We all know the quest for nutrition is a basic human function, and has been since the beginning of time.
Hunting satisfies that need by providing food security in the form of nutritious meals and full freezers, even amidst challenging times.
During COVID-19, shoppers overwhelmed grocery store meat departments in many cities and towns, often leaving shelves barren and fellow shoppers with empty carts.
Hunting provides opportunity for participants to abide by highly regulated rules as they seek to acquire organic protein as a way of sustenance.
And more and more people are doing it.
New research shows after steady declines from 2016 to 2019, the number of males new to hunting and fishing in 2020 increased by 24 percent while female participation skyrocketed by 49 percent.
Not only does harvested game provide hunters confidence and peace of mind for themselves and their families, but they may provide that for others, too.
Many states sponsor programs that allow hunters to donate wild game to fight hunger.
Take Indiana for example, where the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation provided 2020 grant funding for a program called Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry.
Those RMEF dollars pay for the processing of two tons of donated meat.
And that translates into 16,000 meals for hunger relief agencies to distribute to those in need.
Providing food security, managing wildlife populations, promoting conservation and valuing wildlife…it is more than evident that Hunting Is Conservation.