Safari Club International (SCI) proudly announces Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) as its 2026 Federal Legislator of the Year in recognition of his leadership and unwavering support for America's sportsmen and women, conservation efforts, and access to public lands.
As an advocate for hunters in The Treasure State and across the country, Rep. Zinke has consistently advanced policies that support America's sporting heritage. Throughout his career, he has championed science-based wildlife management and pushed back against efforts that would limit opportunities to hunt.
During his tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2017 to 2019, Rep. Zinke took action to expand hunting and fishing access on federal lands. He reversed a baseless ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle on National Wildlife Refuge System lands, and issued Secretarial Orders to increase hunting and fishing opportunities nationwide. He also prioritized the conservation of big game migration corridors and winter range across Western public lands.
Now serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Zinke continues to play a leading role on key wildlife and public lands issues. He is a co-sponsor of the Grizzly Bear State Management Act, legislation that would remove the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population from the Endangered Species Act and restore management authority to the states. He also co-founded the Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus in vehement opposition to attempts to sell off public lands.
"Representative Zinke has demonstrated a deep commitment to the right to hunt, science-based conservation, and access to public lands," said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. "His leadership at both the Department of the Interior and in Congress constitutes a legendary resume as a warrior for hunters and anglers across the country. SCI is proud to recognize him as our 2026 Federal Legislator of the Year."
For over 50 years, Safari Club International (SCI) has been the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI is unique in the scope of our ability to defend and advance our freedom to hunt. SCI is the only hunting rights organization with a Washington, D.C.-based national and international advocacy team and an all-species focus. SCI also mobilizes more than 150 chapters and affiliate networks representing millions of hunters around the world.