By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
When one thinks of unintended consequences of the pandemic, thoughts typically turn negative in almost all respects. Americans and Michiganders included didn’t take well to being homebound under unnatural mandates and, as a result, began to find freedom outdoors. What better way to social distance than to do it naturally, they surmised. So, began a startling reversal in the ever-declining participation in hunting and fishing across the nation.
As indoor entertainment options vanished, many young adults joined the hunting ranks by first taking hunter safety classes. These first-time hunters – including a growing number of females – have bolstered the declining league of seasoned citizens, while doing the same for states’ wildlife funding.
However, the question remains as to whether there will be any staying power with the new recruits now that a sense of normalcy has returned to their lives. Certainly there will be some that get hooked on the outdoors and will become lifers. Studies have shown that hunting is a tradition that gets passed onto youngsters by parents in most instances. Skipping one generation, therefore, tends to stop the connection and I suspect that’s what has been happening.
Could it be different now? With all the activities apart from the outdoors competing for time, there is one relatively new means of attack: cancel culture. These hateful people will attempt to destroy anyone, because they don’t think and act as they do; hunters certainly are not immune to this crowd’s antics.
The good news is that we hunters have partners that will help us defend our rights through education, outreach and advocacy. One solid group is The National Deer Association (www.DeerAssociation.com). It is a non-profit deer conservation group that leads efforts to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting.
Here in Michigan we have a collective voice, as well, with Michigan United Conservation Clubs (www.MUCC.org). Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Founded in 1937, its mission is to unite citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance (www.sportsmensalliance.org) individual membership helps to create a powerful and united voice for sportsmen and women fighting the animal rights and anti-hunting movement.
The National Rifle Association (www.nra.org) is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.
Hunting is not the type of activity that is easily picked up. There are myriad moving parts beyond those with four legs including the environment, habitat, firearms and archery gear, survival techniques – and, yes, those that would stop us because they don’t agree with our efforts toward self-sufficiency. Without genuine conservation organizations like those mentioned above, our lonely voices would not be heard.
Consider joining a group or gifting a membership in true conservation to a newcomer; doing so will benefit us all and will help to sustain the wildlife we cherish so much.
