Archives: National
SFW Launches Its Xtreme Giveaway
SFW today launched its 2019 Xtreme Giveaway where sportsmen and supporters of SFW are given opportunities to be drawn for a 2019 Polaris Ranger Crew Side-by-side customized by ZBroz Racing. Ten additional prizes are also available including guided Mule Deer hunts, a Black Bear hunt, a Browning X-Bolt Rifle, King’s Camo, a Vortex Optics Package, a Hoyt Helix Bow, a Disneyland Vacation Package, and much more. Tickets for the drawing can be purchased at SFW.net, at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, and all 2019 SFW banquets.
“SFW is grateful to Zbroz Racing, Browning and the other sponsors for stepping up to help make this promotion something that excites our members throughout the country,” said SFW Fundraising and Banquet Manager Kevin Norman. “We’ve worked hard to put together a top-notch set of prize giveaways that any hunter would love to have.”
SFW will showcase the Xtreme Giveaway and the customized Polaris at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo and all of the SFW banquets held throughout Utah between January and May 2019. The drawing will be held at the SFW Heber/Kamas Chapter Banquet in May 2019. Exact date and location are TBD. The drawing will also be streamed live on Facebook. No purchase necessary. All proceeds support SFW’s Conservation Mission to protect and enhance wildlife and critical habitat and perpetuate the family tradition of hunting and fishing. SFW reserves the right to change or modify any prize packages as needed.
U.S Secretary Zinke Reaffirms States Wildlife Management Authority on Public Lands and Waters
A letter from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke.
State Fish and Wildlife Management Authority on Department of the Interior Lands and Waters
In 1983, the Department codified in the United States Code of Federal Regulations, 43 C.F.R. Part 24, establishing a policy that Federal authority exists for specified purposes while State authority regarding fish and resident wildlife remains the comprehensive backdrop applicable in the absence of specific, overriding Federal law. This 35-year-old rule is more relevant today than ever.
Therefore, I reaffirm the authority of the States to exercise their broad trustee and police powers as stewards of the Nation’s fish and wildlife species on public lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Department. Each of us must recognize the fundamental role of the States in fish and wildlife management, especially where States have primary authority and responsibility, foster improved conservation of fish and wildlife, and encourage a good neighbor policy with the States.
Because fish and wildlife are fundamentally dependent upon habitats on private and public lands managed or subject to administration by many Federal and State agencies, and because provisions for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of fish and wildlife and the regulation for their use are established in many laws and regulations involving a multitude of Federal and State administrative structures, the effective stewardship of fish and wildlife requires the cooperation of the various States and the Federal Government.
The 50 State governments have extensive capacities and competencies to exercise their responsibilities to serve as trustees for fish and wildlife species resident in the respective States. These capacities and competencies are grounded in State constitutional and statutory laws, as well as an extensive body of administrative rules that collectively form a comprehensive legal underpinning to ensure that State governments effectively function as trustees of fish and wildlife resources with broad police powers to enforce those laws and regulations.
State governments have established fish and wildlife agencies that are charged with the responsibility and mandate to implement those statutes ensuring effective, appropriate, and efficient conservation and management of fish and resident wildlife species, including providing citizens with the opportunity to enjoy those fish and wildlife species through regulated hunting, fishing, and trapping. Moreover, State governments have consistently demonstrated their commitment to sustaining fish and wildlife resources in perpetuity for the benefit of both current and future citizens. To that end, State governments have taken extensive measures to protect and conserve rare fish and wildlife species, including invertebrate species, and through the actions of State governments, they have sought additional funding to strengthen their capacity to implement management strategies at a landscape level. State governments practice sound fish and wildlife conservation and management focused on sustainable practices that protect the Nation’s natural heritage, while providing for appropriate and highly regulated opportunities for citizens to enjoy fish and wildlife resources.
