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Bears on Dry Land

Who We Are

The Southwest Montana Chapter of Safari Club International is your local SCI Entity protecting your freedom to hunt through Wildlife Conservation, Education and Community Service and Humanitarian efforts.

Safari Club International (SCI) is the leading organization dedicated to protecting hunting rights, promoting conservation, and ensuring the future of ethical hunting worldwide. The SW Montana chapter carries that mission forward at the state and local level, advocating for Montana hunters, funding conservation efforts, and fostering a strong community of sportsmen and women.

Cheetah

Why Join SW MT SCI?

By becoming a Southwest MT SCI member, you are directly supporting conservation, protecting hunting rights, and ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

  • Be a part of a community of dedicated hunters and conservationists.

  • Gain access to exclusive events, hunting opportunities, and networking.

  • Support conservation and hunting advocacy efforts that impact Montana's hunting heritage.

  • Stay informed on hunting-related legislation and wildlife conservation efforts.

Joining Southwest MT SCI means being part of something bigger—a movement to protect hunting and preserve the legacy of ethical conservation.

What We Do

Brown Bear Mother and Cubs

Wildlife and Habitat Conservation

SWMT SCI actively supports conservation projects that help sustain healthy wildlife populations and preserve habitat. Funds raised through our banquets and sponsorships go directly toward efforts such as:

  • Wildlife research & habitat restoration

  • Anti-poaching programs

  • Species reintroduction projects

  • Hunter-funded conservation efforts

Deer in Winter

Advocacy for Hunting Rights

SCI is the leading advocate for hunters at the state, national, and international levels. SWMT SCI works alongside lawmakers, policymakers, and other like-minded conservation groups to:

  • Protect public land access for hunting

  • Defend legal, ethical hunting practices

  • Fight against restrictive legislation that threatens our hunting heritage

  • Influence hunting related legislation and policy making in Helena and Washington D.C.

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Community & Education

We believe in hunting-related humanitarian efforts and educating the next generation of hunters as well as facilitating hunting opportunities for our veterans and/or disabled hunters.  SWMT SCI supports:

  • Hunters for Hunger

  • Montana Veterans Meat Locker

  • Youth hunting programs and mentorship opportunities

  • Hunter education scholarships

  • Outdoor, archery and firearms training

  • SCI "Social" and Local community events

  • Assist in providing special hunting opportunities for disabled / veteran hunters.

Lioness

Annual Banquet & Fundraising Events

Our annual SWMT SCI Banquet & Auction raises funds to support hunting (70% stays local, 30% to National). Proceeds from the event fund conservation programs, hunting rights advocacy, and outdoor education and humanitarian initiatives. Whether you attend, donate, or sponsor the event, your involvement directly impacts the future of hunting.  

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We occasionally conduct other fundraising events such as raffles or online auctions.

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 Letter from the President

I’m a native-born 5th generation Montanan who was exported out of state after finishing my degree at MSU.  I spent a career all over the world in the oil industry wishing I were back home only to finally return in retirement nestled up the Shields Valley against the Crazies.  My Dad had me outdoors as soon as I could walk, hunting and backpacking and otherwise passing on to me this precious heritage.  I was the luckiest kid in America!  I LOVE to hunt and am passionate about preserving and protecting that rite of passage so many of us in SCI enjoy.

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By being a member of SCI, you are part of a special group of people who are dedicated to wildlife conservation and our right to hunt.  Indeed, SCI’s Mission is: “…to protect the freedom to hunt and to promote wildlife conservation worldwide”.  The worldwide part is a very important element, but did you know that each Chapter only contributes 30% of it’s Net Earnings to the National group, and only from the largest event?” It is noteworthy compared to other organizations. Most everything else we raise is used locally.  That kills the misconception that SCI is only for the rich, and/or those among us that hunt internationally.  It is not true – SCI is for ALL HUNTERS, and SCI stands above other like-minded organizations in the fight to preserve and protect our hunting heritage in the legislative and legal arenas!

 

Please consider this when you are thinking about joining, renewing, or upgrading your membership.  We need you – our numbers help influence state and national legislators.  Thank you for your commitment and support!

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Bill Finch

President

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Our Mission

The Mission of the Southwest Montana Chapter of Safari Club International is to be your local and global leader in protecting your freedom to hunt through Wildlife Conservation, Camaraderie, and Community Service.

Protecting Hunting, Conservation & Outdoor Heritage

Safari Club International (SCI) is the leading organization dedicated to protecting hunting rights, promoting conservation, and ensuring the future of ethical hunting worldwide. The SCI Utah Chapter carries that mission forward at the state and local level, advocating for Utah hunters, funding conservation efforts, and fostering a strong community of sportsmen and women.

What have we accomplished?

Our most recent and largest contribution has been working with MT FW&P to have an additional Bighorn Sheep drop net created.  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FW&P) has multiple sheep studies in the hopper and only has two sheep capture nets for the whole state.   Bighorn Sheep are particularly vulnerable to disease and therefore require more studies to manage than other big game species. We went out and collaborated with Montana Wild Sheep Foundation to jointly fund this project (2024/2025), as well as successfully applied for a grant from SCIF to supplement funding.  This will greatly aid MT FW&P biologists in managing bighorn sheep in Montana

Wildlife and Habitat Conservation

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Annually we provide much needed funding support and volunteer time for Montana's Hunters for Hunger (part of the Montana Food Bank), and the Veterans Meat Locker.  Veteran's Meat Locker hands out a variety of donated meat to Montana's veterans across the State.

Community:  Humanitarian 

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Following is a list of  Community Education projects we have supported:

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  • Supported Gallatin Valley 4H Shooting Program and 4H Outdoor Day

  • Supported “Raised at Full Draw” for a youth bowhunting education camp in Montana

  • Acquired and repaired the “Sensory Safari Trailer”, which will be used to educate Montana youth about hunting, species, and the role of hunting in wildlife conservation.

  • Supported First Time Hunters Program at the Legends Ranch in Michigan

  • Joined other like-minded organizations as a Sponsor for the Hunters Ethics Coalition with MT FW&P

Community:  Education

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Following are recent efforts our Chapter has been directly involved in to defend Hunter's Rights:

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  • Supported States Right to Hunt constitutional amendment

  • Supported Alaska Chapter against Federal Land grab that is slowly eroding hunting opportunities in Alaska.  The could set a precedent in Montana and other States!

  • Testify at Legislative Committee and Fish and Game Commission hearings to advocate for hunters rights.

  • Joined a coalition to litigate the arbitrary setting of MT wolf quotas by emotion instead of by science and in accordance with Montana statute.

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Advocacy:  Hunters First!

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