MAY 2023 NEWSLETTER

U.S. Committee hearing discusses grizzly bear and wolf delisting.

Supporters say both species have fully recovered and are expanding into unsuitable habitat where human-wildlife conflicts are occurring.

SCIF Blue Bag Expedition

SSC President, Wayne Wickham, and his wife participated in the SCIF Blue Bag program on their most recent trip to Bolivia.

The program's premise is for traveling sportspeople to fill a sizeable blue duffel bag and then deliver it to needy people whose resources do not come easily in remote parts of the world, where we hunt. Contents often include health and hygiene supplies, educational materials and/or recreational supplies.

When we leave a Blue Bag, as hunters, we also leave a positive impression. We show in a meaningful way a tangible contribution to the young people’s education. 

For more information, go to http://safariclubfoundation.org/bell-family-blue-bag-program/ or contact Karen Crehan at [email protected]

Legislation

Almost 1,300 bills are on the list for consideration. Any bills passed off the Suspense File then need to have a vote from the full body of the respective house it was introduced in to continue through the legislative process. This passage must occur by June 2^nd. There are a limited number of bills that can extend beyond this deadline, but this deadline applies to the vast majority of bills.

Key Bills on the Suspense File:

AB 92 (Connolly)            Watch                Prohibits the possession of body armor if prohibited from possessing a firearm.

AB 28 (Gabriel)               OPPOSE             Imposes a firearms and ammunition tax of 11% to fund various mental health and gun violence prevention programs. 

AB 262 (Holden)             Watch                Creates a committee to recommend a regulatory framework for children’s camps.

AB 293 (Alanis)               Watch                Would provide free lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to Gold Star Family members with some limitations.

SB 2 (Portantino)           Oppose              Also sponsored by the Governor and Attorney General to impose new limitations on CCW license holders and locations where carry is permitted in response to US Supreme Court decisions.

SB 772 (Dahle):             Support             Changes the age for junior hunting licenses to under the age of 18 from the current under 16 years of age from July 1, 2024 to 2029.  

A Few Additional Bills of Interest:

AB 859 (Gallagher):       Support             Resolves conflicts between enforcement and an Attorney General opinion on ability to access navigable waters for hunting, fishing and other purposes. This bill is on the Assembly Floor awaiting a vote.

AB 1507 (Gallagher):     Support             Two-Year Bill. Would allow the exchange of firearms on state property for certain youth and conservation organizations. Eligible for a vote in January 2024. 

SB 8 (Blakespear):          Oppose              Two-Year Bill. Would mandate liability insurance for firearm owners. Eligible for a vote in January 2024.

Just a reminder on Red Bank Outdoor Academy. (RBOA) is dedicated to preserving our outdoor heritage by providing youth who want to learn about the great outdoors with the highest-level instructional opportunities. They embrace multiple disciplines and hands-on educational experiences. Their goal is to ensure that all youth have the ability to experience hunting and fishing opportunities, learn the importance of wildlife conservation, and build safety and outdoor skills that will last a lifetime.

Last Fall, SSC donated $500 to Red Bank, which went towards helping one of their socioeconomically disadvantaged students attend camp, and he was incredibly thankful for the opportunity to attend.

THEIR SUMMER CURRICULUM INCLUDES:

Firearm Safety Rifle & Shotgun Instruction

Sporting Clays

Black Powder

Firearm Care & Cleaning

3D Archery with World Champion Instructor Paige Pearce

Bass & Bluegill Fishing

Hunter Education Certification

First Aid

Turkey & Duck Calling with State Champion Instructors

Wildlife Tracking

Wildlife Conservation with Ducks Unlimited

Wildlife Trapping

Hunting Dog Training

Hawk & Knife

Swimming

Patio Games

Homemade Ice Cream Night

Academy tuition includes separate lodging for boys & girls, all food & drinks, ammunition, firearms, and all supplies for the week!

Any parents who may be interested in their summer camp, please check out their website below. You can also email them at [email protected]

Welcome New SSC Board Member Matthew Halick

Please join in welcoming our new board Treasurer, Matthew Halick! Matthew is a Financial Advisor based out of San Ramon, CA. He began his career in 2017 and joined David White and Associates. Matt is currently licensed with his Series 6, 7, 63, 65 and CA Insurance license. In addition, he works as a tax preparer and is pursuing the EA designation. Most of Matt's time is spent working with his investment and insurance clients focusing on growing and preserving their wealth. His daily activities include building financial plans, doing investment analysis, insurance policy reviews, and servicing policies. Since 2020, Matt undertook working at a CPA office not knowing what he would be getting into. He currently prepares returns for about 500 clients and yearns for the dog days of the first quarter each year. 

Matt started shooting clays in 2020 as the pandemic shut down all the extracurriculars he was involved in. Monthly trips to Bird's Landing became the norm and a trip to Bolivia was soon on the horizon. He attended the annual Sacramento Safari Club Fundraiser and is heading on a trip to Argentina in 2024. Matt is married and lives in Concord, CA.

Welcome to the Board!!

SSC RECIPE OF THE MONTH

40 CLOVES OF GARLIC PHEASANT

INGREDIENTS

10 pheasant thighs

1/2 cup olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

4 celery stalks, chopped

2 cups yellow onion, sliced from the root to the tip

40 cloves garlic, peeled

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (optional)

1 cup of white wine

INSTRUCTIONS

Before I give you the instructions on how to cook this recipe, I would like to explain the origin. Our family used to use this recipe with chicken, and decided to try it with pheasant. It turned out to be a family favorite.

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or other large ovenproof pot over medium heat. Sear the skin of the pheasant until nicely browned, removing the pheasant pieces as they brown.

2. Add the celery and onion and saute stirring often, until all of the ingredients are translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the garlic cloves, herbs, salt and black pepper and mix all of the ingredients well. Pour in the white wine and nestle all the browned pheasant pieces into the pot, skin side up and above the level of the liquid.

3. Cover the pot and bake in the oven for one hour. Uncover the pot and continue to cook until the top of the meat is completely brown, typically 20 minutes. We typically serve this dish with mashed potatoes and white wine. Tip: Use the softened garlic as a spread on French bread.

Submitted by Ken Baccetti

SSC Treasurer

Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share?

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.