Hunting is not just an outdoor recreational activity. It is an important and measurable contributor to feeding Americans and bolstering the U.S. economy. 

A new study highlighting the economic value of wild meat shows regulated big game hunting in the United States generated 235,760 tons or 519,761,829 pounds of protein per year. Based on a 6-ounce serving size, that equates to 1.39 billion meals. Researchers estimated that replacing wild, hunter-acquired meat with the equivalent of domestic meat in 2024 would cost $3.21 billion. 

“This wild meat harvest may positively contribute to conserving biodiversity by reducing dependence on industrial agricultural systems and through direct financial support for conservation efforts provided by the harvesting community,” according to the study.  

Researchers drew on state harvest data from hunting seasons in 2014 to 2019. Their findings demonstrate compelling evidence for understanding wild harvest is not only as a management or cultural issue but also a measurable form of food provision. 

Findings of interest: 

• There are 16.2 million licensed hunters in the United States 

• Global meat production in 2023 reached 371 million tons globally—a fivefold increase since only 1961 

• If wild meat were replaced with an equivalent mass of domestic meat products, it is estimated that 60,860 tons of chicken, 32,760 tons of cold cuts and cured meats (excluding bacon), 273,000 tons of beef (excluding ground) and 58,700 tons of other products would need to be bought each year 

• Wild meat from big game represents 1.44 percent of all red meat (beef, veal, pork and lamb) available for consumption in America 

• Hunters harvested at least 23 big game species for consumption in the U.S. 

• The top seven most harvested big game species were (in order) white-tailed deer, feral hogs, elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope and black bear 

• Texas hunters obtained the most wild meat followed by Alabama, Mississippi and Michigan 

• Wyoming and Montana hunters generated the most wild meat per capita 

• Wild meat is higher in protein and lower in calories than the domestic meat product diet of Americans 

• Study data does not include harvests by Indigenous Peoples whose hunting practices are managed by Tribal governments 

• Historically, regulated hunting led to the creation of policies, laws and regulations, including the prohibition of the sale of wild meat and other products, that ultimately restored the abundance of many species 

“Our findings highlight the food security, health and environmental benefits of restoring and managing habitats to support wild meat harvests,” said researchers. “We argue that recreational hunting should be more rigorously considered in research and policy frameworks as an example of how regulated animal harvest can sustainably generate wild food while having positive economic and conservation outcomes.”  

The Wild Harvest Initiative is meant to be the first complete assessment highlighting the economic, social and ecological significance of hunting and fishing. It is supported by Conservation Visions Inc. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve  

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

Citing a healthy and expanding population, the California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) unanimously approved a motion to allow hunters to kill two black bears during the hunting season. Previously, the limit was one bear per season. 

“It feels really conservative to me still to propose an increase that the scientists in the department have told us it would result, probably, in the order of 100 to 200 more. In that range, bears harvested are still well below the cap," said Erika Zavaleta, CFGC member. 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) currently allows for a harvest limit of 1,700 bears per season. The new motion keeps that same quota. Hunters took 1,181 bears in 2025. 

CDFW cites data that showed there were about 15,000 black bears statewide in the 1980s. Today, there could be as many as 80,000 with the animals expanding into Marin and Sonoma Counties north of San Francisco. 

“For me, it’s a scientific question and the second tag is supported by the information that we have. According to multiple lines of information and data and evidence, we have a stable black bear population,” said Samantha Murray, CFGC member. “I believe in hunting. I believe it’s a natural way to eat meat.” 

Fellow CFGC member Darius Anderson, who claims to be the only bear hunter on the commission, spoke of the experiences he gains from hunting black bears. Yet, he wanted to see how California’s science matched up against other state agencies, so he visited North Carolina, which he says has a very prolific bear management plan and roughly 21,000 animals. 

“Their bear population has been steadily expanding and their bear population has been growing to new areas. They are currently harvesting 4,200 bears,” said Anderson. “So, when I look at our number of a cap of 1,700, I think it’s not only reasonable but I think it does protect where many people in this state feel and have an unusual feeling about bear hunting, that the department has managed both the science and the emotion that goes along with this issue.”    

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Phil Burkhouse) 

Marking a clear and decisive win for hunting and science-based wildlife management, two Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission candidates withdrew their nominations prior to their scheduled confirmation vote on April 24 in the Colorado Senate. 

Chris Sichko was nominated to serve as the sportspersons representative and John Emerick as an at-large representative. The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources gave each of them a not-be-confirmed recommendation during a hearing two days earlier, while recommending Frances Silva Blayney as sportsperson and outfitters representative.  

“I just don’t think we should have somebody filling the sportsman’s seat that has not garnered any support from the sportsman community and doesn’t have the experience to recognize CPW’s funding source from the sportsman community,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-Avon) during the committee hearing, as he addressed Sichko. “CPW’s current financing is almost entirely from hunting licenses. We have someone, in your nomination, who has not ever big game hunted in Colorado.”   

Sichko is a self-proclaimed angler and small game hunter and was appointed to take the place of Murphy Robinson, an active hunter, who resigned in late 2025. 

Emerick served as treasurer of Colorado Wild, one of the state’s leading wolf advocacy organizations, and was actively involved in the 2020 ballot initiative that forcefully introduced wolves into Colorado. As a parliamentary maneuver, the Senate voted to lay over appointments for Sichko and Emerick until May 14. The session ends on May 13. The Senate approved Silva Blayney. 

Every member of Colorado’s 13-person CPW Commission has been appointed by Governor Polis. Hunter and outdoor groups say the commission’s actions show it has changed in recent years to favor animal rights and anti-hunting policies. Most recently, it ignored recommendations  from both CPW leadership and its biologists by voting in favor of a petition from an activist environmental organization to ban the sale, barter or trade of wild fur. 

“I believe we are continuing to see this administration trying to move the commission in a direction that is out of the mainstream of Colorado. I don’t think we should continue to support the direction that this administration is trying to move the commission, particularly with something that funds the agency,” said Sen. Roberts.  

Hunt 2 Conserve lauds the outdoor community for standing up for hunting and scientific wildlife management. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Colorado Senate)

State wildlife agencies in Oregon and Washington announced gray wolf populations in their respective states reached all-time record high totals for the end of 2025.  

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports that the minimum wolf population in Washington jumped to 270 or a 17 percent increase since 2024. WDFW and partnering tribes counted 270 wolves, 23 breeding pairs and 49 packs across Washington. The previous year’s count was 230 wolves, 18 breeding pairs and 43 packs. Pack sizes at the end of 2025 ranged from two to 12 wolves with most of them made up of three to seven individuals. Several packs either formed or reestablished in 2025. 

“We confirmed six new or reestablished packs in the annual count,” said WDFW Wolf Biologist Trent Roussin. “Those that reestablished include the Salmo, Smackout and Vulcan packs in northeast Washington. New packs include the Cameron Lake pack on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Billy Goat and Tupshin packs in the North Cascades Recovery Region.” 

No packs or breeding pairs were documented in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast Recovery Region at the end of 2025. Though managed by WDFW in eastern Washington, wolves in the western two-thirds of the state remain listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

Click here to view the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Report. 

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the minimum wolf population in Oregon at the end of 2025 numbered 230. That marks a 13 percent increase from an estimated total of 204 and the end of 2024. ODFW counted 30 packs and 23 breeding pairs statewide. The Statesman Journal reports the population grew by 79 percent in the western part of the state. 

The Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Report shows wolf depredation on livestock jumped by 53 percent with the state awarding compensation grants totaling $729,318 across 14 counties. Wolves west of Highways 395/78/95 in Oregon remained listed under the federal ESA during 2025. 

Hunt 2 Conserves maintains that state wildlife agencies like ODFW and WDFW should be able to manage all wolves within their borders. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo and graphic credit: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

The Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee rejected two of three candidates appointed by Governor Jared Polis to become members of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission.  

Committee members voted 7-0 in favor of Frances Silva Blayney but 5-2 against at-large representative John Emerick and 4-3 against sportsman’s representative Christopher Sichko, who has no experience hunting big game and opposes scientific predator management. 

“I just don’t think we should have somebody filling the sportsman’s seat that has not garnered any support from the sportsman community and doesn’t have the experience to recognize CPW’s funding source from the sportsman community,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-Avon), who also serves as committee chair, as he addressed Sichko. “CPW’s current financing is almost entirely from hunting licenses. We have someone, in your nomination, who has not ever big game hunted in Colorado. There were 12 other people who had big game hunting experience who applied for this job and met the statuary requirements.”  

Hunt 2 Conserve, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other hunting and conservation organizations actively oppose both the Sichko and Emerick appointments. 

Emerick served as treasurer of Colorado Wild, one of the state’s leading wolf advocacy organizations and was actively involved in the 2020 ballot initiative that forcefully introduced wolves into Colorado. 

“You have a history of very specific activism...but given the responsibility that the commission has, I do not think you are qualified or prepared or suited to serve in the at-large position,” Sen. Roberts told Emerick. 

As part of his comments, Sen. Roberts also took aim at the Polis Administration and its continual emphasis on placing or trying to place candidates on the commission lacking hunting experience and/or an understanding of conservation and scientific wildlife management. 

 “I believe we are continuing to see this administration trying to move the commission in a direction that is out of the mainstream of Colorado. I don’t think we should continue to support the direction that this administration is trying to move the commission, particularly with something that funds the agency,” added Sen. Roberts. 

The committee’s actions do not disqualify either candidate. However, their nominations go forward with an unfavorable designation to the full Colorado Senate for a scheduled vote on Friday, April 24.  

