Master Measuring Class
8:00am – 5:00pm
Music City Center – 206 AB – Level 2
Take your Official Measurer’s status to the next level and become an SCI Master Measurer. The Master Measuring Course is limited to existing Official Measurers who have been active SCI Official Measurers for at least 1 year. This class will consist of a 3-hour measuring presentation, which includes supplemental information on complex antlered game scoring. Master Measurers are a requirement by SCI to score any animal that potentially ranks in the overall Top 20 of the record book. The course will challenge your measuring skills with a test that requires measurers to score 25 animals within 3% accuracy. The total time required to complete the class is between 6-8 hours. Please bring your own scoring tools and your SCI Measuring Manual. To register for the course please register online at https://my.safariclub.org/record-book/seminars/ or call the Record Book Department at (520) 798-4926 or email measuring@safariclub.org.
Duck Season Somewhere
Ramsey Russell
10:30am – 12:00pm
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
Duck Season Somewhere is a deep dive into the duck hunting culture worldwide. This seminar includes collecting species as well as unique experiences. The seminar has an emphasis on hunting as conservation.
Bows, Arrows, & Broadheads
Dave Holt
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
Dave Holt, archery coach, author, and former Technical Editor for BowHunter Magazine, has bow hunted for over 60 years. He has spent 14 years "on the ground time" bow hunting in Southern Africa. Combined with his many years of worldwide bow hunting and his involvement with African culling projects he may have shot more animals with archery equipment than anyone else.
His pictorial seminar will help you improve your bow shooting skills, understand bows, and choose the best bowhunting equipment for your personal needs. This tutorial will also explain broadheads, arrows, arrow weight and how to match your equipment to the animals you hunt. A gift will be presented to attendees.
Learn the truth and advance your bow hunting knowledge!
USA Olympic Shooting Team Meet & Greet
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Music City Center – Level 3 Foyer
Visit SCI’s Hot Spot booth in the Level 3 Foyer for this meet and greet with the US Olympic Shooting Team members, Kayle Browning and John McNally!
Writing for Hunters with Craig Boddington & SCI
Craig Boddington & Safari Magazine Editors
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
Every hunt is an adventure, whether it is on an African Savanna or your back 40. Other hunters need to hear about your story to encourage them to get out and make their own memories and support hunting the world over.
Safari Magazine Features Editor, Craig Boddington and other editors will reveal how easy it is to bring your hunting adventures to life and get them in the pages of Safari Magazine. Boddington will also field questions during a Q&A session.
You'll leave the seminar ready to write your own adventures for the publication and take the next step as an effective hunting advocate.
Know Before You Go – Preparing for Trophy Importing
Michael Coppersmith
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
We will cover key information about preparing for an international hunt and the keys to importing your trophies. This seminar will give you the information to not only ensure your import is successful, but will also cover key elements that can help reduce costs and delays in the U.S.
As regulations and processes are continually changing this seminar can be helpful for both the hunter that has been abroad several times and is an absolute must for the hunter going abroad for their first trip.
Estate Planning for Firearm Owners
Dwight Van Brunt & Jeremy Hatch
10:00am – 11:00am
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
It is impossible to overstate the benefits of having a formal estate plan that directs the orderly disposition and/or monetization of your firearms and sporting collectibles. Unlike many asset categories, the unique nature of these items makes accurate valuation difficult, legal requirements overwhelming and logistics nearly impossible to understand. The time and effort invested in developing a formal estate plan removes an extraordinary burden from family and friends, ensures realization of full monetary value, protects the estate against opportunistic buyers and provides the opportunity for both personal gifting and charitable contributions. This seminar will present the planning and preparation steps necessary to ensure that everything is handled according to your wishes.
Improving Your Wing & Clay Shooting
Gil, Vicki & Brian Ash
10:00am – 11:30am
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
This is a multimedia presentation to show shooters what it really looks like to hit a moving target with a shotgun.
USA Olympic Shooting Team Meet & Greet
10:00am – 11:00am
Music City Center – Level 3 Foyer
Visit SCI’s Hot Spot booth in the Level 3 foyer for this meet and greet with the US Olympic Shooting Team members, Kayle Browning and Kim Rhode!
