{"id":7,"date":"2013-04-14T03:44:36","date_gmt":"2013-04-14T03:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2026-03-26T21:39:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T21:39:14","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\"\"<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Greater Dacotah Chapter \u2013 SCI\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

26th<\/sup> \u00a0Annual Banquet & Auction\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, August 29, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Box Elder Convention Center\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

631 Watiki Way, Box Elder, SD 57719<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Doors open at 4:30 PM
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Click HERE<\/a><\/span> to register!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Safari Club International (SCI) is the world\u2019s leading hunter-conservationist group and has more than two hundred active chapters worldwide. The Greater Dacotah Chapter (GDC) is proud to be part of SCI\u2019s great tradition of ensuring hunting opportunities and preserving wildlife resources. The GDC is active in local conservation programs, and we continually work with the South Dakota Department of Game Fish & Parks on wildlife research and habitat enhancement opportunities.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our chapter members include everyone from hunters who travel far and wide to hunters who love to\u00a0hunt around the Dakotas. What we have in common is the passion for hunting and conservation and a desire to protect & enhance our wildlife & habitat resources for future generations!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Safari Club International<\/strong> is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n
    \n
  • Providing value to members by shaping policies and legislation that protect the freedom to hunt locally, nationally, and internationally.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Keeping members informed regarding issues that impact hunting while educating members with engaging articles about the rich heritage of hunting in all forms of media.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Providing a community for hunters worldwide where hunting and conservation is experienced, expert information is exchanged, and where members can participate in a market for quality hunting goods and services.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Promoting a positive image of hunters and portraying them as responsible citizens who fund wildlife conservation, education and other programs which benefit wildlife & landscape conservation and your hunting heritage.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    The Greater Dacotah Chapter has provided needed funding for numerous area projects to promote hunting, habitat enhancement, wildlife research and management, and the shooting sports.\u00a0 A complete list of projects and funding is included in this overview.<\/p>\n

    We have been successful over the past 26 years because of the generosity of the Black Hills Community and its businesses, along with donations from sporting companies, and hunting opportunities throughout the US and the World.\u00a0 Various sponsors and donors assist in organizing and facilitating this event!\u00a0 The continued success of this organization depends on your support and active participation to ensure the freedom to hunt and to engage in outdoor recreational opportunities in South Dakota, and throughout the world.<\/p>\n

    The Greater Dacotah Chapter is one of two hundred around the world and has received four \u201cChapter of the Year\u201d Awards from SCI National because of the support of this community and its businesses.\u00a0 Without your support and contributions, we would not have been able to fund more than $1.1 million of projects over the past 25 years, including sportsmen against hunger, youth hunting adventures, sensory safari, Boy Scout Shooting, wounded warrior, Care for Zumbo, Black Hills Raptor Center, Black Hills Conservation Initiative, American Wilderness Outdoor Leadership School (Area Teachers), and the Game Fish and Parks Shooting Range and Educational Complex ten miles north of Rapid City!\u00a0 One of the advantages of SCI is that 70% of the net proceeds stay with the chapter for area conservation, humanitarian, and hunting related projects.\u00a0 In 2016 GDC\/SCI initiated a Hunter-Conservation award dedicated to Sportsmanship, Conservation, and Hunting accomplishments.\u00a0 Jim Scull was our first recipient of this award which is awarded each year at the annual banquet from nominations to the Board of Directors.\u00a0 In 2018 the board created the Youth Hunter Conservation award, 2025 will be our eights year of selecting area youth for this award.<\/p>\n

    Our Board of Directors and Executive Board is made up of elected volunteers that have a passion for hunting and conservation!\u00a0 Election to the board is held every two years with nominations from the members and membership vote.\u00a0 Board member elections were held in October, 2025.<\/p>\n

    We hope that you continue to be part of the SCI organization supporting our mission and goals and one of the best ways to do this is by sponsoring a table of eight at the gold, or Silver Level.\u00a0 The corporate level is $1000 and includes a chance to win a Weatherby Mark V rifle, the Chapter level is $600. \u00a0In 2025 we had thirty table sponsors from individuals and businesses in the Rapid City area.<\/p>\n

