Safari Club International Launches Expedition To Idaho Falls With Banquet

IDAHO FALLS - The Idaho Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) has been a major wildlife conservation presence in Eastern Idaho for over a decade. To celebrate their 12th annual banquet on May 1st, SCI will be coming to the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls to expand their base of operations. SCI is certainly no stranger to the Upper Snake Region. They have been cooperators with IDFG on a number of programs working with species ranging from mule deer and mountain goats, to sharp-tailed grouse. When most people hear "Safari Club" they might automatically conjure up visions of exotic locales and while some SCI members are worldwide sportsmen, they all have a heart and pocketbook for taking care of native species in Idaho. Supporting conservation, protecting hunters rights and helping educate the public about wildlife is what the Idaho Chapter of Safari Club International is all about. In 1996 the area chapter raised more than $100,000 to defeat proposition two, aimed at eliminating several legal methods of take for black bear in Idaho. The next year they came up with more than $15,000 to help fund the Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Study. They bought radio collars and paid for helicopter flights to get the study started. The banquet features guided hunts, fishing trips, firearms, and ladies packages for auction and raffled. Banquet tickets cost $35 for adults and $15 for kids under twelve. Their website, http://www.idahosci.org/ has all the information along with great pictures of hunts and conservation work members have completed. Auction and raffle items include bear and turkey hunts in Idaho, fishing trips to Alaska, guided pheasant hunts in Kansas and safaris to Africa and South America. "We have hunts that are an excellent value for local hunters," said Chapter President Jerry Bullock of Blackfoot. In addition to the auctions and prizes there will be a sensory safari for area kids from 1:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the hotel. The chapter is working with the Federation for the Blind to introduce sight-impaired kids to wildlife. SCI is rolling out its collection of mounted local and exotic animals from around the world. Kids can feel and touch mounted animals from red foxes to African lions. Exhibits by taxidermist, guides and outfitters and Fish and Game will also be open at the same time free of charge at the Shiloh Inn.