Own Your Tomorrow
Dries Van Coller
11:00am – 12:00pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
A call on hunters to take responsibility for the future of hunting. Important information for planning your hunting trip to South Africa.
PRO SERIES: Glass Like a Pro w/BONUS Long Range Hunting & Ethics
Dan Adler
11:00am – 12:30pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
Whether you are getting ready for your first or fiftieth, Western big game or international mountain hunt, proper glassing techniques and hunting equipment is absolutely job #1! SCI is proud to welcome back the owner of North America’s largest outfitting and guide service, Dan Adler of Diamond Outfitters and Zero Outfitter Fees. Dan is an “Arizona Chapter of SCI - Hunter of the Year” award winner and was co-host of The Best of the West TV for over a decade. Today’s modern glassing equipment and long-range rifles and bows have revolutionized the way we scout and hunt. When done right, proper glassing fully triples the average hunter’s success in the field, saves energy and increases hunter morale. When done ethically, today’s rifles, muzzleloaders and archery equipment can increase your lethal accuracy by well over 50%. Dan’s seminars are known for not only education, but also fun and lots of humor. Come learn from someone who describes himself as “a professional glasser, cleverly disguised in the guide business” who will share all the common errors, plus the tips and tactics to take your glassing and ethical lethality to the next level. A must see seminar for anyone that hunts in BIG, glassable country.
Namibia – Prime Destination for Sustainable Trophy Hunting
Kristin Maritz
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
This seminar will introduce you to the wonders of Namibia. Namibia stands out as an extraordinary hunting destination, with a harmonious blend of breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife. Travelers can immerse themselves in unique experiences, ranging from exploring hard desert landscapes to pursuing game through tropical wetlands. From its excellent road infrastructure facilitating effortless explorations to its rich array of game species, Namibia offers a hunting adventure that goes far beyond the norm, providing unforgettable experiences. Combining the allure of untouched wilderness with globally recognized ethical hunting standards Namibia undeniably emerges as the prime destination for sustainable trophy hunting.
Knife Sharpening & Choosing the Right Knife
Tom Claycomb III
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
All outdoorsmen use a knife and yet less than 5% can sharpen one. Come to this seminar and Tom will teach you how to get an expert edge. The second half of this seminar Tom will teach you what design to choose for the type of job you are performing.
Your First African Safari
Craig Boddington
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
Welcome to SCI’s longest running seminar! This blue-ribbon panel discussion provides information and guidance for hunters shopping for their first African safari. Chaired by Craig Boddington, SCI's longest running seminar is now in its 29th year!
Key discussions will be: know before you go and studying, shopping for your safari, using booking agents and travel tips. Dan Catlin speaking on trophy care and taxidermy, Lisa Jamnik on trophy shipping. Dirk De Bod: What to expect from your PH and what he should expect from you. Lastly, Craig Boddington: What to take, how to pack, guns & loads and shooting tips.
CWD – Controlling Chronic Wasting Disease
Keith Warren
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
A discussion on CWD and the fallout of government overreach on whitetail deer herds, private property rights, and hunting heritage in the USA. Learn how scientists and deer farmers are developing ways to genetically fight the disease.
Travel With Firearms
2:30pm – 4:00pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
Every hunter has a favorite firearm, a favorite load, or other feature that makes a particular firearm or firearms special. The challenges of traveling with firearms are increasing however and one must be an informed consumer.
Join this distinguished panel discussion including the following people:
- Worldwide Hunter and Author, Craig Boddington
- President of Esplanade Travel, Jacky Keith
- Johannesburg's Hunter Support Service, Anne Gaines-Burill
- SCI Past President, John Monson
- Head of SCI Hunter Information Services, Barbara Crown
- Moderator, Robert Keagy
This well-educated group will discuss the importance of the SCI Database, airline terms of service, ticketing, routing considerations, the importance of the Form 4457, whether to employ professional assistance and/or meet-and-greet service, as well as the vital importance of communications with your in-country guides and more!
