January

2026 NEWSLETTER

RECENT COURT DECISION RELATIVE TO OPEN CARRY

On January 2, 2026 the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the ban, which applied to counties with populations of greater, than 200,000, violates resident’s 2^nd Amendment right to keep and bear, arms. Under those regulations, 95% of the state’s population was, subject to the ban.

This decision was heard before a three-judge panel of the 9^th Circuit. The opinion was 2-1 with the opinion being written by Judge VanDyke. In writing for the majority VanDyke stated that California’s urban ban on open-carry permits does not stand under the Supreme Court’s landmark gun rights ruling, New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn, vs. Bruen. That 2022 decision made it much easier to carry a gun in public by striking down laws that required people to show a special need for self-defense.

It also established a test for determining whether a state’s gun regulations violate the Constitution by requiring that restrictions are consistent with “the historical tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms.” He further stated, “The historical record makes unmistakably plain that open carry is part of this Nation’s history and tradition.”

This matter will almost certainly be taken up for full panel review. Additionally, the Attorney General’s office will certainly appeal this matter. Therefore, no matter what you hear it is still unlawful to opening carry a firearm.

Read the latest Field Ethos article about SCI's impact and the importance of joining. The article emphasizes on the organization's focus on defending the rights of hunters and with scientifically backed conservation 

HUNTER'S CORNER

Thanksgiving Edition

By Wayne Wickham

Same Season. New Rules.

This fall, I hunted elk in Colorado during third rifle season, and it quickly became clear this

wasn’t a typical year. Warm temperatures limited movement, long glassing sessions produced

little daytime activity, and most elk movement was compressed into short windows at first and

last light. It challenged expectations—and forced reflection. That hunt reinforced a lesson worth sharing with our SSC membership: the hunt hasn’t changed, but the rules we rely on have.

Across the country, unseasonably warm fall weather disrupted familiar patterns. Elk stayed high

longer than expected. Whitetails delayed movement until full darkness. Waterfowl migration

stalled weeks behind schedule. What once felt dependable suddenly required adjustment.

Some hunters struggled. Others adapted—and found success. The difference wasn’t luck. It was

mindset.

Lessons from an Unusual Season

When conditions don’t cooperate, they reveal what matters most.

Movement windows shrank.

Animals moved later and less often. Being in position at first and last light mattered more than

covering ground.

Elevation mattered.

In the mountains, warmer temperatures kept elk high. Hunters willing to adjust elevation—and

stay patient—were rewarded.

Water drew activity.

Dry conditions concentrated game. Sitting water during prime hours proved more effective than

roaming empty country.

Calling became strategic.

Silence didn’t mean absence. Nighttime vocalization guided morning setups. Position mattered

more than persuasion.

Late season delivered.

When winter finally arrived, weeks of stalled movement came all at once. Those who stayed the

course found opportunity waiting.

Adaptation Is the Advantage

Despite online debate, real-world results showed that success was still there for hunters willing

to adjust. Experience remained valuable—but only when paired with flexibility.

This season reminded us that adaptability is no longer optional. It’s the defining skill.

The Takeaway

There are no bad seasons—only changing ones.

The hunters who succeeded this year didn’t wait for ideal conditions. They hunted what was in

front of them, adjusted their expectations, and stayed engaged when it would have been easier to quit.

As SSC members, that mindset defines who we are. We learn, adapt, and keep showing

up—because the hunt always rewards those willing to meet it on its terms.

Adapted for SSC from field observations and industry reporting originally published by KUIU Clothing, January 2026.

Sacramento Safari Club Member

John Dull

MOZAMBIQUE TO ITALY

A Trip of a Lifetime

In 2023 John Dull, a Sacramento Safari Club member and owner of Buzzard Hill Kennels booked a trip to hunt Cape Buffalo in Mozambique. This hunt was booked with Chapungu-Kambako Safaris In the Niassa Reserve, a 600,000-acre hunting reserve. Chapungu-Kambako Safaris came into being in 2013 when Jacques Hartzenberg of Chapungu Safaris and Jumbo Moore of Kambako Safaris joined to form Chapungu-Kambako Safaris.

