Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) and Safari Club International (SCI) are committed to demonstrating appreciation for veterans by organizing events and programs across the SCI network, chapters, and through the SCIF Veterans Committee. SCI and SCIF staff, along with volunteers, manage these programs to support veterans and their families.
Each Year, SCIF awards a Chapter Veterans Award, Eagle Award and Combat Veteran Award. SCI Chapters can be considered for the Chapter Veterans Award by submitting information about veteran programs or donations of at least $1000 made during the previous calendar year in support of veterans projects organized by their chapter. The Eagle Award is determined by a subcommittee within the Veterans Committee, which evaluates the submitted SCI Chapters and selects the outstanding chapter to be honored with this distinction. Finally, for the Combat Veteran Award, eligible veterans with combat service experience may submit their applications through an online platform. The implementation of online award nominations this year led to an unprecedented number of submissions.
The Chapters awarded this year were Alamo City, Gateway, Lehigh, Mid Atlantic, Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, and Music City with the Eagle Award winner being the Alaska Chapter.
Kyle Tripp, President of the SCI Alaska Chapter, was named Combat Veteran of the Year. He served on active duty from February 2004 to June 2024, showing dedication through multiple deployments. In 2025, a natural disaster impacted tribal communities in Alaska. Kyle, serving as the Alaska Chapter President, organized hunting expeditions to provide food for the tribes during this period of hardship. Kyle received a 3-day, 2-night Axis deer hunt in September 2026 donated by Union Hill Ranch in Kopperl, TX, for one hunter and one non-hunter. The package includes accommodation, trophy fees, and DFW airport transfers. The SCIF Veterans Committee is seeking donations to cover the cost of the animal.
This year, the SCIF Veterans Committee was pleased to award an additional black bear hunt opportunity for a Prisoner of War or Purple Heart Veteran, generously donated by Mike Odin’s Alaska Adventures. The package includes professional guide service (either 1×1 or 2×1), accommodations in Arctic Oven tents, all meals and beverages, use of equipment, infield transportation via inflatable boats, and trophy field preparation.
If you would like to donate to the SCIF Veterans Committee, you can do so here https://safariclubfoundation.org/product/scif-veterans-committee/ and if you would like to be nominated in either category, please reach out to Armando Gutierrez at [email protected]
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