Deer Breeders, Privatizing Wildlife Draw Criticism from Boone and Crockett Club
MISSOULA, Mont. – Once a wild game animal, now a product of commercialism and chemistry.
Today’s upward trend in deer (and elk) breeding and shooting operations is reaching critical mass, compromising traditional hunting and conservation, and fueling a strong new response from America’s first conservation and hunter advocacy organization, the Boone and Crockett Club.
The Club yesterday published a new position statement outlining its concerns.
“We encourage every hunter to read this position in its entirety,” said Morrie Stevens Sr., president of the Club. “The core topic – privatizing a public resource for individual profits – has the power to change the foundations of hunting and its historic ties to conservation. And crossing the line from wildlife to agricultural commodity represents a fundamental shift in American culture. We think the ramifications are worth considering carefully.” Read more