way around.

As I've said elsewhere, it has been a long time since I was privy to what goes on inside SCI. However, IMO the lack of "contact-ability" too often stems from complaints being lodged with the wrong people.

For example, in another AR thread, someone talked about receiving a form letter after sending a letter "to SCI" in which he complained about the alleged unethical behavior of an outfitter.

In the same AR post, he said he sent his letter to the membership department!

His letter ultimately may or may not have reached the chairman of the SCI Ethics Committee, but copies also should have been sent to the club's executive director and president.

On the other hand, SCI's executive director and the directors of its various divisions need to make certain misdirected complaints received by headquarters staff are routed promptly to the proper person/department/committee.

Bill Quimby

i am certain my complaint was properly routed- directly into file 13- the round file box in the corner( also known as a trashcan). after all, Mike Simpson, Dan Duncan, and kevin Anderson could not possibly be doing anything wrong- they are the club leaders

quote:

Why would the international body not be autonomous in most respects from branches anyway... remember SCI Chapters reach FAR beyond North American borders. Do you really think the main body would want to be totally responsible for what chapters do in other countries?

Yes, Are they not recognized and endorsed by SCI as their representatives abroad?

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
i am certain my complaint was properly routed- directly into file 13- the round file box in the corner( also known as a trashcan). after all, Mike Simpson, Dan Duncan, and kevin Anderson could not possibly be doing anything wrong- they are the club leaders

Were... and one of those guys is dead now. Was Dan Duncan ever even a 'club leader'?...

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Why would the international body not be autonomous in most respects from branches anyway... remember SCI Chapters reach FAR beyond North American borders. Do you really think the main body would want to be totally responsible for what chapters do in other countries?

Yes, Are they not recognized and endorsed by SCI as their representatives abroad?

Well that is just daft. From my understanding they are more like franchises and why wouldn't they do it that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Alexandra.Keeler:
Dad, yes the dream keeps one working, but you must always remember, you will go again, we will hunt together.

Alexandra and Bob,
Its great to hear you two met up with
friends and enjoyed the SCI show and all it has to offer.
Keep up the desire and dreams and I will be looking forward to
your future hunt reports.

I had an awesome time. I personally cant wait for it to go back to vegas. Theres way better night life in vegas but then again im only 34. I thought reno was a very run down town and my wife and I weren't impressed with the accommodations as compared to vegas. On the Reno side we found the personell attending to be awesome. We met with and talked to Ivan Carter, Jim Shockey, and John Sharp. All of whom are nice. Finally we met Craig Boddington. I didn't bother even trying to talk to him. He was buys cussing out his camera crew and running them down severly. He then snapped at a passer by that asked him to treat them with respect. To say craig acted like a grumpy old man that day was an understatement. Perhaps he was having an off day but I will definitely steer clear of him in the future. My wife ended up booking me a trophy elephant hunt in Botswana in the ng41 block for September, a lord derby eland and bongo hunt in janyary, a leopard hunt in zim in may and a Utah Goshute indian reservation bull elk hunt in august. For all of that all she asked for was a fur coat so I gladly agreed. I also had fun helping my friends find their dream lion hunt. They will be hunting with Jumbo Moore in the Niasa reserve in October for 2 lions. We talked about their lion, buff, hippo, croc, pg hunt for hours. I don't know why but I could sit and discuss someone elses hunt for hours. I love talking hunting. I will definitely be back next year. My wife is itching to get a lion so I will start entertaining that idea next year.

Stomper,

You are the first person I have seen comment negatively about Craig. I'm not saying that it didn't happen but from what I have observed it seems very out of character. Don't judge him on that incident.

Every single time I have talked to him in person or sent an e-mail he has been exceptionally kind and gracious.

quote:

Originally posted by stomper:
I had an awesome time. I personally cant wait for it to go back to vegas. Theres way better night life in vegas but then again im only 34. I thought reno was a very run down town and my wife and I weren't impressed with the accommodations as compared to vegas. On the Reno side we found the personell attending to be awesome. We met with and talked to Ivan Carter, Jim Shockey, and John Sharp. All of whom are nice. Finally we met Craig Boddington. I didn't bother even trying to talk to him. He was buys cussing out his camera crew and running them down severly. He then snapped at a passer by that asked him to treat them with respect. To say craig acted like a grumpy old man that day was an understatement. Perhaps he was having an off day but I will definitely steer clear of him in the future. My wife ended up booking me a trophy elephant hunt in Botswana in the ng41 block for September, a lord derby eland and bongo hunt in janyary, a leopard hunt in zim in may and a Utah Goshute indian reservation bull elk hunt in august. For all of that all she asked for was a fur coat so I gladly agreed. I also had fun helping my friends find their dream lion hunt. They will be hunting with Jumbo Moore in the Niasa reserve in October for 2 lions. We talked about their lion, buff, hippo, croc, pg hunt for hours. I don't know why but I could sit and discuss someone elses hunt for hours. I love talking hunting. I will definitely be back next year. My wife is itching to get a lion so I will start entertaining that idea next year.

Wow, what a wife!!

that's why I stated that maybe he was having a bad day. He was definitely very grumpy and I really didn't want to bother him. Maybe on another day when things aren't so hectic I can chat with him. To be honest I didn't want to chat with anyone. I figure the show is busy and all those guys who are more famous in the hunting industry are swamped with people and tired of talking to people. My wife always wants pictures with the people she knows and so far they've all be stand up guys. I'm the type who likes to leave everyone alone and try not to bother them.

and yes my wife is amazing! I definitely got lucky there. I definitely won't be trading her in. Last year we went to zim and hunted leopards with dogs. I shot mine at 15 yards on a dead charge. She ended up shooting her leopard out of the air 6 feet in front of me as her leopard leapt to jump on me and maul me. She's a crack shot for sure and we've had some awesome hunts together. We've had a good go of it to say the least.

Stomper.....your experiences remind me of the film "A Boy Ten Feet Tall" with Edward G. Robinson....a beautiful film of Africa, and a fine story.

quote:

Originally posted by stomper:
I figure the show is busy and all those guys who are more famous in the hunting industry are swamped with people and tired of talking to people.

That should not be an issue...