Originally Posted by
ride.lift.shoot
So while the author states that hunters make-up less than 10% of the population, he goes on to say we need to segregate ourselves into two groups, those that advocate on behalf of prey animals and conservation, and the heathens that hunt predators.
It is my opinion that one goes with the other. Almost every aspect of wildlife is managed from large game to invasive plant species. The requirement of this management is in large part due to societies interference with the landscape. I don't think something like a cougar or grizzly deserves a pass on management based on the emotion of those who have never spent a day in the field, and don't contribute any of their time or money to habitat restoration/management. The result of un-managed predators is likely going to yield a plummet in prey species the non-hunters and hunters both love.
Whether it's popular opinion or not, managing predators is a component of balancing an eco-system. Better educating the population when it comes to hunting quotas, the infrastructure that supports our privilege to hunt, ESA protection, and the money trail of conservation efforts will hopefully open eyes and promote some kind of level of understanding. That should be our goal.
Further segregating the community of hunters is akin to us losing ground in the battle of protecting our past time. Our small community has to stick together to maintain our privileges, or risk losing it by way of death from a thousand cuts.