Self-Correction in the Field & on the Range
Gil, Vicki, & Brian Ash
10:00am – 11:30am
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
This seminar shows you how to self-correct your misses in the field and on the range.
Writing for Hunters with Jim Shockey
Jim Shockey & Safari Magazine Editors
10:00am – 11:00am
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
Jim Shockey wants to tell hunters why it's important to share our hunting stories. Shockey reveals how writing for SCI led him on a path to his new book, Call Me Hunter. He has real-world tips for aspiring non-fiction adventure writers as well. You’ll leave the seminar with the tools you need to share your adventures with other SCI members around the world and make your mark as an author and hunting advocate. Shockey will signing his new novel after the seminar.
John Geiger, Safari Magazine managing editor, will show you how to fast-track getting published in Safari Magazine.
Cook with the Hunter Chef
Michael Hunter
10:30am – 12:00pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
Description coming soon...
Book Signing: The Hunter Chef with Author Michael Hunter
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Music City Center – Level 3 Foyer
Take part in this tasting and book signing with The Hunter Chef, Michael Hunter! See him in SCI’s Hot Spot booth in Level 3 Foyer outside the Exhibit Hall from 12:00pm – 1:00pm.
GSCO Rex Baker Super 40
Rex Baker & Ed Yates
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Music City Center – 209 C – Level 2
Rex Baker and Ed Yates discuss the origins of the “Rex Baker Super 40”, the impact it has had on conservation, and how they both achieved this incredible North American milestone.
USA Olympic Shooting Team Seminar
John McNally & Kim Rhode
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
In this seminar with two US Olympic Shooting Team members, John McNally and Kim Rhode will tell you a little bit about themselves, their roads to the Olympics and answering all your questions about their favorite type of firearm, load, practice sessions, and everything in between!
Q&A with Jim Shockey
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
Question and answer format with Jim Shockey. One you certainly don’t want to miss!
Take Me Hunting: Mentoring the Future
Amanda Lynn Mayhew
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
Take Me Hunting Outreach Program is hands-on hunting with getting out in the field and learning how to be successful on your hunt, introducing specific hunts. Participation in activities outdoors provides you with the opportunity to expand your horizons and learn valuable life lessons that will serve you well beyond your chapter in life. We want you to be able to have fun and enjoy the outdoors with your peers, but at the same time lay a solid foundation of skills and knowledge which you may build on for the rest of your life. The ultimate goal for this program is to provide an opportunity for YOU to get outdoors, learn about your heritage and carry it forward.
PRO SERIES: Mule Deer & Coues Whitetail Deer Secrets Revealed
Dan Adler
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
SCI is proud to welcome back the owner of North America’s largest outfitting and guide service, Dan Adler of Diamond Outfitters and Zero Outfitter Fees. Dan is an “Arizona Chapter of SCI - Hunter of the Year” award winner and was co-host of The Best of the West TV series for over a decade. Are you a new or experienced hunter who wants to elevate their deer game to the next level? Did you know 90% of the mule and Coues deer harvested in North America every year are immature bucks under 4 years old? In this seminar our single focus is to help you understand the patterns, behaviors, tips and tactics to jump your personal deer harvest to the elite 4-7 year old class. Not only will this elevate your personal experience and deer “Wall of Fame” but harvesting only mature deer is a major component to conservation. Dan’s seminars are always educational, but there is also a major focus on fun with a few belly-laughs always guaranteed. See you there!
Navigating USFWS & USDA Regulations for Importing a Hunting Trophy
USFWS & USDA Staff
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
Hunters importing a trophy must comply with federal regulations, including those administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Failure to follow these regulations can lead to delays in clearing your trophies, or worse – their seizure! USFWS and USDA personnel will help you avoid mistakes by walking you through how to comply with federal regulations, whether you’re importing a deer, warthog, elephant or any other species.
USA Olympic Shooting Team Meet & Greet
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Level 3 Foyer
Visit SCI’s Hot Spot booth in the Level 3 Foyer for this meet and greet with the US Olympic Shooting Team member, John McNally!
