By Jim Curcuruto
Whether it’s an attempt to close hunting on a “small section” of a river that would only affect a “few” duck hunters, a newly proposed local town ordinance that would limit discharging firearms on certain days or times, or a coordinated nationwide effort to use petitions and ballot box biology to fundamentally change how wildlife is managed, the topic of hunting is always on the ballot.
It seems that an increased amount of hunting-related legislation has been proposed over the past few years, and this November is no exception. One of the most talked about pieces of upcoming hunting related legislation is on the ballot in Colorado this November where proposed Initiative #91 aims to revise statutes to prohibit hunting of mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats in the state.
Proponents of hunting find it problematic that decisions affecting the management of wildlife populations are being left up to general population voters rather than trained wildlife biologists that work for state departments of natural resources such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Scientific management of wildlife is a key principle of the North American model of wildlife conservation and has been used effectively for more than one hundred years.
This ballot initiative, and using emotion over science, is being led by groups not known to be friendly to hunters such as Cats Aren’t Trophies. Many in the outdoor space are concerned that, if Initiative #91 is passed by voters in Colorado, similar efforts to curtail all types of hunting will expand to states across the country – including the state you, dear reader, are currently in.
Tell me you don’t like rural Coloradans without telling me. That’s what 2 initiatives will ask the urban majority to do this Nov; tell rural folks they’re not welcome here, their ways are passé, particularly ranching & hunting. #copoliticshttps://t.co/wsrxhDQl9n via @denverpost
— Krista Kafer (@KristaKafer) September 2, 2024
Hunting related legislation is a microcosm of a newly formed movement to improve cultural acceptance of hunting. This movement was formed after the Hunters’ Leadership Forum (HLF) completed a comprehensive research project in 2017 that identified the need to build public support for hunting.
Additional research released by Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) proves the need to communicate the positive contributions of not only hunters, but anglers, trappers and target shooters as well. The research identified that nearly ten million voting aged American’s recently changed their minds and no longer approve of others ability to participate in activities such as hunting, fishing and target shooting.
As the HLF’s Managing Director, Peter Churchbourne has said . . .
This decline in cultural acceptance of hunting is happening on our watch and, now that we know this, we must act to help reverse this alarming trend.
With millions of hunters gearing up to get outside as hunting seasons are opening across the country, now is an ideal time for any organization connected with hunting to take action.
Coloradans Please Vote NO on anti-hunting, anti-science Ballot I-91 RT Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management @NSSF #NSSF https://t.co/VCYR7ADIN2
— Larry Keane (@lkeane) September 3, 2024
One of the best courses of action is to inform your members and/or customers of current events that may affect their ability to hunt. If you aren’t versed in hunting legislation, newsletters from organizations such as Sportsmen’s Alliance and Howl for Wildlife do a terrific job keeping folks informed of all current events going on regarding hunting legislation. For additional information specific to the Colorado ballot initiative follow Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management.
Another easy course of action is to ask your members and customers to inform their friends and co-workers of all the positive contributions that hunters make. A few key points to communicate:
- America’s 60+ million active Hunters, Anglers, Trappers, and Shooters (HATS) support land, fish and wildlife conservation to the tune of $3.6 billion annually, that’s $10 million each day, making them primary funders of conservation.
- Hunters harvest their own protein, so they do not tax the food supply chain as much as non-hunters.
- Hunters are helping to solve the hunger crisis in America by donating millions of pounds of wild game meat each year to feed the hungry.
- Hunters are responsible stewards of our lands. They clean up nature and improve habitats to allow for healthier wildlife populations.
- Share this new Public Service Announcement created to inform the general population that hunters are primary funders of wildlife conservation.
No matter the outcome of this election cycle, the outdoor community needs to make improving cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting a priority in 2025 and beyond.
Jim Curcuruto is Executive Director of Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation