Dylan Suggs

English III
Mrs. Hensel
13 November 2014
Is Hunting Smart Conservation?
Each year hunters contribute millions of dollars in order to conserve wild life and wildlife
habitats. The wetlands conservation group, Ducks Unlimited spends millions of dollars every
year to rebuild wetland and protect waterfowl. When someone buys a hunting license they are
paying for conservation. Hunting is one of the most effective and environmentally sound types of
conservation.
Ducks Unlimited replants forests each year as a place of refuge for ducks, a safe place
where they can have their eggs and raise their young without the threat of danger. (How DU
Conserves Wetlands and Waterfowl) The Mississippi Alluvial Valley has lost over 80% of
prime breeding areas due to deforestation. (How DU Conserves Wetlands and Waterfowl)
Through major conservation efforts Ducks Unlimited has replanted 178,000 acers of forests to
restore back water too these forests. (How DU Conserves Wetlands and Waterfowl) Ducks
Unlimited works along with farmers, ranchers, and land owners to make their land more wildlife
friendly because s of Americas wetlands are on private land. (How DU Conserves Wetlands
and Waterfowl) Hunters, Private corporations, and government agencies all contribute too all of
ducks unlimited conservation projects. (How DU Conserves Wetlands and Waterfowl)

Since the 19th century hunters concerned about the future of wildlife have made countless
contributions to the conservation of the nations wildlife. (Fish & Wildlife Service) Todays
hunting originations contribute millions of dollars and countless hours of labor to various
conservation causes each year. The Sale of hunting licenses, tags, and stamps the primary source
of funding most state wildlife conservation efforts (Fish & Wildlife Service). 200 million
dollars in hunter paid taxes are distributed to support wildlife management programs, the
purchase of land open to hunters and hunter safety and wildlife safety courses (Fish & Wildlife
Service).
Hunting is a way to help control populations and keep them at safe levels to go along
with human activity and land use (DNR). Deer hunting controls populations in farming areas
and help reduce deer- car accidents (DNR). Hunters have banded together with Sportsmans
clubs and federal originations to raise funds for conservation. Hunters will buy private land to
hunt, which means only harvesting mature deer to manage and keep the population healthy.
Since 1937 more than $86 million dollars in back taxes from hunting equipment has
come back to SC for wildlife conservation (Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration). The Pittman
Robertson act was signed September 2 1937, this act collets 11% of sporting arms, ammo,
archery equipment, and 10% of handgun sales all of which go to fund wildlife management.
(Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration) The wood duck is SCs most important waterfowl and
migratory bird species (Harrigal). South Carolina Department of Natural Resources pays for
wood duck boxes to be distribute out across the state. This money comes directly from state
waterfowl permits (Harrigal).
One of the most effective and environmentally sound types of wildlife conservation is
hunting. Hunting license money goes directly toward conservation efforts. Hunters spend

millions of dollars in conservation efforts and contribute countless hours in labor to protect
wildlife. Without hunting many species in and environment would over populate and would
quickly run out of food this would eventually cause animals to starve or would force them out of
an area. That would later lead wildlife into busy cities and onto busy main highways. Hunting is
a vital technique for wildlife now, as it has been in the past, and will be in the future.

Works Cited
"DNR - Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Go Hand in Hand." DNR - Hunting and Wildlife
Conservation Go Hand in Hand. Michigan Dept. Natural Resources, n.d. Web. 17 Oct.
2014
"Fish and Wildlife Service". Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish & Wildlife, n.d. Web. 13 Nov.
2014 Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Celebrating 75 Years of Wildlife Conservation
Success."
"How DU Conserves Wetlands and Waterfowl". How DU Conserves Wetlands and Waterfowl.
Ducks Unlimited, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
Harrigal Dean, . "Wood Duck Information". SCDNR -. SCDNR, n.d. Web. 14 Nov.
2014.
"Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Celebrating 75 Years of Wildlife Conservation
Success." 75th Anniversary. SCDNR, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014