Hunting and fishing are important aspects of American culture as well as critical pieces of managing our wildlife species. They both are also excellent family recreational activities.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
From our rugged peaks and mountains to our shining seas, our Nation is blessed with remarkable natural treasures. These magnificent landscapes are places where families and friends can create lasting memories and enjoy the outdoors. On National Hunting and Fishing Day, our country honors the many contributions of America's hunters and anglers, who add to our heritage and keep our wildlife populations healthy and strong. (complete proclamation here)
Showing posts with label hunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hunting. Show all posts
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Hunting Season Thoughts
Fall is the time of year when many of us think of hunting. It starts off with dove season then quickly moves to quail, deer and pheasant. You can’t leave out turkey, ducks, geese, wild pigs, elk, and on and on – especially for the true enthusiasts.
Hunting is big dollars to the economy. It is also the source of a huge portion of the dollars spent for conservation efforts throughout the country each year. According to National Geographic (Nov. 2007), 75% of the revenue to state wildlife agencies comes through hunting and fishing license fees ($1.22 billion in the most recently reported figures) and excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuels ($616 million).
At the federal level, $24 million was spent on Duck stamps which are required of waterfowl hunters age 16 and older. Another $280 million was contributed during 2006, to organizations devoted to the conservation of game species such as Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and others.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey of 2001 indicated that the economic impact of waterfowl hunting in the U.S. was in excess of $2.3 billion in that year alone. Texas accounted for approximately $206 million of that impact.
When we look at the opportunities to farmers and ranchers in the Panhandle region for capitalizing on such expenditures, we need to look beyond our Conservation Reserve Program acreage to our playa lakes. Playas offer a unique opportunity to provide oases of habitat for wildlife. Because of the seasonal nature of their water levels, many farmers have seen them as additional, although unreliable, crop acres. Perhaps it would be better to view them as wildlife revenue opportunities.
Restoration of playa lake environments to their natural flora will increase opportunities for hunting. During the seasonal waterfowl migrations, playas often offer the only available water source for “safe harbor” to ducks and geese passing through the area. Given the enthusiastic devotion of most waterfowl hunters, lease revenue for waterfowl hunting could generate significant income.
In addition to waterfowl, the water contained in playas is a source of sustenance for other types of wildlife. Dove, pheasant and quail are attracted to the water from nearby grain fields. With the planting of cover and food species of plants, the playa environment offers a reservoir of habitat for many game species. Lease revenue could be expanded to include many different species so that revenue could be generated from dove season which begins in September through the end of quail season which often extends into February.
There is also a growing population of non-hunting wildlife enthusiasts who are willing to pay for viewing experiences. During the non-hunting seasons or even during the fall if access is closely controlled, there is potential revenue from providing viewing opportunities to interested individuals. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1991, approximately 30% of expenditures on wildlife were on viewing and photography. In that year, the estimated amount spent on viewing and photography was $18.1 billion. The number has increased dramatically since that time. Based on that percentage, the figure for 2006 would be around $36 billion nationally.
When the land owner considers the programs available to help restore wetlands/playa habitat, the incentive for looking at wildlife as a crop increases. The Playa Lakes Joint Venture organization (www.pljv.org) is a great resource for information regarding benefits of playa restoration as well as programs available for financial incentives.
Hunting is not only a great source of revenue to farmers and ranchers, it is a great way for families to participate in healthy outdoor activities. There is a special bond created from shared hunting experiences and it is not just for men and boys anymore. One of the fastest growing segments of the hunting population is women and girls.
Playa restoration is something that every landowner should consider; not only for the economic value, but for the opportunity to strengthen families and to improve our environment as well.
Hunting is big dollars to the economy. It is also the source of a huge portion of the dollars spent for conservation efforts throughout the country each year. According to National Geographic (Nov. 2007), 75% of the revenue to state wildlife agencies comes through hunting and fishing license fees ($1.22 billion in the most recently reported figures) and excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuels ($616 million).
At the federal level, $24 million was spent on Duck stamps which are required of waterfowl hunters age 16 and older. Another $280 million was contributed during 2006, to organizations devoted to the conservation of game species such as Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and others.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey of 2001 indicated that the economic impact of waterfowl hunting in the U.S. was in excess of $2.3 billion in that year alone. Texas accounted for approximately $206 million of that impact.
