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