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Originally Posted by Commandant
Not really against hunting them but Calgary SCI does allow phone or internet bidding, some hunts went to U.S. bidders last year and some hunts did not sell at all, many attendees not happy about supporting local chapter and then they sell hunts away to USA
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SCI Calgary allows online bidding to get the widest exposure for the donor and the donation, and thereby receive the highest possible price. Limiting the exposure to just dinner attendees means less exposure for the donation and SCI Calgary ends up with a lower bid on the item. If SCI Calgary only gets $500 for a hunt that they instead could have received $2500, they are undermining their vision. From my experience attending these auctions, attendees are still getting a reasonable deal on a hunt.
Also, selling a $10,000 hunt for $500 causes a perception that the hunt is only worth $500. How long will outfitters continue to donate a hunt to SCI if they can’t sell a regular price hunt because everyone is buying them at auctions for only $500?
Volunteer organizations need to think for the longterm sustainability of the sport and industry, and not in a short term perspective, as everything depends on it. SCI Calgary supports outfitters as it depends on their survival to receive donations. If outfitters go out of business or if they can’t afford to give donations because the auctions are undercutting their industry, the volunteer groups dimish instead of staying active advocates for the sport and industry.
Here are some of the things the volunteers of SCI Calgary are undertaking taken from their dinner catalogue. I just heard they were awarded SCI International Chapter of the Year. They still have dinner tickets available here for January 25 if you want to support them. Also, the dinner ticket allows for entrance to the Calgary International Hunting Expo on Friday/Saturday, January 24/25, a $20 value.
https://www.sci-calgary.org/shop
• Hosted a Veterans’ Shoot at Silver Willow.
• Participated in the development of SCIF Canada and made contributions of $4000 to AWLS through SCIF Canada.
• Sent the Chapter’s first teacher to AWLS outdoor teacher training in Jackson WY.
• Sponsored and mentored students from Lethbridge College at a September waterfowl hunt, in collaboration between SCI Calgary, Lethbridge F&G, AHEIA, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and the Lethbridge College Student Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
• Sponsored a Chuckwagon at the Strathmore Stampede to display SCI’s solidarity with the ranching, farming and rodeo community. Held a Chapter members’ BBQ on Sunday.
• Increased students' scholarships from 1 to 2 at Lethbridge College.
• Held horn scoring at the AGM.
• Provided 500 pounds of inspected, cut and wrapped venison for Alex Food Centre for their use. Members performed wait staffing for an open meals day.
• Hosted the Calgary International Hunting Expo together with SCI Fundraising Banquet.
• Involved in the election campaign of Miranda Rosin, a new Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. We met with Whitney Issik MLA for the Calgary-Glenmore.
• Chapter VP met with Jason Kenny as leader of the Opposition, then Premier of Alberta, approximately 12 times where hunting and habitat conservation was specifically discussed.
• The Alberta SCI Coalition’s representative Eric Moland met with the Wildlife Department officials several times at meetings of Alberta Game Policy Advisory Council (AGPAC) and Alberta Game Management Advisory Group (AGMAG).
• Sponsored the Packhorse Races with $500 at Millarville Heritage Rodeo.
• Directors David Little and Logan Girletz made a presentation to various SCI executives and staff on the impact of Raincoast Conservation Foundation on hunting in British Columbia. (Readers should familiarize themselves with Raincoast).
• Stacey Girletz attended the Ladies Range Day sponsored by the Red Deer Chapter.
• Directors/members mentored first-time hunters during November rifle whitetail season.
• Chapter members took Blue Bags to Cameroon and Tanzania.
• Directors began coordinated discussions with interested groups, including the Canadian Wild Turkey Federation to reintroduce the Eastern wild turkey.
• SCI Banquet attendees raised $2300 with local TV hunting personalities TJ Schwanky and Vanessa Harrop for mentally challenged adults and children school in South Africa.
• Sponsored lunch (with the Alberta Coalition) for days 1 & 2 at the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists Convention.
• Initiated the SCI Canada Artist of the Year Program – Stefanna Spoletini’s 3 Bears auctioned at the past SCI dinner.