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Title: Interest in hunting, fishing dropping
Source:
AP
URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080329/ap_on_re_us/hunting_s_decline
Published: Mar 30, 2008
Author: DAVE GRAM,
Post Date: 2008-03-30 00:32:15 by richard9151
Keywords: None
Views: 436
Comments: 19
Couch Potato nation....... Sat Mar 29, 1:39 PM ET STOWE, Vt. - Bob Shannon is an avid hunter, a fishing guide and owns a tackle shop, but he sometimes struggles to get his own son out into Vermont's woods and fields. "He'll be sitting there with the video games," Shannon said of 9-year-old Alexander. "I finally had to lay down the law last summer: 'If it's a nice day, you're outside.'" Shannon's challenge reflects a larger problem plaguing many state governments: Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales is plunging because of waning interest in the outdoors. "We're losing our rural culture," said Steve Wright, a regional representative for the National Wildlife Federation. "There are so many distractions, and we're not recruiting young people into hunting and fishing." Sales of Vermont hunting and fishing licenses have dropped more than 20 percent over the last 20 years, leaving the Fish and Wildlife Department pleading with lawmakers for extra funding. Other states report similar drop-offs: _Arkansas hunting license sales dropped from about 345,000 in 1999 to about 319,000 in 2003. _Pennsylvania sold about 946,000 hunting licenses in 2006, down from just over a million in 1999, and a peak of 1.3 million in 1981. _Oregon had 100,000 fewer licensed anglers last year than in 1987, and 70,000 fewer licensed hunters. _West Virginia sold 154,763 resident hunting permits in 2006, a 17 percent decrease from 1997. The trend means trouble for some fish and wildlife agencies, which use license revenue to finance preservation programs for endangered species like peregrine falcons, bald eagles and loons. Game wardens also help with law enforcement, joining searches for lost hikers and skiers. In the search for new sources of revenue to support fish and wildlife programs, Vermont lawmakers are weighing legislation that would dedicate part of the state's sales tax revenues to the Fish and Wildlife Department. "The issue here is that most of our fish and wildlife agencies were set up to fund conservation, based predominantly or entirely on one set of users" — hunters and anglers who pay license fees, according to Dave Chadwick, senior program associate with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Washington. "They're shouldering the whole burden for a benefit and an amenity that we all enjoy," Chadwick said. Other fundraising strategies range from sales taxes on outdoor sporting goods, as in Texas, to Florida's surcharges on speeding tickets, said Douglas Shinkle, a policy associate at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some states are trying to boost efforts to recruit new people — especially young people — into hunting and fishing. A West Virginia legislator has proposed offering hunters' training courses in public schools, allowing seventh- through ninth-graders to opt for instruction in topics ranging from survival skills to gun safety. Arkansas has used some of its dedicated sales tax revenue to recruit new hunters. However, the state's hunter education program graduated 11,891 people under 30 years old last year, down from 16,596 in 1998. Vermont sponsors youth hunting weekends, typically three a year. Oregon has started youth mentoring programs that match kids up with experienced hunters. Minnesota has two staff members reaching out to the state's burgeoning Southeast Asian population, said Jay Johnson of the state Department of Natural Resources' hunter recruitment and retention program. Wright said it might be an uphill battle because of everything from video games to the growth in structured activities like team sports and music lessons. But Shannon said he has met with some success. After he laid down the law with Alexander last summer, the boy went out fishing almost every morning, he said.
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#1. To: REDPANTHER (#0)
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition "Corporation: An entity created for the legal protection of its human parasites, whose sole purpose is profit and self-perpetuation." © IndieTx The assholes have cut their own throats by piling on access fees, Tag Restrictions, bag limits that make it impossible to catch enough fish to feed more than one or two people etc., ... You need to review the damned regulations every year because they are constantly changing. Some waters are fly fishing only, barbless hook only, catch and release only. The number of rich bastards who fish "only for the sport" is miniscule. People were willing to put up with it for a while to rebuild depleted waters but it has been carried to an extreme. I do not want to go fish in a hatchery pond, or resevoir, and play "put and take" fishing for scrawny, mushy, hatchery trout. So, some people have just given up as it is no longer worth their while to figure it all out. I grew up with a fishing rod permanently attached to my hand and I have now not been fishing in 7 years. I live within walking distance of two rivers and an old gravel pit loaded with Small Mouth Bass. I would be willing to bet the number of unlicensed anglers, and hunters, is up in comparison to past years. I would also be willing to be that the number of people covertly breaking the stupid regulations is up as well. Throw in "access fees" to park on the roadside and fish some waters and it discourages even more. As well people here are aware of problems in the environment and with the increase in disease, CJD aka "Mad Cow", in the Elk Population you feel like you are playing Russian Roulette eating your kill.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
I'm an avid bass angler. In Illinois, fishing and hunting licenses are also down somewhat or are flat. Most monies for such are pooled into the states general fund. Cuts have been made to the IDNR and parks. The money is being diverted to more patronage public and voter popular sectors like the CTA, health or education.
