Protecting, defending and championing the hunt is core to the mission of Hunt 2 Conserve (H2C). That is why H2C is a staunch advocate of hunting, fishing and trapping as key wildlife management tools used by biologists and game managers to maintain healthy and sustainable wildlife populations, and to help fund habitat conservation.

Anti-hunting, animal rights and other extremist environmental groups use ballot initiatives, litigation, petitions, legislation, P-R campaigns and other means to try to threaten and sidestep the time-tested model and remove hunting from it. They often criticize state wildlife agencies and their wildlife management practices as ineffective, detrimental or unsuccessful. However, it is the agencies' continual research, planning, implementation and monitoring of hunting regulations, quotas and seasons that, in fact, benefit and protect wildlife. 

Below are a few recent examples that highlight how state agencies use hunting and hunters to intimately manage wildlife and habitat for their overall good.

• The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife announced the adoption of emergency regulations so hunters can help to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease 

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced a permit application period for hunters to help manage the state's black bear population

• To manage the growing local deer population and its ecological impacts on habitat, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced a special management hunt at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

• Just two days after it opened, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced the closure of all bighorn sheep hunting in District 300 because the quota of two was reached

• The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced an increase in hunting and fishing fees to generate funding for wildlife management and conservation

• South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks asked hunters to report dead deer so it can better grasp a perceived outbreak of hemorrhagic disease

• The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced the application period for hunters to help manage sandhill crane and bobwhite quail populations

• To prevent habitat damage during extreme drought conditions, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources approved 450 additional antlerless elk permits across eight hunting units

In addition to being the main tool for game managers, hunting is a key fundraising mechanism for conservation. Since 1937, a federal excise tax on guns, ammunition and archery equipment generated about $18 billion while hunting licenses and fees create about $900 million annually for conservation. Also, 60% of budget funding for state fish and wildlife agencies are generated by hunters and anglers. Hunters also donate $440 million annually to conservation groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. 

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: Michael Johnson/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)