Hunting and Conservation
Many would think the terms hunting and conservation do not go together. Those people could not be more wrong. One of America's most successful conservation programs was initiated by sportsmen and conservationists. The program is commonly called the Pittman-Robertson act. It was started because sportsman and conservationists were alarmed by the rapid decline in wildlife and habitat that occured in the early 1900's. Things were made even worse by the economic depression and a terrible drought. ( Remember a little thing called the dust bowl?) The Pittman-Robertson act was signed into law in 1937. It placed an 11 percent tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equiptment. It also placed a 10 percent tax on handguns. The money collected is then distributed to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on land and water area and the number of hunting license holders in each state. Since 1937, Pittman-Robertson has provided more than $3 Billion for wildlife restoration and research, habitat acquisition and hunter training. An additional $1 Billion is added from the sale of hunting licenses.
With this money, states have been able to restore wildlife populations.Since 1937 Whitetail deer have increased from 500,000 to 18,000,000, wild turkeys from 100,000 to 4,500,000, pronghorn antelope from 12,000 to 1,000,000, rocky mountain elk from 41,000 to 800,000 and other species, including Geese, sheep, bobcats, cougars and black bears have also benefited. Five million acres of habitat have been purchased outright and almost 40 million acres are managed for wildlife.
At the same time, in 1937, a group of duck hunters were also concerned about the drought and the effects it was having on North American waterfowl. They formed Ducks Unlimited, whose mission was to fulfill the annual life cycle needs of the waterfowl by protecting, enhancing, restoring and managing important wetlands and associated uplands. Since its founding, Ducks Unlimited has raised more than $1 Billion,which has contributed to the conservation of nearly 8 million acres of prime wildlife habitat in all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and in key areas of Mexico. Some 600 species of wildlife live and flourish on Ducks Unlimited projects, including many threatened and endangered species.
So, the next time you see a hunter, don't curse them for killing the wildlife. Thank them, for saving and preserving it.
Some links to interesting and worthwhile sites.
Copyright © 1997. Robert Kruse
Revised Sept. 5, 1997
URL:http://www.rr1.net/users/kruser/Hunting.html
November 1997
View Our Guestbook Return toSmilin'K
You are visitor number
since 07/28/97
Many would think the terms hunting and conservation do not go together. Those people could not be more wrong. One of America's most successful conservation programs was initiated by sportsmen and conservationists. The program is commonly called the Pittman-Robertson act. It was started because sportsman and conservationists were alarmed by the rapid decline in wildlife and habitat that occured in the early 1900's. Things were made even worse by the economic depression and a terrible drought. ( Remember a little thing called the dust bowl?) The Pittman-Robertson act was signed into law in 1937. It placed an 11 percent tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equiptment. It also placed a 10 percent tax on handguns. The money collected is then distributed to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on land and water area and the number of hunting license holders in each state. Since 1937, Pittman-Robertson has provided more than $3 Billion for wildlife restoration and research, habitat acquisition and hunter training. An additional $1 Billion is added from the sale of hunting licenses.
With this money, states have been able to restore wildlife populations.Since 1937 Whitetail deer have increased from 500,000 to 18,000,000, wild turkeys from 100,000 to 4,500,000, pronghorn antelope from 12,000 to 1,000,000, rocky mountain elk from 41,000 to 800,000 and other species, including Geese, sheep, bobcats, cougars and black bears have also benefited. Five million acres of habitat have been purchased outright and almost 40 million acres are managed for wildlife.
At the same time, in 1937, a group of duck hunters were also concerned about the drought and the effects it was having on North American waterfowl. They formed Ducks Unlimited, whose mission was to fulfill the annual life cycle needs of the waterfowl by protecting, enhancing, restoring and managing important wetlands and associated uplands. Since its founding, Ducks Unlimited has raised more than $1 Billion,which has contributed to the conservation of nearly 8 million acres of prime wildlife habitat in all 50 states, all Canadian provinces and in key areas of Mexico. Some 600 species of wildlife live and flourish on Ducks Unlimited projects, including many threatened and endangered species.
So, the next time you see a hunter, don't curse them for killing the wildlife. Thank them, for saving and preserving it.
Some links to interesting and worthwhile sites.
Copyright © 1997. Robert Kruse
Revised Sept. 5, 1997
URL:http://www.rr1.net/users/kruser/Hunting.html
November 1997
View Our Guestbook Return toSmilin'K
You are visitor numbersince 07/28/97
Revised Sept. 5, 1997
URL:http://www.rr1.net/users/kruser/Hunting.html
Return toSmilin'K