    Web page:\u00a0 http:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Facebook:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/greaterdacotahchaptersci\/<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Email:\u00a0 greaterdacotah-sci@hotmail.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Dennie Mann\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Phone 605 939 8156, Email downtoearth15@rap.midco.net<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The PR Act was established in 1937 an 11% federal excise tax was added to firearm and ammunition purchases with the support from hunters and shooters to provide long term funding for the nations wildlife programs, in the 1970s the 11% federal excise tax was added to archery equipment.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The most recent data is from 2014 which shows that 824 million dollars was generated from the 11% FET which was nearly 3 times that amount collected in 2006.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>FET collected in 2014 hit a record high of $299 million dollars for ammunition purchases, $219 million in handgun purchases, $251 million in rifles and shotgun purchases, and $55 million FET in archery purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n

This funding mechanism is apportioned back to the states for wildlife management, hunter education, and shooting range establishment, based upon the state\u2019s population and the number of hunting license sold.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>State wildlife agency license sales supply the most funding for these activities which amounted to approximately $900 million in 2014, which the PR-Act is a close second.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>This demonstrates what most of us know is that hunters and shooters pay most of the costs for wildlife conservation in this nation.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Recent sociological research indicates that roughly 60% of firearm and archery shooters do not hunt! <\/span><\/p>\n

The firearm and archery industries have been working this past year to get congress to enact the Pittman-Robertson Modernization Act, which would provide more money and greater flexibility for spending P-R funds for shooting ranges and hunter recruitment efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

HR4818 and S2690 would provide state agencies more flexibility in how they utilize the PR Acts hunter education funds.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>These bills would increase those designated funds from $3 million to $8 million for national efforts promoting hunter education, recruitment and the shooting sports, and broaden the states abilities to build and maintain shooting ranges open to the public.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Visit with your senators and representatives concerning the PR Enhancement Act!<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks for all that you do for hunting and conservation!<\/span><\/p>\n

Dennie Mann<\/span><\/p>\n

GDC\/SCI<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to the Greater Dacotah Chapter of Safari Club International\u2019s web site!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hunter Conservationist Award Criteria<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DSC_0094\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2015 the Greater Dacotah Chapter implemented the Hunter\/Conservation Award<\/p>\n

This award\u00a0recognizes the importance of Character and Sportsmanship, Conservation, and Hunting Accomplishments.<\/p>\n

At the\u00a0March 12th 2016 banquet this award\u00a0was presented to Jim Scull<\/strong> in recognition of\u00a0the above criteria!<\/p>\n

Congratulations Jim on being the first recipient of this prestigious award!<\/strong>\u00a0 To nominate an individual for this award download the above “hunter conservationist award criteria” and submit to the Greater Dacotah Chapter, at greaterdacotah-sci@hotmail.com<\/a>\u00a0 This award will be presented every year at the annual banquet.<\/p>\n

The Greater Dacotah chapter received the 2015 “Chapter of the Year” Award for their commitment to<\/strong> Wildlife & Habitat\u00a0Conservation Projects, Youth Hunting Adventures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Care for Zumbo (Mobile Hospitals), Sportsmen Against Hunger, To join this great “TEAM” call Dennie at 605 939 8156<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DSC_0082\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Mar 30, 2016<\/p>\n

\"Elk\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

In a victory for hunters<\/strong>, on March 29, 2016, a D.C. federal district court rejected all but one claim in two lawsuits that challenged the yearly elk hunt in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.\u00a0 SCI, along with the State of Wyoming, participated in the case as intervenors to help the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service defend the legality of the hunt.\u00a0 The Greater Dacotah Chapter’s Mary Ann Mann filed an affidavit as a (hunter and\u00a0wildlife photographer)\u00a0with the courts defending the elk hunt and stating that wildlife photography and hunting are compatible and that hunting is the most important tool in controlling ungulate populations, and maintain habitat diversity and viability of native rangelands across the west.\u00a0 Mary Ann used Custer State Park and Grand Teton National Park\u00a0as\u00a0two examples of the positive roll that hunting plays in management\u00a0while giving visitors to the park the opportunity to view and photograph wildlife populations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The court rejected most of the arguments advanced by the anti-hunting plaintiffs, but did rule in the plaintiffs\u2019 favor on one minor procedural claim.\u00a0 Importantly, although the judge did send that one issue back to the agencies, the judge did not order the agencies to stop the hunt and did not set aside decisions that authorize the hunt annually.\u00a0 The judge repeatedly stated that the agencies should be able to easily fix the identified deficiency.\u00a0\u00a0In the meantime, the annual hunts, which occur in the fall\/winter, can proceed.<\/p>\n

