Elk NetworkHunting is Sustainable, Helps Species Thrive – How #HuntingISConservation

Conservation | June 15, 2019

The anti-hunter claim that hunting is not a sustainable model and the populations of hunted species will decline and no longer flourish is simply untrue.

Historically, before the implementation of rules and regulations, many species did struggle for survival. In fact, at the beginning of the 20th century several were on the brink of elimination due to the blatant and commercialized pursuit of hides, antlers, meat and other animals parts.

Hunters and conservationist took notice and called for change. They established and implemented a set of principles that became known as the North American Wildlife Conservation Model.

More specifically, that wildlife belong to everyone and should be managed in such a way that all species, predator and prey alike, would be forever sustained.

Key points, among other, include…
– Prohibiting the commercial hunting and sale of wildlife
– Government agencies manage wildlife and public lands
– The creation of hunting and fishing laws so everyone has both opportunity and responsibility over the resource
– And laws are created against the casual killing of wildlife for antlers, horns or feathers.

The implementation and practice of those principles led to measurable success and the most robust and thriving wildlife populations int the world.

In the early 1900’s, there were about 40,000 elk remaining in North America. Today, there are more than one million.

120 years ago there were about 500,000 whitetail deer. Today, there are more that 32 million.

And hunting today is highly regulated. Each state wildlife agency has specific, detailed hunting regulations and license requirements according to species sought, sex of species, time of year, time of day, means of take and specific designated location.

Hunting is also used as a timely management tool when wildlife managers seek to corral contagious disease outbreaks that may negatively impact herd strength and numbers.

Wildlife numbers of elk, deer, ducks, turkeys and other hunted wildlife are flourishing. In fact, in many places they are the strongest they have ever been.

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 Conservations.