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Having had the opportunity to participate in conservation for the last twenty plus years has truly added to my enjoyment of life. I have evolved from the finger pointing, blame fixing, and armchair sportsman, to one who works to better understand the complexity of natural resources management and then lend a hand on making them better or at least available in a quality and quantity equal to what I have been able to enjoy.

In order for all of us to accomplish this we need to follow the direction and philosophy developed by the works of those like Aldo Leopold who many consider to have laid the ground work of today‘s conservation efforts.

According to published reports, “Often credited as the founding father of wildlife ecology, Leopold defined the fundamental skills and techniques for managing and restoring wildlife populations. His landmark work created a new science that intertwined forestry, agriculture, biology, zoology, ecology, education and communication.”

Today we call it ecosystem management.

Still, I periodically catch myself second guessing the decision makers, especially when economic times are challenged like they are today. It is the processes of change that take us out of our comfort zone and question the rationale behind new direction.

Having the urge to second guess natural resources management is normal. Here it is important to remain positive and first learn all the information available regarding an issue and then seek resolve, or as Leopold stated, “We shall never achieve harmony (with land), any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve but to strive.”

My biggest concern is not about my future and the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. I am worried about future generations and what if any outdoors recreation will remain for them. Today’s focus on proposed reduced levels of service scares me.

Even though the funds raised by fee paying recreational users for natural resources management remain constitutionally protected, the allocation of state general fund revenues to supplement resource programs continues to shrink and will most likely be gone within the next few years. That will make the MDNR totally self sufficient with every bit of revenue committed to specific use.

How will they be able to do the job? Will all non-paying users be cut out? How too will the efforts to retain and recruit hunters be accomplished? Who should be responsible for wildlife habitat management? Will recreational access to public land stay at par with today’s levels?

Well it was also the philosophy of Leopold years ago that, “the future of American wildlife lay largely on private land, in the attitudes and decisions -wise or otherwise- of American farmers and landowners.” I believe this philosophy remains as contemporary today as it was when first uttered.

Recent research from Mark Duda, the Executive Director of Responsive Management on “The Future of Hunting and the Shooting Sports”, breaks down the true history of hunter recruitment and retention. Time has demonstrated that we cannot rely on government to make the difference in how many begin or continue to hunt, trap or fish, it comes from mentoring the young within the family unit.

It also comes from the adults understanding and appreciating the importance of finding time for outdoors recreation and the pleasures derived from the fellowship of being afield.

In simple terms, Duda’s findings (like those of Leopold) indicate it is up to the private individual (you and me) to mentor the young into the hunting and shooting sports, and the responsibility of the family unit to keep them involved on into maturity. Working in this direction will do more to instill the excitement of participation and working towards long term goals than any instant gratification programs that seem so prevalent today.

There should also be no worry about public acceptance.

Duda’s research indicates that at least 78% of the general public support hunting and 79% support the shooting sports in general.

All that is necessary to accomplish our goal to keep interest in hunting and shooting is learn and then teach the respect due to our natural resources. We need to make the process of learning and adjustment seem like the recreational adventure it was meant to be.

Our personal involvement has never been more important, given the economic trends of today. We need to give back to conservation not just for continued recreational opportunity, but for the purpose of being involved for the perpetuation of our heritage.

As Leopold put it, “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”