What is the future of hunting?

[Lefty]

I just read an article regarding the takeovers of state and game departments.
Simple example is Colorado imported wolves, and is looking at another initiative to eliminate mountain lion and bobcat hunting of any kind.
2Keeping wolves and grizzly bears on the endangered species list through legal arguments instead of science.
At one time my brother was able to trap snapping turtles for meat. Minnesota department of natural resources promised all trappers that would continue to buy a license would be able to trap forever.
Forever was this summer, which was the end of commercial turtle trapping for meat and reduced the methods of take basically eliminating a net style trap.
In Idaho groups that call themselves conservationists have now limited the wolf trapping season.
And the list goes on and on.

[saddlesore]

Yes,I fear hunting in Colorado is rapidly going the way of the dinosaur. The Wildlife Commissioners have l been appointed by our l governor, supported by his husband who is an animal rights activist. Out of 9 members on the commission, only one has any knowledge of hunting. Our state is controlled by the people in the Denver triangle (Denver, Ft Collins, and Boulder) and now some of Colorado Springs.The number of voters in that triangle,out number of voters in the remainder of the state and they have no interest in hunting except to stop it.

We now have ballot box game management instead of science.

[Swede]

I do not see hunting being taken away for a long time. Hunting brings in millions of dollars every year to the states. There are too many interests from mom-and-pop stores to national chains that depend on or at least profit from hunters. The state game departments, Federal land managers and ranchers want the big game hunting to continue for their own reasons.
What I see is poor people and the lower middle class getting priced out. When we consider everything involved there is no way to say hunting is an effective way to put food on the table. It is an expensive sport, and it will get more expensive.

[saddlesore]

Our governor says tourist industry and other outdoor activities will replace hunting and it will replace the funding that hunting brings in.

[Tigger]

I think it will survive for some time, but it will change. As mentioned, states don't care about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, but rather are more interested in funding. So license costs will keep increasing until the common man is basically left out.

There is also the threat from nonhunting groups. Saddlesore mentions the CO Gov, and that is theirew tactic, use politics to squeeze us out. I think we can combat that and win, but it will take work and the right people. Who are the leaders in the hunting industry that have the will and ability to effect change? Newberg, Rinella, maybe a few more.

[Swede]

If I wanted to stop hunting quickly, I would require people to be professionally equipped, trained and certified before they could obtain a license.
The following is my plan: (If you can add a laver or two to ensure legal hunters are truly ready, please feel free to post your thoughts.)
This training and certification would be quite onerous. The excuse, I mean reason would be to ensure that all licensed hunters well prepared, highly trained and skilled so could identify legal game and humanely dispatch selected animals. They would know first aid and how to navigate and survive in the wilderness in all kinds of weather for at least seven days. Etc., etc.
This training will be expensive and take nine months to complete. I hope you have two hours per evening five days per week. Just completing the training will NOT automatically get you carded so you can purchase a license. You will need to pass an expensive and extensive examination. If you do not pass you will need a refresher course and be retested. If you can pass the examination, you must demonstrate that you are fully and properly equipped. There will be no skimping on ANYTHING! This equipment requirement can and will change for different critters, different times and different places.
This is all being done for your own good and for the sake of wildlife conservation.
If you are getting the idea that you will not be getting a hunting license, please not bother me.

[>>>---WW---->]

Swede: Sounds like you are suggesting military SERE School for all hunters. I always wanted to do that but I'm just too darn old! LOL!