Brandon Twp – In July, Brandon Township resident Bruce Eavenson will begin his fourth term as Director-At-Large for the Safari Club International.
Safari Club International is the leading hunt club dedicated to humanitarian and conservation efforts world wide. A leading lobbyist in Washington D.C., SCI advocacy efforts protect the rights of 45 million sportsmen worldwide to hunt.
More importantly, said Eavenson, SCI is equally influential in wildlife conservation by providing almost $2 million for education toward biological balance and replantation programs.
‘Many species have come back from the brink of endangerment because of conservation and selective monitoring,? Eavenson said.
For example a two part transport, in 1986, coordination effort between SCI and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources transplanted more than 50 moose from Quebec, Canada to the Upper Peninsula.
As a result of that joint effort Michigan now boasts a population of over 400 moose, once extinct in this state.
In addition to the repopulation program, SCI provides funding for more updated tracking techniques of Michigan wildlife such as bear, moose, bob cat, and coyote.
Tracking and collaring wildlife is a tool used by the DNR to monitor the health and population growth or decline, as well as the bioecology of the area.
‘At one time the DNR tracked wildlife using snow shoes and tranquilizer guns, which would take six weeks to collar four moose,? said Eavenson, explaining that with funding from SCI for helicopters and trackers from New Zeland, who are expert in netting techniques, improved the process. Currently more than 20 moose can be collared in just two weeks.
‘Money raised from the (SCI) hunting lottery is how they help raise funds to keep the program going,? he said.
Being involved with SCI since 1978, Eavenson said an important aspect of his work has been awarding student scholarships to insure conservation education.
‘I’m hoping to encourage and keep qualified people involved in working with the DNR,? said Eavenson, adding that there is a fine line between hunting and conservation.
‘Take wood ducks ? they were not prevalent on the eastern coast of the United States, because of over hunting,? said Eavenson. ‘But through efforts such as SCI’s selective hunting (lottery type system) and replanting, the ducks are coming back.
Eavenson, who has hunted around the world believes that exceptionally well managed hunting is essential to bioecological balance and resurgence of dwindling species populations.
Eavenson said there are an increasing number of people who are opposed to hunting as a sport, however that without selective hunting many wildlife species would become endangered by overcrowding, disease, and starvation.
‘If you hunt for the right reason ‘it’s a tool for conservation? it is smart conservation,? he added.
‘Education is the biggest problem.The Flint chapter sends 15 teachers every year to participate in a conservation course so they can teach kids that hunting isn’t as bad, but a tool for conservation,? Eavenson said.
As regional director, Eavenson has been a pivotal player on the ethics committee to help ensure members comply with the club’s high ethical and legal standards of the sport. Eavenson has chaired the Michigan Involvement Committee and on the Convention Committee helped development of the Hunters? Convention. He also served as chair for the Exhibitor Service Team and Exhibitor Advisory Group.
Eavenson continues to promote SCI goals, objectives, purpose, and operating perimeters by serving on the Long Range Planning Committee and as President of the Executive Committee is empowered to assist the Regional Representatives in both global humanitarian efforts and preserving the cultural heritage of the hunt.
‘Thanks to him and the rest of SCI’s passionate Michigan delegations and millions of families across the globe will continue to enjoy their rich outdoor sporting traditions,? said Gary Bogner, SCI president.
His passion for hunting has always been about conservation and preservation of the right for his grand children to experience the same or similar hunting moments he has shared with his sons.
SCI is a non-profit charitable organization with over 42,000 members in 37 countries that provide funding for hunger programs, education of both adults and children including land and wetalnd management. SCI also offers opportieis for disabled adults and children, including sensory programs for the blind.
For more information visit www.safariclub.org