This was written by me and published as an editorial in my local paper, it should give you a place to start:


Hunting in Wildlife Refuges and State Parks

This is in rebuttal to a " COMMENT" by Ann Gallahan Rhodes, January 31, 2002. She states, " hunting has no place" “among these peaceful settings." Is the public aware of where the vast majority of the money comes from to establish wildlife refuges in Virginia and the rest of the country? It comes from hunters/fishermen purchasing license and other permits. Hunters/fishermen pushed federal/state governments for these refuges and parks.

The public is unaware of many facts regarding hunting, fishing, wildlife refuges, parks, game laws, and wildlife. I would like the public to better understand what outdoorsmen have done for the wildlife of this country.

Facts about deer. According to Doug Hotten, deer project manager at Maryland Department of Natural Resources there are more deer today than ever. In 1900 the deer population was about 400,000, today the herd is over 27 million. Ms. Rhodes stated, " The deer are besieged, driven by ‘progress’ out of their native homes" ? Land development is actually responsible for creating additional habitats for them.

A deer is an " edge animal" . Deer eat grasses and plants that grow in clearings and the edge of the woods, in addition to mast (acorns/nuts) crops, and fruit. In winter they survive eating grasses, leaves, tree buds, all edge plants. Development has created more deer habitat.

When a development or farm is established, trees are cleared allowing for farming or building. This creates a larger food supply. Because deer are edge animals, by leaving the trees and brush as a border or in un-farmable areas, they create a perfect habitat. Deer have increased in numbers so greatly now they are a nuisance to vehicles, farmers, and homeowner' s.

Ms. Rhodes stated, " it might be more useful to do something about stupid driving than to demonize the deer." Thousands of vehicle vs. deer accidents occur annually. Rarely is a driver charged with anything. These accidents are unavoidable. Driving the speed limit, be it 35 or 55 mph and a deer runs into the path of your vehicle that is not “stupid driving”. That is a tragedy for both deer and the people in the vehicle. According to Esurance an insurance company, over 7,000 motorists are injured and over 100 killed yearly due to accidents involving deer.


She stated " What irony to call a hunting ground a ‘refuge.’" People are unaware these truly are wildlife refuges. Yes, hunting of game in season and with limits is allowed. However, they also provide habitat to numerous non-game species, which are losing their habitat. Outdoorsmen fund and lobby for these refuges.

At the turn of the 19th century federal/state game laws were virtually non-existent. Because of this, numerous species of native animals were either extinct or on the verge of extinction. Hunters/fishermen lobbied the federal/state governments to have laws imposed protecting the environment and animals. This was one of the first times that any group pressed government to protect the environment and wildlife. Hunters/fishermen, not anti-hunting groups accomplished this.

State governments with the guidance of biologists, and hunters/fishermen imposed laws creating the first hunting/fishing seasons and bag limits. When these laws were first enacted many game animals were severely depleted because restrictions and harvest limits did not exist. As a result hunting restrictions were imposed and closely monitored. Thirty-five years ago many counties in Virginia, did not allow deer hunting due to the depleted deer population. However, thanks to hunters/fishermen of Virginia there are more deer in existence than ever. Now every county of Virginia has a deer season except Arlington.



The federal government, assisted by biologists and hunters, passed laws establishing national migratory bird seasons and bag limits. Market hunting, which is hunting of game for resale, not personal consumption, was outlawed and many species of migratory waterfowl became illegal to hunt. These laws were passed due to pressure from hunters, not anti-hunters. Due to these efforts we have more Canada geese then ever. Nearly every species of migratory wild fowl has a healthy population and has proven that it will not experience an ill effect when exposed to a closely monitored hunting season.

Monies financing enforcement of game laws, were self-imposed by hunters/fishermen. Enforcement monies come mainly from three sources. 1) Sales of hunting/fishing license; 2) Self-imposed taxes from hunting/fishing related revenues [federal/state]; 3) Federally mandated duck stamp sales. Fishermen/hunters pay Game Wardens, not taxpayers.

Which President created the first national park? Hint, he is the most famous hunting president. Theodore Roosevelt. Due to pressure from hunters/fishermen, there have been millions of acres throughout the country set aside as parks and wildlife refuges. The monies for their operation and upkeep, is mainly from hunters/fishermen, not anti-hunting groups.

I challenge people to research the history of wildlife conservation and preservation. Dealing strictly with facts, you will find that the hunters/fishermen do more on a yearly basis for wildlife and its habitats than anti-hunting groups have throughout the history of this country.

In closing, after reading Ms. Rhodes " COMMENT" , I was surprised to discover that a very intelligent person could be blind to the fact that if it were not for hunters/fishermen and their conservation efforts, none of us would have the opportunity to experience wildlife and its surrounding habitat. Every person who loves the wildlife of this country owes a debt of gratitude to the sportsmen of this country.