DECEMBER

2024 NEWSLETTER

Welcome Pat Sullivan to the SSC Board!

Pat Sullivan has spent many years in the outdoors fishing, hunting, camping and observing. He has developed a deep passion for preserving the hunting/ outdoors heritage that he loves so dearly.

Heavily involved with veterans and hunting organizations, Pat is passionate both about the outdoors and helping vets spend time in the field. He spent 4 years in the United States Marine Corps from 2000-2004 participating in numerous deployments including Operation Iraqi Freedom. He spent 15 years in the Fire Protection trade, signing on with Battalion One Fire Protection about two years ago. Currently serving as the Fire Sprinkler Division President, Pat is dedicated to company growth, leadership, employee development, safety etc.

As a new board member of the Sacramento Safari Club, Pat is excited to bring his expertise in hunting, leadership, and the veteran community to support the organization’s mission of wildlife conservation, outdoor education, and hunting interests in California.

The Hunter's Corner

By Wayne Wickham, SSC Officer

"I think any new hunter, young or old, is looking for someone to show them by doing. Hunting isn't something you can thoroughly learn from a book, someone just telling you about it, or from YouTube videos. You learn by doing it with another hunter. There's a reason why the quintessential vision of learning to hunt is the boy or girl going off into the woods with their dad or uncle, or taking their first trip to the hunting camp. It's a system for teaching the skill that has worked for centuries, and up to now, no one has found any better way.

A new hunter, going out in the field with an experienced hunter, goes through the process of hunting. That experienced hunter doesn't only provide the skills and experience but also the place to hunt. An adult with some means and resources can buy this experience with a guide or staying at a ranch. However, I'd much rather be out in the field with a willing hunter, 'job shadowing' in effect, and learning what they know. A guide succeeds when the client gets an animal. I suspect that the hunter can more clearly have the goal of teaching you how to hunt, even if that doesn't end in the taking of an animal.

Another hunter, not in a business relationship with the new hunter, can be more comfortable addressing the feelings that can happen with a new hunter—the excitement, the mixed emotions that may go along with taking the life of an animal, or the disappointment of going home empty-handed. Although a lot of hunting might be learned by trial and error, the humane taking of an animal and the proper processing of an animal so the meat is not wasted is something best taught to the new hunter rather than leaving them to 'figure it out.' So, 'take me with you, show me how, from beginning to end,' I think that is what the new hunter is looking for."

To ensure the future of our hunting traditions, we need experienced hunters to step up and mentor the next generation. If you have the time and knowledge to share, please consider volunteering to take a new hunter under your wing. Your guidance can make a significant difference in their journey and help preserve the rich heritage of hunting for years to come. Developing a “new hunter program” will be an essential initiative for the the club this next year. If you are interested in being a mentor a part of a group to support this initiative please contact me at wayne@sacramentosafariclub.org or better yet, call me at 925.989.1634.

Merry Christmas!

Wayne Wickham

Legislative Report

The 2024 Legislature adjourned on November 30, 2024 and the 2025 Legislature will not reconvene until January 6, 2025. When the Legislature returns there will be forty-four (44) new members, this is the largest group of new members in over ten (10) years. Despite this large turnover the Democrats still maintain a super majority. This large turnover was due to thirty-six (36) of the one-hundred and twenty (120) lawmakers leaving office due to term limits or other reasons. Given that the Legislature has not reconvened there is little to report in that arena.

However, our involvement in the legislative and regulatory process is not limited

to the California Legislature.   The California Fish & Game Commission is also an important arena and deserves equal attention. The commission met on December 11-12 2024. During that session various items were introduced by staff. One of those items was the increase in the number of Sprig that may be taken daily from one to three (3). This will again be discussed at the Commission’s February 12-13 meeting and ultimately decided at their meeting scheduled meeting on April 16-17. This is a big issue for waterfowl hunters, especially those of us who remember when the Sprig bag limit was seven (7).

In a recent newsletter we listed the numerous bills that pertained to issues of interest to our membership and those related to the Legislature. While most you probably ignored the long list or had your eyes gloss over them it was our intent to demonstrate the sheer volume of items being dealt with that effect you. One of the most important tasks of the Board is to monitor and affect those issues before the Legislature, the Fish & Game Commission and other regulatory commissions and agencies that impact you; whether it’s hunting and fishing issues, how to store your firearms, taxes added to the purchase of firearms, ammunition, etc. 

To stay on top of everything that is going on it is imperative that we retain a lobbyist and one the commands respect before the Legislature and other governing bodies.  Safari Club International (SCI) does a very good job with national and international interests, but they are not involved very often in state issues. It is dependent upon state chapters to carry that load. We can all wish that this was not so, but the reality is that there are forces in place that given their interests, hunting would be outlawed, firearms taken away and many of the activities that we now take for granted would be jeopardized. If we sound like conspiracy theorist, so be it, we would rather be accused of such than to have what we take for granted taken from us. 

Recipe of the Month

Submitted by Ken Baccetti

SSC Board Member

STRIPED BASS WITH POTATOES AND OLIVES

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. of striped bass fillets, with skin (1 or 2 fillets)

1/4 cup olive oil

2 lbs. large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick

Sea salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

1 cup pitted Picholine olives

8 bay leaves

2 lemons, in thin wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Use a little olive oil to brush the bottom of a shallow baking dish that can go to the table and is large enough to hold the fish in one piece(s). Spread potatoes evenly in the dish, overlapping, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Then season the flesh side of the fish with salt and pepper. Place the fish skin side up on the potatoes, sprinkle on the remaining olive oil, and scatter the olives around and place the bay leaves on top. Cover with parchment paper and bake approximately 20 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through at its thickest part (a sharp knife will penetrate easily when fully cooked). Garnish with the lemon wedges and serve with your favorite vegetable and beverage.

The Hunter's Code of Ethics

Recognizing my responsibilities to wildlife, habitat and future generations, I pledge:



• To conduct myself in the field so as to make a positive contribution to wildlife and ecosystems.
• To improve my skills as a woodsmen and marksman to ensure humane harvesting of wildlife.
• To comply with all game laws, the concept of fair chase, and to influence my companions accordingly. 
• To accept my responsibility to provide all possible assistance to game law enforcement officers.
• To waste no opportunity to teach young people the full meaning of this code of ethics.
• To reflect in word and behavior only credit upon the fraternity of sportsmen, and to demonstrate abiding respect for the game, habitat and property where I am privileged to hunt.