Awarding Excellence at SCI Convention
Each year at Convention, SCI confers the highest awards in hunting, advocacy, and conservation on remarkable individuals. From legislators championing our hunting freedoms, to esteemed hunters demonstrating unparalleled accomplishments, and conservationists of the utmost dedication, these awards recognize the best of the best in the hunting community. Read our full list of recipients below:
Best Magazine: Northwest Chapter
Best Newsletter: Flint Regional Chapter
Best Website: Alaska Chapter
Chapter of the year with 200+: Flint Regional Chapter
Chapter of the year with 101-200: Music City Chapter
Chapter of the year with 25-100: Greater Dacotah Chapter
Regional Rep of the year: John Kupiec
Diamond Conservation Award: West Texas Chapter
Top Gun Award: Alaska Chapter
Professional Hunter Award: The Professional Hunter Award honors two professional hunters, one in North America and one Internationally, who are acknowledged by both their peers and clients as tops in their field. Those who receive this award are industry leaders in their involvement with the hunting community.
- North American Professional Hunter Award: Darrel Schneider
- International Professional Hunter of the Year: Bruno Rosich
4th Pinnacle of Achievement: The Pinnacle of Achievement Awards honor hunters with wide experience in hunting around the world, with four pinnacles total. The Fourth Pinnacle requires five Inner Circles at the Gold level and one Inner Circle at the Diamond level.
- Michael Scott Ashbrook
- Herb Atkinson
- Skeet Bryant
- Dr. W. Bruce Canoles
- Brandon Cowell
- Jan Dams
- Jeff Demaske
- Madeline Demaske
- Dr. William Falcheck
- John W. Ferguson
- Keith C. Halstead
- Bryan K. Harlan
- Toby Johnson
- Alexey Kim
- John K. “Jack” Laws Jr.
- Scott Lintner
- Bo Morgan
- Dusty Phillips
- Jason Soulliere
Zenith Award: The Zenith Award, is designed for SCI hunters who may not have an opportunity to complete the Crowning Achievement Award. The Zenith Award falls in between the 4th Pinnacle and the Crowning Achievement. To qualify, members must complete six Milestones, two Inner Circles at the Diamond level, a minimum of two Inner Circles at the Silver level, six at the Gold level and the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement.
- Michael Scott Ashbrook
- Herb Atkinson
- Brian Bailey
- Jan Dams
- Jeff Demaske
- Madie Demaske
- Richard East
- Norman L. Epley
- Dr. William Falcheck
- Ramon E. Gonzalez III
- Toby Johnson
- Alexey Kim
- John F. Landgraf
- Scott Lintner
- Dusty Phillips
- Corey L. Schaefer
- Brian L. Vanderhoof
Crowning Achievement Award: Hunters who participate fully in the SCI World Hunting Awards program are honored with the Crowning Achievement Award. To qualify, hunters must have achieved and purchased nine Milestones, the Hunting Achievement Award at the Silver Level, the Animals of Africa Inner Circle at the Silver Level or Animals of North America at the Gold Level, the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement, and 13 of the remaining 27 Inner Circles at the Copper Level or higher.
- Michael Scott Ashbrook
- Herb Atkinson
- Jan Dams
- Norman L. Epley
- Dr. William Falcheck
- Scott Garrett
- Ramon E. Gonzalez III S
- Keith C. Halstead
- William C. Hayes
- Toby Johnson
- Dusty Phillips
- Harold Rank III
- Michael J. Spence
- Brian L. Vanderhoof
- Brian H. Welker
Methuselah: A Methuselah hunter recognizes the age and value of experience and prides themselves in choosing to pursue the oldest battle tested big animals over those that are younger or prettier.
