OPINION:
One of the most significant threats to America’s wild game and habitat is the decline in hunters. It may seem counterintuitive, but hunting and conservation are closely intertwined. Without hunters, some of the world’s most precious habitats and species would be in jeopardy.
Interestingly, those who claim to protect animals and the environment by targeting hunters are unfortunately endangering the very wildlife they seek to preserve.
The North American model of wildlife conservation is founded on a simple principle: Conservation efforts are vital to our hunting way of life, and hunters are essential to successful conservation. Through their purchases of licenses, guns and ammunition, hunters have contributed billions of dollars to conservation programs that have preserved vast wild landscapes and ensured sustainable wildlife populations continue to exist.
The Pittman-Robertson Act, championed by hunters and enacted in 1937, imposed a 10% excise tax on guns and ammunition. In the nearly 90 years since its implementation, hunters have contributed over $15 billion to crucial initiatives that protect game and non-game species and their environments.
Today, some misguided or misinformed groups seek to dismantle hunting and fishing as we know them in this country. In states like Oregon, there are organized ballot initiatives that aim to criminalize fishing or hunting. These groups, under the guise of “protecting wild animals,” would undermine the very conservation programs that safeguard a significant portion of our wildlife.
This is an urgent issue that is only worsening, which is why the International Order of T. Roosevelt and the Cabela Family Foundation are joining forces to explore and support the truths of our activities. Rooted in the belief that we must protect hunting and conservation for future generations, our organizations have partnered to promote the activities we love, safeguard our way of life, and ensure that wild places and animals exist for decades to come.
Fewer and fewer hunters are participating in our sustainable outdoor lifestyle. Nationally, there has been a decline of approximately 2 million hunters. Complex regulations, limited access to high-quality land, and high equipment costs contribute to fewer hunters venturing into the woods in the past decade. While our parents and grandparents took pride in providing fresh game for their families, the next generation is disengaging. In simple terms, hunters are leaving, and the next generation is not stepping up to take their place. When this honest relationship with nature evaporates, the desire, hard work, and funding to conserve risks evaporation as well.
Fewer hunters means fewer dollars being invested in hunting tags, gear and equipment that directly support conservation programs nationwide. Hunters contribute around 75% of the funding for conservation efforts across the country. Some activists may celebrate the decline in hunters, but the long-term ramifications for conservation will be devastating if the trend continues.
We need to reverse these trends before it’s too late. Those who value our great outdoors must support policies that make hunting, fishing and conservation more accessible. We must oppose policies that hinder these activities, raise awareness about these issues, and encourage greater participation in hunting and fishing.
In our efforts, we are shedding light on these matters through our partnership on the television “Hard Truths of Conservation.” By showcasing the direct link between hunting and conservation, audiences can witness firsthand how the two are interconnected. We will also collaborate on initiatives in North America that align with both organizations’ shared vision for enhancing species through genuine conservation measures.
The Cabela Family Foundation has already demonstrated its leadership in these crucial projects, with two major initiatives to its name. The 24 Lions and 12 Cheetahs initiatives have successfully reintroduced these apex predators into an area of Mozambique where they’ve been devoid for hundreds of years. The 24 Lions initiative was the largest successful lion translocation in the world’s history and made headlines in 2018. By working together, we can revive and bring awareness to threatened North American species and demonstrate how hunters can lead conservation efforts.
Our outdoor traditions are sacred and steeped in history. We must do everything possible to preserve precious moments like a father passing down the family hunting rifle to his son or a mother sharing the joy of her daughter reeling in her first bluegill. Family milestones such as these create lasting memories, have the power to teach our children valuable lessons, and safeguard our great outdoors for generations to come.
Hunters and anglers are the ultimate conservationists worldwide. It’s time for us to share our story and remind others about the truths of our outdoor heritage and the positive impacts it has on wild places and animals.
• Luke Hilgemann is executive director of the International Order of T. Roosevelt. Dan Cabela is executive director of the Cabela Family Foundation.
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