Positive Traits on Hunting

More than 12 million Americans went hunting in 2006, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunting is a popular recreation activity, and it impacts the nation in a number of positive ways. Some of the positive traits of hunting are economic benefits, conservation of animals and their habitats, decreased deforestation and increased public safety.

  1. Economic Benefits

    • Hunters have to spend money to hunt. In 2006, hunters in the U.S. spent $22.6 billion on the sport. They spent $6.7 billion on food, lodging, travel and other expenses associated with going on a hunting trip. Another $10.7 billion was spent on equipment such as rifles, ammunition, clothing and binoculars. Hunters laid out $4.4 billion on land ownership and leasing of hunting grounds. These types of expenditures generate tax revenue and jobs in the communities where hunting is permitted.

    Conservation Efforts

    • Although the act of hunting seems contrary to the nature of conservation, the fact is that hunters need animals to hunt and habitats in which to hunt them. Foundations such as Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation have increased the population of their chosen game and the amount of available habitat. Since 1973, the number of wild turkeys in the U.S. has increased by more than 4 million due to the efforts of the NWTF. Ducks Unlimited was founded in 1937 and has raised more than a billion dollars to fund conservation of more than 10 million acres of wetlands.

    Decreased Deforestation

    • Deer hunters represent the majority of hunters in the U.S., according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Despite the popularity of deer as game, their numbers have steadily increased in the past 20 years. However, a 1995 study commissioned by the state of West Virginia revealed that high deer populations contribute to deforestation, because young deer graze on saplings. Reducing the deer population prevents overgrazing of hardwood saplings, which helps preserve the size and health of forests.

    Public Safety

    • Besides being the most popular game, deer are also the most dangerous to humans, more specifically, humans behind the wheel. A study by the Highway Loss Data Institute in 2008 revealed that, since 2000, the number of fatal car accidents involving collisions with deer increased by 50 percent. Deer-related car accidents resulted in 223 deaths in 2007, and there were 1.4 million accidents involving deer in 2007 and 2008. Hunting to prevent overpopulation can help reduce those numbers.