Elk NetworkHunting Is Conservation – Countering the Argument: Hunters cause overpopulation of wildlife

Conservation | September 16, 2019

The anti-hunter claim that hunting causes overpopulation because wildlife populations are managed specifically so there are animals to hunt is simply not true.

The North American Wildlife Conservation Model consists of basic principles designed to sustain wildlife populations forever.

They include…fish and wildlife belong to all Americans—not just hunters or anglers. And that managing those populations is vital for their overall health, growth and benefit.

The populations of elk, deer, turkey, ducks and other wildlife fluctuate year-to-year depending on habitat, weather, disease, natural predation and other factors.

Wildlife managers go to great lengths to monitor wildlife populations and use hunting and trapping as important tools in their wildlife management toolbox. They also rely on the eyes and ears of hunters by reaching out to them to conduct annual surveys that hone in on population numbers of predator and prey alike across the landscape.

Wildlife populations are neither bloated nor ailing because of hunting. They are, in fact, thriving. Why? Because funds generated from the purchase of guns, ammunition and archery equipment as well as licenses, fees and donations to conservation organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation pay for wildlife conservation.

One other note…if it weren’t for hunting, populations like that of the whitetail deer, as a specific example, would explode triggering significant habitat and safety issues. Instead, hunting is used to keep those numbers in check.

What’s the bottom line? When you take a step back and look at the big picture, it’s more than evident that Hunting Is Conservation.