The Humane Society of the United States rejects the notion that a relationship of love and companionship should be based on the needless killing of innocent creatures. The number of hunters has been steadily declining for decades. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1994 there were 15.3 million licensed hunters in the U.S., compared with 15.6 million in 1993, 15.8 million in 1990, and 16.3 million in 1980. Hunters claim that their numbers are growing in order to give the impression that recreational killing is acceptable. The facts are that more and more hunters are giving up hunting because it is no longer a socially acceptable activity.
Most states actively recruit children into hunting, through special youth hunts.
Sometimes these youth hunts are held on National Wildlife Refuges. Some states have carried this concept even further, and hold special hunter education classes to recruit parents and their children. In addition to encouraging children to buy licenses and kill animals, the states are reaching out to women as well. If enough women and children can be converted into hunters, the state agencies can continue business as usual. While there are many rules which regulate hunting activities, enforcing the regulations is difficult and many hunters do not abide by the rules.