An issue of particular importance to SCI was the court\u2019s decision to reject the plaintiffs\u2019 claim that the elk gut piles that hunters leave in the field \u201charass\u201d (a form of prohibited \u201ctake\u201d under the ESA) the threatened grizzly bears that also occupy the area.\u00a0 The ESA defines \u201charass\u201d to include activities that alter a listed species\u2019 feeding habits.\u00a0 The plaintiffs argued that the gut piles were an unnatural source of food for the bears and that bears were choosing the gut piles over other food sources.\u00a0 If the court had agreed with the plaintiffs, it could have led to a finding that the leaving of gut piles associated with elk hunting constitutes a violation of the ESA.\u00a0 Such a ruling would have had adverse repercussions for big game hunters across the country.\u00a0 In briefs to the court, SCI strongly disputed the plaintiffs\u2019 arguments.\u00a0 Thankfully, the court agreed with SCI\u2019s and the federal agencies\u2019 arguments that gut piles do not alter their natural feeding habits or otherwise harass the bears.<\/p>\n

Overall, the court\u2019s ruling is a favorable outcome and a win for hunters.\u00a0 The hunts will continue.\u00a0 The agencies should be able to address the court\u2019s one concern.\u00a0 We do not know at this time whether the plaintiffs will seek an appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals but we will continue to monitor the case and participate to defend the ruling if necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Dear National Park Service<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

The National Park Service (NPS) has finally admitted what SCI and NRA have long advocated \u2013 that the use of volunteers, predominantly from the hunting community, in the culling of ungulate overpopulations on National Parks is not only legal, but also a great idea<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Back in the mid- 2000s, the NPS recognized that it would have to reduce the elk overpopulation on Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). \u00a0The Park\u2019s elk population had grown to exceed RMNP\u2019s carrying capacity because the Park\u2019s enabling legislation prohibited hunting within Park boundaries.\u00a0 The NPS initially refused to consider the participation of volunteers to help cull the elk.\u00a0 The NPS claimed the use of volunteer cullers would be illegal, too costly and difficult to manage.<\/p>\n

\"Elk\"SCI, together with the NRA, refused to accept those excuses.\u00a0 We attended numerous meetings with the Director of the NPS and high level NPS officials arguing for the implementation of volunteers-as-agents programs, submitted legal white papers that demonstrated the legality of the practice, and refuted arguments about the potential risks and alleged problems from the strategy.\u00a0 The NPS finally relented and implemented a volunteers-as-agents program to reduce the elk population at RMNP.\u00a0 After North Dakota legislators added some pressure, the NPS adopted a similar program for elk reduction at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP).\u00a0 Anti-hunting groups sued the NPS in federal district court in Colorado to challenge the legality of the program at RMNP.\u00a0 SCI joined the case as an intervenor to defend the use of members of the hunting community as agents.\u00a0 The district court rejected the challenge and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that the use of volunteers as agents did not qualify as hunting and did not violate any federal law.<\/p>\n

Although the NPS finally acknowledged the legality of the program, the agency continued to approach the strategy with little enthusiasm.\u00a0 The NPS contended that the use of volunteers exceeded the cost of using NPS personnel or contractors and argued that volunteer sharpshooters posed unnecessary risks to themselves and other park users.\u00a0 The NPS never employed the program for any other ungulate reduction and repeatedly rejected SCI and NRA\u2019s recommendations that they involve volunteers to help with deer reductions on National Parks in the eastern portion of the U.S.\u00a0 At meetings of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council and other gatherings, the NPS announced its intention to publish a report evaluating the use of volunteers as agents and forecasted that the report would demonstrate that the strategy was too costly and ineffective for further NPS ungulate management.<\/p>\n

In stark contrast to the agency\u2019s long-standing lack of interest in promoting the use of volunteers, the report that the NPS published in early 2016 on the RMNP and TRNP elk reductions was very favorable.\u00a0 It praised the use of volunteers not only as \u201ccost effective\u201d but \u201cpotentially applicable to other overabundant ungulate situations within the National Park System\u201d including for eastern white-tailed deer reduction.\u00a0 Moreover, the report explained that the use of volunteers provided the NPS with far more than economic benefits:<\/p>\n

