Hunters: Champions of Conservation
By James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF chief conservation officer
I was born with the desire to hunt. Over the years I've been blessed to hunt with family and friends who share the same love for hunting, and I've even had opportunities to introduce new people to the outdoors.
As hunters, we all can proudly say we are the champions of conservation. No group has done more than us to conserve land and wildlife in North America.
Federal excise taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition - paid by hunters and shooters - have raised $4 billion to purchase 4 million acres of wildlife habitat and annually manage more than 50 million acres. These taxes, matched 3 to 1 by hunting license dollars, funded the comeback of wildlife in this country.
This year the NWTF will honor hunters as champions of conservation at our National Convention and Sport Show.
During the weekend we will recognize the early conservationists who helped restore wild turkey populations and other wildlife, and acknowledge those who have carried on their legacy.
We'll also recognize those who, through the NWTF's JAKES, Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin' Sportsmen outreach programs, helped introduce nearly 100,000 new people to outdoor pursuits in 2011.
As a champion of conservation, I have a personal interest in helping the next generation realize the joy of hearing and seeing the forest come alive at dawn and smelling spring air, undisturbed by city pollution.
If you want to learn more about why hunters are champions of conservation, how to get involved in introducing more people to our hunting heritage, meet some of the best people you could ever meet and have fun along the way, I hope you'll join us in Nashville, Feb. 9-12 for NWTF's National Convention and Sport Show.
And whether you make it to the show or not, thank you for all you do to champion the cause of conservation.
For a schedule of convention events, or to register, visit http://www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention.html.
