Safari Club International just dropped a bombshell endorsement that’s got the pro-hunting world buzzing: Michigan State Senator Jon Bumstead is their pick for the 2026 State Legislator of the Year. This isn’t some participation trophy—SCI, with its massive footprint in conservation and over 50,000 members worldwide, hands this out to lawmakers who don’t just talk the talk on wildlife management but deliver results. Bumstead, a lifelong SCI member and ex-president of the Michigan Chapter, has been a bulldog in the statehouse, founding the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and pushing bills that pump real dollars into conservation funding while bolstering hunter education programs. In a blue-leaning state like Michigan, where urban anti-hunting sentiments often clash with rural traditions, this guy’s track record screams resilience.
Dig deeper, and Bumstead’s wins reveal a masterclass in bridging hunting heritage with science-based policy—think enhanced funding for habitat restoration and youth hunter safety courses that keep the next generation in the woods, not glued to screens. For the 2A community, this is pure gold: hunting isn’t just a pastime; it’s the lifeblood of Second Amendment culture, with rifles and shotguns as the tools of ethical wildlife stewardship. SCI’s nod spotlights how pro-2A legislators like Bumstead fortify our rights indirectly by defending the traditions that justify them—after all, what’s a right without the culture to sustain it? In an era of escalating attacks on lead ammo and public land access, his leadership sets a blueprint for red-state holdouts and battleground warriors alike, proving that strategic caucuses and targeted legislation can outmaneuver the greenwashing zealots.
The implications ripple nationwide as 2026 looms. With federal overreach on the horizon from anti-gun admins, Bumstead’s model—grassroots SCI ties fused with bipartisan sportsmen appeal—could inspire a wave of state-level defenses for hunting seasons, suppressor use in the field, and even broader carry rights tied to self-defense in remote hunting grounds. 2A advocates should take notes: elevate champions like this, and we don’t just preserve rights; we expand them through the unbreakable bond of gun owners and the land they protect. Congrats, Senator—here’s to more victories from the blind.