To Shoot an Elk
Wayne Van Zwoll
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
If you plan to hunt elk, this seminar is a must! Dr. Van Zwoll's 50 years of elk hunting include 10 years guiding hunters. He's hunted elk in nine of the 11 Western States. Besides his two books on elk hunting, he's published widely on the topic in periodicals like Safari Magazine. His columns on elk rifles and cartridges have been in Bugle Magazine for 35 years. In this richly illustrated seminar, you'll learn how to book and succeed on a guided hunt, where to go for a DIY hunt, how to recognize good elk country, tactics for rut, and mid and late season hunts. You'll learn how to find hunter-shy elk, common mistakes hunters make, tips on elk rifles, cartridges, optics, and shooting.
Air Guns: The New Rage
Tom Claycomb III
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
Over the last few years air guns have become wildly popular; come to this seminar and find out why! Air guns open a lot of new hunting opportunities. With an air gun you can hunt around livestock and in suburbia situations. They are a great way to introduce your kids and grandkids into hunting/shooting due to the quiet sound and lack of kick. Tom will cover the 3 most popular models in this seminar, The CO2, Break Barrels and PCP's. He will also discuss the newer model released by Umarex, the PCP .50 Hammer Air Gun and the Air Sabre. This release paved the way for hunting big game with air guns. Thanks to air guns, we have another avenue to get you into the record books.
GSCO Milestones
Jason Price & Cameron Mitchell
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Music City Center – 209 C – Level 2
Jason Price and Cameron Mitchell will take an in depth look at GSCO’s Milestones and trophy awards. This seminar will consist of which species are included in each of the milestones, strategies to accomplish your own milestones, travel, and logistics and how to submit your trophy and hunt report to be featured in future issues of Slam Quest Magazine.
Bow Hunting to Complete SCI’s Award Milestones
Tom Miranda
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
Discuss the SCI Record Book and SCI Award Milestones with speaker, Tom Miranda.
Official Measuring Seminar
9:00am – 1:00pm
Music City Center – 206 AB – Level 2
Would you like to know the score of the animal you took on your most recent hunt? Come learn why the SCI scoring system is the most widely used scoring system around the world and most famously known for its 100% gross scoring method. SCI’s scoring method gives the animal credit for everything it grew and there are no penalties for any differences in size between the left and right side of the antlers or horns. The SCI Official Measuring Course is a one of kind class covering all topics of how to measure big game animals and how to use the measuring kit tools for scoring your big game animals. This course is 3 hours and will result in the participant being a certified SCI Official Measurer after passing an open book test with an 80% pass rate. The cost of the course is $150 and includes 1 Official Measuring Kit (Measuring Tape, Cable, Calipers, Manual, Calculator, Conversion Card, and 1 set of Method Forms all in a leather Wrapped Binder). To register for the course please go online at https://my.safariclub.org/record-book/seminars/ or call the Record Book Department at (800) 997-0177 or email mailto:mmeasuring@safariclub.org.
Bows, Arrows, & Broadheads
Dave Holt
10:00am – 11:00am
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
Dave Holt, archery coach, author, and former Technical Editor for BowHunter Magazine, has bow hunted for over 60 years. He has spent 14 years "on the ground time" bow hunting in Southern Africa. Combined with his many years of worldwide bow hunting and his involvement with African culling projects he may have shot more animals with archery equipment than anyone else.
His pictorial seminar will help you improve your bow shooting skills, understand bows, and choose the best bowhunting equipment for your personal needs. This tutorial will also explain broadheads, arrows, arrow weight and how to match your equipment to the animals you hunt. A gift will be presented to attendees.
Learn the truth and advance your bow hunting knowledge!
Duck Season Somewhere
Ramsey Russell
10:00am – 11:30am
Music City Center – 201 A – Level 2
Duck Season Somewhere is a deep dive into duck hunting worldwide. This seminar includes collecting species as well as unique experiences. The seminar has an emphasis on hunting as conservation.
USA Olympic Shooting Team Meet & Greet
10:00am – 11:00am
Music City Center – Level 3 Foyer
Visit SCI’s Hot Spot Booth in the Level 3 Foyer for this meet and greet with US Olympic Team member, Kim Rhode!
