I often hear someone say “I remember where I was when that happened”.  I have said it myself.  Think about this; where were you the last time someone threatened to take your hunting right away?  If your answer is “no one has done that” you are mistaken.  The statement may not have been verbalized directly to you, but believe me someone is thinking about it or trying to do it daily. 

There are individuals and groups who have the mindset that all firearms should be banned.  "Hunting is nothing more than the slaughter of innocent animals and no one should harvest an animal, no matter what the reason." They have the right to feel that way, but the fact of the matter is I believe in our Second Amendment and the right to control our animal population through ethical and humane means of hunting or fishing. 

SCI is the only organization of like kind with a full time presence in Washington D.C. The staff monitors activities on Capital Hill and become involved in various levels of lobbying and/or legal proceedings as deemed necessary to protect our hunting rights. 

SCI is also involved in numerous education, conservation and humanitarian services programs.  On the Outdoor Channel recently there was a group of nine youth hunters who traveled to South Africa on safari and participated in the SCI Blue Bag program.  Each youth took a blue bag filled with items to include school supplies, personal hygiene products, shoes and other items and presented them to a village of children.  What incredible positive messaging that is for those young hunters who were willing to take time from their safari to deliver the blue bags.

The Kentuckiana Chapter SCI over the years has contributed to, or created many projects and programs that benefit the community.  Recently focused on youth development, there have been several opportunities for youth to participate in various outdoors activities and youth hunts.  National Archery in the Schools has taken off and our chapter has contributed sponsorship money to four schools starting programs.  I could go on and on about the benefits of this program.

Most of you are currently SCI and Kentuckiana Chapter members.  My message here is two-fold.  Use the information to talk to other hunters and outdoor enthusiast about the benefits of joining SCI and our chapter.  The funds support so many incredible projects and programs.  When your membership renewal comes in the mail, take the time to complete and renew it.

I am challenging each chapter member to recruit one new SCI /chapter member in the next 45 days.  Benefits include receiving the Safari Times and Safari magazine, the award winning chapter newsletter “Kentuckiana Hunter”, participation in chapter member events, and attending the member only annual SCI Convention, the largest hunting convention in the world.  A potential member may not be a hunter, but if he/she supports hunting and the outdoor sports, that alone is a great reason to join.

I am proud to be a hunter,

Sherry Maddox, Membership Chair