Hunt 2 Conserve agrees with and appreciates the committee’s action and urges the Senate to follow suit and reject both Emerick and Sichko.  

Click here to watch the hearing. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee)

Thanks to advocacy engagement from the hunting and outdoor community, lawmakers in Congress removed an amendment with intentionally vague language that had been snuck into the massive Farm Bill by animal rights and anti-hunting factions.  

Labeled as the Greyhound Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 5017 could have banned everything from standard training and field trials for dogs as well as lawful hunting with them.  

The American Kennel Club said the iffy language went well beyond “commercial” greyhound racing, which only exists in one state. It could have also banned live lure training, use of live lures and open field coursing events involving live animals. 

Rep. Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA) introduced the measure, but the group behind it was Animal Wellness Action, a well-known anti-hunting group led by animal rights activist Wayne Pacelle, who resigned from the Humane Society of the United States, another anti-hunting organization, in 2018 amid allegations of sexual harassment. 

“It (H.R. 5017) does nothing to improve the wellbeing of dogs, and as written could ban or lead to bans on responsible dog training practices that are essential to developing well trained working and performance dogs, as well as popular responsible dog events in the community,” said AKC.  

“Because these terms lack clear statutory definitions, they could be interpreted in ways that affect lawful hunting activities and traditional dog training methods,” AKC warned. 

Vague language was the issue because “live lures” for dogs could be interpreted as upland birds, mountain lions or even farm animals like livestock. 

“They could do that with cow dogs. They could do that with bird dogs. They could do that with any dogs, really.” Doug Boykin, Wyoming houndsman, told Cowboy State Daily. "What about police dogs? Isn’t that using a live lure when they train them with people?”   

Hunt 2 Conserve strongly opposed the amendment and urged lawmakers to remove or better clarify it. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) 

Below is a news release from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Hunt 2 Conserve both advocated for the translocation. 

Within just two years, the female grizzly that was released in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) emerged from her den this spring with two cubs in tow – a welcoming sight that represents successful population genetic enhancement and state collaboration. This event marks a milestone for grizzly bear management in America, establishing certain genetic interchange between the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) in Montana and the GYE.  

Biologists released the bear in Wyoming two years ago as part of a joint effort between Wyoming and Montana to establish genetic exchange between the two ecosystems. She was recently seen and photographed with cubs at her den site during a radio-telemetry monitoring flight.  

 “This is concrete evidence that Montana and Wyoming are committed to sustaining a recovered population of grizzly bears and is a major success in our continued efforts to ensure genetic diversity in these two recovered populations of bears,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark.  

The female was one of two grizzlies that were translocated through a partnership between FWP, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and Yellowstone National Park. The other bear was a subadult male. The female was 4 years old at the time of the translocation and is now 6.  

“Grizzly bears in these populations usually give birth for the first time at 5 or 6 years old, so it's not surprising from an age standpoint,” said FWP grizzly bear researcher Cecily Costello. “It is more surprising because last year she was still very mobile and made many large, wandering movements. We wondered if that energy expenditure might reduce her chances of reproducing, but, from the photo, she appears to be in great condition.”  

For many years, Montana and Wyoming have focused on managing an ever-growing bear population in the GYE and NCDE. Recovery levels in the two ecosystems were surpassed years ago.  

The current health of the GYE grizzly bear population is sound. The translocation of the bears provided new genetics into the currently isolated GYE grizzly bear population as part of an agreement signed by the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to address a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court ruling following the 2017 delisting of the GYE population. While the best available science indicated genetic exchange among distinct grizzly bear populations was not essential for recovery, increased genetic diversity is advantageous for robust populations.  

 “This multiagency effort was a shining example of interstate/interagency collaboration and cooperation to address long-term genetic viability concerns raised and embodies both on-the-ground conservation and a commitment to fulfill obligations toward grizzly bear management in the contiguous United States,” said Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce.  

Annual cub survival rates are just above 50 percent, and they are often slightly lower for first litters.  

“So, we do have to wait and see about the survival of this litter,” Costello said. “Even if this litter does not survive, we expect she will be successful in the future.”  

Reproduction by the translocated male will be harder to document since it can only be done through the opportunistic capture and genetic sampling and analyses of offspring.  

“We are hopeful that he has or will produce offspring, too,” Costello said.  

Male mating success is often tied to large body size, and the male is estimated to be 7 years old, which is considered a bit young for challenging other adult males for females. 

(Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) 

Facing a $1.5 billion budget deficit, Colorado lawmakers proposed no longer using state funds to introduce wolves into Colorado.  

Citizens passed a 2020 ballot initiative by less than a two percent margin to forcefully introduce wolves, including voters in 51 of Colorado’s 64 counties that voted against it. Out-of-state animal rights and anti-hunting activists largely funded the campaign. 

