Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Heartbroken Hunters, DSC to Honor Chris Kyle


DALLAS (Feb 13, 2013)—Chris Kyle’s fame as a decorated sniper and SEAL legend made him a celebrity. But it was his humble, affable, giving nature—and his loyal volunteerism for people and causes he loved—that made him a star.

The chance to spend time afield with Kyle was a hot commodity at the early-January Dallas Safari Club (DSC) convention and expo. Two buyers at a DSC charity auction paid a whopping $42,500 for a big-game hunt alongside their hero. All proceeds were earmarked to help two causes close to Kyle’s heart—veterans and wildlife conservation.

Kyle was murdered just days after the auction.

Although the buyers will never take their dream hunt, they want the money to go where Kyle planned.

The $42,500—more than three times the retail value of the African plains game hunt—will be split two ways. Half will benefit the Boot Campaign, an organization that raises awareness of the challenges faced by US troops when they return home. The other half will go to the Dallas Ecological Foundation, a DSC affiliate that serves as a grant and funding medium for DSC conservation and education programs worldwide.

Ben Carter, DSC executive director, said, “This hunt had a specified monetary value, but the buyers considered it priceless because they would be hunting alongside a true American hero. Chris was thrilled with the results of the auction then, and I know he’d be pleased now that the money he helped generate will go where it was promised.”

Kyle was an avid hunter, conservationist, DSC volunteer and honorary life member, and the keynote speaker at a life-member breakfast during the DSC convention and expo in January.

DSC President Allen Moore said, “Our entire organization is heartbroken over this tragic loss. I hope our members will join our board of directors and me in honoring this special DSC member. Together we can give something back to Chris by helping his family. He stepped up for DSC and now it’s time for us to step up for him.”

Donations can be made by check payable either to the Chris Kyle Memorial Trust, which was established for Kyle’s wife, Taya, and their two children, or specifically to Taya Kyle. Send the check to Dallas Safari Club, 13709 Gamma Road, Dallas, Texas 75244.

Moore said DSC will be honored to deliver donations to the Kyle family.

Media contact: Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766

Monday, February 4, 2013

SCI Celebrates World's Greatest Hunters' Convention and Wildlife Conservation


Image courtesy Safari Club International

By Safari Club International on Wednesday,  January 30, 2013

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
                               
Becoming an SCI Member:
Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services. JOIN NOW: http://member.scifirstforhunters.org/join/
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Safari Club International - First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106other countries. SCI's proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home
page Safari Club International or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.