Mark If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers - normally good Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free - Americans who have been lulled into a false security (April 1968).---Ezra Taft Benson, US Secretary of Agriculture 1953-1961 under Eisenhower
The biggest thing that turns people off from hunting is land access. Parts of the country are so overcrowded and congested that there isn't much huntable land to begin with, while in many states, almost all of the huntable land is behind barbed wire and posted signs. Sometimes you can hunt that private land, if you're willing to pay a few thousand dollars a year in access fees. So you basically have to be rich enough to pay a rancher access fees, or rich enough to travel to faraway places for even more expensive guided hunts. Otherwise you're out of luck.
Eating is way up, though.
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Meanwhile, in many of our urban areas there are enough deer to feed a small nation roaming around eating people's landscaping and generally being pests...I'm waiting for the feral hogs to invade Austin next.
And I wonder how many consider this to be accidental. In politics, there are no accidents. If something is happening in a certain manner, it is because it was planned to happen exactly like that, or, THEY CHANGE WHAT IS HAPPENING. Cause and effect. There have been famous men comment on this exact cause and effect component of politics.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest. ++++++++++ Attention, Shrub; A life of evil is ultimately a life of wretchedness.
Not happening in Alaska.
Not happening in Alaska. Not happening on Lake Erie. A great fishery. I'm hustling to get my ole Wellcraft back in the water S.A.P.
The road to perdition .... Bush/Clinton/Bush/McClinton
Not happening on Lake Erie. A middle class person person can't afford to pay the gas to get their boat to/from the Lake, pay the gas to motor out/back and catch only 30 perch, the limit. Not to mention the license.
"Look well therefore to this Day!" ~ Kalidasa
Negative nonsense. The folks in the bait shop I frequent in no way resemble country clubbers.
I cling to hope of a 50 state repudiation of the traitorous, neocon Plutocrat Party
And add to this that we're in a de facto recession and until we see the bottom of this economic mess, people won't be spending money on recreation. I'm a mega college football fan and I'm expecting empty seats here at Penn State for the 1st time in many moons. People simply aren't going to spend a bundle on things they can't eat, drink or live in.
LOL They had a one day deer shoot in one of our suburban areas (fulla Bambis) to the SE of us ......ONE deer was shot. OTOH, to the NE of us a similar shoot for Canadian geese on a golf course they were virtually making unplayable was pretty successful. A couple of years ago I stopped to deliver a package to a family in a little town east of us, it was about noon. A father and son were in the backyard with their limit of a deer apiece. They went out about 9 that morning. More realistic limits couldn't hurt ... and I would expect the hunters to be raising their voices on that issue.
I cling to hope of a 50 state repudiation of the traitorous, neocon Plutocrat Party
When one of my sons and couple of grandkids go out together there is one license between the four of us and the boat limit is 120. I very seldom hear any complaints about the limit. Lake Erie fishermen are not Wall Street greedy.
I cling to hope of a 50 state repudiation of the traitorous, neocon Plutocrat Party
I grew up fishing the Long Island Sound and the Great South Bay in an old 18 ft Wellcraft. It was a 1970 with a 65 hp Johnson outboard. To this day, I think it was one of the best boats ever built. It survived encounters with seas that I never thought I'd live through. The worst was fishing all day on the lee side of Montauk Point for fluke, and then encountering 10 - 12 foot running seas on the north side of the point on the return trip to Lake Montauk. The usual 15 minute trip took almost 3 hours. The center section of the windshield shattered from the pounding it took, but we made it. Sheltered by the bluffs on the point, we were fishing all day on a glasslike ocean, and never noticed the blow that had kicked up on the other side. Once we rounded the point, there was no turning back. We never would have made it.
