Sportsmen feel market hunting was knocked down by changing attitudes, good laws, and aggressive law enforcement. Market hunting by commercial poachers is alive and doing very well in America today. There are only some 6,000 state conservation officers and 215 federal special agents to patrol the entire United States. And when the illegal wildlife trade is growing as never before, states are cutting conservation agency budgets as never before. I'll bet the fish and game agency in your state is facing a budget cut this year.
Some conservation groups say they're just trying to get publicity and more funding.
Others say they're trying to cover up the extent of a problem they can't handle. Regardless of the figures, there is no question but what organized poaching is increasing. And it's not just wildlife. They seized more than 100 raw tusks. Also seized were 10 to 20 pounds of marijuana and a pound of cocaine.