The States’ fundamental responsibility for fish and wildlife management includes responsibility for appropriate regulation of public use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife species. The Department recognizes States as the first-line authorities for fish and wildlife management and hereby expresses its commitment to defer to the States in this regard except as otherwise required by Federal law.
In full recognition of the authority of the State fish and wildlife agencies to regulate fish and resident wildlife within their respective boundaries and jurisdiction, I request the following:
➢ Within 45 days of this Memorandum, all Bureaus and Offices complete a review of all regulations, policies, and guidance that pertains to the conservation and management of fish and wildlife species on lands and waters under their jurisdiction that are more restrictive than otherwise applicable State provisions for the management of fish and wildlife, including all such regulations, policies, and guidance that pertain to public recreational use and enjoyment of fish and wildlife species;
➢ Within 90 days, each Bureau and Office referenced provide the Deputy Secretary a report containing detailed recommendations for the respective Bureau or Office to better align its regulations, policies, and guidance with State provisions.
➢ After receiving the reports containing detailed recommendations, the Deputy Secretary shall appropriately consult with the State fish and wildlife agencies regarding the recommendations and deliver an implementation plan to me within 120 days of this Memorandum.
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“This is a game changer for hunting and conservation nationwide – restoring power back to the states and state game agencies, taking it away from Washington elitists and the federal government,” said Don Peay, SFW Founder and sportsmen’s advocate.
“This is one of Greg Sheehan’s last major initiatives before leaving Washington DC. He knows who can best manage our herds, flocks and fisheries. This is just one of many of the huge changes President Trump, Sec. Zinke and their team are doing for hunters.
“In Greg’s (Sheehan) closing meeting, Sec. Zinke credited Greg and his team with opening access to nearly five million acres of land that had been previously closed to hunting, and with reducing more than 2,000 regulations that hamstring hunters.”
SFW expresses great thanks to Greg and Charlie Sheehan for serving our country, and our hunting heritage.
KUIU Founder Jason Hairston Has Died
Former NFL player and founder of KUIU Jason Hairston has died tragically at the young age of 47. KUIU, the innovative hunting gear company that Hairston founded, announced Wednesday: “We are shocked and saddened to announce the tragic passing of KUIU founder Jason Hairston. His legacy lives on in KUIU’s spirit of relentless innovation.”
Jason and KUIU were strong supports of both the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo and the Full Curl Society. “The passion and innovation that Jason and KUIU brought to the North American hunting industry has been nothing less than inspirational,” said SFW Founder Don Peay. “His passing is more than a tragedy, but his influence among sportsmen will last for decades.”
$8 Million Raised for Wildlife Conservation at 2018 Hunting Expo in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah: The 2018 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (Hunting Expo) closed on Sunday February 11, but all who attended will agree that the show continues to get bigger and better. Over 50,000 attendees passed through the halls of Hunt Expo and the auctions, tag sales and other fundraisers combined to raise over $8 million for conservation efforts conducted by host organizations Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and the Mule Deer Foundation. In addition, the show was selected by US Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke as the venue to sign a new Secretarial Order prioritizing big game migratory corridors and winter range. The 2018 Hunting Expo was sponsored by Ammo & More and ACI and was held in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“This show has grown to become one of the most recognizable and important events in the hunting industry,” said Troy Justensen, SFW President and CEO. “The biggest brand names and celebrities in the business rub shoulders with everyday sportsmen and women from nearly every state. Everything about our show is geared for conservation and working to improve conditions for wildlife and hunters.”
The exhibit hall was busy throughout the show with more than 50,000 attendees touring 500,000 square feet of exhibit space. Manufacturers and vendors at the event had brisk sales and most have already reserved their booth space for next year’s show. In addition, the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience kept the kids busy at the indoor pellet gun range and with other hands-on activities. The evening events once again paired important conservation messages through the keynote speakers, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris, with the fast-paced auctions raising millions of dollars for conservation efforts. Evening entertainment at the ticketed banquets was headlined by country musicians Ned Ledoux, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, and Sara Evans.
