Speakin' of the USP and their propensity to become alarmed about declining deer number conspiracies; predator conspiracypossibilities and the like, this one is in response to their "Chicken Little" campaign of last August, concerning their misinterpretation oflicense sales data:

"This time, as of the end of November, we are 1 (one) percent behind last year for general hunting license sales. What's more, nonresident general hunting license sales went from being down 9 percent as of the end of October to being down 5 percent as of the end of November. While a decrease of one percent still is nothing to celebrate -- as it still is a decline -- I would argue that this should put to rest the claims of some that the "sky is falling.

Other license sales figures have held rather steady: archery, down one percent (down one percent as of the end of last month; muzzleloader, down four percent (down five percent last month); bear up one percent (up one percent last month).

However, furtaker license sales are up 10 percent (6 percent as of the end of last month), which is a good sign that more are interested in the limited bobcat seasons, as well as the other furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities."