RE: Top three national issues affecting bowhunting - public opinion
I think the first issue you mentioned is the biggest we need to worry about.
Public access to land is always shrinking due to the expansion of residential and business areas. As towns increase in population the need for more residential areas increases. This is always going to be a problem, and it is definitely something that needs to be addressed.
I think that the passing on of the tradition is the least of our worries, though some of you may disagree. I don't have children yet (thank God), but I've already gotten one other person involved in archery. He, in turn, is wanting to get his younger brother into the sport. If we all grow up enjoying archery, have at least one child, and pass the sport/tradition on to them, it will continue to grow. I know that all of you plan to do what you can as far as passing it on goes. Unless everyone unanimously decides to never teach another person to shoot, the sport will continue to grow.
Something else that I believe needs to be addressed is the rising cost of non-resident licenses and tags. I realize that the revenue generated from these licences and tags goes to helping at the state level, but how high is too high? Heck, in Washington alone the non-resident license and ONE deer tag is nearly $400.
We've got a lot that needs to be worked on and figured out, we just need someone to step up to the plate and do it. Someone that the majority of hunters believe in and would like to be represented by.