Safari Club International-Wisconsin, the local chapter of SCI, announced plans for its 47th anniversary.t annual grand banquet and fundraiser scheduled for Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10 at the Brookfield Conference Center in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Star scout Melissa Bachman will be in attendance.
This annual fundraiser is open to SCI-Wisconsin members and their guests for a two-day event. Last year, the event raised more than $700,000. Sean Coykendall, the chapter’s president, said inviting Bachman to the event was intentional.
“She’s not only a force in the industry, but she’s also one of the hardest workers in the hunting industry,” he said. “We try to make people realize that SCI isn’t just for people who hunt exotic locations. It’s about pursuing what you’re passionate about, from squirrel hunting to kudo hunting. I’ve always been a whitetail hunter, hunting public lands most of my life, but I’ve also been fortunate to hunt overseas. Most SCI members got their start in hunting that way. Whether you’re a blue-collar worker or a white-collar worker, you’re welcome at our event.”
The banquet is open to the public on Saturday, February 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with no admission charge. A family hunting exhibition will be held that day.
All attendees will have access to more exhibits, tour operators, taxidermists and outdoor enthusiasts, and the opportunity to chat with other hunters.
Additionally, on Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leaders in the women’s hunting community, including Dr. Christine Thomas of Wisconsin, founder of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, Sarah Ingle, president of the Women’s Hunting and Sporting Association (WHSA), and, of course, their special guest, Bachman, a distinguished American hunter, producer and host of numerous programs devoted to hunting.
The gala dinner is the largest annual fundraiser for SCI-Wisconsin. More than 70 percent of the proceeds are reinvested back into educational, training, humanitarian and sports programs in southeastern Wisconsin. SCI-Wisconsin also funds lobbying efforts on behalf of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts at the local, state and national levels. The chapter has raised more than $4.5 million in the past 10 years.
The 2024 Banquet will feature raffles for hunting gear and attractions, an exhibit hall featuring international, national and local event organizers, taxidermists, wildlife photographers and sports equipment specialists, auctions for game hunts, tropical vacations and fishing trips, firearms raffles and an opportunity to share hunting adventures with other hunting and outdoor enthusiasts.
Bring in your game trophies on Saturday to be graded free of charge by Boone and Crocket, Pope and Young and SCI certified bucks. Plus, all owners of graded bucks will be entered into a drawing for a free guided hunt in Africa.
Admission is $50 per person on Friday night, $75 on Saturday night, and $110 for both nights.
Friday and Saturday evening attendees have full access to the arena, including dinner and live auction. Saturday morning and early afternoon admission are free to all attendees. Event sponsors are available; call Dean LePoidevin at (414) 507-5494 or email him at [email protected] to check availability.
Volunteers are needed for both days. Registration is available at www.sciwi.org/grand-banquet or contact Sharon Yunk at (262) 627-3806 or email her at [email protected].
