| As a hunter it is crucial to know the facts about | | | | saturated with these deer, they begin to die of |
| hunting so that when approached by a non-hunter | | | | diseases that easily attack unhealthy deer, but would |
| and asked about or even confronted about the sport | | | | usually not affect a healthy animal. Starvation due to |
| you can answer intelligently. Hunters are the most | | | | competing over the limited available edibles is a long |
| dedicated conservationists on earth. We as hunters | | | | slow tormenting death. Hunters harvest game in a |
| protect ALL animals both game animals and | | | | manner, which is quick for the animal and in the case |
| non-game animals and the habitats in which they live. | | | | of bow hunting studies have shown that the animal |
| We do this both for our enjoyment and for the | | | | may experience no more than the discomfort of a |
| enjoyment of the non-hunter as well. This is how it is | | | | bee sting before loosing consciousness and eventually |
| accomplished. | | | | expiring. The animal is then used by the hunter and |
| Most game animals are at or near the Carrying | | | | removed from the field. |
| Capacity of their environment. Carrying Capacity | | | | Hunters contribute more to wildlife than any other |
| meaning the number of animals an area of land can | | | | group and they do this through licensing and permits. |
| support year round without damaging the land or | | | | Millions of dollars are collected annually from hunters |
| starving/stressing the animals. Farmers have known | | | | by various agencies that are charged with the job of |
| for eons that each animal requires a certain amount | | | | maintaining healthy habitats in their jurisdictions. These |
| of Air, Food, Water, Shelter and Space to maintain a | | | | dollars benefit both non-game and game animals, and |
| proper Habitat. When provided a proper habitat | | | | go directly into the conservation of wildlife for |
| healthy animals resulted. When too many animals | | | | everyone to enjoy. The Pittman-Robertson Act of |
| shared the resources, or the resources became lean | | | | 1937 created an excise tax on all guns, ammunition, |
| the result was unhealthy animals, disease, and | | | | and archery equipment manufactured in the Untied |
| starvation. Through various agencies, each charged | | | | States. It is collected and distributed to wildlife |
| with regulating the harvest in their particular areas, | | | | agencies for the use in wildlife management and |
| hunters become a vital tool in maintaining healthy | | | | hunter education programs. Each time hunters |
| herds of game animals. Hunters willingly and gladly | | | | purchase new equipment for the pastime they love, |
| share vital information with these agencies about | | | | a portion of that purchase goes to maintaining a |
| their hunting. This information helps these agencies | | | | quality habitat in which to enjoy the sport. This |
| continually adjust their policies to keep animals healthy | | | | benefits the hunter as well as the non-hunter. |
| and at proper capacity to provide healthy habitats | | | | It is up to every hunter to reverse the negativity |
| for all species. | | | | placed upon the sport of hunting and to be ready to |
| A pair of healthy Whitetail deer living in a habitat free | | | | intelligently defend the honor of the sport by being |
| of disease, predation, hunting or unusual deaths will | | | | knowledgeable in every aspect hunting. Hunters need |
| produce a herd of over 40 deer in 7 years. Imagine | | | | to always remember that we are in the spotlight and |
| you have a garden at home that fed you and your | | | | our actions as well as our tongues speak volumes to |
| wife, you have a few kids who have a few kids and | | | | those who are ignorant of the truth about hunting. |
| next thing you know the garden must feed 40. In | | | | Knowledge is power, but impotent if not used |
| nature this happens and some of the offspring leave | | | | properly. Happy Hunting! |
| for other areas, but when the land becomes over | | | | |