Very Expensive Big Game Hunts Auctioned Off in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX —The San Angelo Chapter of Safari Club International auctioned off over $200,000 worth of trophy hunts and specialty items to raise money for area charities during its 2018 SCI Hunter’s Extravaganza Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall.   

The purpose of SCI is to promote and support wildlife conservation locally and worldwide.  SCI San Angelo Chapter President Jimmy Fontenot says the organization donated over $51,800 to local charities in 2015-2016 including donations to the Children’s Advocacy Center, Tom Green County 4-H, Wall FFA, Irion County 4-H, and the Sutton County 4-H.

The dinner and auction Saturday evening included keynote speaker Anna M. Seidman.  Seidman is the Director of Government Affairs and Director of Litigation for SCI.  She has served as the group’s lead attorney in cases involving hunting, wildlife management and conservation importation, the use of firearms and other matters related to sustainable use conservation.  

Auction items included hunting and fishing trips from as far away as South Africa, Argentina and British Columbia and as close as 12 miles south of San Angelo.  The auction also included a pair of earrings valued at $6,200 and a bronze statue valued at $32,000 from wildlife artist Lornezo Ghiglieri.  

According to Safari Club International website, SCI Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds and directs worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation and outdoor education. SCI Foundation insures that the best available science is used in wildlife policy and management, and demonstrates the constructive role that hunting and hunters play in the conservation of biodiversity around the world. The organization is First For Wildlife, investing millions of dollars into wildlife conservation and education every year.

SCI Chapters often partner with state or provincial agencies to sponsor on the ground conservation initiatives. Through these efforts, many local wildlife conservation projects are completed. SCI Foundation supports these chapter projects through our Matching Grants Program. Read this First For Wildlife post for more information on SCI Chapter anti-poaching and conservation projects according to SCI.