Rebates for Ron - Ron Paul For Dummies - New R3volution
And I wonder how many consider this to be accidental. In politics, there are no accidents. If something is happening in a certain manner, it is because it was planned to happen exactly like that, or, THEY CHANGE WHAT IS HAPPENING. Cause and effect. You do have a point, and it would tie in with the Psychiatric Control Program i.e., to reduce people's independence and make them more dependent. Woodsmen, Hunters, and Fishermen are an independent lot who are used to fending for themselves. They are also inured to physical hardship as they routinely endure, even thrive on it - we're built to tackle such challenges with glee, it in their wilderness pursuits. It makes sense in a sick way that such would be discouraged or inhibited if one was trying to create a population of cud chewers. Even my late Mother thrived on it - if we could see another campsite, or campfire, she felt we hadn't gotten far enough off the beaten path. I learned to agree - didn't have any choice though. ;-)
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
I would agree. Even though I live in the West, with plenty of accessible "public" lands, because of Wilderness restrictions and whatnot it is becoming more difficult to do a remote hunt. There's nothing quite like Elk Sausage and Eggs for breakfast. Throw in a few spuds and some Joe and it feels as good as dining at the Ritz. Besides, the view is better.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
Negative nonsense./s
"Look well therefore to this Day!" ~ Kalidasa
I love my old 22' Wellcraft and I hope my expenditure on a new engine last summer doesn't turn out to be a bust. If it performs well this summer though I plan to add battery powered trolling props to my trim tabs. Best boat I ever owned or hope to own again was 28' Lyman deep-V lapstrake with twin Chryslers. I never experienced an uneasy moment in it. The Western Basin of Lake Erie can get challenging too because of its shallowness ... it can get stirred into some huge rollers very quickly. But it offers great Walleye, Smallmouth, and Yellow Perch fishing. On a charter boat a few years ago our party boated eight different varieties of fish in a single day.
I cling to hope of a 50 state repudiation of the traitorous, neocon Plutocrat Party
PING!
"There is no 'legitimate' Corporation by virtue of it's very legal definition and purpose."
-- IndieTx
#2. To: richard9151 (#0)
Oregon had 100,000 fewer licensed anglers last year than in 1987, and 70,000 fewer licensed hunters.
#3. To: richard9151 (#0)
#4. To: Original_Intent (#2)
#5. To: richard9151 (#0)
Interest in hunting, fishing dropping
#6. To: wbales. sportsmen here (#5)
#7. To: Original_Intent (#2)
The assholes have cut their own throats by piling on access fees, Tag Restrictions, bag limits that make it impossible to catch enough fish to feed more than one or two people etc., ...
#8. To: richard9151 (#0)
Interest in hunting, fishing dropping
#9. To: eskimo (#8)
Interest in hunting, fishing dropping
#10. To: iconoclast (#9)
Interest in hunting, fishing dropping Not happening in Alaska.
#11. To: angle (#10)
A middle class person person can't afford to pay the gas to get their boat to/from the Lake, pay the gas to motor out/back and catch only 30 perch, the limit. Not to mention the license.
#12. To: angle (#10)
A middle class person person can't afford to pay the gas to get their boat to/from the Lake, pay the gas to motor out/back and catch only 30 perch, the limit. Not to mention the license.
#13. To: lodwick (#6)
Meanwhile, in many of our urban areas there are enough deer to feed a small nation roaming around eating people's landscaping and generally being pests
#14. To: angle (#10)
A middle class person person can't afford to pay the gas to get their boat to/from the Lake, pay the gas to motor out/back and catch only 30 perch, the limit. Not to mention the license.
#15. To: iconoclast (#9)
I'm hustling to get my ole Wellcraft back in the water S.A.P.
#16. To: richard9151 (#7)
(Edited)
The assholes have cut their own throats by piling on access fees, Tag Restrictions, bag limits that make it impossible to catch enough fish to feed more than one or two people etc., ...
#17. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#4)
The biggest thing that turns people off from hunting is land access.
#18. To: Jethro Tull (#12)
And add to this that we're in a de facto recession and until we see the bottom of this economic mess, people won't be spending money on recreation. I'm a mega college football fan and I'm expecting empty seats here at Penn State for the 1st time in many moons. People simply aren't going to spend a bundle on things they can't eat, drink or live in.
#19. To: Critter (#15)
I grew up fishing the Long Island Sound and the Great South Bay in an old 18 ft Wellcraft. It was a 1970 with a 65 hp Johnson outboard.
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