- Herb Atkinson
- Greg Murtland
- Dennis Schemmel
- Brian H. Welker
- Denise E. Welker
World Hunting Award: The World Hunting Award Ring is the highest award in the World Hunting Awards program and recognizes extraordinary efforts in conservation of wildlife. A custom crafted ring presented to each participant represent the premier honor in the world of hunting. SCI members must have achieved and purchased 11 SCI Milestones, including the North American 29 and the Africa 29, 17 SCI Inner Circles at the Diamond level and the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement and the Crowning Achievement.
- Arthur J. Gutierrez Jr.
- Jaime Gerado Diaz Torree Llamas
- Harold Rank
- Denise Welker
- Andre Zaika
World Conservation & Hunting Awards: The World Conservation and Hunting Award offers another opportunity to recognize committed SCI members for their continued hunting accomplishments beyond achieving the World Hunting Award Ring. This award recognizes the efforts of SCI members who continue traveling the six continents to hunt. To achieve the World Conservation and Hunting Award, members must achieve and purchase all 15 Milestones, the diamond level of 25 of the 27 Inner Circles, the Fourth Pinnacle of Achievement, Zenith, and the Crowning Achievement.
- Arthur J. Gutierrez Jr.
- Gregory Cheek
- John Colglazier
- Andrey Zaika
- Justin Rafazzine
International Hunting Award: The International Hunting Award was established in 1984 to honor the great hunters of the world. Those hunters who have achieved excellence in the field, have hunted extensively and are actively hunting at the time of selection are possible candidates. Selection is based solely on specific and well-defined hunting achievements, numbers and quality of trophies entered into the SCI Record Book, number of countries hunted, total number of hunts taken and levels of entries that qualify for World Hunting Awards.
- Bela Hidvegi
Legislators of the Year: The Legislator of the Year Award is presented by SCI Advocacy and recognizes our champions in outstanding work defending the freedom to hunt.
- International Legislator Award: Blaine Calkins
- Federal Legislator Award: Richard Hudson
Morris Family Legacy Award: This award is given by SCI and Bass Pro Shops annually to an individual who exemplifies a legacy of support of hunting, conservation, and mentorship.
- Richard Childress
GSCO and SCI Pantheon Award: The criteria for the Pantheon are easily defined, but extremely difficult to ultimately accomplish. It takes a lifetime to meet all the requirements for being inducted into the Pantheon. Concerning GSCO’s awards, one must have a Grand Slam of North American Wild Sheep; an Ovis World Slam Super 30 of the world’s mountain sheep; a Capra World Slam Super 30 of the world’s wild goats; and the Super Slam of 29 North American Big Game. Within SCI, one must have received the World Conservation and Hunting Award.
- Lee Anderson
- Justin Ragazine
- Dr. Gerald Warnock
SCI & Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award: The SCI & Bass Pro Shop / Cabela’s Young Hunter Award, established in 1987, recognizes a young SCI member. To be eligible, the young hunter must be 15 to 25 years of age and do the following: be a current member of SCI, complete the application, compose a 500-word essay on the topic, “How I Am A Role Model for Hunting,” complete a hunter safety education certification course, obtain a letter of recommendation from an SCI chapter and obtain a letter of recommendation from a school administrator.
- Kaylee Ann Stacy
- Case Overweg
Diana Award: the Diana Award is named for the huntress of Roman mythology and recognizes the women of SCI who have excelled in international big game hunting. Nominees show exemplary ethics in the field, remain committed to the mission statement of SCI and personally give of their time and energies to enhance wildlife conservation and education. This award is sponsored by NRA Women’s Leadership Forum.
- Siri Campbell Fossell
CJ McElroy Award: Named for the late founder and chairman emeritus of Safari Club International, the C.J. McElroy Award honors a member of SCI who has made great contributions to the sport of hunting, achieved excellence in worldwide hunting, displayed a dedication to the conservation of wildlife and has a history of service to the global hunting community and to Safari Club International’s goals. Potential nominees must show exemplary ethics in the business of hunting and be committed to SCI’s programs and mission statement.
- Shane Black