Comment Public Lands (Score 1) 65
This is especially concerning due to the ever decreasing levels of public land available. I hunt and participate in wildlife conservation. The North American model of conservation has been the most successful of any other model in the world. Sure, many species suffered before regulations were in place. But, since then we've brought several species (whitetail deer, turkey) from the brink of extinction and from the Pittman-Robertson act the participants contribute to the conservation of wildlife and public lands.
The ever reducing volume of public land threatens access to participate in this conservation. It also further cements the wider public's need for a commercial solution for something as simple as food. I don't depend on hunting to feed my family, but we eat wild game year-long a couple nights a week. Currently, I have a sense of food security for my family because I participate in a regulated natural system that anyone can participate in. With the increasing development of land and further lack of opportunities for future generations the only option is to depend on commercial systems. The lands held in trust for the public should not be allowed to dwindle forcing a profitable wedge to be driven between people and the land they have natural rights to.