SCI & DSC What are the differences

[Neil Molendyk]

I have been a member of SCI for several years and have attended their convention four times. I am not a member of DSC nor attended any of their conventions. I am wondering what differences there may be between the two and if it is worth my while to attend DSC, not to mention that I wouldn't mind a road trip to and through the Republic of Texas. All comments and opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[wesheltonj]

No Record Book, Circles and slam awards, yet. It’s slightly more conservation, but looking at the 990’s that maybe wrong.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

but looking at the 990’s that maybe wrong.

Pardon my ignorance but what are the 990's?

 

[Fred Gunner]

Lets start with the Names shall we???

SCI Safari Club International...Implication even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau & Vlad (the Impaler) Putin would be welcomed for membership???

DSC: Dallas Safari Club...Implication Only Jerry Jones clones need apply?

Now sit back pour yourself a top shelf Bourbon and watch Gunner get flambed

 

[DieJager]

Interesting thread. As an European I looked into these organisations plus the Houston Safari Club. What are the similarities and differences? Do they all have award programs and such.

What are the pros and cons with each of the organisations?

 

[Red Leg]

Lot nicer people working the DSC convention. They are all volunteers. It is Texas after all.

And yes, thank God DSC doesn't yet have awards of the inner circle for cleft hooved South Asian Wonderbats when taken on Thursday during the full moon. I believe they are introducing an estate option as well.

That said, I am a life member of both. We have been to SCI but always go to DSC. Might be different this year however. Nashville sounds like fun.

 

[Buffalo1]

I am a life member of both.Both are very similar. SCI is larger, maintains a record book and I think has a louder hunter advocate voice. DSC is very hunter friendly and I think is much more animal conservation minded.

Never been to a SCI convention but planning on attending in Nashville in 2023. Am an annual attendee (except during covid) and have worked in a booth. I have heard many comments about DSC being a friendlier convention from many people. Dallas is an excellent convention town.

The daily cost and banquets cost is much less at DSC than SCI.

I know that Houston Safari Club exist, but that is all I know about the organization.

 

[wesheltonj]

Pardon my ignorance but what are the 990's?

That is the report that must be filed with the IRS. Shows funds raised, salaries, expenses, and how much actually was spent on charitable expenses, and what’s in the Bank.

I should have added on the differences, SCI has a full time lobbying and litigation office in DC.

 

[norfolk shooter]

I have only been to the DSC and have loved it every time. Nice folk and good company cant complain

 

[WAB]

I have been to both a number of times. I find DSC to be friendlier and more laid back. Much easier to visit with friends and make new ones.

I take great exception to the SCI awards system and record book so it likely taints my view of the convention.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have been a member of SCI for several years and have attended their convention four times. I am not a member of DSC nor attended any of their conventions. I am wondering what differences there may be between the two and if it is worth my while to attend DSC, not to mention that I wouldn't mind a road trip to and through the Republic of Texas. All comments and opinions are welcome. Thanks.

They both have great conventions with many vendors. I am a life member of both. Most of the comments you will get will be primarily from those who have only attended the show floor and have not experienced all that is convention. I can tell you that there is no comparison when it comes to the quality of the banquets SCI puts on and the professional way the events are conducted. This year on Tuesday night alone $660K was raised for conservation! SCI has a team of full time lawyers in DC fighting daily for our hunting rights here and abroad. This sets them apart from the others.
There are over 150 chapters of SCI worldwide. I am VP of the San Angelo chapter and we are ranked 2nd in terms of fundraising for the last two years in a row. Our banquet is March 5th and tickets are available. The live auction is online now and my hunts are #10 & #20. Check them out!
I love both organizations and appreciate all the do for conservation.
Regards,
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

Pardon my ignorance but what are the 990's?

Tax return for nonprofits.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have been to both a number of times. I find DSC to be friendlier and more laid back. Much easier to visit with friends and make new ones.