John’s firearm of choice was a pistol. In this case a Smith & Wesson ,450 S&W Magnum. The hunt was conducted in tall thick grasses with temperatures averaging 105 degrees. John was accompanied by PH Ryan Cliffe. After days of tracking Buffalo John was able to take a shot, but unfortunately the Buffalo was only wounded. What followed was 3 1/2 terrifying days tracking a wounded Buffalo through the tall grasses. The trail became weaker each day and after 3 1/2 days it was determined to abandon the search. John will be the first one to tell you that trailing a wounded Cape Buffalo through grass that at times was over his head and thick enough that he could only see a couple of feet before him was one of the most frightening experiences of his life.

But time moves on and the PH asked him if he was interested in hunting Eland.

This was not initially something that he was overly interested in doing, but eventually he said, “let’s do it”.   At this point John switched to a Remington XP 100 with a Burris 3x12 scope, chambered for .300 RCM. What followed was another full day of locating Eland and beginning the trek.  However, as luck would have it the Eland were moving in the same direction as a herd of Zebras. As they would close in on the Elands the Zebras would spook, and the Elands would also run.

Given the conditions, the next day they decided to head in the direction of where a waterhole had existed in the past. As they approached John saw a large Eland to his left moving among some trees. At the same time the PH threw up the sticks, but facing to the right. John attempted to move the sticks to the left only to be met with significant physical resistance from the PH. At that point John realized that the Eland that the PH was pointing to was even larger. The shot was made, and the Eland was down within less than 100 yards.  As John and the PH approached the downed Eland, they both realized that the animal was even bigger than they initially thought.

Back in camp Jumbo Moore, who guided the hunter who took the #1 Livingston Eland with a handgun, said that he believed the John’s was bigger. Later in camp while celebrating the days successes by all of the hunters John was informed that the unofficial determination was that his Livingston Eland was the new #1 by 1/8^th of an inch. Because of the remoteness of the camp and the difficulty of transport of the trophies the official measurement was not made until one and a half years later and was judged to be the #3 Livingston Eland

John entered his trophy in the Carlos Caldesi awards and was subsequently told his trophy was within the top twenty (20) submissions and was invited to the presentation ceremony in Italy. John reports that his experience in Italy was far better than one could expect. W. Laird Hamberlin, SCI’s CEO attended and took John under his wing and John had the time of his life. John did not ultimately win the Carlo Caldesi Award but indicates the entire experience could not have been better.

John will also receive, an award in February at the SCI convention for taking the highest scoring animal in Africa in 2023.  Congratulations to John Dull and his magnificent trophy and the great adventure both during the hunt and after.

**************

The Carlos Caldesi Award by Holland & Holland honors those in the hunting

world that took the best big game trophy in one particular year. The award is named after Dr. Carlo Caldesi, one of the founding members and first President of the Italian chapter of SCI. The trophy must be an indigenous animal, included in the accepted species of the SCI Record Book at the time of submission and taken in a free-range environment.

The award is a testament to the hunter’s skill, the difficulty of the hunt and the rarity of the trophy. It is a symbol of respect and recognition for those who have made a significant contribution to the sport and conservation.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

VENISON BREAKFAST BURRITOS 

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ lb venison

1 lb pork

2 Tbsp ice water

1 Tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped

2 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped

1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

½ tsp ground fennel

1 Tbsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

½ tsp red pepper flakes

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp maple syrup

Shredded cheddar

18 eggs + splash of milk

8 – 10 tortillas

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix herbs, seasonings, and sugar. Grind venison and pork. Combine with seasoning mix, syrup, and water; mix until tacky. Heat cast iron over direct heat, add 1 Tbsp oil, cook meat. Whisk eggs with milk, scramble in cast iron until done.

Warm tortillas on grill 10 sec each; fill with meat, eggs, and cheese.

Submitted by Ken Baccetti

SSC Board Member

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.