Washington, DC – -(AmmoLand.com)- Safari Club International ended its annual Convention in Reno, Nevada this year on a star-studded high note. Highlighting the evening, with the help of Donald Trump Jr., was a record $340,000 raised at auction to benefit the SCI Foundation Sables and their efforts to educate the world about the importance of hunting.
The evening began with opening remarks from SCI/SCIF CEO Laird Hamberlin, then moved on to the awards of the night. Britanny Longoria presented the Cabela's Young Hunter Awards to Kenia Link and Zackary Corr and then the Federal Legislator of the Year Award was presented to Congressman Jeff Duncan of South Carolina's Third District.
Susan Hayes received the Diana Award for her dedication to SCI and its ongoing education and conservation programs. Past President Craig Kauffman received the Hall Of Fame Award in recognition of his years of service to SCI and its ideals.
A welcome surprise in the form of USFWS Director Aurelia Skipwith followed President Steve Skold's address. Ms. Skipwith's speech followed the unofficial theme of the evening, centering on the need to educate the non-hunter or as one member referred to them, the agnostic hunters.
She spoke of her grandfather who had introduced her to the world of hunting and fishing and stated he would be proud that she was speaking to such a large group of like-minded individuals.
Keynote speaker Donald Trump Jr. wowed the crowd throughout the evening, generously posing for selfies on the floor before the dinner began and then galvanizing the crowd with his speech.
With a mix of humor and seriousness, he spoke of his unlikely beginnings as a