GSCO & SCI Road to the Pantheon
Brad Black
10:30am – 11:30am
Music City Center – 209C – Level 2
2023 Pantheon recipient Brad Black discusses his “Road to the Pantheon” as well as strategies on how best to complete one of the most prestigious awards in the hunting industry.
Estate Planning for Firearm Owners
Dwight Van Brunt & Jeremy Hatch
11:00am – 12:00pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
It is impossible to overstate the benefits of having a formal estate plan that directs the orderly disposition and/or monetization of your firearms and sporting collectibles. Unlike many asset categories, the unique nature of these items makes accurate valuation difficult, legal requirements overwhelming and logistics nearly impossible to understand. The time and effort invested in developing a formal estate plan removes an extraordinary burden from family and friends, ensures realization of full monetary value, protects the estate against opportunistic buyers and provides the opportunity for both personal gifting and charitable contributions. This seminar will present the planning and preparation steps necessary to ensure that everything is handled according to your wishes.
Book Signing: The Hunter Chef with Author Michael Hunter
11:30am – 1:00pm
Music City Center – Level 3 Foyer
Partake in this tasting and book signing with The Hunter Chef, Michael Hunter! See him at SCI's Hot Spot in the Level 3 Foyer outside of the Exhibit Hall from 11:30am – 1:00pm.
Glassing for Big Game
Tom Claycomb III
11:30am – 12:30pm
Music City Center – 202 A – Level 2
If you learn how to properly glass, it will open a whole new world for you. You will start seeing a lot more game, but you can't just randomly glass; you must learn a system. Tom will teach you what is called "Zone Glassing" as well as cover what type of optics you should use. After spotting an animal, you will also learn how to sneak in for a shot.
Hunting African Buffalo with Craig Boddington
Craig Boddington
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
Buffalo: Africa's greatest game. This seminar will include subspecies, best hunting countries, hunting techniques, trophy judgement, guns, loads and shooting tips, the danger factor AND MORE!
GSCO Lumpers & Splitters
GSCO Trophy Committee
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Music City Center – 209 C – Level 2
GSCO’s Trophy Committee Renee Snider, Rex Baker, Ed Yates, Brian Hauck, Bruce Taterchuck, Mark Hampton, and Jason Price discuss GSCO milestones and species criteria. Are you a lumper or a splitter?
Advanced Practical Reloading with Hornady
Preston Lentfer
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Music City Center – 201 B – Level 2
There is a lot of myth and stigma surrounding the art of reloading. Hornady will be using practical statistics and advanced techniques to decipher best practices for your handloading needs. We will discuss load development, velocity ES/SD, and assessing a rifle’s performance using data that is statistically significant. Many shooters are looking at data sets that are simply too small to properly represent their rifle’s performance and we will help guide the hand loader to a valid result.
PRO SERIES: Elk Hunting
Dan Adler
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Music City Center – 202 BC – Level 2
In this perennial SCI-favorite seminar, we cover trophy elk hunting at every skill level. SCI is proud to welcome back the owner of North America’s largest elk outfitting and guide service, Dan Adler of Diamond Outfitters and Zero Outfitter Fees. Dan is an “Arizona Chapter of SCI - Hunter of the Year” award winner and was co-host of The Best of the West for over a decade. Dan’s seminars are known for not only education, but also fun and tons of humor. Dan and his team have guided over 800 successful elk hunts, and they are the only outfitter with both a typical (440 1/8) and non-typical (458 1/16) TOP-TEN all time SCI record book bull for their clients. Dan will share with you top strategies, secrets and tips for both early and late seasons, firearms and archery – plus Q & A – so bring your questions! PSA: arrive early as it was standing room only for this seminar last year!
GSCO Annual Membership Meeting
GSCO Board of Directors
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Music City Center – 209 C – Level 2
The Annual Meeting of the Members is a great opportunity for GSCO Directors to discuss key issues within the organization, distribute important information regarding GSCO, and present financial information. This meeting is for GSCO members only.