Why Big Game Hunters & Anglers Deserve Respect

Why Big Game Hunters & Anglers Deserve Respect
October 19th, 2009

Utah sportsmen continue to get a bad rep from environmentalists and animal activists. Why there is no shame in catching & eating.

by Richard Markosian

One could hardly attempt to conjure a more robust, appealing, and impressive figurehead for the conservation cause than Theodore Roosevelt. Hunter, adventurer, cowboy, warrior, historian -- Roosevelt did it all. Overshadowed by his more colorful exploits, however, has been his radical role as one of the world's original conservationists.

Thanks to Roosevelt's vision, the national parks system was created and some of the most amazing natural wonders on the planet were preserved for his children and their grandchildren, and many other generations still to come. Yet when one thinks of hunting or fishing, the concept of conservation is not usually the first thought that comes to mind. It should be.

Hunters and anglers have an unrestrained passion for the great outdoors and spend more time in nature's glory than many who abstain from, or even condemn, hunting practices. Like Roosevelt, most outdoorsmen (and women) believe in using land wisely, rather than keeping it pristine and untouched by human hands -- yet they also care deeply about the consequences of land use and the legacy they will leave for future generations.

Even the National Rifle Association (NRA) demonstrates a strong commitment to conservation and environmental concerns.

"The NRA believes in the biologically sound management of our wildlife and other natural resources and in the respectful use and enjoyment of the land," the NRA touts on their website. "We believe responsible and ethical actions are the duty of all who use the outdoors."

In keeping with this credo, the NRA has created the Environment, Conservation and Hunting Outreach (ECHO) Program. The ECHO Program works in cooperation with federal, state and private non-profit agencies to advance conservation efforts, encourage hunter safety, and ethics and promote hunting as a beneficial and responsible use of our wildlife resources.

"Hunting is a beneficial and enjoyable use of our renewable wildlife resources. It is an American tradition to be passed on to generations to come," the NRA explains. Their support of conservation efforts is driven by a desire to assure quality hunting opportunities for future generations.

It has become commonly accepted that hunting, especially culling deer, is a necessary measure that humans must take in order to protect deer and their habitats from the detrimental effects of overpopulation.

However, a recent study performed by researchers with the National Park Service and Ohio State University, gives credence to the position many animal rights activists have held for years -- we should leave deer alone.

The study found that healthy deer populations lead to more biodiversity. Many insects and other animals prefer to live in areas with vibrant deer activity.

"We need to be aware of what's happening in these forest ecosystems," said Katherine Greenwald, co-author of the study. "Culling deer may cascade into affecting plants, salamanders, and other creatures in ways we can't even imagine. So before we start removing deer we should study what's really happening in these areas because there are a whole host of other issues that go along with culling."

Controlling the impact of overpopulation is also cited as a benefit of fishing specific lakes and streams. It is believed that certain fish populations, including sunfish, perch and bullheads, would benefit by more people fishing for them.

According to takemefishing.org, "Many anglers don't even know all these fish are out there waiting to be caught. Without enough angling pressure, pan fish may overpopulate a lake or pond, resulting in a lot of very small fish. This phenomenon, called 'stunting' can be helped by anglers who take pan fish home and discover that pan fish can be some of the most delicious fish to eat."

Today, as the pressure to preserve our natural resources becomes more and more prominent in the U.S. and throughout the world, we have a bit of an advantage thanks to the long-sightedness of men like Roosevelt.

Not only did he set aside more land for national parks and nature preserves than all of his predecessors combined, but he set a living example of how to utilize our lands responsibly -- and enjoy the benefits and recreation of hunting and fishing in nature's playground.

Learn more about outdoor sports in Utah at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources