| Hunting has been around with us since the earliest | | | | raccoons and woodchucks. |
| days of man because, hey, you had to eat. These | | | | One hunting tidbit that cannot escape mention is the |
| days, it is still done to put food on the table, but is | | | | wide spread opposition to it by a large percentage of |
| also a popular sport. | | | | the non-hunting population. No other sport is the |
| It is estimated that some 77 million Americans, 16 | | | | target of such an organized and emotional campaign |
| years of age and older participate in hunting, fishing, | | | | to abolish it. The opponents of hunting refuse to |
| or wildlife observation activities. This figure would | | | | accept any type of argument about the wildlife |
| represent about 38% of the population in that age | | | | management aspects of hunting or of its close |
| bracket. Any look at hunting statistics quickly reveals | | | | regulation. They flatly oppose it and are unwilling to |
| the popularity of the sport and its economic impact | | | | listen to any type of reason. |
| on the country. This 38% of people who enjoy the | | | | It is necessary for those who love hunting to be |
| outdoor sports spend over $100 billion dollar annually | | | | aware of this challenge to the enjoyment of their |
| on their activities. | | | | sport. Hunters must be as vocal and as organized as |
| Hunting accounts for a large portion of the outdoor | | | | their opponents in protecting their right to hunt. The |
| activity expenditure. It is estimated that at least $5.2 | | | | opposition is not content with verbal and written |
| billion dollars is spent annually on hunting trips alone. | | | | debate, but seeks to influence the passing of laws |
| Another $11.8 billion dollars is spent on hunting related | | | | restricting the right to hunt. Too often the hunting |
| equipment. $4.8 billion dollars is spent on hunting | | | | community is satisfied to let anti-hunting types have |
| permits, licenses, and game stamps. This last figure | | | | their own opinions, but when it comes to the legal |
| provides funds for the management of wildlife areas | | | | restrictions, the community must make a stand to |
| and national forests. | | | | defend hunting. Hunting is more than a sport or |
| The hunting of deer, bear, elk, and other big game is | | | | hobby. It is an activity that connects us to our very |
| the most popular form of hunting. At least 11.3 million | | | | roots as human beings. The skills of the hunter were |
| hunters go after these targets. Small game like | | | | passed from father to son for countless generations |
| squirrels and rabbits attracts another 6.9 million | | | | since the dawn of time. It would be wrong to see |
| hunters. 3.1 million hunters pursue migratory birds and | | | | this tradition made illegal in our time. |
| another 1.5 million hunt other unusual game such as | | | | |