Environmental studies articles
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third_article_for_ev.docxMia Lin
Dr. Patricia Redden
EV 100.01
November 7, 14
Environmental studies
State conservation programs do much good for the environment, from maintaining habitats for wildlife and creating new ones, to protecting endangered species and stopping poachers. These state programs actively protect our environment from harm on a daily basis. However, Conservation efforts in many states across the country are facing a grave threat, one that has the potential to cut their budgets short rendering them ineffective. According to an article, in The New York Times, these programs are in danger due to a decrease in hunting.
There are several reasons that a decrease in hunting is occurring, apart from people becoming more conscious of the impact they have on their environment. Factors such as land development and a change in demographics have come into play. According to the article, “Hunting’s popularity has waned across much of the country as housing tracts replace forests, aging hunters hang up their guns and youngsters sit down in front of Facebook rather than venture outdoors.” While there is an overall drop in hunting it has not been the same in every state. Some states, such as Massachusetts have seen more rapid declines in hunting than others. The articles states, “The sharpest drop was in Massachusetts, where there has been a 50 percent falloff in hunting license sales during that time.” It seems logical that the greatest decrease in hunting would occur in more densely populated states such as Massachusetts. But how can a decrease in hunting be harmful to the environment? After all hunting is the act of killing wild animals for food or for sport.
The answer lies primarily in the license fees associated with hunting. The fee’s hunters pay to engage in the sport supports many programs throughout both their state and the federal government. According to the article, “Hunting generates billions in retail sales and pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into government conservation efforts annually through license sales and federal taxes on firearms and ammunition sales.” Clearly license fees associated with hunting generate considerable revenue for conservation efforts. The article also provides clear examples of how the decrease in hunting has harmed conservation. For example, “In Pennsylvania, license sales have dipped 20 percent over the last two decades. The state’s game commission has cut spending by about $1 million in the last two years, cutting back efforts to repopulate pheasants, leaving 30 positions unfilled and asking employees to repair their own vehicles...” In Massachusetts similar hardships were faced, “In Massachusetts, the lost revenue has hampered the state’s habitat restoration efforts and its ability to repair its vehicles.” Clearly then the decrease in revenue from hunters has harmed the government’s ability to preserve natural habitats.
Those who care about their environment should take heed of this warning. Rather than trying to limit access to hunting, activists should encourage responsible hunting programs that carefully manage wildlife populations without significantly damaging them. Without hunting the conservationist cause would be in serious danger. It is important that conservationists and hunters recognize that they need each other, and work together for the good of their environment.
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