JEEZ!!! Where do you even start on a thread like this and hope to make progress!?!?!?
Everyone's taxes , thru appropiations to NPS, USFS, BLM, Refuges and state WMAs and parks support Habitat mgmt and wildlife mgmt to some extent--granted! (NOT here as TWRA gets NO appropiation from the State! Even "public desirable mgmt of Endagered plant and animal species are funded by hunters!)
BUT, "Consumptive" users voluntarily imposed seasons, license fees and excise taxes on themselves to preserve habitat AND wildlife. Hunters belong and contribute to habitat preservation orgs like Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Unlimited, NWTF, RMEF etc. Anti hunters contribute to PeTA and HSUS!
Day Hikers, backpackers, birders, photographers,artists,skiers,etc are all thrilled to see wildlife on their adventures and critize us believing they would see more if only "WE" didn't consume....they would see no wildlife, not even a song bird if WE hadn't of paid thru the nose, mostly voluntarily, to preserve habitat and thus wildlife.
Users excise fees have been proposed a number of times on hiking, backpacking, birding equipment,etc like WE voluntarily imposed on firearms, bows, and ammo and fishing equipment. Fees have also been proposed for access. Who shot them down with huge lobbying efforts??? The Audubon Society, Crane Federation, Trail Clubs etc.
Make all the emotional arguments you want too but non-hunters get essentially a free ride!
BTW, I am still pizzed that the places we used to hunt Pheasant, grouse, antelope, deer, and turkey in MT for free with good buddies who live there are now controlled by Outfitters! Don't blame the farmers or ranchers tho!