“Each year I don’t know how Hunt Expo could get any better and every year we exceed even our own high expectations. This year was no different setting new records for attendance and money raised to fulfill our conservation mission,” said Mule Deer Foundation President/CEO, Miles Moretti. “There were a lot of great activities during this year’s Hunt Expo, but the true testament to the importance of the show to the region’s sportsmen and women was having Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke there to launch his department’s new initiative for big game corridors and winter range.”
Evening events at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo
Hunting Expo offers something for everyone
New in 2018 was the Great Salt Lake Waterfowl Calling Championships held throughout Saturday during the show. Duck and goose calls filled the halls of the Salt Palace Convention Center as 76 competitors from Utah, California and nearly every other western state and from as far away as Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas competed for more than $10 thousand in cash and prizes.
“It’s always bittersweet when Hunt Expo closes; our staff and partners have worked so hard to make the show a success and we know everyone who came through the doors enjoyed themselves,” Justensen commented. “Our team is already working to put together next year’s show, so if you haven’t come to Hunt Expo yet, you need to make it a top priority for 2019!”
Next year’s Western Hunting & Conservation Expo will be held February 14-17, 2019 in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Information about this year’s Hunt Expo and details about next year’s show will be posted on the WHCE website at www.huntexpo.com.
Secretary Zinke Announces Creation of International Wildlife Conservation Council
WASHINGTON – Nov. 8, 2017 –– U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the creation of the International Wildlife Conservation Council. The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. It will focus on increased public awareness domestically regarding conservation, wildlife law enforcement, and economic benefits that result from U.S. citizens traveling abroad to hunt.
“Built on the backs of hunters and anglers, the American conservation model proves to be the example for all nations to follow for wildlife and habitat conservation,” Secretary Zinke said. “The conservation and long-term health of big game crosses international boundaries. This council will provide important insight into the ways that American sportsmen and women benefit international conservation from boosting economies and creating hundreds of jobs to enhancing wildlife conservation.”
The Council will advise the Secretary of the Interior on the benefits that international recreational hunting has on foreign wildlife and habitat conservation, anti-poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking programs, and other ways in which international hunting benefits human populations in these areas.
The duties of the Council will be solely advisory and will include, but not be limited to:
• Develop a plan for public engagement and education on the benefits of international hunting.
• Review and make recommendations for changes, when needed, on all Federal programs, and/or regulations, to ensure support of hunting as:
– An enhancement to foreign wildlife conservation and survival;
– An effective tool to combat illegal trafficking and poaching;
– An economic engine and job-creating force for local communities.
• Develop strategies to benefit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s permit office in receiving timely country data and information so as to remove barriers that impact consulting with range states.
• Recommend removal of barriers to the importation into the United States of legally hunted wildlife.
• Ongoing review of import suspension/bans and provide recommendations that seek to resume the legal trade of those items, where appropriate.
• Review seizure and forfeiture actions/practices and provide recommendations to regulations that will lead to a reduction of unwarranted actions.
• Review the Endangered Species Act’s foreign listed species and interaction with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, with the goal of eliminating regulatory duplications.
• Recommend streamlining/expedite process of import permits.
You may submit comments and/or nominations by any of the following methods:
• Mail or hand-carry nominations to Joshua Winchell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; or Email nominations to: [email protected]; or submit them online.
This link to the Federal Register explains how people can apply: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/11/08/2017-24328/international-wildlife-conservation-council-establishment-request-for-nominations
The Council will meet approximately two times annually, and at such other times as designated by the Designated Federal Officer. The Council will terminate 2 years from the date the Charter is filed, unless, prior to that date, it is renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
The Council will not meet or take any action without a valid current charter. The Council is established in furtherance of 43 U.S.C. 1457, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. §§ 742a-742j), and other Acts applicable to specific bureaus. This Council is regulated by the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.
