The statistics listed below were compiled by J. Scott Olmsted and originally published on March 19, 2022, under the title Join the Hunt: Armed with Conservation. Statistics copied and posted on our website. We are not the source of the contained information.
Hunters fund support for Wildlife: The Pittman-Robertson Act was signed into law in 1934. Since then, hunters have raised more than $11 billion for wildlife management and restoration through voluntary taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition and archery tackle. Hunters contribute $700 million a year in Pittman-Robertson Act Funds that are distributed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to state agencies.
Hunter Regulate themselves: In 1895, the first hunting licenses were sold in Michigan and North Dakota. In 1900, the banning of market hunting by way of the Lacey Act which prohibits the trade of ill-gotten species. In 1916, the concept of game as an international resource was established by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. In 1934, all waterfowl hunters 16 and older are required to purchase a stamp regularly to raise funds to conserve and restore wetlands by the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. Since then, over $1 billion have been raised that has saved 6 million acres across the United States. Approximately 1.5 million Duck Stamps are sold every year. In 1937, the Pittman-Robertson Act is created. The act provides Federal Aid for the funding for wildlife habitat, wildlife research, public access to wildlife, hunter education and much more with a 11 percent federal excise tax paid from the purchase of firearms, ammunition and archery tackle.
NORTH AMERICAN MODEL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is in full form by the 1950’s. The tenets of the model can be traced to the mid-19th Century. The model is made up of seven standards. 1. Governments are responsible for holding wildlife in public trust. Individual ownership of land does not mean ownership of the wildlife contained on the land. Wildlife is owned by everyone until it taken as personal possession. 2. Wildlife is protected from exploitation through Prohibitions on commerce. Wild game meat and dead animal parts commercial markets are not allowed. 3. Wildlife will be distributed by the democratic rule of law. Every citizen has the right of access simply because hunting has many benefits. 4. The opportunity to hunt exists for all under the law. Ones’ class or land ownership status does not decide who maintains the privilege to hunt. 5. There shall be only non-frivolous use of wildlife. The killing of game is only allowed for food, fur, self-defense and protection of property. 6. Wildlife is an international resource. It has no fixed political boundaries. 7. Science is the recognized basis for all informed wildlife management. Professionals are appointed to manage wildlife. Public polling is not used to make regulations.
Hunters Save Species: Since 1900, every species that has had a hunting season, has gone on to thrive. Hunters have helped to bring back species from the brink of extinction. In 1900, there were fewer than half a million Whitetails. Today there are more than 32 million. 50 Years ago, there were less than 12,000 Pronghorns. Today, the Western Plains have more than a million. In 1900, there were less than 41,000 Rocky Mountain Elk. Today they are found in 23 states and number over a million. Due to market hunting, in 1900, there were very few Ducks. Today they number more than 46 million flies across our skies thanks to regulated hunting. In 1900, Turkey’s numbered less than 100,000. Today there are over 7 million living in our country.
REFERENCE: https://www.americanhunter.org/content/join-the-hunt-armed-with-conservation/
