Safari Club International Does Not Support Idaho Elk Industry Destruction

Last week I reported that the Idaho Elk Breeders Association was requesting from Safari Club International clarification as to whether they supported the efforts of Mark Bell, a representative of the Idaho Sportsmen’s Caucus Advisory Council, to destroy the state’s domestic elk industry.

Bell and others have been on a bent for several years now to put an end to the Idaho domestic elk industry, so far with little success. Kristy Sternes, president of the Idaho Elk Breeders Association, sent a letter to representatives of Safari Club International asking them to verify if they supported Mark Bell and his efforts. Sternes asserted that when Bell made public appearances aimed at garnering support to abolish the elk industry, he used their name claiming their support.

Every time Mr. Bell has made public appearances in regards to the domestic elk industry, he displays a banner which includes your organization’s name on it and claims that you are amongst the supporters of the banning of not only our 6 high fenced hunting operations, but also including traditional agricultural producers such as ourselves.

In an email communication I received yesterday from Kristy Sternes, she points out that SCI does not support Bell’s efforts.

Jack Lupien got back to me and let me know that this was NOT their position, and that Mark Bell was on his own personal vendetta with this one.

Now the question becomes, will Bell be asked by SCI to remove their name as a sponsor?

Tom Remington