Hunting wild animals has been a way of
life for mankind throughout history. The
hunting of deer, bear, ducks and other
animals has provided people with food,
clothing, and shelter for centuries. Without.
the meat and skins provided by wild
animals, the American colonists would
not have survived the difficult, carly years
in this country. The valuable hides of
furbearers hunted and trapped, such as
beaver, fox, otter, lynx and pine marten,
were critical to the survival and livelihood
of many settlers in the New World.

Today, some people believe that hunting

is wrong because killing and eating wild
animals is no longer necessary for survival.
They point out that plenty of food is
available in supermarkets. But millions of
Americans continue to hunt. Some people
hunt to feed their families, and many do

so because they enjoy the tradition, the
outdoor experience, and the sense of being
a part of nature.

Wildlife Biologue

You Asked
About Hunting

Hunting today is strictly regulated by state
and federal governments. Wildlife managers
use hunting as a tool to help conserve and
manage wildlife habitat populations. In
addition, hunting also provides billions of
dollars annually to the economy.

Personal Enjoyment

There are many personal rewards that give
hunting a special character, place and value
as part of America’s heritage. Hunting is a
unique way for an individual to interact with

nature, and helps a person learn about the
outdoors. Hunting is an outdoor activity that
can be enjoyed together by husbands and
wives, parents and children.

New friendships and a sense of good
sportsmanship can arise from a day spent
hunting. It also provides an opportunity to
engage in good physical exercise and refresh
one’s mind and spirits. Many people consider
game, such as wild goose, rabbit, pheasant,
or deer, to be a delicacy.

Hunting deer, bear, ducks and
other animals has provided
people with food, clothing, and
shelter for centuries,



Wilditte Management

Hunting is also used as a tool to help manage
wildlife. For example, deer can become so
numerous that there is not enough food for
all of them, especially during the winter.
Without hunting to reduce their numbers,
many would starve or become sick. A herd of
hungry deer can quickly strip the vegetation
that provides them and other animals with
food and cover.

Too many deer can also lead to auto
accidents when they cross highways in
search of food. Deer may also damage
property by cating corn or fruit trees
beeause there is not enough natural
vegetation for them to eat in the forest.

Outbreaks of disease can oceur when wild
animals become too plentiful. For instance,
small carnivores such as raccoons and foxes
are susceptible to rabies and distemper,
which they can transmit to cats, dogs, farm
animals, and even people.

Benefits to Society

Hunters have been the backbone of wildlife
conservation programs in the United States.
Because hunters spend time in the outdoors
and learn about animals and their habitats,
they are strong supporters of programs to
help conserve wildlife and the environment.

Many people do not realize that hunters also
provide a major source of funding for
wildlife conservation. Hunting license fees
support the management, law enforcement,
research, and educational programs of state
wildlife agencies.

Federal excise ti on guns, ammunition
and archery equipment provide more than
$150 million each year. The U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service annually distributes these
funds to the states to support state wildlife
conservation and hunter education
programs.

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamps (commonly called
Duck Stamps), purchased mostly by
waterfowl hunters, provide about $20 million
annually to buy wetlands habitat for the
National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934,
more than 4.5 million acres of refuge lands
have been acquired with Migratory Bird
Conservation Fund revenues.

Hunting also supports many businesses and
provides an extra source of income for
farmers who lease their land to hunters.
According t rvey by the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, in 1996 hunters spent more
than $20 billion on transportation, food,
lodging and equipment for hunting.

Because hunters spend time in the outdoors
and learn about animals and their habitats,
they are strong supporters of programs to

help conserve wildlife and the environment.

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ee a

Hunting: A Personal noice

Many people oppose hunting because

they think it car animals to become
endangered. Large-scale, uncontrolled
commercial or “market” hunting that
oceurred in this country in the 19th and

20th centuries did imperil animals like the
buffalo. Today, hunting regulations are set
each year by federal and state agencies and
are enforced by conservation officers, often
called game wardens. In addition, biologists
study hunted species, such as waterfowl, and
if their numbers become too low for any
reason, hunting is further restricted or even
prohibited. In general, hunting regulations
are designed to ensure hunters’ harv
compatible with each game species’ ability to
sustain viable numbers.

Wildlife biologists today agree that legal
hunting is not a threat to our wildlife. The
real threat to wildlife is the destruction of
habitat—forests, wetlands and other wild
places animals need for food and cover. No
species can survive if it has no place to feed,
rest, and rear its young.

Some people would never dream of killing
a wild animal, Others believe that hunting
is a natural part of the human tradition.
Whether or not to hunt is a personal
decision. But if hunters and nonhunters
respect each other’s choices and work
together on behalf of wildlife, we can
preserve America’s rich natural heritage
for future generations to enjoy.

Federal Duck Stamps, purchased mostly
by waterfowl hunters, provide about $20
million annually to buy wetlands habitat
for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
To date, nearly $500 million in Migratory
Bird Conservation Fund revenues has been
used to purchase more than 4.5 million
acres of wetlands for the refuge system.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1 800/344 WILD
http://www.fws.gov

March 1998