I take great exception to the SCI awards system and record book so it likely taints my view of the convention.

I think that is a little shortsighted. Let me explain. If it were not for the record book there would be many animals and groups/slams of animals that I would not even know about. How about the a tiny 10? Would anyone care if it were not for record book? As a matter of fact there would be so many hunting opportunities world wide that few of us would know anything about were it not for SCI and the showcase of the worlds hunts.
I am not very into scoring but I appreciate the record book and the history it records.
Philip

 

[Scott CWO]

I like both but can’t usually go to DSC due to the time of year. Too busy in January. I know one thing, DSC is WAY cheaper for the exhibitors.

 

[WAB]

I think that is a little shortsighted. Let me explain. If it were not for the record book there would be many animals and groups/slams of animals that I would not even know about. How about the a tiny 10? Would anyone care if it were not for record book? As a matter of fact there would be so many hunting opportunities world wide that few of us would know anything about were it not for SCI and the showcase of the worlds hunts.
I am not very into scoring but I appreciate the record book and the history it records.
Philip

Fair point, but when the scoring system encourages the harvest of younger, breeding age animals, something is amiss.

IMO, the awards system is of greater concern. I have personally witnessed ‘hunters’ trophy shopping in a frenetic attempt to collect their next ‘award’. The hunt is lost in an attempt to collect the list of species necessary for the award award and, I can only guess, to gain recognition. I greatly appreciate the good SCI does, but IMO, the behavior they encourage with this system is not on the positive side of their ledger.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Thanks everyone. If the borders are open and the world doesn't explode or implode before next years DSC I hope to take Momma on a road trip to Texas and take it and the American west next year.

 

[Philip Glass]

Thanks everyone. If the borders are open and the world doesn't explode or implode before next years DSC I hope to take Momma on a road trip to Texas and take it and the American west next year.

Look forward to it!

 

[Philip Glass]

Fair point, but when the scoring system encourages the harvest of younger, breeding age animals, something is amiss.

IMO, the awards system is of greater concern. I have personally witnessed ‘hunters’ trophy shopping in a frenetic attempt to collect their next ‘award’. The hunt is lost in an attempt to collect the list of species necessary for the award award and, I can only guess, to gain recognition. I greatly appreciate the good SCI does, but IMO, the behavior they encourage with this system is not on the positive side of their ledger.

Funny that no one criticizes Boone & Crockett record book. The biggest WT deer in the book are all in their prime of life. You never hear anyone bragging about killing an old crappy buck. Why is it that only SCI Record book gets criticized? I assume that it is very easy for the average guy to be jealous of someone who has taken hundreds of trophies World wide. That my friend is sad.

 

[mrpoindexter]

Can we expand on this and add in the GSCO Hunter & Outfitter Convention? I have only been to a few SCI events, back when they were in Vegas. I have not been to DSC and while Texas isn't too far from California, getting my wife to go to Vegas is pretty easy and she can have fun in the casinos while I am at the event.

Anybody been to the Grand Slam Club convention? How does that compare to SCI? I am planning on attending this coming January. I suspect they may focus more on North America, but they do have the international slams for sheep and goats that hopefully will bring some people offering show specials I might find interesting.

 

[WAB]

Funny that no one criticizes Boone & Crockett record book. The biggest WT deer in the book are all in their prime of life. You never hear anyone bragging about killing an old crappy buck. Why is it that only SCI Record book gets criticized? I assume that it is very easy for the average guy to be jealous of someone who has taken hundreds of trophies World wide. That my friend is sad.

Conservation and herd management should be part of every hunter’s dna. Just because B&C is encouraging the harvest of animals in their prime, should SCI get a free pass? In my experience, Europeans are much more focused on game management than North Americans. They are keen to shoot cull animals past their prime. I respect their approach. I have very little respect for a frenetic attempt to fill the bakkie with species just to qualify for that next SCI award. That may qualify as hunting in some folk’s book, it doesn’t in mine.