A gal asked me while on a hike, “what does SCI on your shirt stand for?” Well, two weeks ago, I reported to you on the National Archery in the Schools Program coming to the Middle and High Schools of Norwich. Twenty-five percent of the private donations to fund the program came from the Adirondack-Catskill Chapter of Safari Club International. So, I thought I'd devote this week’s column to ACSCI and let my readers know what they are all about..certainly more than you ever imagined.

Safari Club International (SCI) started in 1972 when a group from Los Angeles met with hunters from Chicago and formed the International. Mostly then it was just big-game hunters getting together to share stories and exchange experiences. As hunters are the oldest conservationists, this aspect was brought into the group and they expanded into other areas involving the sport. Today, SCI has over 55,000 members in 190 chapters worldwide, involved with educational, humanitarian and conservation issues around the globe.

Anyhow, back about 10 years ago, I attended an ACSCI banquet/fundraiser at the old Cathedral Farms in Oneonta. It was a nice time, but there were some issues. I let my feelings be known to Larry Steiner, president of the chapter. He sent me an email back and said, “why not join and help make things better.”

I did.