First For Hunters Podcast

In Episode 2 of SCI’s First For Hunters Podcast, host Craig Kauffman sits down with J. Alain Smith for a no-BS conversation on the front lines of hunting advocacy and global conservation. From policy fights that directly impact hunters to the realities of protecting wildlife where it actually lives, this episode cuts through the noise and gets into what matters most.

They dig into the pressures facing international hunting, how...

The First For Hunters podcast launches with a straight-talk conversation about what’s at stake for hunters worldwide. Host Craig Kauffman sits down with Safari Club International CEO Laird Hamberlin to break down the real work happening behind the scenes — defending hunting rights, pushing back on anti-hunting legislation, and funding conservation where it matters most.

This episode sets the tone: SCI isn’t a brand. It’s a force.

Fro...

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy visits Congressman Bruce Westerman, Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, to discuss what he and his colleagues are doing to promote and protect our hunting heritage on Capitol Hill.

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Watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/W3zID0-iiGg

What to learn more about Safari Club International and its e...

On this episode of the First For Hunters Podcast, host Ben Cassidy sits down with SCI Ambassador Nick Hoffman! Nick is host of Nick's Wild Ride on the Outdoor Channel and an award winning musician. On this episode they discuss SCI Convention in Nashville and Nick's passion for hunting and conservation. Don't miss out! 

SCI Website: https://safariclub.org/

Nick's Wild Ride: https://www.nickswild...

In this episode, live from SCI Convention in Nashville, host Ben Cassidy sits down with U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska to discuss the loss of "access" to public lands in Alaska by the Biden Administration. 

Get to know U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan in this episode and his love for hunting! 

Topics include: "No Net Loss" approach to hunting access, The Senator's military service, and his l...

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with Get Ducks founder, Ramsey Russell, to discuss his recent trip to Australia in pursuit of waterfowl and the film he put together in support of the sport in the region:

Battleground Australia, presented by Get Ducks, SCI, and Field & Game Australia, airs January 24th on the Get Ducks YouTube channel. This film depicts the diverse and healthy populations of waterfowl in Aus...

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with Dan Gates the Founder and Executive Director of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management (C.R.W.M).  

Ben and Dan discuss the recent challenges sportsmen and women face in Colorado around the management of mountain lions and the imminent threat of recent ballot initiatives and what hunters are doing to stop them. 

Learn more about C.R.W.M. here: https://saveth...

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with SCI Foundation Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson, SCI Litigation Counsel Regina Lennox, and SCI Western States Liaison Chris Tymeson to discuss black bear management, specifically the future of the black bear in Louisiana.

The First For Hunters Podcast is the ONLY podcast in the hunting industry updating you weekly on the legislative issues that affect hunting ...

Merry Christmas from Safari Club International! Join us on today's episode with host Ben Cassidy and guests Bee Frederick (SCI Eastern States Liaison), Jeremy Clare (SCI Litigation Counsel), and Regina Lennox (SCI Litigation Counsel) to discuss some of the big hunter advocacy wins from 2023! 

We couldn't have had all of these amazing wins without the support of YOU our listeners, followers, advocates, and members...

Last week, SCI, the West Michigan Bowhunters Chapter of SCI, and Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education over its misinterpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). 

The lawsuit challenges the Department’s misguided decision to prohibit the use of federal funds for shooting sports, hunter education, and outdoor education programs in schools. 

In this podca...

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy sits down with Chris Parish (CEO and President at the Peregrine Fund) and Leland Brown (Non-lead Hunting Education Program Manager at Oregon Zoo) to discuss lead ammunition and tackle. 

While Working at the Peregrine Fund, Chris and Leland co-founded the Non-Lead Partnership. 

SCI opposes blanket lead bans. They disregard science, block access and, in turn, negatively impact wildl...

In this episode, Ben Cassidy sits down with Larry Bell, SCI Life Member and Founder of the Bell Family Blue Bag program. 

In memory of their daughter Amy Bell, SafariCare Blue Bags are filled by chapters, individual members, church groups or even groups of schoolchildren or scouts. The contents may include medical, educational, and other relief supplies, or clothing and toys.  The Blue Bag is taken to remote areas of the w...

In this episode, First For Hunters Host Ben Cassidy sits down with Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia's First District. 

Congressman Wittman is a lifelong hunter and angler from the Northern Neck of Virginia. Ben and the Congressman discuss the Biden Administration's threat to limit the use of lead ammunition on public lands and what we as sportsmen can do to prevent it. 

Thanks for listening in! Want t...

In this episode, host Ben Cassidy interviews Shane Mahoney in Paris, France to discuss his personal journey in the conservation field.

Shane Patrick Mahoney is the President and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc.. A Newfoundland native, he holds both an Honors and a Masters of Science degree in Zoology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Mahoney has over 30 years experience working primarily as a scientist, wildlife m...

TORBJÖRN LARSSON, President of the European Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation (FACE), joins the First For Hunters Podcast with your host Ben Cassidy in Paris, France. 

Torbjörn Larsson is a Swedish businessman and entrepreneur and a past President of the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management. 

In this podcast, Ben and Torbjörn discuss what its like representing the 7 million...