Since then, the wolf program has been extremely messy with 14 of 25 introduced wolves having died since hitting the ground in Colorado. And costs continue to skyrocket well above expectations. 

According to Colorado Politics, the annual budget for the wolf program is $2.1 million or almost three times more than original 2020 estimates voters were told it would cost, while compensation is slated for $350,000 per year. However, in just the first three months of 2026, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) already doled out $724,000 in wolf-livestock compensation with costs expected to top $1 million by the end of the year. Plus, CPW recently asked the state legislature for another $450,000 to bring more wolves into the state.   

Now, lawmakers are suggesting pulling the plug on using taxpayer funds to do so. 

“It is a moment for us to recognize that while we should honor the will of the voters — I am respectful of that — our reintroduction of wolves has not gone successfully nor without significant cost,” House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon), told the Aspen Times. “I would ask for your support on this amendment, knowing that there is certainly a better path forward for us on the wolf management plan, and I would encourage further evaluation of the process so far, ways that we can continue to improve it.”   

“What I would like to say to my ranchers is that we are not using their taxpayer dollars to introduce more wolves into their backyard,” Rep. Meghan Lukens (D-Steamboat Springs), told the Aspen Times. “The money that is still allocated to the Department of Natural Resources can still be used for conflict minimization and overall management of the program, but if we are going to, as a state, pay for new wolves, I believe that money should be coming from gifts, grants and donations.” 

Lukens’ words appear to be an invitation for pro-wolf activists to step up, instead of relying on taxpayer dollars to foot the bill. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife) 

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners filed an appeal of a federal judge’s ruling that supports an environmental group challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) refusal to relist gray wolves in the West. 

USFWS denied petitions by the anti-hunting organization Center for Biological Diversity in early 2024 to place wolves in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah under the Endangered Species Act. Citing the history of state management and expanding wolf populations, USFWS professional biologists and game managers concluded that Western wolves are not at risk of extinction, now or in the near future. 

Not counting those born this spring, the minimum gray wolf population in the West is at least 3,100 wolves. That number continues to grow with expanded range, including populations in Idaho and Montana that are respectively 700 percent and 600 percent above federal minimum recovery levels. Wyoming’s population met minimum recovery criteria in each of the last 23 years. 

Other groups joining RMEF in the appeal are Safari Club International and Sportsmen’s Alliance. 

Having met federal minimum recovery thresholds in 2002, Hunt 2 Conserve strongly supports state-based wolf management and maintains the population is recovered and not in need of relisting. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) 

A bill making its way through the state legislature would make Oklahoma the only state in the nation to allow the release of captive, game-farm deer into the wild under state law.  

House Bill 3270 would allow captive deer with certain genetic “resistance” to be released into wild populations and would transfer authority to sell permits to private landowners wanting to stock game farm deer from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF). 

“Releasing captive white-tailed deer to intentionally comingle with wild deer presents significant risks to wildlife management, disease control and the long-term health of Oklahoma’s deer herd,” according to a coalition of conservation and sportsmen organizations lead by the National Deer Association and including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. “At the very least, decisions about such a consequential program must remain grounded in science and led by the state’s professional wildlife managers.” 

The bill’s original language creates a pilot program for deer with the SS allele at codon 96 under the premise that they are genetically “resistant” to chronic wasting disease (CWD).  

Dr. Jennifer Malmberg, project leader for CWD research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said during the April 6 Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting, “Taking all studies into consideration, 96SS deer are not resistant to CWD. They still get the disease and that is a really important point to make.” Studies also show deer with the SS allele die from the disease. 

“The unintended consequences could be devastating to our thriving deer herd," said ODWC chief of wildlife Bill Dinkines. “Based on what we heard from some of the nation’s leading CWD experts, the release of captive white-tailed deer into free-ranging populations for the purpose of CWD prevention or management is not justified and is not worth the risk.”  

Dr. Mark Ruder, director of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, said in the April 6 Wildlife Commission meeting, “There is no scientific justification for the release of farmed white-tailed deer into free-ranging populations for the purpose of CWD prevention or management.” 

The potential risks of releasing captive deer include: 

• Unintentional release of CWD(+) deer into the wild. 

• The introduction of novel diseases into the wild, including emergence of novel CWD strains. 

• Increased susceptibility to existing and more common threats like blue tongue and EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease). 

• Disruption of established herd dynamics and the creation of genetic weakness. Stocking additional deer into areas that are near or at carrying capacity could lead to additional agricultural depredation, deer/vehicle collisions and potential liability for those who have sold or released the deer. 

• It could alter deer density and resource selection. 

Hunt 2 Conserve strongly agrees with the ODWC, commissioners and concerned conservation and sportsmen groups by opposing the release of captive animals into the wild. 

Click here to read the full Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation news release. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)