Washington - Safari Club International, the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide, is excited to announce it has entered into an agreement to purchase Texas Trophy Hunters Association. The acquisition is expected to close at the SCI Convention in Reno, Nevada next month.

"This acquisition is part of SCI's strategic plan to enhance the organization's ability to help protect the freedom to hunt worldwide," said SCI CEO Laird Hamberlin. "Since I was hired less than a year ago, we have shored-up internal operations and procedures. Now we are reaching out to other opportunities to position SCI for expansion in the hunting world and to defeat efforts by anti-hunters to deny everyone the freedom to hunt."

Founded in 1975, TTHA will celebrate its 45th anniversary this year as the state's leading organization in promoting, protecting and preserving the Texas hunting heritage for future generations. TTHA will continue to operate independently as Texas Trophy Hunters Association with its members and corporate partners maintaining their full benefits. In the near term, SCI will expand its already legendary hunting show operations via the three Hunters Extravaganzas that TTHA has developed in the Lone Star State. SCI's annual convention has been the best hunting show in the world for nearly 50 years.

"SCI's future rests on four solid pillars. They are Membership, Convention, Advocacy and Conservation," Hamberlin noted. "This acquisition strengthens all four of those pillars, as will additional internal and external expansions in the future."

Other elements of TTHA will be integrated into the SCI structure. Both TTHA and SCI members and corporate partners can look forward to greater benefits from their association with the newly combined organization.

"With SCI's resources and status in the world, hunters in Texas and elsewhere will benefit from this transaction," said Dave Keith, President and CEO of TTHA. "Combining these two dynamic organizations will strengthen the entire hunting community, which will help save hunting for future generations and result in even more effective wildlife conservation. I am proud to be a part of this momentous agreement."

"SCI recognizes that to accomplish our mission to protect the freedom to hunt and promote the conservation of wildlife worldwide that we need to expand our size and enhance our effectiveness," said SCI President Steve Skold. "The challenges to hunting and hunters in today's world demand a combination of both bold and prudent actions. This acquisition is the first in a series of steps forward as we leverage our assets to assure a bright future for the hunting culture worldwide."

Safari Club International - First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI's proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.SafariClub.org, or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.

International Headquarters Washington, District of Columbia · Tucson, Arizona · Ottawa, Canada
www.SafariClub.org

Contact: Chip Hunnicutt
Tel: 520-620-1220
Email: chip@safariclub.org