Here are 10 things that if left unchecked, will cause hunting and our lifestyles to vanish.

[Mr VJP]

http://www.nwtf.org/conservation/article/threats-hunting

 

There are endless challenges trying to take hunting away from us. It may not always be obvious, but they’re there. Here are 10 things that if left unchecked, will cause hunting and our lifestyles to vanish.

1. Urban sprawl

Urbanization, or the growth of cities and paved areas, is a big threat to wildlife. The U.S. loses approximately 6,000 acres of natural areas per day, mostly due to new development and urban sprawl.

2. Habitat destruction

Industrialization and the increase of habitat destruction leads to major changes to the landscape, often forcing wildlife out of the area. This also reduces the quality of hunting.

3. Disease

Illness is moving to the forefront. Since disease is predominately driven by nature, there isn’t much man can do. But organizations and state and federal agencies are doing their part to keep threats at bay.

4. Invasive species

Ecosystems need balance to thrive. Serious problems arise when invasive species become a part of the equation. Hunters need to educate themselves about the species and issues.

5. Poachers

These criminals give hunters a bad rap, and their illegal practices negatively affect hunting. It’s important to report poaching to local wildlife law enforcement officials.

6. Politics

Across the country, moves are made every day to end our way of life. On the flip side, we have government officials who are going head-to-head with the politicians who want to stop hunting.

7. Anti-hunters

Humane Society of the United states (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are just two of many organizations pushing to take away the rights of hunters. Stay up to date on anti-hunting organizations to stay one step ahead of their tactics.

8. Predators

The impact of native predators on native prey species is slight, but legal trapping and predator hunting can help keep them in check.

9. Lack of awareness

Nonhunters and anti-hunters are not the same thing. Nonhunters do not oppose hunting, they just don’t partake in the activity because they may not understand why we hunt or our role in conservation. We depend on nonhunters to understand and appreciate us, because they have a political presence.

10. Ourselves

Sometimes even the biggest hunters don’t act or support our own traditions. Organizations help keep us focused and actively promote and protect our hunting heritage. Join groups such as the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, or Pheasants forever to help our cause.

— Josh Honeycutt

[monkeyman2269]

How do you suppose we should stop the urban sprawl. The only thing I could think of is that when a track buys land they have to let people bow hunt it

[growalot]

 

How do you suppose we should stop the urban sprawl.

 

More ppl like Dr Stop being put to work...buying more condoms, the pill is a wonderful thing ect,ect,ect

[Five Seasons]

Vanish is a strong word. However i don't disagree that they will help to diminish.

[Doc]

I would add one more thing to the list and that is this incessant obsession with antlers as being the only measure of success. We have newbie hunters being sent afield all schooled up with unreasonable expectations from Saturday morning TV as to what are the minimum requirements to declare a hunting experience a success. We have devised a scoring system of horn measurement  to define failure and frustration and packaged it as the only bonafide way to measure a hunters prowess and enjoyment of the hunt. I can't help but wonder how many of our diminishing numbers are gone because of this kind of nonsense ...... Hunters that now believe that a lack of harvest of a book buck means complete failure as a hunter and complete failure of hunting as a satisfying and worthwhile experience and endeavor. I also have to wonder how much of this constantly growing and ever-strangulating new regulations and restrictions are because of this same manufactured mentality and force-fed idea that the only successful hunt is one that ends with a certain "minimum score".

[Skillet]

Great post, Doc. Well put.

[Two Track]

The score that really counts is the lbs put into the freezer.  Having a couple antler points or more on it is nice.

 

There are many people who don't get why there are environmental studies before a bridge gets replaced, or a new development gets built - they only see it as a waste of money and time. 

 

Then there are those who ignore the laws and build any way and say no big deal.  Of course they may complain that their property is too wet and ducks are all-over the back yard every Spring.  Well, dummy, you built in the wrong place because there was no environmental study done and you evaded the law regarding wetlands and property drainage.

[Five Seasons]

The score that really counts is the lbs put into the freezer.  Having a couple antler points or more on it is nice.

 

 

that's just as bad as saying the score that really counts is the antler. It's not just meat, and it's not just antlers and for some it's neither. Hunting success is defined by the hunter and that's it.

[The_Field_Ager]

Doc, my first deer was a 1 spike buck. Barley 3 inches. I can still remember every detail of that hunt and still feel the high and rush,more so than a nice mature 8 point I took a couple of seasons ago. I was on cloud 9 for days afterward.

That first deer is a priceless experience, irrespective of size. I think once new hunters experience this, they will understand that the whole experience is a multifaceted affair and big racks don't necessarily = the best hunt.

 

I remember too the awesome sense of satisfaction when I dropped his meat into the freezer. There are so many potential outlets for good vibes from hunting.

Edited August 26, 2015 by Papist

[Doc]

Doc, my first deer was a 1 spike buck. Barley 3 inches. I can still remember every detail of that hunt and still feel the high and rush,more so than a nice mature 8 point I took a couple of seasons ago. I was on cloud 9 for days afterward.

That first deer is a priceless experience, irrespective of size. I think once new hunters experience this, they will understand that the whole experience is a multifaceted affair and big racks don't necessarily = the best hunt.

 

I remember too the awesome sense of satisfaction when I dropped his meat into the freezer. There are so many potential outlets for good vibes from hunting.

My first bow-killed deer was a buck with 7" spikes. Those "antlers" are mounted on a plaque and are the most prized of all my mounts. Everytime I look at that silly-looking little rack or am asked about it, I am brought back to that day and all the events that surrounded that number one. It's not the rack that I prize, it is the memories of the event and all the hunts that led up to that day of accomplishment. I wonder if I should score that one to see if it measures up ..... lol.