Despite strong reservations initially, personnel at both parks found that the elk management volunteers they recruited, trained and worked alongside were tremendously valuable assets to the programs. While each park recruited volunteers differently, both found that their strongest advocates and most vocal supporters were the volunteers themselves. They added legitimacy to the programs by providing positive feedback to the press and other venues about the professionalism of both operations and they decreased the cost of the overall process, particularly at TRNP, by providing valuable labor. One NPS person even commented that volunteers became \u201cpark ambassadors\u201d and several commented on the positive aspects of \u201ccitizen wildlife managers\u201d. At RMNP many of the elk volunteers have remained engaged in volunteering at the park on projects other than the elk cull. Volunteers were viewed as valuable resources and significant time and energy were considered assets well spent on selecting, training, developing and managing volunteers. State wildlife agency personnel echoed these sentiments that volunteers provided overwhelmingly favorable feedback of the programs and that the programs provided a positive alternative to traditional hunting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Greater Dacotah Chapter Funding Bighorn Sheep Projects in South <\/strong>Dakota<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Imgcspbh-2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Continuing with bighorn sheep management objectives for South Dakota\u00a0on February 12th 2015 26 bighorn sheep from Alberta were released near Deadwood with funding from\u00a0GDC-SCI Chapter to create another bighorn sheep population segment in the Northern Hills!<\/strong><\/p>\n

GDC’s\u00a0South Dakota Bighorn Sheep Funding Project\u00a0has included over $50,000 for research with GFP and SDSU<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Goal is to increase the bighorn sheep population for both viewing and hunting opportunity<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is just one of\u00a046 projects that GDC-SCI has supported and funded over the last 14 years for a total of $284,991.00<\/strong><\/p>\n

The North American Model of Wildlife Management is a continuing success story of “hunter funded conservation and management” for the world!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunters Pay for Conservation through License Fees, and the 11% Federal Excise Tax on Firearms and Ammunition (Pittman Robertson Act)!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to all of our supporters and members that make financial support for conservation a priority and success story for GDC_SCI!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    \n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Greater Dacotah Chapter – Mission Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To promote good fellowship among those who\u00a0enjoy the outdoors and the sports of hunting, shooting, and fishing.
    \nTo promote and advocate for\u00a0conservation of wildlife\u00a0in the world;\u00a0and\u00a0as a renewable resource\u00a0“sport hunting” is the most important tool in the wildlife managers toolbox.
    \nTo\u00a0assist conservation efforts by supporting and funding\u00a0conservation projects.
    \nTo educate our youth in the safe and proper use of firearms, and to\u00a0educate them in conservation of our natural resources.
    \nTo share the latest hunting experiences and information of our members; so that other members, and the public\u00a0may\u00a0benefit from those experiences.
    \nTo operate the association as a non-profit organization, and to provide funding for both global and local projects to conserve and enhance our wildlife, fisheries, and habitat\u00a0resources.<\/p>\n

    Mission Statement for SCI National:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
    Safari Club International<\/strong> is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n\n\n\n
    \n
      \n
    • Providing value to members by shaping policies and legislation that protect the freedom to hunt locally, nationally and internationally.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Keeping members informed regarding issues that impact hunting while educating and entertaining members with engaging articles about the rich heritage of hunting in all forms of media.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Providing a community for hunters worldwide where camaraderie is enjoyed and expert information is exchanged, and where members are able to participate in a market for quality hunting goods and services.<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Promoting a positive image of hunters and portraying them as responsible citizens who fund wildlife conservation, education and other programs which benefit the community<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      Safari Club International (SCI) is the world\u2019s leading hunter-conservationist group and has more than 200 active chapters worldwide. The Greater Dacotah Chapter (GDC) is proud to be part of SCI\u2019s great tradition of ensuring hunting opportunities and preserving wildlife resources. The GDC is very active in local conservation programs and we often work with the Game Fish & Parks on local issues.
      \nOur chapter members include everyone from hunters who travel far and wide to hunters who love to\u00a0hunt around the Dakotas. What we have in common is a love of hunting and a desire to protect our wildlife resources for future generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Greater Dacotah Chapter \u2013 SCI\u00a0\u00a0 26th \u00a0Annual Banquet & Auction\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saturday, August 29, 2026 The Box Elder Convention Center\u00a0 631 Watiki Way, Box Elder, SD 57719\u00a0\u00a0 Doors open at 4:30 PM Click HERE to register! Safari Club International (SCI) is the world\u2019s leading hunter-conservationist group and has more than two hundred active chapters worldwide. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":130,"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":985,"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions\/985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greaterdacotahchapter-sci.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}