The state of American conservation is strong. This was abundantly clear at the 54th annual Safari Club International (SCI) convention in Nashville, Tennessee, that occurred last month.

Music City was bustling with thousands of hunters and conservationists – including celebrities, federal lawmakers, and even Donald Trump Jr. The convention broke records not only with attendance, but with a record-setting bid on an $800,000 Alaska hunt with President Trump’s oldest son. I must say: witnessing this moment firsthand was incredible. You had to be there to experience it.

Two prominent elected Republicans – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke – were also honored as Governor and Federal Legislator of the year, respectively, by SCI for defending and championing hunting rights. And the Tennessee legislature declared February 18, 2026, Safari Club International Day in the Volunteer State.

When I last covered the show in 2024, the political landscape was vastly different. The mood at the show was more somber. The Biden-Harris administration adopted subtle yet painful regulations undermining hunting and fishing access on millions of public land acres out West. Gradual lead ammunition and tackle phaseouts on national wildlife refuges (NWRs) were adopted. Public lands access for recreational shooting sports opportunities was severely limited in states like........

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