Why do we hunt?

Hunting is natural
Hunting is as old as mankind and as new as tomorrow. We will continue to hunt as long as we honor the game, shoulder our fair burden of responsibility for the natural world, and require more of ourselves than others require of us. (National Shooting Sports Foundation, 2007)

How Can You Help Maintain the Heritage?

Generations of law-abiding sportsmen and women have contributed their time and energy to preserve our precious hunting heritage. Their efforts have been crucial to long-term conservation and management of North Carolinas valuable wildlife resources. How can we continue to recruit and retain hunters? Remember this simple premise, It takes a hunter to make a hunter. Getting involved is as simple as: Mentoring a young person on your next hunting or shooting activity Introducing someone new to hunting Re-kindling the spark in a lapsed hunter Supporting conservation and hunting organizations, public and private shooting clubs, and programs like National Archery in the Schools and Hunter Education.

Hunting is therapeutic
In a peer-reviewed article by John J. Daigle and Daniel Hrubes Icekajzen, surveyed hunters reported that experiencing solitude, time to think, relaxing and relieving stress, and getting exercise and staying in shape, among other factors, were signicant outcomes associated with hunting. (Human Dimensions of Wildlife, spring 2002)

Hunting is healthy
Wild game meat is typically lower in saturated fat and calories than domesticated meats, and the combination of exercise from hunting and eating game meat in moderation contribute to a healthy life. (Alaska Fish and Wildlife News, 2005)

Hunting is enjoyable
Hunting is a valued part of our American heritage and is exceptionally good mental and physical exercise, as well as an ideal and common family activity. (National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, 2004)

Hunting is safe
Hunting is one of the safest outdoor activities in the U.S. Over the last decade, the rate of rearm-related injuries per 100,000 people has declined by 60 percent; from 0.5 percent in 1995 to 0.2 percent in 2005. (Industry Intelligence Reports, NSSF 2007) ,

Hunting Heritage Program

Because hunting matters in North Carolina, we must ask ourselves, How much does it matter to us?
Photo of deer and hunter (top left, inside) by Mark Suggs; doe and young hunter by David Goed; all other photos by NCWRC. The Wildlife Resources Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all wildlife programs are administered for the benet of all North Carolina citizens without prejudice toward age, sex, race, religion or national origin. Violations of this pledge may be reported to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Equal Employment Ofcer, Personnel Ofce, 1751 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606. Telephone (919) 707-0101. 1,000 copies of this document were printed at a total cost of $XXXX, or $.XX/copy.

Hunting is a family tradition

Experiencing nature, relaxing and spending time with family and friends are reasons why people hunt and sh. The true benets from time spent outdoors are to unwind, experience nature and to reconnect with others. (Rob Southwick, Southwick Associates)

For more information on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and its programs, visit us at www.ncwildlife.org.

printed on recycled paper. 8/08

Why hunting matters!

Hunting matters because:
Hunting is a traditional and natural activity enjoyed by many. Hunting also provides millions in funds that protect and conserve wildlife and their habitats for all to observe and enjoy. Historically, conservationists (primarily hunters) worked to abolish unregulated market hunting, an activity that exterminated some species of wildlife. Early in the last century hunters pushed for an excise tax on sporting rearms and equipment that directly benetted wildlife restoration and future wildlife management practices. These initial efforts brought about the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, also referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act. All of these endeavors, compounded by the continued hard work of conservation-minded citizens, have become the backbone of modern day wildlife management. Hunting provides a uniquely interactive connection with our natural world that is difcult, if not impossible, to mimic elsewhere in our modern society. Moreover, hunting is a family affair that traditionally has been passed down from generation to generation. Precious memories gained from days aeld with family and friends are cherished and retained throughout life. Wildlife conservation and management would not exist in its present form without the key role that hunting and hunters play. Wildlife matters in North Carolina, and because wildlife matters, so does hunting! The Hunting Heritage Program is based on the premise that it takes a hunter to make a hunter and that the recruitment and rentention of hunters is critical to the long-term conservation and management of North Carolinas wildlife resources. This program embraces and preserves our precious legacy of hunting, our connection with nature, and our outdoor family traditions.

Hunting: an excellent opportunity for getting close to nature, family and friends.

To view the Hunting Heritage Strategic Plan, visit us at ncwildlife.org. You can access the strategic plan via the Hunting/Trapping link on the left side of the screen.