Number of hunters falls, worrying some

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070902/ap_on_re_us/fewer_hunters;_ylt=AhTSD4OekCzWSdUl4BSwP4FvzwcF

Number of hunters falls, worrying some

By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer 1 hour, 43 minutes ago

Hunters remain a powerful force in American society, as evidenced by the presidential candidates who routinely pay them homage, but their ranks are shrinking dramatically and wildlife agencies worry increasingly about the loss of sorely needed license-fee revenue.


New figures from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show that the number of hunters 16 and older declined by 10 percent between 1996 and 2006 — from 14 million to about 12.5 million. The drop was most acute in New England, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific states, which lost 400,000 hunters in that span.

The primary reasons, experts say, are the loss of hunting land to urbanization plus a perception by many families that they can't afford the time or costs that hunting entails.
.........

Some animal-welfare activists welcome the trend, noting that it coincides with a 13 percent increase in wildlife watching since 1996. But hunters and state wildlife agencies, as they prepare for the fall hunting season, say the drop is worrisome.

"It's hunters who are the most willing to give their own dollar for wildlife conservation," Patterson said.

[Kali]

1. you wouldn't know that around here

the shooting started yesterday for ? doves? quail? some kind of birds I think. I really should get more informed.

[partylessinOhio]

2. Worrisome? Get a grip! There are still too many hunters - 12.5 million.

"sorely needed license-fee revenue" - for what? Learn to do with less just like as po' folk have had to do.

Why do we have to kill every living thing including humans by war?

:thumbsdown:

[tom_paine]

13. In the case of hunting throughout most of human history?

So we could survive.

And as I have said below, with the reality of Peak Oil, Climate Change, and the rising anti-intellectualism which could be the seeds of a new Dark Age, hunting may by the end of this millenium (or perhaps much sooner), once again be a key skill as with being able to raise crops, essential for survival.

Trophy hunting is abominable, but hunting for food is not, IMHO.

[napi21]

3. That drop has been happening for YEARS!

My hubby is going to be 65 in 2 weeks, and HIS father worried about the decline in hunters 30 years ago! It is true that hunters & fishermen are most willing to support wildlife conservation. I know, in addition to the hunting & fishing licenses, my hubby sprung for the special wildlife license plate for our 2 cars. (Something I opposed because I think special license plates are a waste of $$!)

[tularetom]

4. When I was a kid

We knew all the ranchers and they were always willing to let us hunt on their land as long as we didn't leave a gate open or leave garbage lying around. Now all those ranches have been bought up by corporations and all the land is posted. There are places you can go but it costs a lot of money.

The result of the population increase I guess. I still know one guy who will let me shoot doves on his property but every time I go there are people there without his permission. He says he may have to shut it down.

The trend isn't good but I suppose it's inevitable. Increasing population vs decreasing available land.

On edit: kids don't give a crap either. My grandson is 11. Saturday was the opening of dove season. I took him out and he whined the whole time, it was hot, there were foxtails in his socks, he was thirsty. When I took him home he ran into the room where the TV was and started playing video games.

[zabet]

5. This has been going on for quite some time...

they always find a way to get more revenue. This year in NC, it became
mandantory to purchase a fishing license to fish for spots off of the piers.
This has never been the case before in NC...as long as you were a state resident,
and did not use artificial bait, you could fish without a fishing license (need
to have ID on hand to prove you are a resident).
We have a commercial license and boat and up until a few years ago, netting for
fish was restricited to commercial licensed boats unless a small net was used and
the fisherman stayed with the net. Now, anyone can buy a recreational netting
license and set nets (100 yards) at the time. This has made shrimping in the
waterway very difficult for the fisherman that do it for a living. New netters
generally block the channel (illegal), anchor at both ends in the channel (illegal),
or do not have their nets clearly bouyed...this is a headache when the shrimp net is
sprawled out and you have to pull it in 4 or 5 times in a pull because people that
do not read the rule books. I really think they (NCDMF) have increased the money
they take in on fines alone with the new recreational netters.
Just my opinion. :shrug:

[Bonhomme Richard]

6. There are hunters and there are sportsman.

Hunters kill the game they are after and use it to feed and supplement their families. That is a noble cause that has been around since the beginning of the human race. Sportsman just like to kill and put a trophy on the wall and feel superiority over any animal species. It is as simple as that.
What has declined is not the number if hunters but the number of sportsman. That is a good thing.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Just raise the fees for hunters

That way they can off-set the loss of hunters that have died.

And new hunters will buy licenses because they are higher and they think they are worth more.

[MasonJar]

8. What a shame!!!!!!!!!!!! They are going to lose REVENUE because

fewer people want to kill living creatures for fun and sport.

[Kali]

9. I'm not a hunter and frankly they are a pain in the ass to me, but

a lot of that revenue DOES go to habitat conservation that benefits more than just the hunters and their prey.

[reprobate]

10. I've been a hunter for at least the last half century.

There is no thrill like going out on a crisp bright morning to enter an indoor pistol range and hunt the wiley paper target. There are many advantages to hunting paper. First, you never need to chase down and finish a wounded paper. In fact, by just pushing a button the paper will come to you!

[Skittles]

11. I heard tons of those bastards out shooting this morning

:puke:

[tom_paine]

12. After Peak Oil, like it or not, hunting will once day again be a key survival skill

n/t

[flashl]

14. Fish and Wildlife Service should be relieved

In Virginia, I was surprised after learning how 'out-gunned' and dangerous it was for some Fish and Wildlife officers enforcing regulations. The stories that some told (the carnage of kills dumped along back roads) caused me to believe that left unchecked one day there simply will not be anything left out there in the woods to hunt. I could envision the day that ‘bambi’ would only be known via Disney cartoons.

These souls sent into the woods to enforce the laws with little resources are truly unsung heroes.