When we look at the opportunities to farmers and ranchers in the Panhandle region for capitalizing on such expenditures, we need to look beyond our Conservation Reserve Program acreage to our playa lakes. Playas offer a unique opportunity to provide oases of habitat for wildlife. Because of the seasonal nature of their water levels, many farmers have seen them as additional, although unreliable, crop acres. Perhaps it would be better to view them as wildlife revenue opportunities.
Restoration of playa lake environments to their natural flora will increase opportunities for hunting. During the seasonal waterfowl migrations, playas often offer the only available water source for “safe harbor” to ducks and geese passing through the area. Given the enthusiastic devotion of most waterfowl hunters, lease revenue for waterfowl hunting could generate significant income.
In addition to waterfowl, the water contained in playas is a source of sustenance for other types of wildlife. Dove, pheasant and quail are attracted to the water from nearby grain fields. With the planting of cover and food species of plants, the playa environment offers a reservoir of habitat for many game species. Lease revenue could be expanded to include many different species so that revenue could be generated from dove season which begins in September through the end of quail season which often extends into February.
There is also a growing population of non-hunting wildlife enthusiasts who are willing to pay for viewing experiences. During the non-hunting seasons or even during the fall if access is closely controlled, there is potential revenue from providing viewing opportunities to interested individuals. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1991, approximately 30% of expenditures on wildlife were on viewing and photography. In that year, the estimated amount spent on viewing and photography was $18.1 billion. The number has increased dramatically since that time. Based on that percentage, the figure for 2006 would be around $36 billion nationally.
When the land owner considers the programs available to help restore wetlands/playa habitat, the incentive for looking at wildlife as a crop increases. The Playa Lakes Joint Venture organization (www.pljv.org) is a great resource for information regarding benefits of playa restoration as well as programs available for financial incentives.
Hunting is not only a great source of revenue to farmers and ranchers, it is a great way for families to participate in healthy outdoor activities. There is a special bond created from shared hunting experiences and it is not just for men and boys anymore. One of the fastest growing segments of the hunting population is women and girls.
Playa restoration is something that every landowner should consider; not only for the economic value, but for the opportunity to strengthen families and to improve our environment as well.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Fox Hunting in Britain
I find this article interesting on several levels. First, the article is heavily biased against hunting. Second, the British researcher's study was designed with an anti-hunting bias. Third, the researcher admits that the hunting ban during the foot-and-mouth moratorium in 2002 saw numbers trending upward -- although apparently not at a statistically significant rate. When you consider the small number of foxes taken by the sport, it would be difficult to determine statistical significance.
The real story here is that hunting is NOT detrimental to the fox population. It might even reduce the number of road kills. Do you think a bunch of sensitive do-gooders from London would rather see a fox "highway pizza" or a bunch of beautiful horses leaping over fences as the hunters blow their horns and the dogs chase the fox? I vote for the latter. In fact, I'd like to try the latter.
Conservation is the wise use of our natural resources in a sustainable manner. It looks to me that moderate hunting pressure on the fox population of England is certainly sustainable.
Fox Hunting's Supposed Benefits Dismissed
By HENRY FOUNTAIN
Published: October 8, 2002
In the debate over fox hunting in Britain, there is plenty of emotion to go around. Opponents argue that unleashing a pack of hounds to pursue and kill a fox is the height of cruelty.
Supporters, including the 400,000 who protested parliamentary proposals to ban hunts by marching in London late last month, say that nothing less than the future of the British countryside is at stake.
But there are more scientific issues as well. For instance, aside from its role as sport, there is the question of whether hunting with hounds is an effective means of controlling foxes and reducing attacks on farm animals.
Now, a study by a longtime fox researcher and colleagues suggests that it is not. The researcher, Dr. Stephen Harris of the University of Bristol, found that a ban on hunting, instituted for 10 months during the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001, had no effect on the fox population.
''Statistically there was no difference from previous years,'' Dr. Harris said. ''If anything, the trend was slightly downward.''
The results, reported in the Sept. 5 issue of Nature, contradict assertions by pro-hunting groups that fox numbers had...(complete article here).
The real story here is that hunting is NOT detrimental to the fox population. It might even reduce the number of road kills. Do you think a bunch of sensitive do-gooders from London would rather see a fox "highway pizza" or a bunch of beautiful horses leaping over fences as the hunters blow their horns and the dogs chase the fox? I vote for the latter. In fact, I'd like to try the latter.
Conservation is the wise use of our natural resources in a sustainable manner. It looks to me that moderate hunting pressure on the fox population of England is certainly sustainable.
Fox Hunting's Supposed Benefits Dismissed
By HENRY FOUNTAIN
Published: October 8, 2002
In the debate over fox hunting in Britain, there is plenty of emotion to go around. Opponents argue that unleashing a pack of hounds to pursue and kill a fox is the height of cruelty.
Supporters, including the 400,000 who protested parliamentary proposals to ban hunts by marching in London late last month, say that nothing less than the future of the British countryside is at stake.
But there are more scientific issues as well. For instance, aside from its role as sport, there is the question of whether hunting with hounds is an effective means of controlling foxes and reducing attacks on farm animals.
Now, a study by a longtime fox researcher and colleagues suggests that it is not. The researcher, Dr. Stephen Harris of the University of Bristol, found that a ban on hunting, instituted for 10 months during the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001, had no effect on the fox population.
''Statistically there was no difference from previous years,'' Dr. Harris said. ''If anything, the trend was slightly downward.''
The results, reported in the Sept. 5 issue of Nature, contradict assertions by pro-hunting groups that fox numbers had...(complete article here).
Thursday, October 11, 2007
South Texas Hunting Prospects
Hunting has long been a significant contributor to the South Texas economy. This year's rains have boosted the potential through abundant browse for the deer and excellent food sources for game birds.
Oct. 11, 2007
Extension Economist: South Texas Hunting Prospects Best in Years
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Jose Pena, 830-278-9151,jg-pena@tamu.edu
UVALDE – Though crop losses from record rainfall earlier this year reached $200 million, hunting prospects across South Texas are excellent and the money spent on related activities throughout the region will be welcomed, according to a Texas Cooperative Extension economist.
"This is one of the most important economic activities of the year," said Jose Pena, Extension economist at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Uvalde.
"When you factor in dove hunting with the upcoming deer and quail season, these activities can boost cattle ranching activities during the year. A lot of ranchers have been taking advantage of hunting lease opportunities or have gone exclusively to hunting operations in lieu of cattle production the past decade."
In the early 1990s, cattle production was the predominant use of range resources, Pena said. However, for the past several years, change has been taking place as more Texans have taken interest in outdoor activities, such hunting, fishing and bird watching.
"Wildlife is now the primary resource on most South Texas ranges," he said. "You're seeing $10-$20 (per acre) gross revenue...(complete article here).
For years hunting has been a bigger source of revenue for many of the ranches than is livestock. Fee income from hunting leases is huge.
Management of the land for hunting has significantly boosted wildlife in the region. In spite of the introduction of exotic species, native game has flourished.
Oct. 11, 2007
Extension Economist: South Texas Hunting Prospects Best in Years
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Jose Pena, 830-278-9151,jg-pena@tamu.edu
UVALDE – Though crop losses from record rainfall earlier this year reached $200 million, hunting prospects across South Texas are excellent and the money spent on related activities throughout the region will be welcomed, according to a Texas Cooperative Extension economist.
"This is one of the most important economic activities of the year," said Jose Pena, Extension economist at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Uvalde.
"When you factor in dove hunting with the upcoming deer and quail season, these activities can boost cattle ranching activities during the year. A lot of ranchers have been taking advantage of hunting lease opportunities or have gone exclusively to hunting operations in lieu of cattle production the past decade."
In the early 1990s, cattle production was the predominant use of range resources, Pena said. However, for the past several years, change has been taking place as more Texans have taken interest in outdoor activities, such hunting, fishing and bird watching.
"Wildlife is now the primary resource on most South Texas ranges," he said. "You're seeing $10-$20 (per acre) gross revenue...(complete article here).
For years hunting has been a bigger source of revenue for many of the ranches than is livestock. Fee income from hunting leases is huge.
Management of the land for hunting has significantly boosted wildlife in the region. In spite of the introduction of exotic species, native game has flourished.
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